What's everybody buying their kids for Christmas this year - age 12 and up?

[luckey-lasvegas]

My DD13 (14 5 days before Christmas ) Has only asked for the Just Dance Wii game and giftcards. I took the DSI off the table at the start of the school year when I used it for a school incentive. I am planning on getting her some custom made Vans-(wear), a Ipod stereo dock for her room (need), a couple magazine subscriptions (read), a couple of Wii games (want) and some giftcards from Santa . But I know her favorite gift will be the can of chocolate frosting with a spoon taped to it that I plan to put in her stocking . It's her dream come true!

 

[VirataMama4]

But I know her favorite gift will be the can of chocolate frosting with a spoon taped to it that I plan to put in her stocking . It's her dream come true!

OMG, I am going to have to "steal" this idea for my DD12! She'll be on and I may just win "Mother of the Year" in her eyes! May be I'll add some graham crackers, since she loves to make "sandwiches" out of them and frosting...

 

[EllenFrasier]

But I know her favorite gift will be the can of chocolate frosting with a spoon taped to it that I plan to put in her stocking . It's her dream come true!

If I gave someone food for Christmas in their stocking, I would put a bottle of ketchup in ds11's stocking. The boy eats a lot of ketchup.

 

[tlbwriter]

I created the following guideline: everyone - including dh and me - receives

1 thing we want, 1 thing we need, 1 thing to play with, and 1 thing to read

The 'need' is usually clothes.

That's funny, because I've seen this version of it:

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read

 

[Gymbomom]

I have to say that I feel behind the curve here...I see that alot of kids under 13 already have the ipod, itouch, tv in room, laptop, cell phone, etc, etc...my kids DS11 and DD8 have none of those things. Do any of you ever feel like because sometimes kids get those things so young nowadays that there is 'nowhere to go' as far as gifts when they get older?

For example, DH's brother has gotten all those things and more for our only newphew(7) and now complains every bday and Christmas that he can't think of anything to get his kid because he already has it all...he thinks we are cheap and old fashioned because our kids get clothes, board games, legos, dollhouses, pogo sticks, craft stuff, maybe one DS game, movie passes, etc...

I also worry that if we give our kids too much, too soon that they will grow up to think that all this stuff is easy to come by and will have HUGE sticker shock when they are adults themselves and realize that they cannot continue the lifestyle they enjoyed as children.

Am I alone?

There is a HUGE difference between preteen and teens. My daughter turning from 11-12 and elementary to middle school was a huge change for her. Our 12 -13 year is when we packed up the dolls and such. My son who is 9 still wants legos, toys, figures, etc....
Just wait......

 

[disneybound31]

Can I say that I love you! We do not buy a ton for our girls. My 15 year old has a laptop that she paid 80% of. Grandparents paid the other 20% for her. We usually buy clothes, dvd's, itune cards, board games, etc. She does not have a cell phone either and if she wants one she will have to get a job to pay for it! dd7 usually gets some toys, books, board games. We also usually get 1 family wii game.

I have nothing against those who buy a lot for their children. They have the money and they can do what they want, but I grew up in a time where we didn't have much money and valued the small things we got at Christmas and I want my kids to grow up the same. We only spend about $500 total at Christmas and that includes family gifts, our tree (we get a real one) and any new decorations we buy including gift wrap and candy!

Yes, u can say that!I think I love you, too! And we love Charlottesville- my dad and his family are from there so we visit yearly...anyhow, we get a real tree, also...part of the Xmas budget and is a real family tradition for us to go pick it out at our friends family greenhouse.

I also grew up in a family who did not have alot of money to make Christmas special so my parents found other ways to build memories and happiness. DH and I can provide a bit more materially, but most often we choose to spend $ on experiences and travel rather than 'stuff'. We have been telling DSalmost12 for a year that when he starts mowing yards next summer and can afford a cell phone and pay for the usage he may have one (he used to ask all the time when his best friend got one). Same with a car in the future...we may get him a (safe) beater car- or give him my 10 year old Volvo, but he would need to handle the gas, upkeep and insurance- otherwise he may not be driving.

