38
answers
E.S.
asks from
Vacaville, CA
on
July 08, 2008
Need Help with Birthday Gift Ideas for 14 Year Old Girl
My niece is turning 14 this month and I need help with birthday gift ideas! We don't have much contact with her since my husband had a falling out with his sister. Since then we're only in contact with his nieces by email and phone, we haven't seen them in over a year. So, just wondering if the moms of 14 year old girls can give me any ideas. Where do teens like to shop?? She is into acting (drama) in plays and lives by the beach...I typically spend about $35 Any help is greatly appreciated!
Featured Answers
R.F.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 10, 2008
We have three young adult daughters. They liked Pac Sun, Express, Forever 21, Aropostale, The Gap and American Eagle. They can get something nice for $35 to $40 at each of these.
H.J.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
How about a personalized beach towel from Land's End? I have been giving these as gifts this summer and I think everyone can always use a new towel. I saw one on Land's End that comes with a matching beach bag. I think I paid around $30.00 after shipping for the ones I got.
B.L.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Jewelry - there are always a few inexpensive shops at the malls where you can buy many items for a small price. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. You can't go wrong.
I also think it is very gracious to send a gift since there is tension in the family.
+B+
More Answers
T.V.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
E.,
The best gift you could give her is to ask your husband to mend fences with her mother. It doesn't matter whose right or wrong, someone has to be the bigger person and the more time you let go by, the harder it will be. It's family and it's important. Why not use your nieces birthday be the start of the "New Start"?
1 mom found this helpful
D.Y.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Hi E.,
I have a 14 year old daughter. She and her friends like to shop at the following stores which I am sure are national chains:
American Eagle Outfitters
Hollister
PacSun
Forever 21
Abercrombie
Victoria's Secret
They also like gift cards to places like Target or Jamba Juice. Some kids also like Starbucks.
You can also get her a Visa card for a set amount of money that she can use anywhere that accepts VISA but you end up paying a little more for it.
Hope this helps.
Debbie
A.F.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
For my daughters party, we had Mary Kay come over and she taught them the right way to put on make up and how to care for their skin, they were taught how to do facials, etc. We did not buy any products, but there was that option.
S.S.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 09, 2008
Hello-
I am the mother of a just resently turned 14 year old. I know that some people don't like to give gift cards, but I think you can't go wrong. My daughter got a ton of them from friends and family and she enjoys going and picking out something that she would actually use. If your neice has an IPod, I would suggest getting an Itunes card. My kids use those like crazy. Best of Luck!
J.J.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
I always give my nieces a day out together gift certificate. I create my own certificate on my computer & describe what we will do that day together. We like to go to the mall & allow them to have a certain dollar amount to spend on whatever they want & or maybe a manicure or pedicure together. Both my nieces look forward to this gift.
If you don't have an opportunity to reconnect like this then any gift certificates seemed to be loved by that age so they can go to the store & choose what they want. I don't know what yours likes but I know the over priced mall stores like Abercrombe & fitch...don't know how to spell it & there is anther one I forget the name but those are popular with that age group & a nice gift as a treat.Even Target is a great store to be able to go to & buy makeup or whatever she wants.
S.W.
answers from
Fresno
on
July 09, 2008
I don't know if you want to give something or your thoughts on a giftcards....but I just went to my nephew's birthday and he just turned 14, he got clothes and dvd movies but his fav gifts were the visa or matercard money cards...they are accepted everywhere....and he told his mom and dad that he wanted to go to the skate shop to spend them. He loved them b/c they gave him the freedom to go to any store and not just the store they came from!
C.B.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 13, 2008
My daughter is 14. Here is what I gather is best, from her and her friends, who I am around a lot:
If your niece has an ipod or some MP3 player, get her a card for downloads.
Or a gift certificate for clothes somewhere. My daughter is especially fond of Delia's and Alloy online.
In addition, as I was a theatre major myself, tickets to a local theatre production are always fun.
Good luck!
T.B.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 09, 2008
Get her a gift card to her favorite clothing store. I have a 14-year-old, trust me.
