Forget the toys, kids want iPads, iPhones for Christmas
Santa needs to buy stock in Apple because the top three things kids ages 5 to 16 want for Christmas are the iPhone4, the iPod touch and the iPad, according to the Duracell Toy Report.
“Approximately 39 per cent children quizzed desired Apple gadgets this year, with 17 per cent of five to eight- year-olds, 50 per cent of nine to 12-year-olds and 66 per cent of 13 to 16-year-olds all putting Apple items at the top of their lists.”
“The report, which quizzed a total of 2,138 children and parents in equal measure, also highlighted the growing similarities between boys’ and girls’ preferred Christmas presents, with both sexes increasingly opting for gender neutral gadgets. “
“It found more than three out of five parents admitted choosing Christmas presents that would keep their youngsters quiet throughout the holidays.”
“The top 10 toys for Christmas 2010, according to the report are:
1) iPhone 4 (14%)
2) iPod touch (13%)
3) iPad (12%)
4) Kinect for Xbox (6%)
5) Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters / Kung Zhu Hamsters (5%)
6) Flip Video Camera (4%)
7) Toy Story 3 Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear (4%)
8) PlayStation Move (4%)
9) LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 Video Game (3%)
10) Barbie Video Girl (3%)”
My question is: Are parents really buying their little kids these things or just their teenagers? There is no way in heck I would purchase these expensive items for kids and probably not a teenager. Heck, I won’t even buy them for husband. Michael would love an iPad but it isn’t happening because of the monthly bill for wireless service to use the thing.
Are you surprised that kids want these technologies and rate them so highly on their lists? Are they on your kid’s list? Would you buy them for Christmas presents? For what ages? What do you make of parents saying they buy things to keep their kids quiet during the holidays? (That’s pretty disturbing!)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
70 comments Add your comment
JATL
October 26th, 2010
11:20 am
@MJG -a friend of mine had a party line and I was alternately horrified and fascinated by it! I don’t think designer jeans even came out until around 1980. I went to a private school where a certain amount of parents and kids just HAD to have every fad clothing item that came around and looked down on anyone else not wearing those clothes and tormented us. Before designer jeans it was Nike tennis shoes, then Izod shirts and then came the Jordache, Calvin Kleins, Gloria Vanderbilts followed by Guess. Izod made a transition to Polo shirts. My poor parents! They had the money, but did not agree with the clothing craziness (and I don’t either), but at the time I told them if they insisted on sending me to that school (I wanted to go to a public school in a neighboring town where my friends from church never had any problems about their non-label clothes), then they were going to have to play along or else my life was hell, which, while getting me the clothes I wanted was unfortunately true. I was made fun of constantly in JCPenney and Sears clothes and the hand-me-downs from my moms’ friends that I thought were really cool until I wore them to school. I learned a lot about human nature there at a young age, but it wasn’t a very nice side of it! I hated that place.
motherjanegoose
October 26th, 2010
11:35 am
Well JATL, that explains my dilemma…I graduated HS in 1977.
Forget the toys, kids want iPads, iPhones for Christmas | Momania … Discount b on Me
October 26th, 2010
11:53 am
[...] here to see the original: Forget the toys, kids want iPads, iPhones for Christmas | Momania … By admin | category: Uncategorized | tags: are-some, are-top, average-customer, best-buys, [...]
Kate
October 26th, 2010
12:01 pm
Our children are allowed to use our iphone and ipad, but I would NEVER buy one for them! I would never buy them a DSi either. I was dumb enough to let my son play with mine a few times and he broke it in no time! However, I do understand why kids ask for these things as gifts. Whether we like it or not, technology plays a much greater role in their lives than it did when we were kids. I would have killed for a nintendo when I was a kid, but my parents were totally anti-tech. My parents really didn’t have a lot of money anyway, and they felt all that stuff was just a waste. We were the last people in our neighborhood to get cable. Kids in Uzbekistan got their MTV before I did. They didn’t even buy a computer until I was in college. Yes, I guess I did play outside more than a lot of my friends, but I was also “out of the loop” a lot both at school and within my peer group, so there is a little bit of a down side to being old school.