I certainly do not judge others who have the $ to give their kids all those things, but I feel very peaceful about the way we are raising our two...we are on Fall break right now and could not afford a 'big' vacation because we went to Mt. Rushmore/South Dakota last year so we took them 2 hours up the road to Biltmore (Asheville, NC) for the day, free hotel stay with reward points and then spent a day driving and hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway...got home late last night and the first thing I heard this morning from both kids was how that was the best vacation EVER. Really?! WDW 3 times and this is the best ever??? I didn't say that part out loud to them- I just smiled and gave them a hug. Life is what we make it, right?

 

[disneybound31]

There is a HUGE difference between preteen and teens. My daughter turning from 11-12 and elementary to middle school was a huge change for her. Our 12 -13 year is when we packed up the dolls and such. My son who is 9 still wants legos, toys, figures, etc....
Just wait......

I totally thought that would happen, but it has not, so far...DS11 started middle school this fall and I figured Legos and dart guns would fall off the list and be replaced with every high-tech electronic known to modern man. Nope, he just asked his ma (my mom) if she might be getting him his traditional Lego Advent calendar set for Chrismas to count down the days til the 25th...she said 'of course' and he was so excited. He told her he was afraid she would think he was too old now because he is in 6th grade...he is into a wide range of things and still loves to 'play' as much as he loves to use my phone to text his buddies, shoot ball with his dad and go to football games. I keep looking for the 'switch' to flip and am thankful for every minute I get until then!Some of his friends are getting really into girls...

 

[Colleen27]

I totally thought that would happen, but it has not, so far...DS11 started middle school this fall and I figured Legos and dart guns would fall off the list and be replaced with every high-tech electronic known to modern man. Nope, he just asked his ma (my mom) if she might be getting him his traditional Lego Advent calendar set for Chrismas to count down the days til the 25th...she said 'of course' and he was so excited. He told her he was afraid she would think he was too old now because he is in 6th grade...he is into a wide range of things and still loves to 'play' as much as he loves to use my phone to text his buddies, shoot ball with his dad and go to football games. I keep looking for the 'switch' to flip and am thankful for every minute I get until then!Some of his friends are getting really into girls...

Its the same way for DS12. He just started middle school in the fall too and I thought that would make a big difference in his interests and wants, but so far nope. He's into the same things he was as a 4th and 5th grader, and I'm not complaining.

Most of his friends seem about the same, though, which I'm sure makes a difference. Out here in the sticks there's not a lot of peer pressure to have the latest and greatest electronic gizmos. Team colors football cleats, on the other hand, are worth a whole season's bragging rights, and a good BMX bike in those same colors is apparently quite a status symbol (or so we found out when we got DS his new Mongoose).

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

My DD 12 out grew "toys" at a very early age. She never played with dolls. It has been difficult. My oldest DS 13 always wanted lego's but had now outgrown them. My only little guy is 9 and he has outgrown toys somewhat. they all want electronics. So this year they will all get TV's in their rooms. Let the flames begin. lol

they are very busy from the time they get up until after dinner around 7:30 or 8:00/ After that they want to chill and watch TV, I don't want to give up mine anymore and they all have different likes. so 3 TV's coming up.

No flames here. My DD16 is getting a flat screen for her room this year as her big gift. Plus, other things as well. Last year her laptop was her big gift.

 

[Gymbomom]

I totally thought that would happen, but it has not, so far...DS11 started middle school this fall and I figured Legos and dart guns would fall off the list and be replaced with every high-tech electronic known to modern man. Nope, he just asked his ma (my mom) if she might be getting him his traditional Lego Advent calendar set for Chrismas to count down the days til the 25th...she said 'of course' and he was so excited. He told her he was afraid she would think he was too old now because he is in 6th grade...he is into a wide range of things and still loves to 'play' as much as he loves to use my phone to text his buddies, shoot ball with his dad and go to football games. I keep looking for the 'switch' to flip and am thankful for every minute I get until then!Some of his friends are getting really into girls...

