The Christmas present discussion thread

[Fatheroffour]

My boys ,6 and 7, have been easy. Nerf guns, cars, spy stuff, "army gear", Nintendo. Daughter, a little harder. Netbook, clothes, mp3.

My 15 yo son I'm having difficulty with for a variety or reasons.

[happier_now]

this is pretty sweet, new nano with watch band, sweet for tweens, teens etc

[Fatheroffour]

8 yo boy. Spy watch.

Records audio, video takes pictures and even has a built in lie detector. What 8yo boy wouldn't want one?

[mndjrm]

I think technology gifts are always great but I find myself buying and upgrading more and more over the years. How about a soccer ball or a baseball glove? Nope - technology.

technology

[Fatheroffour]

Understand.

But, at least in my case, the kids got a soccer ball, baseball glove, skateboard, bike, football and a basketball. One soccer ball at the age of 6 and it's the only one he'll need in his lifetime unless he becomes a soccer prodigy. Not so much with tech items.

Today was B'day for the 8yo. I broke out the spy watch and he went gaga over it. It's a pretty cool piece of tech for a boy and easy to use. He's putting a little to much faith in the built in lie detector but it's a funny thing to watch.

[capslock]

Got my 2 yr 4mo s2's Super Bobby Car in today. Pretty excited. This thing is the Ferrari of foot to floor cars and he is a foot to floor fanatic.
He does fishtails, finds hills, and stunts on the little one he's had for a year or more.
Pretty much sold out the world over for the Super Bobby Car. Stoked.

[gotkids]

Went xylaphone for D12 (yep, I've got a band geek) and S7 as you said is a piece of cake.

Reverse gifts thought (may need another thread).

Had D12 write poetry in a journal for past 6 months. Put them on top of photo's from adventures we've taken which 'matched the writing in powerpoint. Exported as jpg. Went down to Walgreen photo center and made photobook. Instantly most of her Christmas shopping is done.

[CCR]

I'm a geek when it comes to technology. I have a 2nd generation Ipad, the new Nook Tablet and a 3G/wireless Samsung Galaxy Tab. I bought the first 2 new and the Tab used.

Which gives you the best bang for the buck?

The Samsung....hands down. A good used one is $200. The Nook Tablet is a great Netflix machine, but it costs money for everything you download, and unless you "android" it, there are great limitations to what is available.

The Ipad is useful, but it's pricey, whether new or used. I think they are too big...a smaller version is rumored to be coming out in 2012.