Birthday Present Problem

Updated on June 29, 2013
S.H. asks from Troy, TX
27 answers

My son is 14 and is going to a birthday party this weekend for a girl who is turning 14. I don't know what to get her as a gift and my kids are not making it any easier. I have a 14 yr old daughter and my usual go to gift is pjs because a store at our local mall has really cute but age appropriate ones that the girls really like, however my son thinks its weird for a boy to give this to a girl. He also doesn't want to do any type of jewelry because he thinks it means they are more than friends and no bath and body works type stuff, cash, or gift cards because he says everyone will do that. I did recently make another female friend of his a themed gift basket with the movie "Pretty in Pink" and a bunch of pink snack foods and candy and it turned out cute,but this girl was at that party too so he doesn't like that idea either. Is there anything even left? Any ideas would be appreciated.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Go with giving her a craft kit of some kind.
The last birthday party my son went to for a girl that age he gave her a mosaic stepping stone kit from Michael's and it was a big hit.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

For my daughters's 15th birthday everyone of the boys gave her a gift certificate. One gave her a box of chocolates to go with it.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Cleveland on

huh you have me stumped because i guess i never thought there would be co-ed parties at this age.

Would he be ok with a gift card if it were for an activity and not just a target card?? like for teh movies or for subway like someone suggested. and if it had something to go with it like.... a book? so it's less likely for everyone else to do it.

I have lots of ideas for a girl that age it does really seem weird coming from a boy.

A Board GAME?? a book, a yard game lilke ladder ball or something.

Edited what about a balloon bouquet or a cookie bouquet, I would have loved a dozen or even 14 colored balloons showing up at my front door in my buddies hand.

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

How bout a summer basket. Beach towel, Sun block, a visor and fun summer book. A pass to the local water park a bottle of water and your set

9 moms found this helpful

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

How about you give him the money and tell HIM to pick the gift?

8 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Sacramento on

My daughters like to give movie tickets tied to a box of candy. You can buy the tickets at Costco.

7 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think if your son is 14 years old, he's old enough to come up with his own ideas. I don't have a teenager, but I remember coming up with my own birthday gift ideas when I was his age. How about giving him the opportunity to come up with something?

7 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

F.B.

answers from New York on

Make a 4th of july themed gift. Mars attacks, red licorice, a sleeve of planters peanuts, a white box of chocolate non pariels, a few bags of microwave popcorn, a small tub of glow in the dark paint, and sparklers. pt it all in a cheap steel bucket, and wrap in cellophane.

Its fun, inexpensive, and different than pretty in pink.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

6 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

What 14 year old girl doesn't like to change her nail polish every day?

A basket for manicures and pedicures....nail polish, files, pumice stone, soaks, etc.

What 14 year old girl doesn't care about how her hair looks?

A hair care basket - shampoo, conditioner, hair ties, barrettes, a flat iron, a brush...

A movie basket with some newly released movies, microwave popcorn, candy and tissues (if they are tear jerkers!)

Good luck!

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Boston on

I'm stumped too. I think your son will have to come up with something, since he is rejecting all your ideas. Maybe he can do a gift cert to a movie and wrap it with a thing of candy so it isn't just a gift card?

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

O.O.

answers from Kansas City on

Movie tickets?
Food gift card--like Subway?

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Well what ideas does your son have?
Since he ruled out, many others ideas?
Maybe I wouldn't even give her a gift card to the movie theater, because then she *might* think that she has to then invite, him. Or she might read more into it than necessary... like with jewelry.
Ya know?
Teenage girls will probably read too much into it... than necessary.
So don't give anything personal or girly.

I would, give her an iTunes gift card.
Or a gift card to the Apple store.
These are neutral and used by many Teens.
And it is not "personal."

But nay, to any "girly" things nor pajamas nor clothes.
Because you/he does not know what she likes or not.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

I get the impression that you are not in favor of the giftcard idea. The thing is, it's a very safe gift for your son to give (no weird feelings or vibes - just friends, nothing more). It's also a wonderful gift if your intention is to get something that the recipient would use and enjoy.

