gift ideas for 7yo niece

[katechristie]

My niece is 7yo and none of us are very sure what to get her for Christmas this year, having not been allowed to see her since the summer (My brother hasn't been allowed to see his daughter since a few months ago when he was 20mins late picking her up on his allocated day (bus was late), and it looks like it's going to go through the courts now as his ex is refusing mediation...anyway, that's a story for another thread I'm sure!)

Has anybody got any suggestions for what a 7yo little girl might want as a gift? - mum wanted to buy her a doll with it's own bath from ELC and I felt that was probably too "young" for her now, as she's already got lots of dolls and will probably grow out of them soon. If anybody disagrees with me, please let me know (my DD is only 7mo so I wouldn't really know!!!) my brother has chosen something, but my sis, mum and me aren't realy sure and don't want to really go for things like pyjamas unless we have to (not much of a gift for her we feel). Last time my brother bought her clothes his ex took them back as she didn't like them (even though my niece had chosen them). I was thinking of some books, but my sis said she thinks she might be a bit behind with herr reading and she doesn't get read to or get to read with somebody at home, only if she's with us, which is very sad, but any book suggestions for this age, that we might read with her also most welcome.

any suggestions most most welcome. thank you.

[henryhuggins]

def not a doll!

what about a nice outfit from Next/Gap/H&M?
books are always good, even if she's behind
DVDs, CDs

perfume/bath bomb/soap making kits (v popular wit 7/8/9 year old girls now!)

nail polish, lip gloss in a nice little case

[katechristie]

oh brill, toiletries etc I never thought of, what a good idea - and don't take up too much room in the house either. yes the clothes I suggested we could cut the labels out, that way ex can't return them, but she may just end up binning them. Also, classic films on DVD might be an idea too, thanks!

[garciasangria]

Klutz stuff is always a hit a this age.
When DD was that age, someone bought her a thing called 'Olive's garden'. It was the cutest thing ever, basically making paper/plstic flowers, and it came in a gorgeous little case that DD still uses.

[katechristie]

great, they look lovely too, thanks

[tostaky]

I am offering my niece a magasine susbscription.

[DaftApeth]

What about a cd player and some audio books?

If she is not really reading yet, she could at least listen to these on her own.

Cd players/boombox can be bought at a variety of prices.

[katechristie]

brilliant, both great ideas again! thanks so much.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Aquabeads.

Rainbow Fairy books.

Klutz do a really nice paper twirling set.

[garciasangria]

Oh, just checking for a link to the Olive's Garden toy (which is gorgeous),and the manufacturers seem to have gone out of business, so can't be bought anymore

[katechristie]

thanks stripey, and thanks so much for looking garcia

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

I have a niece of a similar age - she loves lego and especially the lego friends range. There's a newish jungle range out. She loves frozen too and there's lots of merchandise for that around too. Colouring in/drawing/craft stuff/Hama beads are all enjoyed too.

[Alexaa]

From family, DD (7) has asked for so far a set of persinalised colouring pencils and the "Famous Five" book series by Enid Blyton. In her stocking I'm putting an Usbourne How To Draw Fairies and Mermaids book and two nail varnishes in pink and purple by a company called Barry M that my niece told me about.