Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: for daughter

Your daughter, she's your princess, deserving of all the adoration and affection in the world. She's also likely quite picky when it comes to consumer electronics, which is where we come in. Or try to anyway. We don't claim to know the ways of the very young female gadget lover's heart, but hopefully we'll be able to at least guide you in the right direction.

See also: for him, for her, for son.

$0 - $100

i-Dog - Sure, you could get a real, stinking, slobbering doggie for the family -- one that you might be likely to put up for adoption after the novelty wears off on the kids. Or just go for a i-Dog to protect her iPod. Don't overload those kids with too much responsibility, ok? Sometimes changing the batteries is plenty enough.
$25 - Buy from Amazon

"Flavored" Firefly - Let's face it, you probably want your kid to have a Firefly emergency phone, and your kid probably wants anything but. So do what all good marketers do when they want someone to buy something -- slap some different logos, labels, and colors on it, and call it a day. Now in Superman, Supergirl, and Tweety Bird varieties, keeping your youngins safe was never so gimmicky.
$90 - Buy from Firefly

Nintendogs (and/or Trick Trainer Pups plush toys) - Or, alternately, you can go with Nintendo's answer to Sega / Hasbro's i-Dog, the Nintendogs Trick Trainer Pups plushies (and the game they're based on, Nintendogs for the DS). With "howl with me" Boxers, "trick trainer" German Shepherds, and so on, you're sure not to go entirely undisturbed this holiday. Seriously, what's a toy without a little "stop playing with that thing right this instant!"
$20 - $30 - Buy from Toys "R" Us

Noteworthy mention: GR8 TaT2 faux tattoo gun

$101 - $250

(Pink) PSP - It doesn't necessarily have to be the Pink Sony PSP, but hey, if you were looking for something in that femme shade somewhere between white and red, Sony's got your hookup. Good for all manner of portable games (and especially media), ladies and gentlemen alike aren't seldom seen with a PSP in hand these days.
$200 - Buy from Play-Asia

Samsung SYNC - Sure, you could snag her a RAZR like her many friends may already have, or you could do her a favor and get her the Samsung SYNC (A707). Not only does it outclass Moto's aging flagship, it also makes media playback much easier if she's the type to leave the iPod at home.
$200 with two year contract ($50 after rebates, etc.) - Buy from Cingular

DS Lite (your choice of colors) - If you're not sold on the Pink PSP, then get her a black (or pink, or white) DS Lite. Something tells us she wants one of the two, and knowing how Nintendo and Sony fangirls are, something tells us she probably let you know which. If you still need something to tip the scales, don't forget the DS weighs in a little cheaper than Sony's handheld.
$130 - Shop for DS Lite

Noteworthy mention: LG Fusic, Charming Kitty Fujifilm Pivi Camera Phone Printer

$251 - $500

Canon SD800 - What she needs to take pictures is something small, but with a high ISO, OIS (optical image stabilization), and, if possible, enough megapixels to make sure your grandchildren can still spot your blemishes when viewed in 2040. Try something along the lines of Canon's SD800 -- it may not be the smallest on the block, but it's got all of the above and a 3.8x zoom, 2.5-inch display, and widescreen and movie modes to bring out that inner Sofia Coppola.
~$380 - Shop for SD800

Archos 604 WiFi - If your daughter is a portable media junkie, and complains if she can't get her adequate time online to check her MySpace / Facebook page, you may just want to finally sate her with the Archos 604 WiFi. For $450, this French media device garnered some pretty good reviews, given that it'll play nearly anything you throw at it, and comes with built-in WiFi. The interface may not be mind-blowing, but that's still a tough spec sheet to beat.
$450 - Shop for Archos 604 WiFi

Epson PictureFlash PM 280 - If you snagged her that camera (and more accessories than she knows what to do with), you may want to remember that a decent photo printer is a good way to save the endless trips to the printing kiosk in Walgreens. Epson's PictureMate top-of-the-line photo printer is $300, and will run off some seriously nice 4 x 6 versions -- it even comes with a built-in CD burner for archiving. Just don't complain when scrapbooks of holiday gift-giving start turning up around New Year's.
$300 - Buy from Epson

$501 - $1000

Olevia 537H - Nothin' says lovin' like a budget HDTV -- and believe you us, this year you've got your pick. We're going to go with the Olevia 37-inch 537H, which you can get for well under a grand. It's not the best picture in the world, no, but it's really not bad -- and besides, that's what the living room TV is for. This bugger's going in her bedroom or her dorm room so she'll never be without an HD fix.
About $900 - Shop for Olevia 537H

Nokia N73 - If you've ever held a Nokia N73, you probably fell in love a little. What's not to swoon over? 2.4-inch screen, 3G, 3 megapixel camera, FM radio, and all the media playback you could possibly want? She may not know what the hell this phone is, but ain't nobody couldn't like to get one.
$510 (bundled with 2GB card) - Buy from ImportGSM

Noteworthy mention: Hello Kitty PMP, Sega Dream Pony (sorry, foreign only!)

