To parents of 6 and 8 year olds (or close age range) who do holiday shopping?

What do you have in mind to give the elementary crowd for the holidays. For my 6 yr old girl, I've racked my brain for a few gifts I think she might like. In retrospect, I used to pick out any pink princess thing in the toy stores at the last minute and would pay for it later. She wouldn't play. THis year she's getting: 1. Cheap digital camera w/LCD 2. Barbie Board Game Queen of the Prom (good reviews on Amazon) 3. Fashion Fever Styling Heads (comes with 2 style heads so her brother and I can play with, plus one of them has brunette hair color!) 4. I'll go to the dollar store and rack up on cheap makeup, nail polish, and hair stuff and put in a basket for a "Make Over" day with mommy whenever. I want to make it special for them this year and put some thought into it. She wanted FURREAL's Biscuit but that mechanical puppy costs about $200!!! Sheesh! My son is 8 and wants an IPOD. Lol, I told him no way. I did consider buying Rock Band 2 as a gift for both of them but alas it is not released for Christmas for the Wii. So for my 8 yr old boy, it's 1. Magnetix 2. Guitar Hero for DS 3. 2 books on how to juggle (including ball) and how to make balloon animals (comes with balloons) Everything is SO expensive these days, it almost takes the joy out of the season. (almost) Thanks for reading this far, I'd love to hear your ideas on what kids their age may like (that's not a video game). I know the holidays are strictly not for gifts, we celebrate this one aspect of it. so please, no religious or hurtful comments. THanks everyone, for letting me think out loud and offering your suggestions. All the best.
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If you are having trouble figuring out what they want get online with one at a time with ToyRus and say hey give me some ideas of what you want; see what they are drawn to. My kids love it they never know what they are getting but they get to show me what they are interested in. I got it easy with my 9yr son He is on a gymnastic team and is level 6 so he wanted a mat and a mushroom (practice for arm strenght) My 6yr I haven't a clue. Good Luck and hope your kids have a great holiday
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