The Christmas present discussion thread

[Fatheroffour]

I figured this group of dedicated dads could use a place to share some ideas and knowledge for the upcoming holiday. Something a bit more substantive than "Where can I buy a Kindle?"

I found a deal on a small netbook for my daughter and am looking for suggestions for a inexpensive nanny/monitoring software is anyone cares to make a recommendation.

I'm also looking at an inexpensive android based tablet for my son but I'm curious if anyone knows if you can even install a nanny/monitoring type software on these devices.

[Captain Trips]

I have tried a few different monitoring programs on the netbook I bought for my oldest a few years ago. They worked fine, but the easiest thing was just to tell him that I was going to be monitoring his web use and would take it away if he did anything he shouldn't. Occasionally, I would just boot it up and browse through the history to see what he was doing. He was younger then and porn/girls weren't really an issue. Now he is older and doesn't like the netbook, he says the screen is too small, so he uses my laptop, which has content blocked through work.

Relative to an android based tablet, I got one for my middle son last year. It was about $200, I don't remember the brand, but we sent it back on the day after christmas. It was horribly slow and wouldn't keep the Wi-Fi connection at all. So I can't really help with those except to say that you get what you pay for.

[spencerian]

FoF, you can go to slickdeals.net to get the buzz on the best prices on tablets.

As far as the monitoring software... There are several.
Netnanny is $30 for the PC. They also plan to launch an android version in January.

Personally I got all 3 of my kids Android tablets. The local rent to own had some for $159.
I googled them and found Amazon had them for $319. So I saved $160 each, and have 90 days to pay same as cash. This was extreme luck.

Refurbed iPads are $399 for a 1 gen with 32GB. You still get 1 year warranty.

If you're looking to get one cheaper than $399 get a good one. Those $99 ones they sell at CVS are junk. Your best bet would be BlackBerry 7" PlayBook WiFi Tablet: 16GB for $198 or 32GB for $298 with free shipping. << at Walmart.com

[Chris A]

The knook color for $190 or so is pretty good.

[defaultuser]

I'm getting my kids a video camera, and IPAD2, an art easel thing, and some clothes and stuff.

Total expenditure is less than $1000.

[jamessick]

Knex rollercoaster rig for $30 for the boys to share, and to go along with all the Knex they already have...

Books and a bookcase my brother and I built...

Earrings for the girlie girl

Mixing bowls and measuring cups for my aspiring young chef...

Still looking around.

[hoosier_dad]

For those with young daughters: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Fold-Mini-Stable/dp/B001ENFGN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322845434&sr=8-1

[happier_now]

BACON!

best gifts EVAR!

http://www.thinkgeek.com

[gadad223]

So far I have gotten D11 a flat screen tv for her room.
A Play Station 3 with motion controls like the wii, which will be for all of them.

S6 and S4 have a few board games, a few toy trucks, got to figure out the rest.

NJ has already bought a couple of thousand dollers worth of stuff, so Im kinda out of options on what they want.

[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.