candlesbytammy1

Best Buy for me, My husbands b-day is at the end of Nov and they usually have some type of gadet he wants from there at a really good deal. Last year digital camera with dock/printer. This year it is a camcorder. Every year I wait to get there till the store is open and I usually arrive within a minute or two of opening. by the time I get in, the check out line for the main register is wrapped around the store and up and down the aisles. Thank fully so far I have only gone for one item in one department and got immedidate check out. If I had to purchase multiple items I might reconsider.

CCS.com is good and you can choose individual parts or you can buy a complete skateboard and still customize it to your likings. Ebay has many brand name, Elements, Toy Machine, Birdhouse/Tony Hawk, skateboards that are complete at a good deal.

I agree with maybe a telescope idea or maybe a lab kit for his age, interesting for boys. An arcade style game, like basketball, air hockey, etc...Or how about maybe ramps for the bike or skateboarding, depending if he is into doing tricks and stuff.

Legos or Bionicles are good, my son of 12 still plays/displays them. Magnetix are also good. Scooter for outside are good and usally found on sale around the holidays. Gift Certificate to a local play area, we have a place called Planet X where there is arcade games to mini golf, to space balls, great for kids to play and run.

Suggestions....for the 8yr old son...Magnetix has large quanity sets, they are wonderful, my son plays with his off and on through out the year...there is a set of 500 with carrying case with wheels...he likes to use his mind and create new structures...My son is now 12 but he also liked scooters back at 8, but now they have electric scooters or electric choppers...or maybe telescope or lab kit for children, gravity boots are interesting, or maybe an arcade style basketball game if all else anything by Madden for ps2. Suggestions....for the 2 year old...there are always the creavtive art centers, or maybe a play kitchen. There are power wheels little power vehicles for that age, doll houses with the accessories, or maybe the dora castle that includes all the furniture. There are dolls that are interactive. I have seen a wooden horse stable in that price range, very large to play with dolls that might ride horses. Little girls should always have dress up tea parties...tea set with table, maybe a tea cart etc.../Leap FrogLeapster and Vtech have computer like items that are fun and educational. Not too good with girls All these ideas range from $75 - $100. Hopefully some of these might help

My parents are the same way. GC's are always good and they get used. As for me, I like to put a little extra touch then just in a box or a card. For my parents I have made them a gift basket of my own. I make it all. I get a large basket put in a fabric to match the holidays and fill it. I have included, movies they like, books, gift certificates for either places to eat or stores they visit, munchies, little photo frames, etc... Anything they like or could be used. I have made them one XL for them both to use and I have made them individual one to suit thier personal likings. Once the basket is complete I use shrink wrap for baskets and that is it. It gives it a personal touch. Just a suggestion. Hopefully it might help.