L.M.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
A "styles for less" or "pac sun"gift card.
C.C.
answers from
Fresno
on
July 09, 2008
I just happened to be on the phone with our teenaged babysitter, so I asked her. She said a gift card to Sephora or Jamba Juice.
C.B.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Gift Certificate to Abercrombie and Fitch, PacSun, American Eagle, or a music store, or itunes if she has an ipod!
J.E.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
You may want to get several gift cards... Target, Abercrombie, and my own niece's suggestion... Jamba Juice! Even Mrs. Field's or Baskin Robbins, some place fun.
J.W.
answers from
Stockton
on
July 09, 2008
well most 14 year olds like cute purses you might be able to find a really cute nice purse on clearance at macys teens like the XOXO purses and sometimes they have great sales. just a thought.
W.V.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 09, 2008
Some sort of cool photo holder - we have some that hold 8 4x6 photos. The top one hangs from a hook you put in the ceiling and the rest hang from it like a mobile. The girls we've given one to love it.
M.M.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
My daughter likes Abercrombie & Fitch (I hate it and it's $$) or Tilly's, Aeropostal, Amercian Eagle Outfitters, Pacific Sunwear. Oh, and Hollister is a big favorite.
C.B.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Teenagers interests are so diverse and since you haven't had any contact recently to know what she personally is interested in, I would say your best bet would be a gift card. That way she can get what she wants and also have a day out shopping with money in her pocket!
G.E.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 11, 2008
Give gift cards to OLD NAVY or other in stores,at that age she wont like enything you pick out. I do this with all my teen grandkids.
P.W.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
If you have enough money, and know what kind of music she likes, how about a concert ticket? At that age a concert is an extremely memorable experience.
A.G.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 08, 2008
I hate to say this, but a gift card to Abercrombie and Fitch would probably make her very happy. Between my husband and myself we have 4 teenage nieces (One in Boston, one in South Carolina and two in Southern California) they don't have much in common with each other, except for their love of all things Abercrombie. Apparently it is all the rage with teenage girls.
P.B.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 10, 2008
Hi E. -
Gift Card to a Hot Store at the Mall! That way she gets to go to the Mall and get herself a SWEET gift!
Hope this helps. Life is too short to have falling outs and your children are missing their cousins, that's a shame. When you and your husband are gone they will need family to lean on and her cousins are her family. Please try to get your husband to "mend the fences" with his sister. You all will be happier.
Best,
Patti b
G.S.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
A gift card to Target is always great! 35 dollars there will take you a long way too. There are books, games, clothes, snacks, anything a 14 year old girl would love to get her hands on =)
D.K.
answers from
Salinas
on
July 09, 2008
I have a 14 year old and she loves acting and the beach, too. Pac Sun is a favorite among this crowd - surfer/skater clothes; Wet Seal is another reasonably-priced clothing store. With new fall fashions coming in, $35 might go a long way. Gift cards to Target or Old Navy are always appreciated by my daughter. Is she a reader or like music? Borders gift cards are great, too. Best to you and your husband. -DK in 831
B.L.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Jewelry - there are always a few inexpensive shops at the malls where you can buy many items for a small price. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. You can't go wrong.
I also think it is very gracious to send a gift since there is tension in the family.
+B+
S.F.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
I am the mother of a 15 year old girl and I can tell you that gift cards are a great thing. Even when I know what my daughter likes, she prefers to pick it out herself. Her favorite stores are Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. They both have gift cards available. You can also get pre-paid visa and mastercard gift cards or even itunes. I don't know any 14 year olds that don't like music. My parents often send my kids Amamzon,com gift certificates (they carry everything!). They can be printed right off the computer. Some people say that gift cards are impersonal, but for picky teenagers I think they are great!
H.J.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
How about a personalized beach towel from Land's End? I have been giving these as gifts this summer and I think everyone can always use a new towel. I saw one on Land's End that comes with a matching beach bag. I think I paid around $30.00 after shipping for the ones I got.
