A bit early for Christmas gifts ideas, but....

**catnapper** · 11-04-2007, 09:09 AM

My mom is coming up today to go Christmas shopping for the kids, and my youngest wants money to save towards a laptop. She's doing a good job saving herself, and isn't sure where she'll end up buying the laptop, so I can't exactly ask mom to get a $50 gift card to Circuit City not knowing if she'll end up buying it at Best Buy, etc.

Any ideas for laptop accessories my mom can get her? Mom typically spends $50 on each kid (and goes way overboard for Cam, but don't we all?

)

She's a high school senior going to college next year. Not sure which college yet, but its going to be something in the medical field (not a doctor, but some kind of tech -- X-ray or MRI tech etc.) She likes to do all the typical stuff teens are into... IMing, music, Myspace, Facebook, games, etc. I have no idea what accessories one might need with a laptop since I don't have one. All I can think of are a few memory sticks. That wouldn't excite me to get as a gift

**moosmom** · 11-04-2007, 09:14 AM

Kim,

How about an American Express giftcard?? They sell them at banks and retails stores. This way Heather can spend it wherever she decides to buy her laptop.

**catnapper** · 11-04-2007, 09:18 AM

Mom looked into that last year and was told they have an activation fee.... did they change that? She didn't want to give a $50 gift card only to have them end up with $45 to spend (or something like that)

**Rachel** · 11-04-2007, 09:29 AM

Hey, Personally I'm fan of good giving good old hard currency. I guess some people don't think that's enough of an effort but I too want all my gift put to use and none wasted. I've seen too many purchased gifts tossed aside with indifference and since the $$ used in gift giving are hard earned, I just can't get excited about buying presents unless I'm certain of what the recipient wants or needs.

**catnapper** · 11-04-2007, 09:36 AM

Thats the tough question, isn't it? Mom (and I) want to put some thought and effort into a gift. After all, if we all just exchange cash or gift cards, then why bother? I mean, I could hand mom $50 cash and she could hand me the same. I think gifts should include some thought. Not just a last minute stop at WaWa to pick up a gift card at the counter on your way to someone's house... have you seen how many gift cards they offer? Best Buy, Barnes and Nobles, AmEx, etc. They have them all!

Then again, at least a gift card is almost certain to be used. Unless of course its like my uncle who gave us a card to the candle store when we're allergic to all the scents. Then I feel guilty not using it.

The big exciting gift that I asked mom for myself and hubby? New feather pillows for our bed. She must think I've lost my marbles, but its what I want! LOL Its something I'd never buy for myself but will be useful every night!

**jennielynn1970** · 11-04-2007, 09:51 AM

What about a nice set of portable speakers for the laptop?? Or a flash drive so she can save things to it and use it on other computers at school if she can't take her computer with her that day (WP docs etc...).

**cassiesmom** · 11-05-2007, 02:30 PM

Hmmm, Circuit City or Best Buy? I'm thinking a college-bound student wouldn't have a problem spending $50 in either of those.

**Hellow** · 11-05-2007, 02:46 PM

Also, dont waste your money on an office suite such as MS Office when you can find free ones such as Open Office ( www.openoffice.org ). The same for programs such as Photoshop, there is an program called GIMP ( www.gimp.org ) thats free.

**emily_the_spoiled** · 11-05-2007, 03:24 PM

If your daughter is going to be a student next year I would avoid purchasing software for a computer. Universities and community colleges get exceptional discounts on software, so she is better off buying it herself because of the cost.

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 11-05-2007, 04:29 PM

I highly recommend she get an external hard drive to back up her computer. Everyone should get into the habit of doing that at least once daily, especially a student who will have important school work on her computer. A best Buy or Circuit City gift card can go toward that.

**Hellow** · 11-05-2007, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by KBlaix

I highly recommend she get an external hard drive to back up her computer. Everyone should get into the habit of doing that at least once daily, especially a student who will have important school work on her computer. A best Buy or Circuit City gift card can go toward that.

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I also reccommend that. Even though i dont do it because i have nothing of real importance on my laptop, i would reccommend a Maxtor or a Mybook external hard drive.