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For my daughter, at this age, books, anything anime/manga related, drawing supplies, video game or two, mani/pedi, trip to the salon, Starbucks gift card, Hot Topic gift card.
Please don't think in terms of "cool." That's part of the problem today. And certainly not cash or gift cards. And to get her makeup/jewelry just promotes the girl stereotype.
Personally, I'm big on books. Especially non-fiction.
OP- Don't do this... Books are a very personal choice and unless you know she enjoys a specific series or author, the books you choose will most likely end up in the donate box.
I have a 13 year old daughter.
She loves craft project type gifts, make up, anything from bath & body works, makeup cases, cool hairbrushes, bath balms, fancy soaps, funky socks, under armour hoodies, gift cards are a huge hit because she likes to be "adult" and pay for her own stuff. This also helps her learn to shop smart. "I have a $25 gift card, what can I get and still have enough for sales tax?"
Oh wow! I've read John Saul and had forgotten about him. Also John Grisham. When I was her age, I was crazy about horses (never owned them though) so I have a number of beautiful reference books in my horse library. But really, I would ready anything back then and was always stealing my moms books to read.
To the person who suggested the trip and said time together is worth more than anything to a teen - what?! Maybe some but from what I remember about being 13 is how quickly I craved alone time, and finding myself. It was a time when I started to rebel against doing family functions and trips (though I still had to go on trips through high school). It was a time when as the oldest, I was growing up and felt everything else was babyish.
Yes, I did a couple of day excursions with a favorite aunt to horse shows. But those were special to me because we were closer in age, I knew her well and I was horse crazy.
To suggest the OP take the child on a trip when they've already said they don't know the child well, is a little (no offense) nuts.
My 13 year old loves to go places. I say indoor water park, and she has her bag packed in 5 minutes.
I was looking for gift ideas for a 13 year old girl. I am not close enough to her to know all of her likes but I know she likes jewelry and makeup. She loves clothes but not sure what would be best. She is a reader so that is a possibility. She also loves dogs and of course gadgets.
I would prefer to give a gift as opposed to money or a gift card. She has a big heart and she will end up buying something for others...which is great but not why I want to give her a gift.
I think it is wonderful you want to give her a gift. I am not a fan of gift cards or money. Jewelry/books can be tricky if you don't know her taste.
You could make up a cute manicure/pedicure kit--nail polish/nail polish remover, lotion, cute nail file-- all the other stuff that comes with doing a manicure and pedicure. If you search manicure gift basket in Pinterest there are good ideas. Find a cute little pouch/bucket/basket to put it all in.
The very BEST gift you can give to any teenager, boy or girl, is some bluegrass music CD's. That is the music kids SHOULD be listening to, rather than rock, rap, punk, or whatever trash they normally listen to.
For kids approximately 8 years old and under, I like to give toys and games. But one the kid turns 9, I prefer to give them cash.
But if you'd rather not, then another alternative is to take the young person to a mall or individual store they like and let them pick out one item they like.
The very BEST gift you can give to any teenager, boy or girl, is some bluegrass music CD's. That is the music kids SHOULD be listening to, rather than rock, rap, punk, or whatever trash they normally listen to.
I also think a lot of the stuff many adolescents & teens listen to on the radio is nonsense. But, at the same time, if an adult gave them a cd of music we feel they SHOULD like, odds are the kid will say thanks but never bother listening to it.
However, I wouldn't buy them a cd of inappropriate music full of profanity either though.
The kid & I would have to find some middle-ground where I buy them a gift they like but which I can feel comfortable about giving them.
that's why i suggested the weekend trip, to have some bonding time with each other
besides, spending time together is worth more than any gift to a teenager, they outgrow things quick enough
what's wrong with a trip as a gift?
I've done trips with her and unfortunately without getting into it is something I can no longer do. Maybe when she is older.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LowonLuck
My 13 year old loves to go places. I say indoor water park, and she has her bag packed in 5 minutes.
Ha, ha...all kids are different. Funny you should say a water park as she is afraid of those.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo
And if you said "barn" to me, I would have been in the car before the word was finished. That is true today.
Me too....barn, outside, hiking, biking, just get me out of the house
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geek2017
The very BEST gift you can give to any teenager, boy or girl, is some bluegrass music CD's. That is the music kids SHOULD be listening to, rather than rock, rap, punk, or whatever trash they normally listen to.
Well since I am not the parent I do not want to give her what I feel a parent should be giving Ugh...and bluegrass, lol. I'm not for the crazy stuff but she doesn't even like country. I know she would hate bluegrass...sorry
Quote:
Originally Posted by TruckWife518
But if you'd rather not, then another alternative is to take the young person to a mall or individual store they like and let them pick out one item they like.
I also like the gift basket idea filled with spa/bath/makeup. Claires and Bath and Body Works is good for this type of stuff and it's not expensive!
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