Main present for DD9 (nearly 10)

[AbiRoad]

I have pretty much finished christmas shopping for the DCs apart from DD1's main present, so stocking stuff and 2 or 3 slightly larger bits and pieces bought. Plus other DD sorted. I am happy with what we have bought so far (a mixture of things she has asked for and surprises I know she will love). For the main present, the options on the list are:-

1. IPod touch (this is what she really really wants)
2. Desk and swivel chair for her room (this is what she has suggested as her fallback if we dont agree to 1)
3. new bike.
4. Something else that we have not thought of yet!

Budget wise, any of them is fine. I would be happy to get her the IPOD touch - she is sensible and already does lots of sport and other activities. DH is against this. In part it is because he is old school and does not really approve of too much technology. In part, he thinks she already has sufficient access - she has an old nano for music and has access to our PC, my IPAD and DH's iphone. In part it is lazyness, i.e it means we will need to be a bit more proactive in monitoring use. In He also thinks the more time outdoors the better (which in principle is fine, but think you can acheive that even if she has an iPod). He has suggested a new bike. I think it is not a bad idea, she is outgrowing hers. But I think it would be better to get it for her birthday in March. The desk and chair would then be the compromise. Or something else as yet undetermined.

I would love to get her the IPod. I think she will use it sensibly - the odd game (we dont have DS, xbox, playstation etc) plus when she borrows my IPad she makes videos etc, so we could look for creative apps for her. Also, she has been told no so her absolute delight if we disguise it in a larger box would be amazing. But I will need to persuade DH.

SO what would you get? (Appreciate in reality answers will depend on views on technology).

iPod definitely.

My 3 10,10and 9 have them and they are fab.

My 3 have hardly any screen time and I'd rather they were on those than watching crappy TV.

If you can monitor an Ipad,you can monitor an Ipod.

Your DH has a point about too much technology but being the child without can be very isolating (I know from experience)
A bike is a great gift but as you suggest, probably better in March when the weather is a little milder.
Desk and chair? IMO that's something that is not really a gift, unless it is significantly more expensive than what you had planned to buy anyway IYSWIM.
iPod would be a winner for me for several reasons. Firstly she really wants one. Secondly she thinks she can't have one. Thirdly she will end up with technology anyway and I have found with DS (who is also 9) that it is easier to set up boundaries, time limits and general "rules" while he is younger.
Suggest to your DH that he be the one to surprise her with a last minute present "found" under a chair or tree. And draw up a list of rules before you give it to her that addresses his concerns.
(Fwiw DS is allowed 30 minutes on Minecraft in the evening. This is on the understanding that he has: done his music practise x2, homework, reading, spellings, prepared his bag and kit for the next day and put his uniform in the wash. We check before he is allowed to start and it has been amazing at getting an Olympic level dawdler motivated :o)

Thanks, I will try hard to persuade DH on the IPod. He knows how excited she would be and the thought of her little face when she opens it may just swing it for him. I will suggest he types up some rules he is happy with (motivation to do music practice is required) and maybe we can wrap the IPod and put it in a larger wrapped box along with the rules with a note to say she can open the present if she agrees to the rules.
Or the idea of him "finding" an extra present is a good one.

I would go for a tablet rather than an iPod. nexus 7, Hudl etc. You can get the Kindle App, and they are otherwise much more useful.