It was Christmas of 1976. It was shortly after Evil Kneivel jumped at the Seattle Kingdome. The movie Jaws was the big Blockbuster of the time. The Ramones had just released their first self-titled album. The Eagles album Hotel California made its debut. Son of Sam and Patty Hurst consumed newspapers and magazines all across the country, and the Smothers Brothers played their last show in Vegas. It was a very exciting year.

This was a time, when you actually had to DIAL the telephone to call someone. Remote control was not a usual household commodity, so most people had their daily exercise getting up to turn the T.V. dial (imagine that). Moments of silence and patriotic flags graced televisions around the U.S. Books were a form of entertainment, and children around the world would crave for the outdoors. Life was simple, yet there was never a dull moment.

I was five, soon to be six in January. I remember opening my first gift from my father. As I tore through it slowly, I remember the look on his face, as if he was the one on the receiving end. The angst was my way of making the moment even more exciting. Ripping slowly through the last layer, I sat there expressionless. I could not believe my eyes. Low and behold, creeping out of the wrapping was the newest model of Evel Knievels Super Stunt Cycle. All accessories included. This was followed by a Batman coloring book, and bright red radio flyer wagon. I exhibited no emotion. I simply pushed the gifts aside, scooped up my funky Santa socks (a gift from my aunt), and moved on to the next.

Playing it back in my head, I realized now what I should have said. “Cool!” “Thanks Dad, You’re the greatest!” I am sure this is what he wanted to hear. Yes, this would have been a standard approach, “IF I WERE A BOY!” The question I ask today of course is, “What was he thinking?” This was a definitive moment in time. It was a glimpse into many more Christmases to come.

For this very reason, I decided to embark on a quest for the perfect gift for girls. I gathered girls ranging ages seven to twelve and asked them first to list the things they “DON‘T WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”. The girls were grouped into three categories, seven to eight, nine to ten, and eleven to twelve. Their answers are as follows:

Girls Ranging From 7 – 8 years of age

Do not Want:

1. Barbie Dolls                                    2. Underwear

3. Ornaments                                     4. Jewelry

5. Books                                             6. Movies

Girls Ranging From 9 – 10 years of age

Do not Want:

1. Barbie Dolls                                     2. Underwear

3. My Little Pony                                  4. Hula Hoop

5. Books                                              6. Movies

Girls Ranging From 11 – 12 years of age

Do not Want:

1. Barbie Dolls                                     2. Underwear

3. Hygiene Products                            4. Hair Accessories

5. Books                                              6. Stuffed Animals

The first Answer amazed me the most. The one thing I would have never set aside was at the top of the list. Barbie was every little girls dream (so I thought)! If I had been allowed, I am sure I would have had a sizeable collection. Oh, and what little girl would turn down My Little Pony? Someone please pinch me! Eager too see the “DO WANTS”, I quickly flipped their forms over, and found myself somewhat relieved to see, that their innocence was still in tact. The gifts ranked from one to ten. One ranked as most desirable, and ten of course was least desired. Answers ranging from seven to ten were not found consistent among the groups. The six solid answers are as follows:

Girls Ranging From 7 – 8 years of age

Do Want:

1. Baby Alive                                         2. Baby Born

3. Gift Cards                                         4. I Pod Nano

5. Web Kinz                                          6. Little Pet Shop Toys And Accessories

Girls Ranging From 9 – 10 years of age

Do Want:

1. Baby Alive                                        2. Gift Cards

3. Sony PSP                                         4. Anything High School Musical

5. Little Pet Shop Toys                         6. Anything Hanna Montana

Girls Ranging From 11 – 12 years of age

Do Want:

1. Money                                            2. Cell Phones

3. Gift Cards                                       4. I Pod

5. Music CD’s                                      6. Anything Jonas Brothers

With these mad Holiday mobs, shopping was out of the question. I chose the few gifts from the lists that ranked in the top three, and found some satisfying results through Google. Online bargains outdid the department stores. In some cases saving me up to forty percent. Regardless of where you find them, the result will prove priceless!

Flash forward to Christmas 1981. After numerous requests for a Vidal Sassoon purse and a Cabbage Patch doll, I could not wait to see what awaited me this year. I am sure you can imagine what my response was when; I received my Rams Football Helmet Radio and BMX bike. You would think I would have been in hog heaven, right. Don’t feel too bad for me though, I put all these items to use. Looking back now, I really had some good times no matter what they gave me, and I am sure your little girls will too.