What would you get for...

[Rajah]

...an 11-12 year old boy and an 8-9 year old girl?

We'd like to pick up a couple of inexpensive gifts for one of our cousin's two kids (a gift for the kids of one cousin) but aren't sure what the "in" things are right now besides Yugioh (sp?), and we're not sure their mom would approve of Yugioh.

 

[trayletha]

Sorry I can't help - don't have any "connections" with kids that age. But I wanted to ask what is a Yugioh?

 

[Rajah]

Yugioh (I'm not sure the last two characters are right, I know that's how it's pronounced though) is a TV show. The current "Pokemon". Story of these kids that play card games in "battles" that to the average kid on the show are harmless fun, but to the main characters are actual subtle battles to rule the world. The main character Yugioh is trying to protect the world from the evil forces that have "taken control" of other players. Supposedly if they get control of certain cards in the card game, they can unlock a door to an evil realm that will allow them to take over the world. It's also got a card game part to it, some books, and video games. I think it's rather fun. Cheezy, but fun.

 

[Boo'sMom]

The rage for my 11yo is the Yu-gi-oh cards, as well as Beyblades....they are little tops with zip cords that they "battle" with.

 

[Rajah]

No one has any more ideas?

 

[dandave]

I have 8 and 6 year old boys, but I'd hate to suggest anything. They showed absolutely *no* interest in the ZipZaps I struggled to get them for Christmas. (Grumble, grumble.)

They do love Yu-gi-oh cards and cordless vacs, however...

 

[bumcat]

I have a 9 yr old boy and all he ever wants is more Yu-Gi-Oh Cards. He also collects the Yu.. action figures.
My girls are 20 and 16 so I can't help you there.

 

[Mishetta]

I got my 10 y/o niece a BRATT Doll for Christmas & she went NUTS over it! Hasn't put it down since but I think they're around $10. You can find the mini dolls though (I think they're about 2 or 3 inches high) & they're right around $5. I found both of those at Target.

Yu - Gi - Ho cards would be a really big hit! My 7 y/o son is crazy about those. He doesn't know how to play the game, he just likes to collect the really cool looking cards.

MacDonalds Gift Certificates?? I gave those out to my son's friends for Valentines day. Those were really popular!

Can't think of anything else right now.....

 

[jana]

why not call the mom and ask what they are into so you know you'll get the right thing.

 

[Cindy B]

My eight year old loves BOOKS! He could buy books, or art sets, or computer stuff like no ones business.

In fact here, Yu gi oh is sort of getting passe.. Now the older kids aren't playing with it as much, and the younger kids are getting into it. The older kids are calling it dumb, and the cards are getting passed down to the younger siblings.

11-12 year old, my nephews were that age not that long ago.

They may enjoy books as well. My neice is that age, as she likes jewelry, lip gloss, diary/gel pens, and makeup mirror.


But for a boy, my nephews like model that they could put together (like cars/helicopter). My one nephew was getting into music at that age, so sheet music might be nice. Or Blockbuster gift card. They do like movies and sports, so that could be an option as well.

 

[jrmasm]

but for the girl go to Limited Too. You can pick up a necklace or something inexpensively. Around here there is nothing cooler to that age than Ltd Too!!

 

[snoopy]

I agree with Cindy, 11-12 yrs old may be a little old for Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

I have nephews that age, they like all things trendy. Music, cool clothes from Abercrombie & Fitch, CASH - but could be in a gift certificate, video games, any kind of electronics.

My 8-year old niece is much easier to buy for. She's happy with anything girlie. Her birthday just passed, we got her a new outfit with matching hair pretties and sunglasses, and a Fur Real Kitty. She was thrilled.

 

[browneyes]

For the 8-9 yo girl, anything from Mary Kate & Ashley. A movie, clothes, etc. My dd likes those kits where they can make stuff too-fingernail polish, lip gloss, etc.

My nephew is 11 and he's happy with any kind of video game. Walmart has some for $10-$15. Actually, he likes any kind of game. I bought him a chess set for his bday and he loves it.

 

[Shannon G]

We have an 8 year old niece, and she loves crafts and games (board games, card games...) For Christmas we got her supplies to make her own suncatchers, and she loved it. For her birthday recently we got her the game "Simon" and her mother says she plays it all the time.

An 11-12 year old boy is harder, IMO. For our nephews who are in their early teens, we usually get them a gift certificate to Walmart, so they can buy whatever they want with it.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by jana
why not call the mom and ask what they are into so you know you'll get the right thing.

That's what I suggested to my mom, but she said it's very hard to reach the mom (or dad) by phone unless you want to wake up the kids, and we leave in 24 hours.

I'm leaning toward a book store gift certificate. They both read 2 grade levels above their level, and if he's into and allowed to have cards like Yu-gi-oh then the book store will have those, and I remember being about the boy's age and considering a trip to the book store to get my own books that I chose to be one of the best gifts ever.

I just have to convince my mom that it's not too impersonal.