frugalmamatx Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 (edited) I know it's early but I need to plan for sales :) And thrift shopping. I'm at a complete loss for what to get for my daughter for Christmas this year. She's 11. Too old for most toys {according to her}. Books are a given but she has so many. Doesn't like makeup for fashion yet, so most of the teen ideas are out. And I don't want to do memberships because it's very likely we'll be moving within the year. She wants a laptop and I'm open to possibly handing down mine if I can get a sale on a new one for myself. Any other ideas? ETA: My budget is pretty small too. I'd like to keep her gifts to under $50, but I'm open to more expensive items as I am great at finding bargains. Edited September 17, 2017 by frugalmamatx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 What activities is she in? Does she have serviceable equipment, but would like an upgrade? Like my dd has hand me down cleats and soccer ball, but would like her own in a specific color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmamatx Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 What activities is she in? Does she have serviceable equipment, but would like an upgrade? Like my dd has hand me down cleats and soccer ball, but would like her own in a specific color. None really. She's an anti-social bookworm aspie. Pet lover, but I don't want to get a new pet with a possible move as we likely would have to rehome it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Okay, so what about private lessons in something? My dd would also like 6 months of paid for piano lessons, for example. Other options could be crocheting or knitting, or pottery or photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmamatx Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share Posted September 17, 2017 Okay, so what about private lessons in something? My dd would also like 6 months of paid for piano lessons, for example. Other options could be crocheting or knitting, or pottery or photography. With the upcoming possible move, I don't want to commit to anything as I really don't know when we'll be going. It might be next week. It might be in a year. Do you have a zoo or some type of animal center nearby? Some of those have "zookeeper for a day" type programs you can do, even for the youngers. Maybe see if there's anything in your area? What about a magazine subscription? Does she like to have her nails painted? A nail polish set might be fun. The zoo things are all booked up for the year already and way out of my budget. Maybe a magazine but again with the possible move I'm iffy {we'd be moving countries}. She hates anything beauty related so nails / hair / makeup is out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Has she tried digital drawing yet? DD16 got one of these a few years ago and she has spent HOURS learning to draw her favorite characters and animate stuff. It’s amazing what she can do and it’s very easy to use. https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-CTL490DW-Digital-Drawing-Graphics/dp/B010LHRFM2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1505664961&sr=1-4&keywords=Bamboo+tablet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 At about that age, my daughter received a bead loom; we gave it to her with a selection of beads and a gift certificate to a beading store. She still beads now, post-college age. Here's one such loom: Beadsmith Bead Loom Kit for Beginners How about a set of quality art pencils? My daughter's favorites (received in 6th grade and still used) are: LYRA Waldorf Selection Unlacquered Triangular Giant Colored Pencils, Set of 12 Super Ferby Might she like a juggling set? Gift certificate to the movie theater. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Jean jackets are in style this year. That surprised me, but I got one. :) A super comfy cozy soft blanket. Both of my girls got blankets when they were early teens and still use them today. Dd19 took hers to college. A cookbook for whatever food she enjoys. I gave my oldest dd a cupcake cookbook that had decorating ideas. She had so much fun making super cute cupcakes. An adult coloring book with a set of nice colored pencils like Prisma. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 My 12 yo DD loves Cricket magazine. Nice colored pencils, oil pastels, sketchbook or other art supplies. Music? New pj's or other needed clothes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Is she into any Fandoms? ThinkGeek has been a major source for gifts for my DD the last couple of years. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Audiobooks and a Amazon DOT to play them on? