DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Christmas Gift Reviews/Idea Thread

I am taking a lil study break and have been looking around for christmas gifts for my family/friends. I thought this would be a good idea to maybe post some ideas of what we planned on getting someone for christmas and see if someone else has it already and what they thought of it, ect. Or, maybe list where a good deal is at, and so on. I hate shopping so I need all the help I can get <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

For example, I am looking at a few different things for my daughter Ali. She always is trying to play on my computer or wants to play X-Box with me. So I was looking at:
V.Smile TV Learning System- A learning "X-Box" for kids.
or
Leapster TV System- Another kids learning game system,
and
VTech Learning Laptop- Name says it all.

Has anyone gotten any of these things for their kid? The reviews I have read, not so hot on the TV systems but the Laptop is OK. But you never know who writes those so I want to hear from some real people here.
Thanks in advance <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

No personal experience with those products, but I've heard good things about Leapster products. Also Baby Einstein stuff.

Ohh Baby Einstein is my savior, some days she wouldn't stop screaming and I would put that on and se would be fine and then fall asleep <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
I have like 10 DVD's and things for the new one already, lesson learned hehe

Those are good ideas for kids who like video games. I, having been a child raised on video games, actually resent the fact that my parents kind of said, "here you go, now go play".

So educational video games are a great idea....if you can get your kid to play them once they get bored. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well I am on the computer a lot when I am home for school (and of course here) and she runs over and sits in my chair and tries to figure it out. So, her little desk is right next to mine I mine as well not fight it and teach her how to use one <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Same thing with X-Box, she is always over there turning it and when I do have time to play she wants to play too. She figured out that me fake-plugging in the controller is lame so again I figured I could give her something that she could play. Plus it will give her something to do when I really need to get stuff done, a win/win for all involved hehe.
2 year olds are such attention hogs it's not funny <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have heard nothing but good things about Leapster products. Anything that she will learn from to help her prepare for when she will start kindergarten will be a good thing.

I came across this deal at Best Buy for the X-Box 360. Pretty good deal.
1. $20 off the 360
2. Free $20 BB Gift Card
3. Free Need For Speed Most Wanted Game
4. Free Shipping
Total Price: $399.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat107700050057&type=category

Now really Lee, do you honestly thing Ali needs that game? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Or are you hinting you want it?

hehe, no I just wanted to let everyone know about any deals I found, but, I did kinda IM my mother that link with the text "Boy, what a deal, I am sure whoever opened that on Christmas would be mighty happy" <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Myth: Getting your kid a child's version will divert their attention from your grown up toys.

My son 3, had a V-tech Learning Laptop. He was bored with it in minutes. It didn't have the graphics and limitless range of a real computer and he knew it right away. He picked it up and played it every now and then, but after about 6 months it ate the batteries and we had to throw it out.

We also got him a V.Smile video game system and some games. Again it wasn't a Playstation 2 so he new the difference and still wanted to play my Madden.

I never tried the Leapster TV System. But I can say that a "Leap Pad" kept him interested at age 2. It is an interactive pad that you can buy cartridges for, and every cartoon character/child entertainer has a cartridge that works in a leap pad.

Not saying that this stuff won't work for your kid, but it didn't work for mine.

trying to find something to get my mother and my fiance's mother.... i have no clue what mid 40's women like... lol

Depends on the woman. You see, a group of women that happen to be in their mid 40's can be very diverse. Some like video games. Some like football tickets. Some like jewelery. Some like clothes. And on and on. So, again, it depends. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

And, if your Mom is in her mid 40's you must be pretty young.

so? lol. but iv been out of her house for 4 years now and even before i moved out i never knew what to get her.

Just saying you're young, that's all.

Well since it's your MOM, I won't tell you what mid 40's women like... <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

I will whats she look like? <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

thats right... lol

J/C

Just got my wife her gift. This year was tough, I was really unsure of what to get. I think what she wanted most was a gold bengal, but she has two, she just wants three so each of our daughters can "inherrit" one some day. I like gifts to be fun things for the individual alone. I settled on the new M$ Zune. Let me tell you, reviews and horror stories be damned, this thing rocks! She gave me my gift early, so I gave her the Zune yesterday. If anybody's interested, maybe I'll post a full review in another thread!