Post edit: This post is not meant to condemn anyone who has given their child a Nintendo DS or DSi. I do not oppose gaming devices in general, however, at this point in time they are not right for our family. My intent in posting this is not to make anyone feel bad but to get feedback on what the heck to buy my children for Christmas!!!
Carry on…
Hey guys. So Christmas is around the corner. I’m not sure if you were aware of that fact. I mean, you know, if you’ve been hiding under a rock you might not have realized, but for the rest of us who are already being bombarded with decorations and music it’s pretty dang hard to ignore.
Christmas is coming and somewhere someone’s goose is getting fat. Poor Thanksgiving…it is the forgotten holiday.
So here’s my yuletide dilemma. My seven year old is at the age where gift buying is becoming a bit difficult. He still likes toys (praise God), but he’s not as easy to please as he once was. I believe we have one more year before buying gifts to satisfy his maturing tastes will become harder…and more expensive.
This year, he has his sweet little heart set on a Nintendo Dsi. He talks about it incessantly. He wants to check them out every time we enter The Holy Land Target and he tells everyone he sees that he’s getting one for Christmas. Here’s the thing, though.
He’s not.
Lee and I have decided that right now we are not ready to introduce hand held gaming devices into our children’s lives. There are a couple of reasons for this:
1.) I just don’t think it’s necessary at seven to have a Nintendo Dsi. I’m not opposed to them, but I find it to be an awfully expensive gift for such a young child.
2.) I think there are better things to do with one’s time than play video games. We have a Wii and it gets played some, but repeated and extended periods of play are off limits.
3.) I am not ready for the battles that will inevitably come with a NDsi (don’t want to type it all out again). Sloan is actually very responsible when it comes to TV and video games. He does not have much of an addictive personality and he is not one to sit for hours with his eyes glued to the tube. He gets bored and loses interest quickly and can go months without playing the Wii at all. Landon, however, is already showing addictive tendencies in that he wants to watch TV or play the Wii all the flippin’ time. It’s already a daily battle with him resulting in many tears shed. A NDsi would inevitably become a battle zone between Sloan and his siblings and, quite honestly, I can’t handle one more battle.
Are we being unfair? I don’t feel like it, but it really does break my heart not to give Sloan what he wants because he’s such a good kid. I tried to break it to him gently the other day that this year would likely not be the year he received an NDsi. His reponse?
“That’s okay. I’ll ask Santa to bring it to me!”
Crap! Am I going to crush his dreams and destroy Santa all in one year? Hey…welcome to the Stuart home where we take your dreams and roll them inthumb tacks then light them on fire.
Thanks for stopping by!
When I told Lee of Sloan’s reponse he came up with the brilliant solution of telling Sloan that Santa doesn’t bring such expensive gifts – he lets the parents buy those presents. I have tasked Lee with preparing Sloan to not find a NDsi under the tree this Christmas while still preserving the magic of Santa for one more year. I’m counting on my man to come through on this one!
My question is, though, what should we get the poor boy for Christmas? Yes, he will receive clothes, a few books and probably some new art supplies. But what do we get him for that one special toy that’s going to light up his face when he walks around the corner Christmas morning?!
I need your advice! What are you getting your kids for Christmas? I have a few ideas, but nothing seems to take the place of his beloved NDsi, which he will likely receive at some point, but just not now.
I do hereby open the comments up for suggestions. This is my sad attempt to see if I can break the ten comment barrier I seem to have on my posts. Come on, folks, don’t let me down. I am officially begging for your comments! My motherly angst has reduced me to this…a comment whore mooch.
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Okay, I can’t let the last word of a post be whore mooch so I’m going to share a picture that has nothing to do with this post but I just want to share it. It’s Tia, in her Little Miss Matched tights, which I told you about here and her glasses which make her look way too old.
Merry Christmas.
No! Happy Thanksgiving.
ok. so after 2 years of asking, the DSi will finally be entering our house. but, it’s a combo bday/christmas gift and it’s for both B&L.
my hesitation in buying it is much the same as yours – i told matt that i’m going to have one more thing to police, which i don’t love (and believe me, there will be major restrictions…i’m sure there’s a blog post coming on that!). but we’re going to give it a go. we NEVER spend much at christmas, and this year we are going to spend a bit more just because as they are getting older, it’s so hard to find something cool that isn’t crazy expensive. and we don’t buy them any toys any other time of year besides birthday and christmas.
the other big gifts on their lists are lego sets. and while i hate the cost, it’s a toy that i’m willing to spend more on because of a)the hours of creative play that comes with them and b)the hours of silence that come with those hours of creative play.
my siblings and dad are going together to get this for luke’s bday (and i’ve told them to get him NOTHING else):
http://tinyurl.com/2dqfvka
the boys are also totally pumped about the new lego games. i hear that minotaurus is really fun!
sorry to write a book 🙂
Nope – I love the book and the suggestions. And you are now going to be my official guinea pig on how the introduction into gaming devices goes. 🙂
Told ya I’d be back!
So, now I’m having “parent guilt” after reading this post. Thanks alot! (j/k)
Our eldest daughter got a NDS when she was around 9-ish, and our youngest got one at 8. We bought the eldest’s as a Christmas gift b/c we got a super good deal on it and it was her One Big Gift. The youngest–the money hoarder–actually saved up for one. I know what you mean about having to police stuff, but NDS hasn’t been a problem for us. My kids get bored easily and half the time they a) don’t know where the DS is b) can’t find their games c)don’t have the battery charged, so it’s no biggie. However, since we are three-quarters nomad and we travel a lot, I’ve been very thankful to have them during long road trips.
Sorry I don’t have any suggestions on alternative gifts. We’re an all-girl household (Daddy excluded) and I come from a long line of girls. Boy gifts have always been so hard for me to figure out.
This post is not meant to make anyone feel guilty! I am not opposed to NDS’s. I’m just not ready for one in our family right now for no other reason than that I don’t have it in me to face the battles. 🙂 that said, I welcome suggestions for girl gifts as well because I’m equally stumped on what to get Tia!
My kids (7 and 6 at the time) got DSis last year from Santa and I am with Megan my kids didn’t know where their DSis were half of the time and they love arts and crafts and rather be doing that so policing them was not a problem. They also come in handy on long trips. In my humble opinion, you guys should buy him the DSi and a give it to him since that is what he really really wants from Santa but here is the twist…. include a letter from Santa the big guy himself explaining the rules and guidelines for using the DSi (i.e. only after homework is done, long trips, 20min at a time, etc) within your household and post it where it can be seen and reviewed by all. Make sure to have a stipulation for consequenses if not following the rules and everytime he doesn’t follow the rules give hime a consequence from the pre-determine list. Good luck.
Okay…..If you WOULD happen to cave and get him one, go to GameStop and buy a used one. Much cheaper! Or..Brooke has really enjoyed her handheld, Leapster. It is a hand held, so she feels older, but it is educational only. I should note that she does have a DS, and rarely plays with it. She actually plays with the Leapster more! Chase is actually in to LEGOS big time still!! and his list is filled with them. They have some cool Star Wars lego sets or Atlantis sets. There is also a cool thing out called Paper Jams. They are only 18.oo when you use a target $5 off coupon for each. I got b a pink guitar and chase drums. They are basically heavy almost cardboard type guitars and “drums” with built in songs that anyone can jam on. They really are cool, even Landon could be a rock star. And i know how much you all love music 🙂 Crayola color explosion spinner looks cool too. Can you tell I went Christmas shopping today??!! 🙂
I completely agree with you on the DS, parker has been begging too, but not gonna do it. I figure I have years ahead of video gaming, why start now. I’m going to try to hang on until 10 years old. But even then, c’mon why does even our 10 year old need one. I’m just a fuddy duddy I suppose. Check out that website, fatbraintoys.com, it is cool. Our policy has always been that santa brings the stockings, nothing else, that way Santa isn’t the bright light or focus. Plus my sister always spends the most and santa can’t ever out due aunt nessa :). And to really convict you, I’m sure you read Shaun Groves post on Christmas.
this whole Christmas conversation just stressed me out! Is it already time??? My son has a DS that he just received (he’s turned 8) and he totally doesn’t care about it.
Is there something event-oriented that your son would love? Tickets to a pro game or a cool enrichment class…
Oh, Kelli….I was just pullin’ your leg. I really didn’t feel guilty. Did I make you feel guilty? It’s the cycle of guilt! Make it stop!! :O
I totally like the idea of something event-oriented. We took our girls to see the “Little House on the Prairie” broadway show when it hit the road and it was a big hit. Events are more likely to be remembered; toys are easily forgotten. I even knew a family that gave up gifts all together and spent Christmas break at Disney World instead.
Do any of your kids like to write stories/draw? There are some great storybook creation kits on the market these days.
Ooh…Megan I love the idea of storybook creation kits. Sloan loves to write stories and Tia loves to draw. Interesting.
And you didn’t make me feel guilty but I did want to make sure that no one felt condemned. I would feel terrible if I hurt someone’s feelings amidst my schizophrenic rant!
Event oriented is a good idea too. Might be a good side gift. I’m thinking the kids will each get “coupon” books good for dates with mommy and daddy and other such treats. You guys have got me thinking! Thanks! And look at that – 10 comments. Holding strong. 🙂
I vote for LEGOS – maybe a BIG Lego set, fun to play and can be taken apart and rebuilt and kids use their imagination….plus, wouldn’t Sloan rather wait and get the 3DS – the Nintendo 3D DSi that launches around mid-Springtime? It’d be wayyyyyyy cooler than than the regular DSi. I promise! I happen to ‘know’ as my hubby works for that particular gaming company. Go with Legos – always a big hit in our house!!
Oooh…a 3DS?! I think I want one of those. Thanks Jen! 🙂
Girl, you are so right on for not giving in and getting him the Nintendo Dsi. Maybe an art set? A set of his favorite books? A trampoline? A new bedset? My 8-year-old says “a game, or at least a toy”. May the force be with you. 🙂
My boys, 8 and 6, have DSis. They haven’t had to be policed nearly as much as I thought.
My 6 yo is really into science. He is getting a rock tumbler and some ‘grow a crystal’ set. Lots of cool toy catalogs with unique gift ideas. That is where we are getting most of ours this year. Oh, but the rock tumbler was at Costco for way less than the mag. Just get the IDEA from the mag, then find it locally!
Kelli, are the dolls behind Tia in the picture the ones you bought in Lviv?
Tia looks so grown-old in this outfit wearing her glasses. A serious child.
Yes! They are my Lviv dolls! I can’t believe you remember that. I still love those dolls. 🙂
Yeah, I remember how you bought them in Lviv market. Good times! They remind you of your trip to Ukraine, don’t they?