Struggling for ideas on Xmas gifts for my 8 year old daughter

[Governoress86]

Just that really.

I am writing a gift list and so far all I have is a new phone and Nintendo labo for the switch and some Lego . Other than that I'm stumped.

What are people getting their 8 year-old

[Isadora2007]

That’s quite a lot surely for an 8 year old? Just some new pjs and sweets and a book or two would suffice to have more wrapped gifts.

[TittyGolightly]

It’s august. I’ve no idea what DD will get for her 8th birthday yet, never mind xmas. (She gets very little for xmas - usually do something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read).

Don’t even know when we’ll be having xmas yet. Could be November, January, June......

[blueskiesandforests]

That's too much already. Are you posting for the same reason people post photos of skyscraper towers of wrapped gifts?

A phone is a big main present (quite apart from it being far too old a present for an 8 year old) and only needs suplimenting with stocking fillers and new pjs, maybe a book. The other stuff only if you're the only one buying for her, no grandparents etc. Even then stop at what you've listed or she'll just be overwhelmed and never play with or appreciate it all.

My 11 year old will be getting his first phone for his birthday, but he won't get anything else from us.

7 year old had a big Playmobil set (the Egyptian pyramid) last Christmas, it's too early to think about this Christmas. Children that young change in 5 months and something perfect now might not be by December.

[SparklingXmas]

Playmobil
Lol dolls
Few stocking fillers

[whattimeislove]

Your 8 year old has a phone? Is this usual (mine doesn't)?

[blueskiesandforests]

whattime 'round here kids get a phone the birthday before they go to secondary school, so usually 11, or a parent's old phone to start secondary/ shortly after starting when their parents realise that in this specific case everyone else has one is more or less true.

[MarthasGinYard]

A new phone?

Blimey dd is 8 and she'd never dream of asking for a phone

[MarthasGinYard]

Haven't really thought about Christmas yet TBH....

Perhaps I need to start

[Governoress86]

My daughter has had a phone since she was 7, a lot of her school friends has them and she texts and calls a lot of family that she doesn't see a lot of as they live far away from us.

I didn't mean to come across as obnoxious, I just thought it was the norm for most 8 year olds to have phones these days.

[TittyGolightly]

My daughter has had a phone since she was 7, a lot of her school friends has them and she texts and calls a lot of family that she doesn't see a lot of as they live far away from us.

Christ. 95% of DD’s extended family and half of her best friends are at least 200 miles away.

She has an ancient phone of mine for music and audiobooks at bedtime. She’s not getting anything with a SIM card in it until she’s at least in double figures. 7 year olds don’t need to be texting!

[Japril]

No phones amongst my 8 year olds peers. She did receive an iPad last year (everyone in the family contributed) so then ended up with a book/barbie or similar as a small present to open from all of us as well.
This year I am thinking about getting her an ultimate ears speaker has she keeps stealing mine or one of the modern Polaroid cameras as I think she would love that! If I do buy her something that expensive then she will just get a stocking from Father Christmas and maybe a book and a new outfit as extra from us - we usually spend around £100-£120 in total on each child (excluding stocking which has a £30 budget).
She has been eyeing up the our generation camper van as well.

[PurpleTigerLove]

I would just get some stocking presents eg squishy, slime , pants , socks , ty teddy , new toothbrush , book , bubbles , a blind Lego minifigure bag , stationery.

[greathat]

A phone for an 8 year old? They should still be learning social skills not sat on a phone!

[Alanamackree]

Does she read? So many series these days are never ending, so there are always new books coming out at Christmas.

Harry Potter merchandise is very popular atm and she may have read some of the books. Books, cushions, bedding, stuffed toys, costumes and jewelry. Primark are good to watch for this sort of thing, and also have different character pjs and clothes which might tie in with her interest in lego.

