To have bought this 'boring' gift?

[moutonfou]

(Lighthearted)

My local supermarket does this charity thing where you buy gifts for kids who might not get any. I heard somewhere that everyone buys toys for the kids and they struggle for stuff for teenagers, so I bought a nice diary and some nice colourful pens with a teenage girl in mind. DH laughed and said it would be the 'most boring gift in the pile'!

I would have loved that gift! Am I wildly misjudging the teenagers of 2017?!

My nine yr old was given lots of stationery for her last birthday (and loved it), so it’s definitely a thing for older children to teenagers.

I’d love that! As a teenager. And now! I’m sure any who received that would really appreciate it.
What would be an “exciting” gift for a teenage girl according to your DH?

Sounds perfect- not boring at all.

It was a good idea.

The Family Support team that I was linked with used to do collections and get lots of donations.

People don't realise that some organisations won't give out make-up and some toys (Guns etc), so a lot go to the Charity shops.

Whereas your gift is always appropriate.

I am presuming your DH has never been a teenage girl (fine if he has, no judgement etc). If I'm right then we can also presume he doesn't know what they like so can disregard his stupid comment! I would have loved that & have a teenager who would also love that (especially as we have no money).

Well done on both fronts - the little things make all the difference & the world needs people with kindness, empathy & understanding (of both the soul destroying nature of poverty & the joy of stationery!!)

My teenage daughters love diaries and stationary so sounds perfect to me :)

A diary is a lovely present.

So long as there is plenty of space in it for doodling and it opens flat.

I remember getting a long narrow diary once. So disappointing as I could hardly write in it- not enough room, and kept trying to close.

I recommend ring bound ones which open flat, with lots of space for teenage doodles and angst!! Maybe even have a fluffy cover!!

Art supplies are also a fantastic idea. Sketching HB pencils, charcoals and lovely paper always very welcome for my dcs teen friends.

Your DH is wrong.

I loved my diary when I was a teenager. It was very therapeutic as I could get all my thoughts and feelings out without having to actually talk to someone and them taking what I said the wrong way or twisting it. I also used to write corny poems.

I think teenagers need an outlet, and diaries provide this.

My daughter asked for a diary last year. I bought her a lockable one. She was so excited. Unrompted, she handed over the spare key in case she lost hers.

Your DH may find it boring but he is not a teenage girl is he? You did good.OP.

It's a great gift!

I used to write in a diary as a teenager, I think it was a lovely idea!

This would have been perfect for me and my friends!

How sad that anyone would think a diary is a boring gift. I have lots of my old teenage diaries (well hidden!) and love to look at them to reminisce and cringe

It's a thoughtful gift, op. Ignore him.

It’s a lovely gift. When dd turned 16 her favourite gift was a book token. She had great fun in Waterstones!

Great gift OP I love stationary and would have been over the moon with that.

I wrote a diary as a teenager and so your DH is BU.

I bought smelly pens for two 8 year olds this xmas. They going to love it. Perfect present op

Perfect gift. My dd would love it.

Your DH knows nothing of teenage girls.

That much is clear.

He’s wrong. A diary is SUCH a gift for a teenager. Good choice!

How nice of your DH to volunteer to do the rest of the Christmas shopping.

DD asked for just that kind of thing for her 13th birthday last month!

What does he think you should have bought instead? Scalextric?!

Also, when kids don’t have anything something “boring” like a diary and stationary can mean the world to them. I often travel to an orphanage in India as part of my work, and we often take things like this to the and they are overjoyed. Don’t be worried I’m sure it will be very much appreciated and used! It was a lovely thing you did

From the age of about 6-my current age of 23, stationary makes me salivate...It’s a good gift