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Original poster

Gift for 11 year old girl (max £30)

25 replies

TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 04:59

Totally forgot. No idea what she likes. Need to buy something this morning. What are the going things for an 11 year old?

OP posts:
PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 03/10/2018 05:16

I know it seems a bit of a cop out but at that age I would honestly have loved a New Look voucher. They have a pretty good teen/tween range (or the adult clothes start at a size 4). They also have tons of (cheap) shoes and accessories. £30 could get her a whole outfit - and let her feel grown up choosing.

Whatever you go for I would go more grown up (within reason) rather than less at that age. I remember strongly feeling that I shouldn’t be treated like a “little kid” at that age - and have noticed that my brilliant honorary nephew (who is approaching that age) definitely resents any implication along those lines.

Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 05:49

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check if she's allowed to choose her own clothes, as there's nothing worse (clearly an exaggeration!) than being given a gift like that and not being allowed to spend it how you want!

OP posts:
AGrinWithoutACat · 03/10/2018 06:21

Mine loved an independent of parent shopping trip at that age - Nana & Grandad took her - meant gentle guidance but not mine and a cake and juice at a coffee shop

If New Look is out Claire's accessories is generally a good alternative

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Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 06:49

I really doubt she is allowed to choose anything for herself Sad will double check with her grandparents.

OP posts:
NoLeslie · 03/10/2018 06:52

Not all girls find buying clothes exciting! Mine would much rather have cash, Amazon voucher or 15 worth of Haribo Grin

NoLeslie · 03/10/2018 06:53

Sorry got the budget wrong... Maybe not 30 worth of Haribo....

SavoyCabbage · 03/10/2018 06:58

Stuff from paperchase
A purse with £10 in
Hair styling equipment
Onesie, a book, chocolate

TamiTayorismyparentingguru · 03/10/2018 07:09

11yr old DD in this house who has recently had a birthday. Favourite gifts (and similar things favourite with her friends):

  • pretty much anything from Tiger/Flying Tiger - they have great stuff for bedrooms at the minute - cushions, rugs, jewellery boxes, decorations, lamps etc. Also lots of art stuff much cheaper than the likes of Hobbycraft.
  • anything avocado, cactus or flamingo themed - they are the popular things at the minute in my DD’s group of friends and there is tons of stuff everywhere!
  • vouchers are definitely popular - best ones for DD would be New Look or H&M for clothes, or Waterstones/WH Smith for books and stationary.
  • Body Shop is good for nice bath stuff/hand cream/lip balm etc while not being too grown up and not straying info make-up territory.
TamiTayorismyparentingguru · 03/10/2018 07:11

sorry - autocorrect there - I MEANT stationery*

Saisong · 03/10/2018 07:14

My 11yo would love any of those sciency kits, agree had one recently to make your own jelly sweets - science and sweets, what's not to like!

Crystal growing kits also good

She is interested in stationery, really good colouring pens, unusual colour highligters and bits like that

Otherwise iTunes vouchers

Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 10:48

I gave her some Lego last year, but she wasn't allowed to build it "because she would probably lose some pieces". We gave her a CD but she wasn't allowed it because it was the "wrong type" of music. We bought some stuff for her on iTunes, but as far as I know, she was never given it. As in parents accepted the money, but what we gave the money for wasn't downloaded for her.

I'd rather give her something concrete than a voucher. Maybe a science kit is the way to go. But I don't know if she'd be allowed the sweets one.

OP posts:
4forkssake · 03/10/2018 11:14

Blimey, her parents sound hard work & rude. Have you asked them what to get in a 'I know she hasn't received or been allowed the gifts I've previously given so could you suggest something she would be allowed to receive' type way.

Maybe don't go for the voucher if she won't get them (shocking) & go for an actual present. What about bath bombs or stuff from lush?

UpstartCrow · 03/10/2018 11:15

Put the money into an account for her when she leaves home, and give her a small token gift.

Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 11:26

You know what, Upstart I might actually do that! I hadn't thought of it before. I don't want her to think we've forgotten her or can't be bothered about her. Can I set up an account in her name without the parents knowing?

Give her £5 and bank the rest - does that seem too stingy?
Give her £10 and bank the rest each b'day and Christmas?

OP posts:
PrincessTwilightStoleMyToddler · 03/10/2018 11:27

Shock her parents/guardians are rude!! And setting themselves up for major teen rebellion in a few years...

Would they let you take her out for a posh lunch or something? Or for coffee and cake and to choose an accessory (hair clips, little bag, that sort of thing)? That way at least you can make sure she gets whatever it is!

Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 11:33

I know. DH has already said we might have a runaway end up on our doorstep one day!

No, I would not be allowed to take her out :(

OP posts:
JackieReacher · 03/10/2018 11:41

whatever you do give her, make sure there's a little note tucked away in it from you with your phone number and reassurance she can call you whenever she likes. Poor girl.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 03/10/2018 11:51

You can't set up an account for her without her birth certificate, but nothing to stop you saving for her in your name and giving to her when she's not so controlled by her parents. Obviously no tax benefits that way, but an option.

I would see about taking her out. You can then treat her to an experience (cinema, pampering, theatre, day trip?). Then it can't be taken away from her. I can't quite believe the Lego response. I might be a bit precious about my 3yo and Lego but he's allowed to build, destroy, build again.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 03/10/2018 11:53

That's awful if you couldn't take her out. Try to get her your phone number so she knows she can call you. What do her grandparents think (if they're the ones you're liaising through)?

UpstartCrow · 03/10/2018 11:55

Just set up an account in your name.

(I dont want to be morbid, but if anything did happen to her I assume you wouldnt want her parents to benefit from your money.)

Original poster
TheChocolateTrain · 03/10/2018 12:16

Good point Grin Maybe I'll just keep a tally and give her something when she leaves home.

Her grandparents don't dare say anything. If they criticise they they don't get to see her for a couple of months. I just had a message to say they are driving past us in a fortnight so could drop by to pick up gift to take to her. I think she could find our number quite easily, but I've never been allowed to speak to her alone on the phone, only speakerphone/Skype in front of parents. I did ask her grandparents to try to organise it so I could ask what she wants. (Answer "she is not allowed to want anything"). I did ask for her email and was refused.

I know, I was speechless when they said that about the Lego....[stares at my DC's Lego chaos and thinks of the hours they spend playing with it.]

OP posts:
sashh · 03/10/2018 12:23

They sound like my parents, well to be honest my mother. Someone saving for me would have been fab.

When I was 16 and looking for a part time job I was given one working for my dad, but I didn't receive any pay, they kept it until I needed something then they would release it to me if I was buying something they approved of.

Iputthescrewinthetuna · 03/10/2018 13:29

Smiggle stuff? Like cool pens and stationery and a cool pencil case for school? Surely her parents won't object to something that can be useful for school. Or you could buy her parents a 'relax a bit voucher'?

myron · 03/10/2018 14:07

I have an 11 yr old DD - she loves stationery and has asked for a lockable journal many 3 yrs in a row. Like this

For a friend, she bought this cool shop.amado.co.uk/product/notes-to-self-no-you-cant-borrow-one-jelly-pencil-case/ pencil case but cheaper from TKMaxx.

We also picked up this type of space pen half price from the Paperchase clearance section.

myron · 03/10/2018 14:16

How about a nice fountain pen with some spare cartridges? My DC have Lamy pens

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