Christmas gift dilemna

[hokypoky]

Help! I'm overthinking my 9-year old's Santa gift too much.

Background: a couple month's ago 11-year old DD mentioned she might ask Santa for an iTouch (~$220). I subtley reminded her that Santa knows what's appropriate for each family and that was an expensive gift to ask for, so she decided to earn the money herself. She has worked really hard doing chores the last couple months and earned about $160. Then she received $50 from Granda so she can now buy it.

My other DD (the 9-year old) now wants a Zune MP3 player(~$160), cheaper, but a similar item. She just wants this and sneakers. I'm torn with Santa getting her this after the 11-yr old had to work so hard to earn her iTouch. I'm inclined for Santa to get her a Nintendo DS, which is about the same price BUT it's a whole different gift AND Santa brought one for my other DD a couple years ago. Another thought was to give a partial gift card.

DH says it's Christmas, wants DD to have something physical (not a gift card) in her stocking, and is not sure Christmas is the time to drive home this message. But he doesn't want the 11-yr old's efforts to be downplayed either.

What are your thoughts? Both of my girls are awesome, A students, not spoiled (well, except maybe at Christmas!) and because they are 18 mos apart it's easy for the younger one to comparing everything to her older sis.

 

[jcm]

I'm mom of 3 (ages 2, 7, and 10). Personally I'd go with the DS. If your other daughter got one it will make the youngest feel more "grown up". Plus I think it's awesome your oldest worked so hard and showed such control for the iTouch.

 

[Shadowpup]

Once kids reach a certain age, it may be easier to get them a smaller item so as to have the fun of picking out something special, and then give them a gift certificate apiece. Or, take them on a shopping expedition with a budget. Then each will choose what's most desired.

Your oldest did a great job saving up her money and I'm sure she cherishes that iTouch!

 

[hokypoky]

Good points, thank you! I'm hoping my oldest is setting a good example for her sister.

Shadowpup, Santa happens to be bringing her a new pair of paddock boots (I like your avatar!). Her extra chores were in addition to feeding her horses, cleaning up after them, etc.

 

[MidgetDogg]

I think that your 9 year old is really too young for an mp3 player. I lost my iTouch, then bought a new one. A couple days later, I found the "lost" one - so I gave that one to my boyfriend. He, in turn, gave the Nano that I had given him for Christmas to my daughter (who was 9). She hardly used it and kept losing it. The DS is a better gift, and as a 9 year old, she'll get a lot more enjoyment out of it than the MP3 player.

Now my daughter is 10 and getting into a lot of music, and wants her own iTouch. The new one is $229 just for 8gb and you can't buy the old generation one. So.... I bought the new one for myself and am giving her my "old" one, which isn't even a year old yet. I'm sorry, but the new generation is just Too Much iPod for a little kid, in my opinion. But your daughter earning hers is fantastic and she will take much better care of it.