I’m a huge believer in getting kids outdoors as much as possible. Metal detectors (especially if you hide a handful of coins in a flowerbed), or walkie-talkies can be fun. My dn and her friends go through phases of skipping, hula hoops, elastics and those Saturn shaped balls you jump on.

Other trends in this age group are lol dolls, squishies and My generation dolls.

It’s an age where hobbies can become a bit more serious so maybe consider some kit/ clothes/supplies. My dn is secretly hankering after a particular type of ice skating bag that is £££ which is the last thing I would have ever thought of.

[Xmasbaby11]

I think that's loads already and would maybe get smaller things like books and accessories nearer the time.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I'm a massive Christmas fanatic (with a December birthday DS) but yes, I agree , way too early to start thinking.

Mine changed their minds more often than their knickers!

Sainsburys used to have a Half Price Toy sale in the Oct half term week, great for Big Box Presents (like Lego, Sylvanian Family, Bionicles) and there's Black Friday too.

[Governoress86]

She has asked for a metal detector so she can do that with her dad and that is another thing I will be getting also a telescope aswell, she loves reading and has an abundance of books.

She does not however constantly sit on her phone, she loves to play outside.

I will be getting some Harry potter merchandise as stocking fillers aswell.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

My 9 year old dd has my old kindle which is great for her reading, and much easier to take away on holiday or on long bus trips than books.

She loves kawaii stationary, scented or cute pens/drawing things. In whsmiths at the moment if you buy something you get a massive box of gel pens for £7.99. Looks big but won't take up much room after Christmas.

Sharpies and adult colouring books- she has animals; Harry potter and Pokemon ones.

Shopkins - especially the dolls.

A new fleece blanket, mug for hot chocolate and cup with straw for cold drinks.

Top trumps game.

Build a bear.

[Numberonecook]

My 8 year old doesn’t have a phone and she won’t be getting one until secondary school either.

This year will be a frugal Christmas as we are very short on funds and have 3 children and a new niece to buy for. So far on my 8 year olds list is

Moana doll
Zhu zhu pets
Joke book (she’s loving telling jokes at the moment but they are crap lol)
Squishies
Playmobil

Last year she got amazon tablet, playmobil, Winnie the witch books, rapuzel doll and some DVDs. They don’t need a lot at this age

[blueskiesandforests]

Seriously that's far too much Govenoress

You'll just be picking stuff on her and she won't appreciate so much. That's 3 "main" presents plus lots of little ones.

Space them out.

Don't get her a new phone if she is 8 and already has a phone. Wait and give her that the year before she starts secondary. Save the telescope for her birthday.

She's actually asked for the metal detector, so get her that as the main present plus stocking fillers and the smaller things like a small Lego kit and Nintendo labo. That's more than enough.

You'll spoil her if you just heap every expensive gift you can think of on her. She won't appreciate it and you'll be upset that she's ungrateful. Even if she seems to appreciate it now, she'll expect more and more and you set yourself up for a teen genuinely believing that they are entitled to a huge haul of expensive presents, with expectations which become harder to meet each year, and you'll be back on here wondering why your DD doesn't appreciate all you do for and give her.

Tone it down for both your sales.

[blueskiesandforests]

Sakes

[blueskiesandforests]

Picking stuff not picking

[blueskiesandforests]

Piling!

[FoddyWaddle]

My 8 year old dd wants

Lol dolls (any variety)
One of those large dolls like American girl
Craft things
A new scooter
Barbie dolls

[bandthenjust]

op surely the phone, nintendo thing and lego are merely stocking fillers right? May I suggest a nother thoroughbred Grade A 'jumper' (assuming you already have a livery yard full of horses, and maybe private skiing lessons for your dd?
...
Sarcasm asside, what you've got already sounds lovely, and your dd is lucky. My 'less privileged ' dd(8) is getting watercolour paints, Pokemon crap, and luggage for an upcoming holiday.
(She also doesn't, and will not have a phone until she's deemed old enough to go off wanderin g by herself. In ten years time).