Good for him! That is great. I do think there is a difference in girls vs boys. All of the pre teens and early teen boys run around our neighborhood with nerf guns too, but the girls don't push their baby stollers outside.

 

[momblanch]

1 thing we want, 1 thing we need, 1 thing to play with, and 1 thing to read

I REALLY like this!! Gonna have to hijack it and claim it as my own!!
I'll determine a budget for my kids, DS18-DD12, and they can choose the 4 things. Brilliant!

 

[disneybound31]

Good for him! That is great. I do think there is a difference in girls vs boys. All of the pre teens and early teen boys run around our neighborhood with nerf guns too, but the girls don't push their baby stollers outside.

Yes, I would agree with you- I am anxious (maybe anxious is not the right word, curious?) to see how the progression with DD8 happens- whether slowly and gradual or too-fast-for-mom's-comfort...lol I am certainly NOT anxious to see her grow up too fast! Right now she is planning for us to repeat our 'girls only'' tea at Grand Floridian when we do Xmas at WDW 2011. She will be 9 then and I wonder for how much longer is 'tea w/ mom' fun? I pray we will be doing it when she is 20,30,40...if only I should be so blessed. Crying a little now...

 

[kayrosek]

Soon to be 12 DD is receiving: custom Minnie outfit (massive Minnie obsession), game for DS, snuggie, pj's, possibly a new cell phone (or some other gadget) and she surprised me by wanting a specific doll so she'll get that. This is probably my last year of dolls.

DD 13 is recieving: High school hoodie (all the rage with the eigth graders around here), acoustic guitar, art set, snuggie, pj's and the shoes she's been drooling over.

 

[PolyDec2008]

I agree with you and disneybound, but our kids are behind the trend by our own design.


They're getting good digital cameras each, with a memory card that will last them forever. Its a gift that has practical use, will last them for many years, and they can use them on school trips.

We got our oldest dd a nice digital camera when she was 10...it has disappeared somewhere in the abyss of this house I know it is here, saw her take it downstairs about six weeks ago but can't find it.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Ds 10 New Tv,lacrosse gloves, lacrosse arm pads, pillow pet, 2 xbox games, 2 ds games, professional basketball, new North face jacket.
Normally sports equipment is a need not a gift however he took his out in the neighborhood and both went missing. Soooo although its not really included in his total he thinks it is. trying very hard to teach a lesson here.

Another ds 10
Lego, hoth wampa set, rebel base, army rebel pack, xbox points card,pillow pet,3 ds games, 2 xbox games,lego pyramid game. itunes gift card,

Ds 16 is Not happy he wants ONLY cash I said nope to that. He is getting a 150 in cash, And a slew of gift cards, For Mc Donalds, Burger King, the 99 pub, Regal Cinemas, itunes, heritage cinemas, Leary family bowling alley.


dd 23 almost 24 A new Keurig. 5 cases of k-cups and a 150 in cash.

Yes I am DONE with my kids shopping. I spend and EQUAL amount on each child. They can request what they want up till the reached dollar amounts.

I have not yet done stocking shopping.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

Yes, I would agree with you- I am anxious (maybe anxious is not the right word, curious?) to see how the progression with DD8 happens- whether slowly and gradual or too-fast-for-mom's-comfort...lol I am certainly NOT anxious to see her grow up too fast! Right now she is planning for us to repeat our 'girls only'' tea at Grand Floridian when we do Xmas at WDW 2011. She will be 9 then and I wonder for how much longer is 'tea w/ mom' fun? I pray we will be doing it when she is 20,30,40...if only I should be so blessed. Crying a little now...

DD is 13 and Tea with Mom is still fun! I hope it stays that way forever

 

[TheRustyScupper]

?What's everybody buying their kids for Christmas this year - age 12 and up?

Lots of Cash !

 

[LilMamiBella]

My older kids ages 8 and 11 both say they want money to go shopping in the mall. I think I might do that and also the need, want, read,etc so they have something to open on Christmas.