On a side note, as I think someone else mentioned, you don’t have to sign up for a plan to use an ipad. I access the internet through the wifi connection at our house. If I take my ipad out somewhere I usually can’t access the internet, but I can still play most of the games on it.
ATL06
October 26th, 2010
12:04 pm
@MJG and that was a very nice gesture for her to do that it means that you taught her well. I just don’t think that a kid having extras means that they are necessarily spoiled or that their parents can’t afford it. I tell my my son all the time I will provide you with everything that you need and some of what you want within reason as long as I can afford it.
1911A1
October 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
It would appear that P. T. Barnum was right.
Warrior Woman
October 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
We have a few computers and a Wii that the family shares. My children have iPods, which they bought with money they earned, and digital cameras, which they’ve received as Christmas gifts over the years. When we dropped the land line, the teens got basic cell phones with calling and texting but no Internet. We love gadgets, but won’t buy them if they’re not in the budget.
The kids’ Christmas wish list is pretty basic – they’ve asked for boots, some clothes, and some sports equipment. Instead of gifts, the teens have suggested we take a family trip to do some winter camping or skiing, or save up for a foreign trip next summer. I love that idea!
And, motherjane...
October 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
…back in our day (since I pre-date you by a few years, so it was probably my days) for women it was Aigner purses and Villager skirts, and for guys it was Levi jeans (still is for me – my kids laugh when I suggest they get some Levi’s), Converse tennis shoes (but that was just barely pre – adidas and Nike), and London Fog jackets (these morphed into Members Only in the late 70’s early 80’s)…
Dingy
October 26th, 2010
1:18 pm
@JATL – your family sounds like ours. I was so impressed the other day with my 5 & 3 yo buckled in their car seats, carrying on a “pretend” phone conversation with different people (they both said it was their cousins who are their ages too). What was so fascinating about it was that they were using their sunglasses as the phone. They have never asked for a phone and we might have a treat occasionally in the car and talk to Grammie on my phone. They don’t have TVs in their room (the 5 yo has asked for one). He wanted a Wii last year for Christmas because everyone at the day care had one – we didn’t get it and he doesn’t even mention it now.
We are one of those families who TRY to spend time with our kids. We don’t have much time in the evenings, but we try to make it count by not having the tv or some other distraction in the back ground. I don’t even think my 5 yo old knows what an itouch is. The only reason he knows what an ipod is (and he’s never asked for one) is because I play songs I have loaded for them in the car on most days – the only sure way to monitor the awful language/advertisements that are on radio these days. I just have to wonder about children who ask for these things when they are 5. Do they really want the attention their parents give the devices?
lakerat
October 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
After reading these comments about what REALLY makes good parents and memories for kids I have come to the conclusion that my spouse and I, along with JJ and MJG, must be the best parents in the world. Thanks for your support, and I will refer my kids to each of you for confirmation to my young ‘uns!
Forget the toys, kids want iPads, iPhones for Christmas | Momania … | Toys & Game-Review
October 26th, 2010
2:19 pm
[...] here to see the original: Forget the toys, kids want iPads, iPhones for Christmas | Momania … Published under Uncategorized | send this post Tags: [...]
FCM
October 26th, 2010
3:26 pm
my 10 yr old is a fashionista. Mudd jeans (or tops) etc. Mostly she goes for the style though…so we work it out.
They do not need and iTouch…and I don’t care that they WANT one…I want one too. Our computer works just fine. As to a phone that will happen very soon, maybe this weekend. The line has been up since last Christmas I just never handed over the phone as I felt they were not responsible.
As to the iPod etc, I had no issue with her getting it, her Dad just happened to be the one that got it.
They both got Nintendo DS in 2008 (Christmas). I refuse to upgrade the the Nintendo DSX or whatever just because it is newer or the latest.
Fact is FCM likes (really, really, likes) sport cars–especially classic or new ones. However, she is not out buying them….my little Nissan runs just fine.