$1001+

Apple MacBook - We have a feeling there's not a lot we need to say here. If she wants a laptop, we'd bet dollars to donuts it's a MacBook, probably in white. Oh sure, they've had their fair share of problems, but we can't deny that people seem to find them irresistibly desirous. We could be wrong, but hey, you're the parent -- if you know her so well, why are you reading this silly gift guide?
$1100 and up - Buy from Apple

Peter Aloisson-customized Motorola KRZR K1 - Is a Vertu simply not exclusive enough for your baby girl? Seriously? Even in Racetrack Legends trim? Peter Aloisson, excessive phone bejeweler extraordinaire, might have just the thing. This time around he's taken on Motorola's KRZR K1, studding it with hundreds of diamonds that look pretty much like those $5 packs of decorative studs to everyone except your jubilant daughter (and your accountant). The initial run appears to include three designs, though we're sure waving sufficient cash in the designer's direction will net you a K1 decked out in whatever pattern and color you like.
Price varies by quality and quantity of stones - Inquire directly with Peter Aloisson

Toshiba immersion helmet - Toshiba calls this thing a full-face helmet for enabling the wearer's complete 360 degree immersion in the environment of his or her choice. At least, that's the story you'll be giving your daughter when she slips it on -- but we all know it's really a mind control device for those times when the chores simply must get done. If it doesn't snap her head clean off, anyway.
Price unknown (since it's a research project, you may have to buy Toshiba itself) - Inquire with Toshiba

Noteworthy mention: Themeaddicts Magic Message Mirror

[Jonathan Zencovich @ Dec 13th 2006 10:35PM]

I guess an HDTV will please just about anyone, eh? :D

--Jon Z

[Veritas II @ Dec 13th 2006 10:40PM]

Ryan recommended a SONY product? Where's the real Ryan, and who are you!?!

[Xavier @ Dec 13th 2006 11:08PM]

Just glancing I see 2 spelling errors...

" "Flavored" Firefly - Let's face it, you probably want your kid to have a Firefly emergency phone, and your did probably wants anything but."

Your did? Or your kid?

And the Archos 640?

Sorry for being so critical, I just love Engadget too much.

[Ryan Block @ Dec 13th 2006 11:54PM]

Nah man, it's cool! Thanks for letting us know!

[Eric Leung @ Dec 13th 2006 11:10PM]

O_O dat helmet thing looks pretty heavy...

[Billy Bob @ Dec 13th 2006 11:16PM]

theres another error
under ds lite it says,
If you're not sold on the Pink DS, then get her a DS Lite
this should be pink PSP

[Zach @ Dec 13th 2006 11:25PM]

1. You referred to you "did" instead of your "kid" in the firefly bit.

2. You sure you meant "If you're not sold on the Pink DS, then get her a DS Lite." You should maybe change that to Pink PSP, assuming that you're referring to the aforementioned Sony product (especially after you use Sony's name not 2 sentences later.)

[wahoo scott @ Dec 13th 2006 11:30PM]

toshiba immersion helmet aka darth helmet, v2.0

[Paul @ Dec 13th 2006 11:30PM]

The VR helmet is the best gift there! Especially after you buy Toshiba

*sigh* I am sorry, I am tired so I kinda just write drivel..

[Scooter @ Dec 13th 2006 11:47PM]

seems you're stretching a bit here, especially at the end.
How about a solar-powered "flip flap" instead of idog. As one of my daughter's friends recently described it: "an environmentally friendly plant".

There are also way too many mobile phones in here. If she wouldn't want Firefly, why recommend it? Instead I suggest a Wacom tablet: let her get expressive...

Have a happy unwrapping.

[Intrepid @ Dec 13th 2006 11:50PM]

Whilst I agree that *only* little girls like Macbooks, if they want to play games (like the popular title "The Sims 2" they'll need a real computer - a PC. You can get them in white too you know, ask ASUS or Sony.

[Taylor @ Dec 14th 2006 4:17AM]

Actually, The Sims 2 is one of the few games that actually works on a MacBook. However, the graphics will be crap thanks to the GMA 950 integrated chipset; you'd be better off with a PC laptop with a good ATI or NVIDIA card.

