November is halfway done and Black Friday just a week away, which marks the official start of the holiday rush.  I’ve already heard Christmas songs playing on the radio.  People are busy making their wishlists and shopping lists.  Every Christmas, I get so stumped trying to figure out what to get the little kids in our family.  Most of the parents either want clothes or toys for their kids, but what about what their kids want?

Good thing Nielsen launched their holiday wishlist survey.

According to the 2011 Nielsen holiday report, the iPad is at the top of the list for kids aged 6-12 years old and teens 13+.  For the younger group, the iPad at 44% is followed by the iPod Touch at 30%, and the iPhone at 27%.  Apple’s certainly gotten its brand stuck on the younger generation.  Only 25% of kids want a non-Apple tablet 25% this holiday. And as mobile gaming takes over its entire sector, less than 30% of kids want a Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360 Kinect 23% or Nintendo DS/DSi/DS Lite.

Even older kids, age 13 years and above, put the iPad at the top of the list, taking up 24% of respondents pick. The iPad is followed by the computer 18%, an e-reader at 18%, TV at 17% and a non-Apple tablet at 17%.

Apple devices are magnets, attracting everyone from all ages, shapes and sizes.  There’s just something about them that really makes you feel like you’re getting a treat.  But if you’re still in doubt, you could always just ask the kids what they really want.  They’ll have no qualms about sharing all the things on their list.

It’s pretty clear, the 2011 holiday wishlist is topped by the iPad, which is consistent with the 2010 holiday wishlist, where 31% had the iPad on the top of their list.

Given this trend, it shouldn’t be any surprise that grown ups are all about the iPad this holiday season, too.  A recent survey from PriceGrabber shows that even adults would really like to get an iPad or iPad2 for the holidays, with the Apple device topping the list for 83% of respondents.  Many prefer tablets over laptops or netbooks, with 85% of respondents saying it’s because they’re easy to transport and carry, while 73% said it’s because they are lightweight, and 67% said they are convenient, while 67% enjoy using the touchscreen.

If you’d like to help kids outside of your own family, you can participate in the 2nd Annual Santa’s Super Secret Workshop, a fundraiser that will benefit The Duffy House.  Kids who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse can feel like they are special as they get to play Little Santa.  The workshop works like this: these kids “purchase” gifts for their families for free.  Through your donations, the workshop can be stocked with assorted gifts, and if you donate $50, a kid can go on a shopping spree and get as many gifts they want for any member of their family, even their extended family.  So if you have $50 to spare and you have a kind heart, click here to donate.  The event will be held on December 10, 2011 and the deadline for giving donations is December 1st.