Any must have toys this Christmas?

[dkf]

[here_is_to_hope]

1. money. eom

[MineralMan]

8. There is one must-have toy, but I never knew just what it was...

It zipped when it moved,
bopped when it stopped,
whirred when it stood still.

I'll never know just what it was,
And I guess I never will.

[Tesha]

35. Full marks! Now, do you know the back story about how Tom Paxton wrote that? (NT)

[Speck Tater]

2. Rake, hoe, shovel, other garden implements so you can grow food and not starve to death. NT

[Earth_First]

9. Funny you mention this...

We're putting together our seed order this weekend.

www.seedsavers.org

[tridim]

3. I already got my Christmas present.

Best. Present. Ever!

[dkf]

10. True.

I was thinking of what to get my 4 year old nieces though. I'm stumped.

[Ilsa]

11. Age appropriate learning software? We always liked

Reader Rabbit, Blues Clues, etc.

Little girls usually love "dress-up". Many character costumes, etc.

[here_is_to_hope]

13. We got our girl a

Leapfrog thing, its small and very interactive.
She has enjoyed it to no end and....
It has sparked such an interest in reading that we can hardly thing done for all of the reading we do TOGETHER!

I am not one for gizmo's but these leapfrogs work.
The hardware was 50.00 and the software runs 20 to 30 new and used.
It does have games with it, spongebob and leapfrog, as well as coloring and a 'lite' version of 'paint'.
She loves it and we only limit her time with her when she is playing games rather than the reading.

[dkf]

16. Thanks!

If my nieces are twins I probably need to get two huh?

[here_is_to_hope]

25. You just might

I was hesitant at first because these things can steal a childs' time but I have to say, not only do the programs make sense, they really sparked her interest in reading and writing.
She has a simple math game and another that is teaching 'reasoning' skills.
And the system has a volume knob...
Good luck!

[dkf]

47. Guess what my sister wants to go to ToysRUs for...

A leapster 2! How funny is that? Boy you were dead on.

[Kalyke]

33. I agree with the LeapFrog stuff.

You also may consider some V-Tech items, as well. I think they're a bit cheaper in price, but have the same quality of educational value.

Good luck!

(I have a 17-month-old and a 9 year-old. I'm done shopping!! I do it all before Thanksgiving and only online after. I hate crowds. And, now, they're not only annoying, but apparently deadly).

[dkf]

48. I got them the V-Tech cameras for their birthday.

They still carry it around every so often, but 3 simple games are not enough, so it looks like I need to advance to this leapster thing.

[csziggy]

27. Books - that is what I always gave my nieces and nephews

Push the age limits - get them books just a little advanced over what they are capable of reading right now. I also tended to push out of the ordinary subjects - science, stories about other cultures, history. And I was a little disruptive - gave books on dinosaurs and evolution to the children of our fundie in-laws, books on cross-cultural themes to the ones that were somewhat racist, etc. Since the kids have grown up (our youngest nephew is now 17) I have learned from them that the parents seldom reviewed the books we gave as presents so the kids got a wider view of the world from the books we gave them than they got from their parents.

Here is the American Library Association's lists of notable children's books:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/childrensnotable/notablechibooks/index.cfm

There are plenty of other lists of good children's books - choices by children, teachers, parents, etc. Just Google "children's book lists."

[Shiver]

49. My lists growing up were almost entirely books.

My parents were all too happy with that; far more use than a simple toy I'll be bored with in a year. Never children's books, though... when I was six I asked for and received the enite Lord of The Rings trilogy, and finished it before winter break ended.

Come to think, aside for a few computer necessities (mostly for my writing), my current lists are almost all books...

[csziggy]

50. Yes, children's books that are intended only for children are not great

But books that are of interest to all ages are good for children and everyone else. Our nieces and nephews were always happy to get the books we gave them - and if I asked them what they wanted for the next holiday, they would ask for more books. And all the kids I have known in the last 30 years had far more toys than they needed or cared about. But good books are always welcome!

[mitchtv]

4. Mary Bono Bobble head doll

Please Santa

[Kazak]

5. iPod Touch?

:shrug:

[gblady]

6. asking Santa...

for a job!

[Neshanic]

7. Rent money.

[sohndrsmith]

12. nope. I don't buy into the retail requirements foisted onto Christmas...

It seems like some (most even) view it as compulsory as filing tax returns. Guess what? It isn't... that doesn't mean that I don't buy or give presents - hardly. But retailers and advertisers don't dictate what I "should" be getting or doing, only I do that. The few times I have caved (at the pleading of kid who thinks she can't live without "x"), it has proven to be an utter waste of time and money that could have gone to something she really would have loved.

I know my family better than corporate marketers do, and I'm too stubborn to let advertising guilt me into anything. Period.

[datasuspect]

14. trample proof body armor for shoppers?

