Christmas shopping for a 12 y.o. girl...

[Puddles]

I really don't know what to get my daughter this year and it's sooo frustrating!

I refuse to buy her more toys. She alredy has more than she plays with and she'll get more from her grandparents, etc. So far I picked up a pink initial sweater at Rave...I know she'll like that, and I'll get her some music and a pair of boots, but I don't know what else to get her. It used to be sooo easy...now that she's maturing it's so much more difficult! She had her eye on some cargo pants from Limited Too but they're $44 and I hate to spend that kind of money on something that she'll outgrow quickly...come April it'll be too hot here to wear them. Grrrrrrrr!

[Irishgirl]

lol MrsP I'm having the same problems with my sisters. They are 11 and 13, and every other year I could spend 20 minutes in Toy R Us picking out some dumb games that they would love, but now they're getting too old for that. When I opened the thread I was thinking initial shirt or handbag, that's what I think I'm getting the 13 yr old. Try TJMaxx for clothes, they're less expensive, but still nicer brands.

Or how about cd's or dvds? Or a portable cd player or stereo if she doesn't have one? I'm sure everyone else here will have great ideas too!

[ixoye66]

[quote]Originally posted by MrsPuddlesFL
[b]I really don't know what to get my daughter this year and it's sooo frustrating!

I It used to be sooo easy...now that she's maturing it's so much more difficult!


I know how you feel, I have a 12 year old boy and I'm totally clueless on what to by,their so moody at this time and hard to please, or bored with anything you sink hard earned cash in.

[Puddles]

Well...we went to the mall to window shop and I know a few more things she wants. She picked out an initial handbag which is tucked away plus some music, and as she pointed out some clothes the salesgirl hid them behind the register...when it was time to pay I just sent my daughter to the store across the hall so she wouldn't see what I was getting her. She also liked a few things from Sharper Image so I'll go back there without her.

She also wants a hermit crab. So...we talk to the vendor in the mall and this plastic tank with 3 crabs and some gravel and plastic embellishments is gonna run over $50. My daughter using her brain tells me that we should go to Petsupermarket where the tanks will be under $10 and the fish store has the hermit crabs for like $2 ea. I love it when she's frugal even when the money isn't hers.

I guess the best way to shop for kids this age is to take them out and see what they really like.

[dreamgirl]

12 that's a hard age. Maybe a pass to an amusement park or a water park for the whole family. She'd get one, and it's a great gift for everyone. We buy them every year for an amusement park up here. If you go 3 times, it pays for them and she'll ahve something to really look forward to.

[Puddles]

That's an awesome idea, DG! I'll check into it...her b-day is at the beginning of Feb. and I think that would be a perfect gift for her then.

[dreamgirl]

Cool Mrs. P, glad to help! My daughter is 3 and she is so excited this year she gets her first pass to Cedar Point Amusement Park.

[The_Jarhead]

When my sister got to that age I stopped getting her toys and started shopping for her at the Discovery Store.
They have alot of really cool stuff in there that is more crafty that just toys.

[Puddles]

Originally posted by The_Jarhead
When my sister got to that age I stopped getting her toys and started shopping for her at the Discovery Store.
They have alot of really cool stuff in there that is more crafty that just toys.

Another great idea! This way it's kinda like a toy but educational at the same time. There used to be a Discovery Store in one of the malls around here but I can't remember which one...do you know?

[The_Jarhead]

I think there is one at the International Plaza.

Plus you can stop at the Cheesecake Factory while you're there.

[Puddles]

Originally posted by The_Jarhead
I think there is one at the International Plaza.

Plus you can stop at the Cheesecake Factory while you're there.

If I keep eating the way I have been I'm gonna look like a cheesecake! Let's see...maybe I can work it into my diet...cheese is protein...and there are eggs in it too...yeah....I'll have some cheesecake!

Thanks...I can't wait to go shopping! LOL

[JUICE]

thats cool when all kids want are toys toys and more toys.

