The favored geographical location, the Far East, was never in the limelight. While we in the Lehigh Valley were much closer to ground zero, clouds blanketed the East Coast hiding the show. One report from Nova Scotia noted over 160 meteors per hour. About 30-50 meteors per hour can be seen radiating from near Castor, the fainter of the two bright head stars of the Gemini Twins. Observe after midnight viewing high in the south to southwest.
Geminid meteors are rapid and yellowish.
If you are contemplating the buying of a telescope as a Christmas gift, consider binoculars instead. Binoculars offer a wide range of advantages over telescopes, not the least of which is cost. They are simply cheaper. She or he will have to begin learning the brighter constellations and stars before becoming successful with a higher powered telescope. You re also using two eyes rather than one which produces a more comfortable view.