[Ezlivin]

15. Hurricane Bong

Although it's not really a "toy"; it's more of a "tool" to be carefully used by the skilled.

For some Hurricanes are the best bongs in the world. The smoke in the Hurricane Bongs goes through 2 water chambers. The turbulence (created by very small orifices) makes the smoke look like a hurricane. The centrifugal force within this turbulence hurls the tar particles to the walls; what remains is the clean smoke. The Hurricanes are made from Duran glass and almost unbreakable. Hurricane also offers an emergency repair service. The bongs are hand-made. At first, the mouthpiece, shothole and the joint parts are formed. Then the three feet get their shape in fire and fixed with the body. Hurricane Bongs are famous for their extraordinary design and very popular among demanding smokers. Hurricane Bong 600 ml 2 x Hurricane Connector Catalyst Effect Cap "Vesuvio" Survey Hurricane Bongs delivery periods: 14 days TDE - with 3 orifices DTI -with 6 orifices Available Surfaces: White Topgrip, White Window, Golden Window, Goldeneye and Clear. We ask for your understanding that we can supply Hurricane Bongs only with cash before delivery.

[dkf]

20. hee hee. That is certainly different.

Funny.

[Hekate]

17. Family membership to the local Zoo for my daughter's family. Our little monkey can go see...

... the big monkeys, and roar at the lions.

He has lots of toys and books already, thanks to older cousins and his mom shopping at the thrift store for good stuff. So when she said that's what they'd really like, I said great idea.

Hekate

[dkf]

23. Yup. Our two monkeys love the zoo and have had passes since they could walk.

They especially love the play area and to finish off the day...dippin dots! I hear there is a little tiger cub at the Honolulu Zoo that has yet to be introduced to the community.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. A short barrel for my assault rifle before Obama bans them.

Only kidding of course. At least about him banning them. I really do want one for my AR-15.

David

[dkf]

19. Yeah, I'm wondering if this isn't self defeating.

When people are scared something will be banned, it just encourages them to stockpile.

[Hanse]

21. Oh, I think it's hilarious.

In a shitty economy, all these nuts are rushing out and flushing their money down the toilet on a false premise.

[dkf]

24. They love their guns...what can ya say?

I don't get it, but I don't get people who love Hillary either. To each their own.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

37. How are they flushing their money down the drain?

Assault weapons became tremendously more valuable after the 1992 AWB. Firearms historically don't depreciate quickly or at all. I can probably get double what I paid for mine.

David

[Hanse]

39. because they're useless toys.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

40. Clearly they are useless and have limited value for people who are scared of guns.

They are much more useful than my golf clubs and most of my other toys.

David

[Hanse]

41. Keep telling yourself that.

Like I said earlier, I'm finding this all hilarious in this economy.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

45. It's okay some people can't control their phobias.

Some people are doing fine in this economy, I know I am. The range I shoot at is mostly used by upper middle class men in their 40's. Based on the vehicles they drive and the jobs they have I don't see many of them having trouble financially.

David

[BostonMa]

22. >Only kidding of course. At least about him banning them.< Sure you were

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

36. No need to beat around the bush, be a man and say what you mean.

[Hanse]

42. Be a man yourself.

You were just arguing that the AWB would be an example of why guns are a solid investment under Obama.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

43. That has historically been the case.

[fight4my3sons]

26. Do they have Cranium Balloon Lagoon?

My twins are 4 and they love it. I know that many stores carry it. They also love Cranium Cariboo.

http://www.amazon.com/Cranium-103050006-100E-Balloon-Lagoon/dp/B000Q7JWCO/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I19YLW2W0WS6Y1&colid=BHJNZTXZ22NR

[goclark]

28. My friend called and asked if we could "not do Christmas" this yr.

I was thrilled!
She said she is calling all her gift friends and ask if they would rather donate to a charity or do a good deed for someone else instead.

I love the idea and can't wait.

[Sanctified]

29. No must have toys, I will probably ask my wife for a book though. n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

30. You Betcha!

[madamesilverspurs]

31. A new doohikkee.

My old one quit when its whatchamacallit fell off.


They just don't make doohikkees like they used to.


sigh.........

[AlCzervik]

32. Books.

[joe_sixpack]

34. How about a classic.... "The Stick"

if it was good enough to be recently inducted into the toy hall of fame, it's good enough for me.

[Forkboy]

38. I want...nay, need...this bad boy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSi56VxMW7k

:woohoo:

[Liberal_in_LA]

44. $800? I couldn't tell how big it is.

[Fireweed247]

46. my kids love collecting papo

They are realistic,durable and made in france







I usually give books books and more books which they love!
There is a great Spiderwicks Chronicles collectors box.

Educational games are great too, and so many for the PC...with the quality educational games out today, every child should be reading and doing math before they hit kindergarten.