The similar gifts are, books, bookmarks, book light, CD, clothes, disposable camera, digital camera, movie poster, cologne/perfume, ipod. Regardless of how I feel about some of these and their age appropriateness (ipods or digital cameras for an 8 - 10 year old? Nope.), it's the different gifts that are making me tear my hair out in a rage.
Boys: comic books, pocket knife, laser pointer, action figures, video games, flash light, DS + games, nerf toy, hacky sack, Rubik's cube, beef jerky, gift card to GAME STOP OR MOVIE THEATER.
Compare these to the gifts for girls: nail polish, hair flowers, scented lotion, lip gloss, birth stone jewelry, journal, glitter pens, rabbits foot, locker accessories, jewelry making kit, body glitter, body spray/shower gel, compact mirror, gift card to MALL OR BOOK STORE.
All of these gifts are passive things (with the exception of the journal), and eight of them have to do with appearance. What kind of a message is this sending? "You are a girl. You are supposed to be pretty, and do quiet activities."
The boys, on the other hand, are getting active, useful tools: pocket knife, laser pointer, flash light, active toys: nerf toys, action figures, Rubik's cube, as well as things that are considered "geeky:" comic books, video games.
Even the gift cards are different. Boys go to Game Stop or the movies, girls go to "the mall" or a book store. (Can you find the hidden message? Girls are readers. Boys are not. Don't read, boys. It's an activity for girls.)
Can we please make a more inclusive list? One that doesn't include such a focus on appearance or passivity for the girls, one that doesn't exclude boys from books, journaling, and hygiene, and one that does NOT include personal video games/gaming platforms for children that are 8 - 10 years old. (That's an entirely different blog post!!!)
Gifts for Children 8 - 10+
Books: some books I've enjoyed: http://melissabnorland.blogspot.com/2013/03/read-all-books.html
Comic Books: The My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is a great story, age appropriate with good social lessons. Bone by Jeff Smith is a LONG epic, but it's also a wonderful adventure of heroism from unlikely people. Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai is about an honorable rabbit samurai in the feudal ages of Japan. There is a lot of violence, but the themes of honor and doing the right thing make this something I would recommend. Girl Genius, an online comic, also has book forms of their comic, and it's AMAZING.
Pocket utility tool: http://www.allkestrel.com/product.asp?itemid=276&gclid=CM-zwKGlgLsCFQ3hQgoduWgA4w
Laser pointer/Flash light
Journal
Art paper
Colored pencils
Markers
Nerf guns: A great thing to do would be including material to personalize them, like this: http://www.steamingenious.com/2012/10/tutorial-painting-steampunk-gun.html
Hacky sack
Rubik's cube
Hygiene Tools: combs, brushes, deodorant (if necessary), etc. Let's train BOTH sexes in the art of staying clean.
Hats: You can't go wrong with cool hats.
Gloves: Since you're not getting video games, they'll need to go outside for adventures! Gloves will keep their fingers warm while fighting off Balrogs
Boffer swords: Basically foam weapons that can take AND give a (gentle) beating. Excellent for taking down Orcs.
Costumes: Cloaks and capes, tunics, boots, anything that will encourage creative play! I love video games, but I'm so glad I didn't have them growing up. I had tools to utilize my own imagination. Do that for your kids. <3
