Would you let Santa do this.....

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Get her that and a protective case as a stocking stuffer.

 

[Swimalie]

When our son turned 7 this past March, all he wanted was a Nintendo DS. We decided the iPod had more benefits. That is all he got from us for his birthday. He got a protective case from my mother-in-law (the Survivor case, which is wonderful). We have the internet turned off, no email either and if he wants to buy something we have to type in the password(we won't give it to him) and the iPod is not allowed in his bedroom so that he doesn't stay up with it. For his birthday he got a few iTunes gift cards which he uses to buy apps. He has educational as well as fun apps.

 

[Jedana]

Santa is considering an Ipod of some sort for DS (turns 9 Monday).

He's had a Nintendo DS for about 18 months. He bought it with his own money--sold a bunch of his toddler toys and saved allowance. He wants a 3DS and will have the money to buy it after his birthday.

We've discovered if he buys the items himself, he tends to take better care of them.

I want the new Kindle HD, and if Santa brings me one (I'll be a good girl, I promise, Santa!) then DS will get my Kindle Fire (just a year old).

 

[Colleen27]

We did that last year for my then 10yo Christmas. Not from Santa - we keep Santa gifts pretty low-key, something special but relatively inexpensive - but from us. She loves it. It is probably the first Christmas present she's ever gotten that literally gets used every day.

 

[Patience]

I would get it for her since she has acted responsibly with her shuffle and, as others have suggested, wrap up ear buds, a case and maybe an iTunes gift card separately. That would be 4 things for her to open and then you can put a few items in her stocking too. If you want the Christmas tree to look "full" on Christmas morning, use big boxes to wrap the items in. Big Lots has inexpensive ear buds and cases for the ipod touch in fun colors.

 

[sk!mom]

Yes, this is normal. And it's wonderful! Instead of buying all of those toys they had to have, and then never play with, which just get good-willed a year later to make room for more of the same, you actually get them things they use all of the time, and enjoy for years.

My 9 year olds did this rite of passage last Christmas, and it was great. Xbox games, ipod touches (we have 5), kindle fires, cellphones, Uggs, Air Jordans... It's so much nicer having so much less under the tree. Every year, it's gets smaller and smaller.

Agreed! Christmas is so much easier and more relaxing now. No pile of plastic crap with tons of little pieces for DH to assemble. No more toys that are quickly tossed aside.

My youngest is 16, so we've enjoyed these types of Christmases for a while now. I manage to find plenty of small things to fill in with the special bigger gifts but everything actually gets enjoyed and used all year. Sometimes for many years- DD16 still years all of her Uggs boots from Christmases as far back as age 12. Northface jackets were exciting gifts and still worn every year.

 

[mrodgers]

I really think Ipod touches are awesome for the educational apps... if you can put some extra with it (like grandparents or have a garage sale) and get an IPAD that is even better. Its amazing what all the kids are learning from the apps these days.. (educational wise) It is teaching preschoolers how to read and apps for writing!

I remember the days when the parents taught preschoolers how to read and write. Both my daughters were reading chapter books before kindergarten and the younger one was writing her own stories in 1st grade (as well as read the first Harry Potter book.)

Last year at just turning 8 and 11 they both got an iPod Touch. From Santa, er... no. It's just weird thinking that kids over 1st grade believe in Santa (judging by how much they know from the 6th graders about sex....) Other than some clothes, that's all they got last year.

They both have full access and share an account. Sounds good to share an account at first, but it has boiled over to some arguments about the gift card amounts and what is downloaded. I wish we put them on separate accounts.

 

[auralia]

My dd has had one since she was 2 (5 now) and ds got his when he was 1. I keep them in otter box cases and they are both still fine... I myself did more damage to my iphone in the last 2 years then they did to their iPods.

 

[luvmy3]

I'd do it, like others have said, its better to give 1 thing you know they will love and use instead of 10 things they like for a couple of days and never play with again.

Last year my dd got a new Ipod touch (the bigger expensive one). She had an older version but really wanted the new one, she's older than your dd so knowing she was only getting a few things wasn't a big deal for her. I was the one that felt guilty so I gave her presents but they were things I'd buy her anyway. like socks, shampoo and lotions, gloves and hats, etc.