There are pleanty of things they will get that will fulfill the tech bug. Last year it was Bop It! and the year before was the electronic rubic cube….both of which they still like. But then they like Scattagories and Apples 2 Apples too.
mom of 3
October 26th, 2010
3:57 pm
Completely agree with all the comments about making memories instead of worrying about where the money is coming from to buy those gifts or pay the cc bill in January.
My 2001 Honda Accord is doing just fine with no car payment as I pass a high school every morning and see what the 16 yr olds are driving. That too, will be worse after Christmas.
I respect all of you parents that are teaching responsiblity over want. You are the ones we never hear about. I am applauding your efforts and your judgement.
Becky
October 26th, 2010
4:47 pm
@And, motherjane..I remember when Converse shoes were Chuck Taylors that only cost $4.29 per pair…
ATL06
October 26th, 2010
4:55 pm
Well maybe it’s because my son is in the fifth grade but I don’t see many kids driving their own Lexus’s at the High Schools in my area. But then again I’m not looking to see who’s driving what.
RJ
October 26th, 2010
5:16 pm
@ATL06, they drive them at my daughter’s school. New ones at that. But hey, I went to school in Buckhead where kids were driving Porches, BMWs and Mercedes like it was nothing, so I’m not even fazed by what I see today.
Sk8ing Momma
October 26th, 2010
6:23 pm
Many of the comments have delved into whether one can afford these items. That is misdirected, IMO. We can afford each of items on the list; but, we won’t buy them because of our values/priorities. We are sticklers for promoting and encouraging “old fashioned” fun around here. My kids are rare in the fact that they will play outside for hours…They engage in creative play, romp through the woods, ride their bikes, skate, jump rope, hula hoop etc. We don’t do many toys/items that have plugs or require batteries for our children. We’ve even consciously opted not to own a gaming system ~ GASP! (It’s OK if they play at a friend’s…We just don’t want one in our house.) Most people can’t believe that in this day and age our kids don’t have a gaming system. We also choose not to have a TV in any of our vehicles…Audio (chapter) books are our choice of “entertainment” for the road.
I, too, think that Christmas is about more than getting what one wants; but, that is just my opinion. Each family should celebrate how it sees fit. :) Btw, I have a dear friend who gets her children 4 items for Christmas:
1. Something to read;
2. Something to wear;
3. Something they need; and
4. Something they want
…Just passing these along b/c these categories may work for someone else!
ATL06
October 27th, 2010
9:20 am
That’s my point sk8ting momma. If I were to sit around watching everything everybody else is doing I’d be nuts. I teach my son to be an individual just because one of his friends has something does not mean that he needs it as well. Yeah we like gadgets as much as the next person but we like experiences as well.
ChristopherChance
October 27th, 2010
11:29 pm
Sk8ing Momma, please tell your friend that her solution is an elegant and ingenious. Unfortunately, my two godsons fall into the category of “look it’s new, I have to have that.” Their parents buy them absolutely everything they want, and sometimes it drives me up a wall. They’ve hit a point where the mother can’t even take them out without buying them something.
I grew up in Buckhead during the 80’s, and my parents were very comfortable. My mother had grown up as the socialite daughter of a prominent local surgeon, so the stage could have been set for me to be spoiled. Mom did the right thing and made us appreciate our things- break something, too bad. You could mend it or play with both pieces. When my sister and I would complain about friends having this or that, Mom would clap and grow very enthusiastic- then offer to drive us over there so we could appreciate it.
I am a self confessed gadget geek, and I have a new laptop (3 year old one died, I promise) and a nicer cell phone I swung a deal on with a new contract. However, most of these items have a planned obsolescence (sp? Sorry to the user who was looking into that 25 yo TV- unfortunately some of the changes have to be accommodated.) Since I know that the price will go down, or I might find it on sale, or eBay/Craigslist then I have the power.
I find that if something falls into a “special purchase”, then I do the research and wait a minimum of 3 months before thinking of shopping. This has saved me from buying a lot of useless junk.
You really won’t die if you don’t get , it just seems that way.
1911A1
October 28th, 2010
11:30 am
We are sold to 24/7/365. Advertisers spend billions conveying the message that our lives are empty and meaningless unless we buy their products. Many, many people have bought the lies (and the products.)