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Is she into any crafts that is what mine is getting. Sewing, Knitting, 3D Pens, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 (edited) My daughter liked (and still likes - newly 13) fun graphic tees, animal footie jammies, fleece blankets, crazy pillows, fun socks, stuff from Claire's boutique, crafty stuff, art supplies, some board games. Edited September 17, 2017 by WoolySocks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Does she have an e-reader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 My dd this year asked for Doc Martin boots with Union Jacks on them. A gift card to download music might also be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Prismacolor colored pencils or watercolor pencils or markers. Coloring book like Enchanted Forest. One dd was very into facepainting at that age--the Klutz book is a good place to start. Craft kits from Michaels Rainbow Loom was the big craze when youngest was this age. She loved it. Slime-making kit (find recipes on internet--supplies are things like glue, borax, Crayola modeling magic for butter slime (dd's favorite recipe), food coloring.) Fake Ugg boots, like Bear Claw. Usually a good Black Friday item Jigsaw puzzle? We like the Dowdle ones--500 piece in nice box, often at Costco in the fall the last couple of years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Crafts A kindle (you can get them for about 34 new) how about an activity? We don't do presents mostly trips and activities for Christmas. Could you do a day out with her? A movie? A show? There are tons of ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 does she like beading? making jewelry? beadie babies? (you can even make zipper pulls or earrings if you use seed-beads.) nice colored pens/pencil set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Since you are moving soon, what about a baking or cooking kit? I wouldn't get more than just a special spoon or apron that she would want to move with you, but you could package a bunch of homemade mixes for her to bake. That way, she's excited to help cook in what will be a busy time, and her gift will be consumable so you don't have to worry about moving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Bluetooth headphones/earbuds 3D fandom puzzles Sculpey, an instruction book, and sculpting tools Slackline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yeah, maybe something crafty or artsy. I still enjoy coloring and painting. I like to find the little ceramics you paint. If you have a Dollar Tree or Dollar General I've seen holiday themed ones. Last year I found a penguin wearing a hat and scarf. This year I've found a Frankenstein's monster and another Halloween one. They were in $1 kits! I keep my own paint at home, though. More colors to choose from. I skimmed the posts. I think someone mentioned cooking or baking. Maybe something like a cake decorating set? Cookie cutters? It was for a younger girl, but I gave something like this once. It can be used for making cakes or pancakes. I found it at Hobby Lobby. https://www.amazon.com/Bakelicious-73851-Cupcaker-Batter-Mixer/dp/B00IWHTQY4/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1505693306&sr=8-11&keywords=cupcake+mixer+for+kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmamatx Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 Bumping up - still looking for ideas! Ideally I"m looking for two ideas around $40 each, plus smaller ideas under $10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 3D Pen? (3 Doodler is our fave) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Event-type gifts? Like tickets to a theater, a special trip to an art museum, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 jewelry? beads, (old necklaces at garage sales can be an interesting source of beads), findings, maybe a book on ideas? beadie babies? bead size varies. zipper pulls, earrings, key chains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raifta Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 My DD is 11 and she is wanting a cute backpack. She has one but it's a bit on the small side. She'd also like a replacement for her rolling luggage duffel bag as she's used that one so often it has developed holes. Her current backpack and the rolling duffel were both Christmas gifts about 4 or 5 years ago and she keeps telling me that they were one of the best things she's ever received. Aside from that, she's all about art supplies - paint pens, a book on painting rocks, good sketchbooks, good paints for aforementioned rocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 My almost 11 year old likes all kinds of arts and crafts kits and supplies. She really wants a "Wreck this Journal" and she'd probably like other journals too.. She also likes getting new pajamas or clothes, especially if it's something trendy or from a store like Justice for Girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Special coloring book (my daughter loved her Harry Potter themed one) with good colored pencils or gel pens. An Echo dot and subscription to audible (last year they had a special three month free trial). One of those bed pillows for sitting up in bed with a bed desk (hard surface, soft underside) and blanket. A bean bag chair, blanket, and one of those electronic bookmarks that you can keep time and has a light. A kindle with some books preloaded. A journal. There are tons of options from your basic diary, to mom and me, to prompt journals, to art. A gift card to her favorite store. My girl's is Hot Topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cecropia Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 A book weight. A gift basket filled with treats and teas/hot chocolates to partake while reading, a mug, journal with nice pen, gift card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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