Gifts for a 13 y.o. girl...

Alatariel75
Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
in Chit-Chat
My stepdaughter is turning 13, and we are at a loss for a present! It's a big birthday, and we want to give her something special and memorable but she already has so much nifty stuff (iPad, iPod, iPhone, TV, Wii, etc etc).

I can't say I have a hell of a lot of experience with 13 year old girls, aside from being one once... but I know there are lots of parents on here. Any insights?

Replies

  • T0FatToB3S1ck
    T0FatToB3S1ck Posts: 192 Member
    What about something like a Rec membership. I got my first Rec membership when I was around 13 and used it just about everyday. It will give her something to do besides electronics and a safe place to do it.
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    My 13 year old is obsesses with make-up, nail polish, One Direction (gag) she also is constantly bugging me to DL music for her. If she has all of the electronics it's going to be a tough one.
    You could do a girls day. Take her to lunch, spa day and end it with taking her to the mall to get whatever she wants. They love that kind of thing
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
    My 13 year old is obsesses with make-up, nail polish, One Direction (gag) she also is constantly bugging me to DL music for her. If she has all of the electronics it's going to be a tough one.
    You could do a girls day. Take her to lunch, spa day and end it with taking her to the mall to get whatever she wants. They love that kind of thing

    I was thinking something like that, actually, she's just getting into make up so I was thinking a day where she gets a makeover/lesson in makeup and gets to buy the product she likes...
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    My stepdaughter is turning 13, and we are at a loss for a present! It's a big birthday, and we want to give her something special and memorable but she already has so much nifty stuff (iPad, iPod, iPhone, TV, Wii, etc etc).

    I can't say I have a hell of a lot of experience with 13 year old girls, aside from being one once... but I know there are lots of parents on here. Any insights?

    why not ask her what she'd like?
  • labeachgirl
    labeachgirl Posts: 158 Member
    I think an experience she would like would be a special gift - a class related to an interest (sewing, stargazing, etc), horseback riding, a concert, etc
  • curly1986
    curly1986 Posts: 98 Member
    What about something she can keep, like a pandora charm bracelet with some charms.

    Or something a bit less sentimental like a voucher for her favourite clothes store or take her to the hairdressers for a nice haircut and coloured streaks or something.
  • danasings
    danasings Posts: 8,218 Member
    An iTunes gift card for $500?
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Le Petit Nicolas book series.
  • stealthSLOTH
    stealthSLOTH Posts: 695 Member
    Le Petit Nicolas book series.

    ^ i loved those!
    if she is taking french in school, by the orig. paperbacks in French.
    otherwise, Phaidon has some nice hardback versions of the series in English!
  • 42hockeymom
    42hockeymom Posts: 521 Member
    I asked my 16 yo. Because I was a 13 yo girl a lot longer ago than her.

    Big iTunes card. Netflix membership. What sport does she play? New equipment and/or awesome bag to carry said equipment in is always appreciated. (We were just talking about my 16yo skates and how even though hers are 4 years old, and they're worn, they're still really good skates and she doesn't want new ones she wants to finish her career in them. She got them as a gift, they're very special to her)

    The Pandora [type] charm bracelet is a great idea! You can build on that buying charms for different special occasions.

    I'm not sure how "materialistic" you want to get, and so I make this suggestion very carefully, (Please, please, please, no flaming, I'm just suggesting things for girls this age and in this day! Nothing more, nothing less.) I also do not know what your budget is, so once again, I say this carefully but a Coach purse?
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    My daughter is only 2, but I'm a secondary school teacher so spend a lot of time with teenagers (poor me lol). Aside from the iPads, iPhones etc, the girls like clothes, make-up, jewellery and bags! So the suggestion of the bracelet, or the bag are good ones. Or what about a gift voucher for a store she likes so she can get her own clothes and accessories? I'm English so not sure what you have where you live, but you probably have a big department store that sells everything.
  • Perplexities
    Perplexities Posts: 612 Member
    My stepdaughter is turning 13, and we are at a loss for a present! It's a big birthday, and we want to give her something special and memorable but she already has so much nifty stuff (iPad, iPod, iPhone, TV, Wii, etc etc).

    I can't say I have a hell of a lot of experience with 13 year old girls, aside from being one once... but I know there are lots of parents on here. Any insights?

    A macbook, so she can have 4 apple products that all do roughly the same thing.

