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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not have a clue what to buy my step-daughter for her her birthday

15 replies

Salubrious · 30/06/2017 20:31

I have a very lovely step-daughter who turns 16 in August and my darling husband has left me in charge of gifts as he's working away for the next month gah! I am in a state of panic because I haven't got a clue what to get her.

Thoughts as follows (and please be brutal if my suggestions are uncool and bullshit):

Concert tickets (Katy Perry perhaps?!)
Learher pandora bracelet with a pretty charm (something relevant to the stuff she likes) is Pandora even in?!
a new pair of Nike trainers (her current ones are now pretty battered)

TIA

OP posts:
livsmommy · 30/06/2017 20:41

That sounds lovely and you sound like a lovely step mum!

Original poster
Salubrious · 30/06/2017 20:44

Thanks Liv, just hit me like a tonne of bricks that I ought t know what she likes/wants since I've been married to her dad for 5 years. 16 is such a difficult age to buy for though. She's also crazy about cupcakes so I'll order a massive box of hummingbird cupcakes.

OP posts:
RingTailedLemurFan · 30/06/2017 20:44

Do you get on with her? When I was that age I was very particular about things and really hard to buy for. Could you take her shopping and for lunch? Then she can choose her own trainers or jewellery.

RingTailedLemurFan · 30/06/2017 20:44

Or let her have a sleep over and you buy lots of yummy treats for her and her friends?

SootSprite · 30/06/2017 20:48

I'd go with cold, hard cash for her to spend on whatever she likes. No point spending loads on a pandora bracelet if you don't even know if she likes them.

MsJolly · 30/06/2017 20:51

Not sure the sleepover counts as a birthday gift TBH.

DD lives in her allstars which cost a small fortune so new ones would be appreciated. Does DSD wear bracelets? Pandora are great for that if she does .

Moanyoldcow · 30/06/2017 20:52

What about a nice spa day/night for you both?

I would've absolutely loved that at her age.

You sound lovely, btw.

MitzyLeFrouf · 30/06/2017 20:53

Is she into makeup? 16 year olds love MAC, or Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/06/2017 20:54

What about creating a lovely gift bag with several small things like lotion, bath gel, whatever, and then some cash so she can buy what she likes? Buying gifts for teenagers is SO hard!

SnowiestMountain · 30/06/2017 20:57

Well they sound like fantastic gifts to me!

dementedfraggle · 30/06/2017 21:01

At 16, they all seem to like the same stuff so I'd recommend .... Anything from Pandora, anything that Kylie bloody Jenner endorses, a Lumee phone case (online, includes selfie light), Adidas originals, Ellesse leggings, VS Pink, voucher for her favourite shop (Berkska, Forever 21, River Island), beats headphones, new balance trainers ... or concert tickets ..Make sure & buy her 2 tickets though so she can bring a friend ..... Naked palette by Urban Decay, MAC, Make up forever. I could go on and on but it really depends on your budget Smile Happy Shopping

Original poster
Salubrious · 30/06/2017 21:20

Thanks for all of your wonderful suggestions they really are fantastic and so gratefully received.

I like the sleepover idea a lot, I'd happily do that in addition tbh. And the spa day sounds amazing, it would be a nice experience for us both.

Yes we are close and I'd hate to get her the wrong thing and have her be disappointed so I will rethink the trainers and maybe take her shopping with me. She does wear jewellery and I'd like her to have s surprise present so I may just go with the Pandora idea.

Thank you for your help , I must admit I feel far better now and less like a terrible step-parent :-)

OP posts:
DarthMaiden · 30/06/2017 21:25

Just been through the same thing with DSD for her 16th!!

We got her some lovely makeup - as a pp it was an urban decay palate which must have been a hit as it got intragramed Grin

In addition we got her some lovely skincare (a Clinique sonic face brush, cleaner and moisturiser - which she's used religiously and loves.

RingTailedLemurFan · 30/06/2017 21:56

You sound like a lovely Step Mother! (I have a 17yo step son).

So maybe she could have the Pandora bracelet as something to open in the morning/her surprise, followed by shopping for make-up and trainers...topped off with a sleep over and Hummingbird cupcakes?! You'll be getting Step Mum of the Year 2017 I reckon Grin

HeddaGarbled · 30/06/2017 22:18

I think that you should ask her what she wants. It's nice to buy little bits as surprises but for the main and most expensive present, it would be a real shame to get it wrong, even if only slightly wrong. Give her an approximate budget. My children and nieces and nephews are very happy to be specific and even send internet links if asked.

Her dad is a lazy cop out, by the way.

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