You could get her a case, itunes card, earphones (my kids hate earbuds) and maybe even a clock/radio dock to go with it. That way she'll have what she needs for it and still have a few extras under the tree to open.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, if Santa will buy it and I don't have to, he is welcome to do so.

 

[StephMK]

You could also wrap up a case, itunes card, and docking station if you want to add more. My kids all LOVE their ipods so they would not be disappointed. We had Santa bring little stuff last year and the ipod for DD was from us.

 

[ilovejack02]

Got my DS10 one when he was 8 .. from us , not Santa. Santa was not getting credit for that big gift LOL ! Santa just brought a cpl of small toys and stocking that year. DS didn't notice that Santa didn't bring much .


As far as PP saying it being weird if a kid believes past first grade .. guess I have a weird kid and PROUD of it . LOL.

 

[bas71873]

Got my DS10 one when he was 8 .. from us , not Santa. Santa was not getting credit for that big gift LOL ! Santa just brought a cpl of small toys and stocking that year. DS didn't notice that Santa didn't bring much .


As far as PP saying it being weird if a kid believes past first grade .. guess I have a weird kid and PROUD of it . LOL.

Same here! My DD9 still believes, as do most of her closest friends, and I think it's GREAT. I was a little shocked that we got through Cmas last year (3rd grade) without questions, because I kinda thought she'd come home from school with some, but she didn't. I want her to believe forever

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Absolutely a good idea. If she wants it and you can afford it, why not? I agree with your husband too - this is something that will be useful and get used! It's especially great for travel.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I've done one larger gift and let the kids know that meant they would get less and they were fine with it. I think it's practical. I won't buy an ipod touch for a kid personally but I think one main gift you know they will be happy with and appreciate is fine. Ds wants his own laptop this year, he knows that may be it for him from us and is ok with that so he says but last year he wanted a few expensive things and I bought him less and then he was whining the girls opened more. I didn't give them a ton more but they did get a few extra little things to open.

So my long winded point is...do you think she will really be ok with it or is she saying that so you buy it?

Dh is the opposite of me, he thinks the more to open the better but so much of it just sits there as junk! It's a waste.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thank you all!!! I am def doing it!!! My other kids are 22 and 21...don't ask!!! LOL This was our little SURPRISE!!!!! We get a big kick out of Santa and I think this is it....last year. She is already doubting. Great idea on the case. I am telling both G-mas to go for Itunes cards . Thanks!!!!! I think older DD is getting the Ipad...Christmas/Graduation from College gift. Its going to be a high-tch Christmas!!!

 

[BlueBeagle]

All of my kids have Ipod's and they are awesome. So easy to travel with. Always check the counter at Starbucks they have cards for free apps and they don't expire for awhile. You could add those to the stocking as well.

 

[ceecee]

My only concern at that age (or even older) is what they have access to on the internet. My 11 yr old niece had a lot of "problems" sticking to the verbal agreement they had, so keep an eye open and I think there are ways to block some of the stuff.

 

[meggiebeth]

Yup, a big problem is the Internet. I have two brothers- William is 13 and pretty grown up for his age. He is always on Facebook and YouTube, not to mention awful Xbox games.

Rory is 7 and thinks his big brother is just great so wants to do all the things William does. We have a problem now with him going on YouTube where he has actually learnt swear words and rude and suggestive actions (which he has immitated to the fury of my parents).

Now, he isn't allowed on YouTube so much. The Internet is so easy to stumble across something totally inappropriate. When he does go on YouTube one of us has to supervise him. However it isn't easy and I think YouTube should be ruled out completely for children up till they can use it responsibly.

Some of the awful videos I have seen on YouTube include a lesson on swearing, a snake eating a guinea pig and a sea urchin eating a cookie lol.

 

[Fire14]

Always check the counter at Starbucks they have cards for free apps and they don't expire for awhile.

I'm asking for friend is this starbucks in grocery store or actual starbucks store in strip mall type place? Any other places to check out? I've never personally been in starbucks!!!