K.D.
answers from
Stockton
on
July 09, 2008
American Eagle and Hollister are great for that age.
N.P.
answers from
Modesto
on
July 09, 2008
Ambercrombie & Fitch! They have everything a teen girl desires :o)
Really....that's probably the safest for you to get her, knowing that you haven't seen her in a long time. You cannot go wrong with a Gift Card from there :o)
When our daughter was 14 & 16, we used to fill her Christmas Stocking with small amounts of assorted Gift Cards (movies, Ice Cream, Target, etc...) This way she had a "variety" of $$$ to spend when she went to the Mall with her friends. Today she is 22, and STILL says that her was her favorite Christmas Gift :o) Even over the Ipod and stuff! Apparently, it meant the most, and was age-appropriate :o)
Blessings to you, E.. I'm happy to hear that even though you don't have communication with your S-I-L, that you are still making efforts to be in your nieces life. When she's older, she will see & appreciate your efforts now.
:o) N.
J.R.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
I have found that gift cards are a big success - you could get a personalized ( her name on it ) card through American Express or just pick up a store gift card. Another idea would be a canvas tote with a beach towel. My thirteen year old is really into Juicy Couture earrings - you could get any earrings if her ears are pierced. Also - anything with a peace sign! Good luck!
E.J.
answers from
Fresno
on
July 09, 2008
Hi E.,
Money is usually an ideal gift for any teenage girl. You can get a prepaid visa card or an itunes gift card if she has an ipod. I have a 13 year old daughter and no matter how much I think she will love something I am usually wrong. They are finicky and what they like changes more than their under clothes. One thing that is pretty consistent is that all teenage girls love to shop so a gift card usually works best. I know it doesn't sound too personal but trust me when I say they don't care.
Good luck!
R.F.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 10, 2008
We have three young adult daughters. They liked Pac Sun, Express, Forever 21, Aropostale, The Gap and American Eagle. They can get something nice for $35 to $40 at each of these.
K.G.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Hi E.,
A pretty darn hip 13 year-old lives across the street from me and shows me every new piece of clothing she buys! For living near the beach, I would say that Pac Sun (Pacsun?) and Billabong (super cute [but not cutesie] sundresses and more) are good calls. It also depends on what stores are located near your niece. Abercrombie, H+M, Aldo (shoes), and Claire's (accessories) are also good calls, though I would double check Claire's. I'm not positive that the girl across the street still goes there. Definitely go with the gift card if you feel comfortable doing so.
J.K.
answers from
Fresno
on
July 09, 2008
My daughter is 14 and likes CD'S and DVD'S as well as books. if you don't know what she likes then gift cards are always welcomed. They almost always like most all of the mall shops like Abercrombie, Hollister, Forever 21 and Styles for less although they are not always in the mall. Good Luck
J.M.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 10, 2008
Hi, If you sew, you could make her a really cool bag and maybe slip a gift card in the inside as well. If you get fabric on sale ... you could afford both!
Good Luck
J.C.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 08, 2008
A 14 year old girl would LOVE to receive a $35 gift card! Its a double gift, she gets to go shopping and gets whatever she wants. She'll also enjoy telling you about all the fun stuff she got to buy.
I would suggest a card to Target, or one that you can use at any store at the mall. That way whatever she wants she'll be able to get.
E.M.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
How about a gift card for ITunes, if she has an Ipod. I believe even Costco sells them.
A.D.
answers from
Modesto
on
July 09, 2008
Hi E.,
A lot of teenage girls are into scrapbooking and journaling. There are a lot of cool scrapbooking ideas on my website and what is nice is you can have it shipped directly to your niece. I am a Creative Memories Consultant. Check out my website: http://www.mycmsite.com/aprildunhamfilson
A.
D.H.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Girls love Visa Gift cards, or Target cards, mall gift cards--then they can't make fun of what you got them! At least, that's what my daughter says to do!!
J.M.
answers from
San Francisco
on
July 09, 2008
Giftcard, Giftcard, Giftcard!!! They love them at that age.