Christmas gifts - eight year old

[Ceinwen]

I'm at a total loss for what to get my eight year old this winter for Christmas.

We do the little rhyme 'something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read'.

She's asking for Little Pet Shop toys, but a) I know she doesn't/won't play with them and b) she won't be happy she 'wasted' her 'something you want' wish on a Little Pet Shop set.

What are your eight year olds into? She likes to read, and crafts, she also (god help me) has a DS, so there is that.

But I'm looking for something 'wow' for her one gift. Any ideas? TIA!

[pianojazzgirl]

Is there any experiential gift that would go over really well for her?  I remember for my friend's ds's 7th b-day they drove down to Toronto to see The Sound of Music (which he's loved forever).  It was a great gift for him.  Or maybe some kind of lessons?  Music lessons paired with an instrument would be a pretty exciting gift (if she would be into it of course!).  Or something exciting and somewhat unusual like circus classes.  You get the idea.... something that she'd be into, lol!

Another thought for a "wow" gift... what about something exciting for playing outside (if you have the room for it), like a zipline, trampoline or tree house or something like that. 

[pianojazzgirl]

Oooh... I had another thought.... what about a "beginner's" sewing machine.  My friend got this tiny portable one that she finds a little too underpowered for most of her projects, but she is holding onto it to give to the kids when they get older to use as a learner's machine.  I believe she got it at Sears and it wasn't too pricey.  I could find out more info if you're interested.

[swisscanmom]

My 7.5 yr old really wants a camera this year. So that is what she is getting, a simple "grown-up" camera. Hopefully under $100.

[Daffodil]

My almost-8-year-old wants a tarantula.

[cyncyn]

We are watching for a sale on a mini video camera for dd; that would be her *wow* gift. She also likes LPS, so we will get a couple of those, but not one of the huge sets she's been eyeballing. I also saw a Robert Sabuda pop up book on sale and dd loves those. Dh will probably pick out a wii or ds game for her also, maybe Pokemon. Not my favorite lol, but that is what she will like.