Christmas advice/
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=176848
Printed Date: 19 Aug 2025 at 2:32pm
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Topic: Christmas advice/
Posted By: DanWi
Subject: Christmas advice/
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 1:28pm
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Wife says I should be thinking about what to get a 8 and 1/2 year old grandson for Christmas. He has so much stuff it is hard to shop for stuff. He has a bike, BBgun, football, baseball bat and glove, a pile of farm toys, cell phone, games other electronic toys, mini foosball table. I had godparents that gave me saving bonds growing up because she worked in a bank, I liked that but I don't know if they are worth anything now. He comes out to the farm when he can, but he's busy bouncing back and forth between his mom and dad. I take him to tractor and toy shows when I can, hasn't been any of them this year and we have been a little more careful because he is going to school and other stuff. Sorry a little long winded. just not sure what more a person should get a boy like that.
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Replies:
Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 2:05pm
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I don't know what savings bonds are worth today but by the times he's ready for college they might be worth something
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Posted By: JoeM(GA)
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 4:24pm
Hmmmmm, I was thinking more like his first “B”
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Allis Express North Georgia
41 WC,48 UC Cane,7-G's,
Ford 345C TLB
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Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 6:00pm
Joe is spot on the money........his first "B." From reading between the lines I gather that his mom and dad are divorced so he may need someone that is rock steady in his life. His own tractor that the two of you work on together and he learns how to drive and maintain would give him a great sense of accomplishment. And the "B" is a great tractor for that, just ask Bill Long. Many times kids have too much "stuff" when what they really want is quality time spent with parents and grandparents. Spend all the time you can with him because before you know it he will be grown. Interest on bonds and savings accounts are low these days but they do help teach kids to save.
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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 6:32pm
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Many times kids have too much "stuff" when what they really want is quality time spent with parents and grandparents
YEP.... what he really needs is as much TIME as you cans spend... My 8 year old grandson helped me build a tree house this summer....in MY BACK YARD... Something i really needed !!
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Posted By: KMAG
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 7:04pm
8 year old...
1. With parents' permission, buy his first .22 rifle for plinking cans together.
2. Install Minecraft on your computer and watch him play the modern Kid version of Legos. Share in building stuff and game adventures
3. Fishing rod and basic tackle kit with promise to do fishing trips together.
4. Tickets for him and you and the misses to take an air balloon ride together in the spring. It will be a lifetime memory.
5. Get him Calvin & Hobbes comic books. Seriously.
6. An 8 year old should have a dog (boxer or lab are safe choices). Clear this with his parents!!! Dog is a friend, builds confidence with training dog, teaches him responsibility, and teaches about life (aging, reproduction, see world from a different perspective).
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Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 7:28pm
Deer hunting together. States now offer a youth season for those not yet 18. Seasons over this year, but that’s ok. You’d have a whole year to prep for 2021. Could begin with a firearm &/or bow safety class together. Then if you’ve gotta gun or bow, you both could practice shooting targets at different yardage. Could learn about ammo / arrow rates of drop & windage. Could apply for deer tags & habitat stamp in May. Maybe use a game cam to scout trails & learn when deer feed or bed. Then bag a deer during youth season. Field dress it. Butcher it. Add bacon or beef suet to venison, grind it into burgers & freeze it. Then enjoy delicious deer chili, deer meatloaf, deer spaghetti, deer lasagna, deer tacos, or deer burgers on the grill.
If this has merit with you, then you could maybe buy him a sharp skinning/butcher hunting knife, or a range finder scope, or a game camera, or an orange hunting hat, gloves, & vest, or a Scheels gift card that could be used later toward a bow, gun, ammo, etc...
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Posted By: DSpears N IL
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 7:54pm
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how about a basic set of wrenches or tool set with a toolbox to use and keep organized! Then possibly a tractor to take care of together!
My grandkids love being around my tractors maintaining them and then driving them!
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Posted By: Pat the Plumber CIL
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 8:11pm
Stuff I wanted when I was 8 ; shotgun, dirt bike, 4 wheeler , compound bow , crossbow , go-cart, snow mobile, jet ski,
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You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails
1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF.
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Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 8:53pm
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I have been thinking maybe his first tractor pretty soon. His dad is really good with him that's not a problem. He has a nice bike they have a 4 wheeler his other grandpa has a cottage on a lake and he loves to fish for rock bass. His dad take him to the airport for airplane and helicopter rides and I'm not crazy about flying and my wife hates it. And he already has a BBgun. I do wish there was a way to spend more time with him, he was able to ride along in the combine when we did beans. Him and his dad come out evenings in the summer to pick up big squares and I got to take him for a semi ride to the grain elevator this fall. We are pretty lucky to have all that but thats why when the wife puts you on the spot to get him something for Christmas it is hard to do. And him and his dad already have a husky, a lab and a cat. I was thinking a little feeder steer they have a couple acre lot but that might not be appreciated I should probably keep that here at the farm.