    It's the only way, OP.

    Stay Safe.
  • blackcloud13
    blackcloud13 Posts: 654 Member
    I have 13 year old girl sitting right here! she is a bit of an iGirl as well - so aside from the usual iPad, iPhone, iPod etc ; she reckons clothes (or clothes vouchers); or best would be some sort of rare day out (kayaking, skiing, horseback riding etc - depending on where you are and what she might like)

    Failing that, perhaps you can get One Direction (or her favourite band) to give her a private concert in your house - how much could that possibly cost? :-)
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    Ask her best friend, if you are trying to surprise her. Ask her if she knows a gift is coming.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    I have little experience with girls (or women...) but wouldn't it be different gifts depending on what she's into. You mentioned that she's getting into makeup so perhaps full on makeup done professionally maybe? Or even a gift certificate to some parlor where she can go with her friends on a later date (is she the rebel against parents age yet?). Or maybe some small course where she can learn how to do makeup. Though that might not be as exciting gift for her.

    Sports? Books? Music? Concerts? Perhaps some jewelry?
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Having just recently paid for my daughter's enrollment to beauty school, I am inclined to suggest a nice certificate of deposit or savings bond or something. Seems lame now, but in a few years when she can afford a car or school or whatever. . . .

    My daughter at that age wanted ALL the makeup in the world or a huge shopping spree at Claire's for costume jewelry.
  • princessrisariri
    princessrisariri Posts: 162 Member
    Girls of that age love to feel treat more grown up.
    She would probably not like being taken around the shops by you, but would love to go shopping and buy what she wants.

    What about one of those pre-pay credit cards tell her how much is on it, the pin number and when its gone its gone, so also will be a secret life/maths lesson!

    Safer than giving her cash and letting her off on her own, and you can check up on what she bought later if worried without her ever knowing!

    Then take her to the mall, buy her whatever lunch she wants and let her go shopping whilst you do your own thing, make sure she has her iPhone on you to call if she needs then you go sit in starbucks or something or even have a nice shop yourself.
  • bubblygoldfish
    bubblygoldfish Posts: 215 Member
    Girls of that age love to feel treat more grown up.
    She would probably not like being taken around the shops by you, but would love to go shopping and buy what she wants.

    What about one of those pre-pay credit cards tell her how much is on it, the pin number and when its gone its gone, so also will be a secret life/maths lesson!

    Safer than giving her cash and letting her off on her own, and you can check up on what she bought later if worried without her ever knowing!

    Then take her to the mall, buy her whatever lunch she wants and let her go shopping whilst you do your own thing, make sure she has her iPhone on you to call if she needs then you go sit in starbucks or something or even have a nice shop yourself.

    I like this, just remind her to text you occasionally to let you know she's okay. Or, make it a play date at the mall, and invite her best friend. Then no worries, they will just giggle about boys, makeup, jewelry, and try on everything in the mall. :) Have fun picking an idea!
  • Rosplosion
    Rosplosion Posts: 739 Member
    I know not many 13 year olds want books, but I've been trying to remember the name of this author for two days now, so I'm going to put it here. When I was 13 I loved Madeline L'engle and Ursula K Leguin. There! I finally yelled it out last night in bed so at least I can be satisfied the my memory does still function!

    Eta when I turned thirteen my mom rented me a limo and took my friends and I out for a ride that ended at a local hotel where we got to spend the night. Of course I was a giant troublemaker so there were shenanigans but she was only a few feet away. That was the most memorable birthday of my life so far.
  • JusticeGirl25
    JusticeGirl25 Posts: 703 Member
    Spoil her for an entire day. Take her out for lunch, go see a movie, go out for some ice cream afterwards. Just spend time with her. I think that's more important than gift giving.
  • KBjimAZ
    KBjimAZ Posts: 369 Member
    Spoil her for an entire day. Take her out for lunch, go see a movie, go out for some ice cream afterwards. Just spend time with her. I think that's more important than gift giving.

    This.

    Give them experiences, not things. Any gadget will be obsolete in a year, but the memory of the first time you stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon lasts a lifetime.
  • pchesnut
    pchesnut Posts: 347 Member
    I have a daughter that just turned 13. She is into making beaded jewelry and art. What are the talents/hobbies of your step daughter. Find out what she loves to do in her free time and go that direction. Good luck

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