Advanced Holiday Gifts

How was break? We've all been asked this question. For most, it ends with an "eh…it was alright. And you?" There is no reason to go into specifics. Explaining how we spent hours with our parents, hung out with old friends and ate too much cheesecake just isn't really necessary. But what happened to the time where the first day back to school was exciting? When seeing our friends was something we looked forward to. Well it could have something to do with those lovely presents! \nWhen I was little, my friends and I memorized every gift for the first day of school. The question back then was, "What did you get?" Clothes, plastic jewelry, the Green Day "Dookie" album, the problem then was whether to start with the CD Player or my brother's tarantula. It sure was hard being a kid. \nWhat I've realized over the years, though, is the gifts are just not the same anymore. At a certain age I asked my mother to break the news about the big man in red, and after that, gifts on Christmas seemed to lose that special excitement. The tree is a bit bare and most of the items with my name on them are holiday cards with cash. Money isn't a bad thing, but I miss the excitement of opening up a huge box and finding some really cool puzzle. \nSo this Christmas when I woke up and sat around the plastic tree and homemade ornaments, I was somewhat alarmed when I found myself the new owner of a rice cooker and a pair of leather driving gloves. Don't get me wrong, I find both very useful, and practical items: especially since I have had the same bag of brown rice in my pantry since September. \nThe realization that times have changed really hit me when I witnessed the unraveling of one present after another for my 10-year-old brother, Arthur. There would be no reason for Santa to bring him anything less than awesome, however, I found myself practically shocked at not only the abundance of his newly acquired gifts, but also the quality. He is 10, what else does he need besides a Lego set, some sort of battery operated race car and gift cards to Gap Kids? Well, he got much more than that this year.\nThe technological age has snuck its way into the innocent lives of children. No more Christmas gifts of Monopoly, tri-cycles and goldfish. These days it's nothing but the latest trendy gadgets. Arthur's list was incredible. It might seem impossible to beat a rice cooker, but his iPod shuffle was just the beginning. Besides a three man tent and those reusable camping utensils for his Boy Scouts troupe, he got a DVD player, a portable DVD player, a 'gently' used laptop and probably the most exciting, "March of the Penguins" on DVD. Is there not a line to be drawn anymore? Are we taking holiday gifts too far? Should children be receiving gifts that are on the same list as a 20-year-old? \nTen years ago I never dreamed of anything electronic. I remember asking for a porcelain doll and my older brother telling me Santa doesn't have that kind of money. After seeing Arthur's treasures I decided to find out his trick. How did he get all this stuff? He told me he didn't even write a letter this year. There was no list describing all his heart's desires, so I'm guessing everyone bought default gifts. \nA portable DVD player has now become the default gift for 10 year olds. I was freaked out when my older brother got a boa constrictor from my dad one year, but that was probably because for weeks I feared for my life. \nThe biggest gift I ever wanted as a child would probably be a Big Wheel. Didn't everyone want a miniature car that only kids could drive? I never got the Big Wheels, but I was still allowed to imagine myself speeding around the block. And Arthur didn't ask for anything and he got the top five gifts on everyone's list. \nHe wasn't the only one. Children these days are getting it all. The days of jack-in-the-box are gone. Etcha-sketch will soon be 'Techna-sketch.' Is this the end of the 100-piece puzzle? It's a question I have begun to ask. There needs to be something to look forward to once you grow up. I just hope children are ecstatic when they come home from college, open up their gift and find they're the new owner of a rice cooker.