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Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 9:06pm
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i do agree with a fishing pole, maybe ad sum lures and other fishing gear. a pup tent and a few accesories for around a campfire. guns? nope...to easy to have a fatal accident at that young of an age. gift cards from any store he may like works well. 1/2 year old....A/C t-shirt or A/C bib.
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Posted By: Lars(wi)
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 9:37pm
How about a drum set? To be kept at the house of the parent that is your former(son/daughter)in law.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 9:48pm
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Thanks for all the help. Just saw a commercial that reminded me he loves trains. Guess I am shopping for a train set.
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Posted By: truckerfarmer
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2020 at 10:30pm
I second the tools. I was about that age when my brother and I got a basic woodworking kit for Christmas. Hammer,screwdrivers, small plane chisels,saw, all in a wooden case. Couple years later, we each got a 1/2" socket set from Pamida.
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Looking at the past to see the future.
'53 WD, '53 WD45, WD snap coupler field cultivator, #53 plow,'53 HD5B dozer
Duct tape.... Can't fix stupidity. But will muffle the sound of it!
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Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2020 at 11:32am
I think that was about when I got my son his first computer. It was a commodore 64. He had a lot of fun with that thing. You could probably get him a decent gaming computer for 1500 to 2000, and run it thru a tv probably 55" for a starter. I just bought a 65" at Cosco for 500. You better get practiced up on a game controller. I never could figure out what buttons to push to do what!
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D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446
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Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2020 at 11:55am
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D 21
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He who dies with the most toys is,
nonetheless ,still dead.
If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED.
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Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2020 at 1:47pm
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Funny thing when it comes to video games and electronic stuff, when he is at his dads he is a carpenter and he is pretty hands on always active they don't watch alot of tv, he has him reading books and doing activities. Then there is the difference his mom would use the tv as a babysitter or just let him sit and play video games. Thing is in the future some of the skills kids learn from electronics could lead to a career but not all the other crap they learn from it. If I was going to blow the budget and get him a D21 I might as well get him an 8070 then I could borrow it and hook to the neighbors big square baler for the summer.
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Posted By: iowallis
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2020 at 6:17pm
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Little late for a suggestion if you already decided on a train but when I was 8 a neighbor gave me a old Snapper (the kind with the engine on the back) riding lawnmower for me to fix. Actually it ran but he smashed the sparkplug electrode down so it had no spark and I had to figure that out.
I drove it all over. Got a new blade and mowed some yards. Did about twice as many oil changes as it needed just so I could work on it. Showed the unsuspecting kids in the neighborhood "how to check for spark" and a squirt of oil down the carburetor would put on a good smoke show. My dad made a trailer so I hauled around stuff. Takes up less space than a tractor and would still give him something to mess around with.
About 2 years later it finally it started smoking bad without me squirting oil down the carburetor and was making a knocking noise. Ended up getting a minibike and rode that around instead and the mower went to the iron scrap pile.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2020 at 6:24pm
Dan, sounds like his dad is a pretty good guy... and stepping up to the plate to teach the boy about a LOT of things... thats great ! hunting, fishing, mechanics .... all valued !
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 10:26am
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Yes, sounds like it's up to the Grandparents to care on what the father has going. Best of luck to you. We have 2 Grandchildren in Flordia that we will not get to see this year and both of their parents are the tv and games to keep them occuped and are devivorsed and they are both bright student but are getting their school at home because of Covid, the boys is doing great the girl is struggling and we can't be of any help. They are my's son children and I have to keep my muth shut.
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Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2020 at 12:28am
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a buddy gave his 2 young twin boys each a tool box with some basic tools, thought they would learn some on how to use them, and maybe help their mom on things....until....he walked into the shed one day and found all kinds of farm equipment parts laying all over and in piles....he took the tools away!
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Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2020 at 9:07pm
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Dan, I was in Menard's the other day and dsaw several train sets in carts. One guy with a set in his cart told me he thought they had a quality train set. I did not pick them up.
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Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 4:59pm
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Checked the one Menard's this weekend and they were pretty picked over not much left. Have another Menard's about the same distance in the opposite direction they may have had a little more inventory maybe. Went home and ordered online and suppose to arrive before Christmas.
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