[THEVIXEN]

Hey, Mrs. P!

Merry Christmas to you and the family. ( Since I don't make it over here often) Misssss chatting with you too!

Why not make-up some "freebie" coupons for her? IE: 1)Free tickets for you and a friend to attend the concert of your choice. 2) Pick a weekend for a slumber/pizza party. 3) 12 Free skating paces for her and 11 of her best pals( or whatever she enjoys doing for fun on weekends w/her gal pals) Etc. etc.

She like to read? They have some wonderful book sets out. Bri is into the Junie B. Jones books~ I even like 'em!

[Puddles]

Originally posted by THEVIXEN
Hey, Mrs. P!

Merry Christmas to you and the family. ( Since I don't make it over here often) Misssss chatting with you too!

Why not make-up some "freebie" coupons for her? IE: 1)Free tickets for you and a friend to attend the concert of your choice. 2) Pick a weekend for a slumber/pizza party. 3) 12 Free skating paces for her and 11 of her best pals( or whatever she enjoys doing for fun on weekends w/her gal pals) Etc. etc.

She like to read? They have some wonderful book sets out. Bri is into the Junie B. Jones books~ I even like 'em!

I finished Christmas fortunately, but I'm gonna keep these in mind for her birthday in Feb. and other holidays like Easter.

I miss you too. You need to get your butt over here more often, hotstuff! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

[fl8meplz]

12 y.o. girl? Easy.... Cell Phone. That's what my 11 year old wants.

[BuddyBoy]

Rhinestone initial pendants are real popular over here.

[Puddles]

She's got a cell phone but it's not being used right now. You see...she's got the kind that works on pre-paid time and it's her responsibility to pay for the time if she wants to use the phone. She's got the money to do it, she just doesn't wanna spend it on the phone time. LOL

Your right Buddy...I got her the rhinestone initial bracelet in silver.

Now that it's all said and done it wasn't too difficult. On Christmas Eve I'm giving her a special make-up kit I found. It's full of pretty pastell colors but it is adult make-up, just in colors that are suitable for a 12 y.o. to lightly use. I'm going to give it to her early so that when it's time to get ready and I'm sitting at my vanity she can join me and I'll give her a make-up lesson with her new products. She's always wanting to use my stuff and seeing as how she's growing up, it's time for her to have her own and know how to use it right. My little girl isn't so little anymore. and Having a daughter is so wonderful!

[BuddyBoy]

Aww.. I love being a fairy god-father to my girl cousins. I gave my 13 year old cousins (they are now 16 and 18) MAC makeup for christmas presents, and I taught them how to use it.

I dont wear makeup, but I like to draw, and makeup isnt much different than coloring.. now they are BOMBSHELLS

[Puddles]

Yes...applying make-up correctly is an art. You can have the best products in the right colors for you, but if you don't know how to apply it, it just won't look right.

I had this make-up kit temporarilly stashed away in the guest room and this morning I found out that my daughter had seen it. It's now wrapped up under the tree and she recognized the shape of the case. She doesn't know she's getting it early tonight with a lesson so that'll at least be a surprise.

[Blackdream71]

Originally posted by fl8meplz
12 y.o. girl? Easy.... Cell Phone. That's what my 11 year old wants.

What the hell does an 11 or 12 year old girl need a cell phone for? I think that's ridiculous, maybe when she's 16 but 11 and 12, no way.......

[Puddles]

My daughter uses it to talk to me most of the time. If she's got a game after school and wants me to come get her early or late she can call me. If she's got a dog sitting job in the neighborhood she can take the phone with her to call me if she needs anything. If she's playing at a neighbors house and going from one house to another I can call her on the cell to tell her to check on her. If I take her shopping with a friend to the mall I'll let them be on their own for half an hour or they can go to a movie together...the phone is a security measure.

She also likes to use the text messaging to my husband and I and play the games on it when we're standing in line at the post office or grocery store. She rarely uses it to call friends because she's learned that time is money!