[Jesse @ Dec 14th 2006 12:13AM]

Pretty surprised the 2nd gen nano wasn't on there. Just this morning on the bus 2 girls were begging their mom for pink nanos for Christmas

[Juaquin @ Dec 14th 2006 1:44AM]

Do you guys try to pick the things a teenage girl would NOT want, or is that just coincidence? My sister doesn't want any of that crap. A photo printer? They can't tell the difference between their 1.3MP camera phone and their Dad's 12MP 15x Image Stabilized DSLR.

I disagree with Intrepid. I personally could never run Mac (I'm an overclocker and a gamer at heart), but there'd be nothing I'd like better than to shove a Mac at my sister and tell her to only run Windows in Parallels when she really needs to play the Sims. That will cut down on the amount of family tech support I have to do...

[Intrepid @ Dec 14th 2006 2:53AM]

Well Juaquin, each to their own. I just knwo that I see a lot of people with Macs complain about the lack of games and applications for their 'superior' OS. And I wouldn't want to impose that issue on my daughter/sister.

[Juaquin @ Dec 15th 2006 6:35PM]

Intrepid, did you miss the part where I said she can run Windows in Parallels? That completely gets rid of any issues about "my game/application won't run on a Mac". Yes, there are a select few games that will not even run in Parallels, but if you need one of those rare few, just create a separate partition and dual-boot windows. That's the beauty of Mac switching over to Intel (x86) processors, they can run windows now, in case you missed the five billion posts engadget did about it.

Like I said, making a teenage girl run Mac OSX most of the time will cut down on the amount of tech support you're going to have to do.

[pam @ Dec 14th 2006 8:28AM]

Good God. Everybody is so critical... I think you guys did a good job on this list. Thanks for the gift ideas. I do like the immersion helmet the most. Want to drink some wine and get inside that one.

[Dignan17 @ Dec 14th 2006 8:41AM]

I'm assuming this is the last gift guide. If you have any more planned (a "Mom" and "Dad" list would have been neat), then it's going to be too late. As it is, if someone were actually waiting for this list to come out, they'd be a little hard-pressed for time.

[Ryan Block @ Dec 14th 2006 1:53PM]

We've got more coming! Stay tuned.

[the.gecko.girl @ Dec 14th 2006 11:51AM]

Wow. I'm a "daughter" (age 18) and I find that list pretty demeaning. Except for the MacBook and the Nokia, I would say that list is either for a) VERY young girls (in which case why would you give a young girl such expensive items - like the PSP?) or b) girls who have little taste in electronics. Either we're stupid or 4 years old.

I mean seriously. A Photo Printer? That's something my mother wants - I would never use it. And a -pink- PSP? Wow. Creative ideas, guys. Clearly all girls share the favorite color of Barbie pink. Admittedly, the Nokia is a good pick.

The HDTV isn't attractive at all (which is important) and if it "doesn't have the best picture in the world" then I would ask them to wait a little bit longer, save up and get the better one. After all, we all know that if by some odd chance it's the only HD in the house it's either going in a family room or everyone else will use it regardless of whether it's in a private room or not. Might as well save up for a better picture and something that doesn't look hideous.

Also, how in the -world- did the "Magic Mirror" get runner up for that stupid Toshiba helmet?

Sorry, but I feel you guys missed the mark with this one.

[Galley @ Dec 14th 2006 12:06PM]

I gave my daughter a MacBook for her 16th birthday in Nov. For Christmas she's getting an Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse.

[whiskey @ Dec 14th 2006 12:55PM]

Maybe you missed that:

Pink is not the same as P!nk... So parents , who usually do not follow this kind of details, don't get confused.

[Meadhbh @ Dec 14th 2006 1:54PM]

Yeah, it seems rather biased toward girl stereotypes rather than real girls.

I'm a daughter myself, and I'd rather have a PS3, Xbox 360, or Wii and maybe a pre-purchase for the WoW expansion or a new gaming desktop since my RAM is a little low on my current PC. I certainly DON'T want anything pink (or p!nk), a dancing dog, or a phone with pictures of bubbles on it.

The only thing that appealed to me was the notebook, and the VR helmet looked interesting but...uncomfortable.

And stop stooping to the stereotype that the only video games girls play are Nintendogs or the Sims, honestly. Give me WoW or a good FPS any day.

[Phil @ Dec 15th 2006 10:05AM]

Just one question: What does the person using the Toshiba immersion helmet need a webcam for?

[Billy @ Dec 16th 2006 6:37PM]

Sorry, I gotta agree with most others that this list is crap. Most of it too techy or too expensive for a majority of girls to really enjoy. I can't believe you recommended both a PSP and DS, let alone the PSP before the DS. Girls have NO interest in the PSP, just like they have no interest in the PS3. They want fun, Nintendo gives that too them with the DS and Wii. :P