ETA - Sorry, I thought he was in favor of giftcards and you weren't. Honestly, I would try to talk him into a gift card. This is what we've been getting our nieces for the past couple of years. (They are now 11 and 13.)

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

Assure him that if he gets jewelry or a bag or something girls, all he has to do is say I had my mom help pick it out and he's off the hook. And that he will come off as really cool if it's an awesome gift.

Now is a good time to teach him how to buy gifts for women. When you're done, can you call by hubby???

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.F.

answers from Salinas on

Seems your boy is being a little stubborn. If he rejects every idea you offer then it's time to let him figure it out himself. At 14 my daughter would never want me to decide what to give a friend.

Since he's a boy I understand helping but he should be able to decide what to give. Remind him that she'll be getting lots of gifts and no one will be thinking about his gift as much as he is right now.

3 moms found this helpful

☼.S.

answers from San Diego on

One can never have too many gift cards! I'd do one for Itunes or one from your local mall. Most malls have a general gift card that can be used at any stores. Pick a mall that has some girls clothing/accessories shops.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

iTunes gift card or a music CD?

I do agree that pjs is a bit weird.

If she wears hats, a pretty summer sun visor or summer hat.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

So he wants to give her a gift instead of a gift card, nice kid! I think anything you have mentioned is definitely too girly for him to give her. She will misconstrue it.

I think something generic, for either a boy or a girl would be nice. What about a craft book from Hastings, or a science experiment book? A book that any kid would enjoy.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.K.

answers from Austin on

I know your son said no gift cards but a movie theater gift card is always a great gift. You could also put some boxes of candy with it. It's expensive to go to the movies these days and teens love to go to the movies. Also, there are a lot of good movies out in the summer. Just an idea!!

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

You have given him plenty of good ideas. At 14 he's old enough to figure it out on his own.
EVERYONE likes cash and gift cards, especially teenagers, he's just being difficult!

2 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

I agree with your son about the pjs unless she is a family friend and the gift is from you all as a family. I can see where you are in a tough spot. Since he's eliminated gift cards and you clearly don't know her very well, what does HE want to give her?

Does she have a favorite band or artist? If so, maybe a shirt and poster of them? or a basket themed to something of theirs or to a favorite movie she has?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from College Station on

Gift card to her favorite store or a popular one amongst the kids.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

A gift card to Claire's. Girls love that.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Houston on

Check out things from stores like Pacific Sun and there are a couple of other stores that sell brands like volcom, pac sun, vans, etc... those are brands that teenagers really like... here are examples on sale... a cool t shirt is a good idea, and better if she can go an exchange it in case it does not fit or she prefers something else.

I know you do not have time to buy it on line, but you can choose a couple of things and see if they have them in the store close to you

http://www.pacsun.com/main/sale-womens,default,sc.html

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Sorry, But I would hand him $20 or $25.or however much you want him to spend.
Let him decide, since none of your suggestions sound good to him..

FYI, Pajamas from a boy? May be seen as a bit strange to her and her parents.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Austin on

Have those electronic picture frames come down in price? Maybe a collage frame or single picture frame with a cute pen and paper set...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Victoria on

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796345476671/

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796345405957/

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796344509569/
ok i know that one is for starbucks but they have hot chocolate and other things there as well. or if the kids like great american cookie company or another local bakery. we have a gas station that is hands down the best breakfast foods and baked goods. i dont even buy gas from there. all the kids go there in the mornings.

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796343188217/

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796345271539/

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796345091541/

most of these are polish, remover, file packed together. but i think if you added a gift certificate to the bundle it would be cute. my husband is the only person i know who does not like movies but a certificate to the movies with a dollar store plastic popcorn tub and a box of microwave popcorn would be fun. or a red box certificate! do they have those??. see if you can find out about her via fb page. if she likes books get her a certificate to a book store along with a book bag and book marker.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions