So what in the heck do I buy this kid?

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In case you missed the bit on the front page: I have to buy a Christmas gift for an anonymous eight year old boy from the Children's Home. I need it by Tuesday. He asked for four things: flower seeds, headphones, Pokemon cards, and an atomic purple Game Boy. The last two are impossible to find, but I'd like to get him at least one more medium sized thing. Help!

-- Anonymous, December 11, 1999

Answers

Well, if you can't find any Pokemon stuff (I'd send you mine but it's all pre-loved and used and stuff ;) maybe... Um...

I know! You could get him a little walkman thing (you know, with haedphones) - a good kids' one runs around $12-16... And then get him the soundtrack to the Pokemon movie. They also sell tapes of the songs from Pikachu's Jukebox.

(Yes, I'm 25 and I like Pokemon. I am not ashamed! Well, maybe just a little...)

she's actual size

-- Anonymous, December 11, 1999


8 year olds aren't quite to the stage where they are impressed by ritzy. They're often justimpressed that someone thought of them.

(In some ways, 6 year olds are even better. I gave one of my favorite 6 year olds a cast off, scuffed, nasty radio with a broken antenna, and he practically spoke in tongues he was so happy.)

An inexpensive portable radio/cassette player is nice-- and less anxiety for the adult types if it gets lost/stolen.

The pokemon lovers in mylife are terribly impressed by the books/folios that describe all of the various pokemon in all of their various phases of life.

Final suggestion: glow in the dark stuff. They make some which are construction kits, but I've never met anyone to sneer at old fashioned stick toyour ceiling stars.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 1999


Hm...Eight year old boys...I've never been an eight year old boy. But that's not the point.

Things with batteries are usually good. Hell, batteries are usually good.

Things that involve bugs, worms, robots, or video games are usually good. As for the Pokemon stuff, I'm with...I don't remember who...Who said that you could get the tape of the soundtrack. The other option here is to get a hat or something with a Pokemon character on it. Just as long as we're on the subject...What's the big deal with Pokemon, anyhow? I don't understand it. At all. And I feel like a goober admitting that. Anyone?

Hey, as long as you know that he likes flowers, what about one of those little "window box" type things...Four to six pots, come wtih soil, seeds, care instructions...Could be cool for someone.

Just my two cents.

Meghan

-- Anonymous, December 11, 1999

Have a Costco membership? I was in Friday, and they had 5 or 6 10ct. packs of some sort of Pokemon cards in a blister bubbles. $18.00 or somesuch. No membership? I'm willing to volunteer a few minutes, my card, and trip to the post. You said you need them by Tuesday? Hmm... intrastate in one day. I bet it would make it. Ya think?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 1999

China Town, China Town, China Town -- Pokemon straight from Asia, with authentic script and all. Just as much (and a better selection) of Pokemon stuff, without the crowds of maniacal children.

I'm from Detroit, but I know that the best sources for these things are usually in the Asian part of town. If you have a China Town in your area, you should check it out.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 1999



Pokemon cards are available online or you can also get some of the Lenticular cards at Toys R Us (these cards show Pokemon evolution). I also know that Hello Kitty was stocking posters of all the pokemon characters and that for $3 you can get a big kids meal at Burger King and get cards that way. Sears has an excellent assortment of Pokemon clothing. Charizard and Pikachu are heavy favorites in this house and generally of most kids. You can also get a Pokemon monopoly game. Atomic Purple -- screw it..you could just get him a regular color gameboy and those are available everywhere. The latest game for Pokemon is yellow, but is kind of stupid. The best games are the blue and red versions. I know that the store in Arden upstairs by Cinnabon and Sears had a number of Gameboy units and games to go with them a week ago, so you might check there, as well as at Toys R Us.

Hope it helps, wendy

-- Anonymous, December 13, 1999


I saw Pokemon cards in Costco last time I was there (at the south one), and even though it's been a few weeks, it would probably be worth a shot. (they were in the gift-stuff section at that time)

-- Anonymous, December 13, 1999

I bought a Pokemon Trainer's Handbook, latest edition (they keep making more Pokemon!) among other things for the 10 yr boy whose name I drew and my 10 yr old Pokemon-loving daughter could not put that book down!! She almost wept when I had to wrap it, she coveted it so much!

-- Anonymous, December 13, 1999

Thank you guys so much for the suggestions. I went with the portable radio and some Pokemon toys (and the flower seeds and a seed starter kit, which I had already purchased). Special thanks to Ana for the incredibly generous offer.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 1999

Red & blue pokemon games are the best. Also Kmart & Target have a pokedex thing for $17 - 20 which gives the history of all pokemon. There is a book showing how to draw the pokemon which my 8 & 10 year olds love (with maybe some crayons or markers?). They now create their own original poke-creatures. Any pokedex books are good, too. Also, there are various little handheld pokemon games. I got some at Montgomery Wards for birthday gifts. Also, the book "the Ink-Drinker" was loved by my kids. They're getting the sequel from Santa. Good luck.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 1999


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