What? You expected something more reasonably priced, given the recession? Bwhahaha. You're gonna be Grinch if you give anything less. Today, Nielsen released its holiday wish survey for kids ages 6 to 12. It's what they want to buy in the next six months, but Santa comes sooner.
Holiday shopping for school-aged pre-teens isn't what it used to be. Bicycles, train sets, Barbies, Hello Kitty goodies aren't good enough for the youngest Millennials. Forty-four percent want iPads, up from 31 percent last holiday. I guess not enough six-to-twelves got Apple tablets last year.
At a starting price of $499, mom and dad will have to really put out to meet the wish list. Say, kids, the economy sucks and Santa laid off half the elves. Perhaps you should go halfsies on that new iPad.
Meanwhile, 30 percent of six-to-twelves want iPod touch and 27 percent iPhone -- like you're going to pay $15 to 25 bucks a month so your second grader can have the mandatory data plan. A year ago, more kiddies wanted new computers (29 percent) than iPhones.
Still, 25 percent want a tablet other than iPad. I'd love to know how Nielsen reasons it can got meaningful data asking six year-olds about non-iPads.
Among old folks, those 13 and older, iPad appeals, too -- not as much but more than a year ago. iPad topped the list, but with 24 percent want-to-haves compared to 18 percent in late 2010. Computer and e-reader tie at 18 percent and TV set and non-iPad tablet at 17 percent.
Well, hell, more kiddies want more Apple stuff than the grups.
Two weeks ago, my colleague Ed Oswald argued that Apple's future is set because the brand is popular among Millennials. Top three items on the 6-to-12 wish list are Apple products.
Among the older group those wanting iPhone or another smartphone are close -- 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
What does your kid want this holiday, or you?
