My niece is turning 14 two days before he end of school. As a special treat, she'd like to take store made rice krispy treats for her home room class, and $5 cards to Starbucks for a few of her favorite teachers. She's a pretty generous kid, because she's also donating some books to the school library before she leaves for high school.
My question to you is what should I get for my niece for her birthday? She's forever doing for others, reflecting attention off herself and doesn't want much for herself. She's gifted at making jeweler and giving them away to friends,but I'm not sure she will keep any for herself. She's not into a weekend celebration with a bunch of friends type.. In fact she has a few close friends she speeds time with instead. She's got a good selection of clothes and books.
Do you months of teens have any good suggestions for me?
Thanks for the wonderful ideas. I like the idea of putting a little work area in her room so she can work on her art and jewelry. I'm also going to give her a gift card to a local bead store (can't stand Hobby Lobby) so she can by some more bead supplies.
Thanks for the idea. Please keep them coming!
A gift card from Michael's or Hobby Lobby? A pre-paid cash card she can use on Etsy? A weekend cookout with just her close friends?
Are you tech savvy? Set up a Go-fund/Etsy site for her, something that she can sell her jewelry to raise money for a charity of her choice?
She sounds like a terrific kid.
How about a "pamper me" basket? Put in a bunch of little things - a gift card to the craft store where she buys the materials to make jewelry, 2 movie tickets and maybe a gift card for the snack bar there (she can take a friend), a loofah, one of those things to rub down the feet and remove calluses (like a Ped-Egg or something similar). some lotion for afterwards, a nail file, a pair of earrings if it doesn't conflict with her own craft activities, maybe a compact-type mirror for her purse.
If you want to go all out, get her a gift certificate for a facial at a reputable spa. Most teens are getting to the point where they care about skin problems and they can use a good cleaning & conditioning of that skin. She's not going to do it for herself, but if her name is on the gift certificate, she'll have no choice!
You could also get her a tee shirt for the high school she'll be attending. A lot of kids like to wear these to games and other school activities.
Vera Bradley purses/bags/backpacks are all the rage here for that age.
How about a trip to the nail salon (mani/pedi).
Your niece sounds really sweet.
This year for Christmas, we did a name-draw, with 2-4 ideas for a gift w/in a $25 range. I asked for lunch & a movie from my "Secret Santa" who turned out to be my aunt. What a great day! I get to keep the memories forever, AND I got to pick the restaurant & movie.
You could do something similar, there is a beading/craft shop in your area, perhaps you could take a weekend class with your niece?
Beads & Beyond http://www.quiltworksnw.com
T.
I think Diane B has a great suggestion. My girls would love to get a gift card to Michaels and get tons of craft and drawing supplies. Even if she used the card to buy jewelry making supplies to give away, if that makes her happy...that is the point. And adding in some movie tickets lets her share with someone else as she likes to do. Maybe even throw in 3 or so if you want so she can take extra friends or go twice. Depends on how much you want to spend. The theater by me lets you buy gift cards for the theater so it can be used to buy tickets or at the concession stand.
I would only buy her a spa certificate if she would be confortable using it. My girls would not but would ove little lotions to use themselves.
If you're not sure then I think it's best to either do a gift card to a place/store/event you know she'd enjoy (as moms below mentioned).
I've given my nieces gift certificates to clothing stores, book stores, iTunes cards, movie theatres, etc.
Or if you're close, treat out to a nice dessert and take her shopping saying "your treat!".
Sounds like a super kid :)
Find a show and take her to a live show. Not opera lol as she is probably not into that but a broadway show like wicked, or mary poppins etc. Dinner and a show is something she will like.
What does she like? Is there any event she would enjoy but wouldn't ask for tickets for by herself?
My kids all love live shows. My boys picked a semi-local dinner theater for their birthday trips and my daughter picked a ballet at the Kennedy Center. Maybe may a special day of it for you two. Start with a trip to the spa (mani/pedi), then off to see an afternoon show, then a nice dinner at a place you wouldn't typically go.
She wounds amazing.
I like your ideas.
As far as a gift, I like the idea of showing her how to have an account on Etsy to sell her wares (as long as her mom doesn't mind).
You could, also, make her a "work station" for a corner of her room. A small
work-type bench if you will w/stool, some plastic caddies w/drawers, small
plastic bin w/lid form the Dollar Store pliers, wire cutters for her "jewelry
business".
You could take her out for a special day w/just the two of you to lunch and
either a pedicure or movie.
Something cute for her room like colorful throw pillows or an inspirational
poster.
Would there be a jewelry making class that you could pay for?
Ask her. Or give cash and she can buy what she wants. Good luck.
Teens like money.. and now in HS, things will come up where she needs it. Also, what about a new backpack for the fall semester. I mention this because nowadays, there are so many cute ones and varied designs..
lunch/dinner and tickets to a movie for her and a few friends might be fun as well..
