|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:16 Post subject: I need some serious help...
My mom is recovering from surgery and sent me money to purchase something for my son for Christmas. I'd rather not just give him the cash, because he usually gets a lot and I would like something special and meaningful to put under the tree.
I planned on a neat gift and a little cash. Unfortunately I'm all out of ideas.
He's 13. He's into technology. I'm buying him a new skateboard and helmet and some paintball equipment--but those are temporal hobbies--I would like something a little more lasting from my parents.
IDEAS?? PLEASE????
|
|
|
|
|
Cappy
Excelent
|
|
|
Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:19 Post subject:
MP3 Player, Palm Pilot
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:22 Post subject:
iPod Mini and a bunch of songs to go in it.
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:26 Post subject:
| brie k wrote: | | iPod Mini and a bunch of songs to go in it. |
How much? And how do I get the songs?
|
|
|
|
|
HighHeat
Big Daddy
|
|
|
Joined: 30 May 2004
Posts: 6682
Location: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:26 Post subject:
How much money are you talking about?
The iPod or Samsung Napsters are about $250
Playstation 2/XBox are about $150
Maybe start him on a family hobby? Would he be interested in Genealogy? You can get software for about $50 or less, and if you have more moeny than that to spend, it can be used toward research fees and/or subscriptions to places like ancestry.com.
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:29 Post subject:
| HighHeat wrote: | How much money are you talking about?
The iPod or Samsung Napsters are about $250
Playstation 2/XBox are about $150
Maybe start him on a family hobby? Would he be interested in Genealogy? You can get software for about $50 or less, and if you have more moeny than that to spend, it can be used toward research fees and/or subscriptions to places like ancestry.com. |
He has an XBox and a PS2---he bought them himself, after saving up for a long time. I refused to give into just buying him everything.
Unfortunately, he's also a typical 13 y/o and isn't interested in much outside of himself.
He did ask for an archery set, but where would he be able to use that?
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:30 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: |
How much? And how do I get the songs? |
$249 w/ free shipping. Songs are from iTunes, about .99 per or an album for $9.99. Uber-easy interface (after f*cking it up the first time, my fault, not theirs) and their customer service at Apple is top-notch.
Oh, and you can transfer your own songs to iTunes program as well, so if he has scads of cd's, not a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:32 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: | | He did ask for an archery set, but where would he be able to use that? |
If he suddenly shows an interest in Dungeons and Dragons, I would get a little worried. 
I'm wearing boots of escapement. I'm wearing boots of escapement.
|
|
|
|
|
keltic63
the kilted one
|
|
|
Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 8574
Location: under the weather
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:33 Post subject:
did you see my post about silver coins? I actually bought a few more to give to my parents, in addition to the ones I'm giving my kids. It's not a "WOW" gift, but silver has some value, the coins are dated, so if you're not all that interested in the precious metal, there is the sentimental value that it came from a particular relative in a certain holiday season.
|
|
|
|
|
sonnylax
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:34 Post subject:
Not that I have any kids of my own...
But.... does anyone think its a bit much to give a young teenager a $250 portable electronic item like an Ipod or Palm Pilot? (I would be afraid the darn kid would lose it or break it.)
|
|
|
|
|
HighHeat
Big Daddy
|
|
|
Joined: 30 May 2004
Posts: 6682
Location: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:37 Post subject:
| sonnylax wrote: | Not that I have any kids of my own...
But.... does anyone think its a bit much to give a young teenager a $250 portable electronic item like an Ipod or Palm Pilot? (I would be afraid the darn kid would lose it or break it.) |
No different then having one for myself. 
|
|
|
|
|
keltic63
the kilted one
|
|
|
Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 8574
Location: under the weather
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:42 Post subject:
| sonnylax wrote: | Not that I have any kids of my own...
But.... does anyone think its a bit much to give a young teenager a $250 portable electronic item like an Ipod or Palm Pilot? (I would be afraid the darn kid would lose it or break it.) |
my 16yo is getting one for Christmas. he also has a $400 guitar amp, and 2 rather expensive guitars. I have purchased both sons (16yo and 6yo) the new GameBoy Advanced at $80 each.
when you "know" your kids, you also know what they can handle.
|
|
|
|
|
MechEngDropout
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:44 Post subject:
| sonnylax wrote: | Not that I have any kids of my own...
But.... does anyone think its a bit much to give a young teenager a $250 portable electronic item like an Ipod or Palm Pilot? (I would be afraid the darn kid would lose it or break it.) |
 I'm amazed at how young some kids are when they get really expensive things.
But if you really want it to be a lasting gift, you're probably better off not getting electronics anyway. Things get out of date too quickly. Gifts I've gotten that I will hold onto forever are probably pocket knives. I have one from each of my grandfathers. Get something nice with an engraving. Alternatively you can get a money clip, etc... something along those lines. Or maybe an autographed something? Poster maybe? (Autographed by someone famous that he likes, not by you.  ) I can't think of much else that I'd really hold onto for a really long time.
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 16:45 Post subject:
| sonnylax wrote: | Not that I have any kids of my own...
But.... does anyone think its a bit much to give a young teenager a $250 portable electronic item like an Ipod or Palm Pilot? (I would be afraid the darn kid would lose it or break it.) |
Well, a couple things. First, this isn't "my" money I spent on Libby's iPod. Kramer gave me $ for the kid's Christmas, so I'm getting her this, from him, because she wants it very badly, and is a nice thing to get from her father.
Second, I'm more worried about it getting stolen than her hurting it herself. So, she won't get to take it to school. I know, you're probably thinking "Where's the fun in that then? Why get one at all if she cannot take it anywhere?" Well, she can when she's older and understands how to keep it hidden, that sort of thing. For now, the kid has her cd player on, with her headphones, and jams to her tunes while she's reading or whatever. She gets what she wants, and doesn't have to keep it turned down low so she doesn't disturb anyone. Win/win.
Plus, the iPod can be used in the Jeep using the stereo in there. I tested out the wireless gadget today. Works great! Since she and I like the same music, it works out well for those long trips up to Dad's.
So there's my reasoning. 
|
|
|
|
|
jrjo
Gone Fishin
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 12/15/04 - 17:09 Post subject:
Model rockets... kids that age love lighting a fuse and seeing something blast off. Check out your local hobby store. Is he in to any kind of cars or planes or boats? Models or remote control versions are another way to go in getting something he'll be reminded of who gave it to him for a long time. The remote controlled kits these days contain a whole lot of "technology" and building it himself would be real hands-on.
Is he like mom and read much? A nice hardcover set of a bunch of classics would be a good keepsake.
|
|
|
|
