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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what you buy for your teen’s birthday?

41 replies

TabbyTigger · 20/02/2018 11:04

I’m so stumped! I struggled at Christmas and I’m struggling again. She’s turning 14 and is very into sport, a little into makeup/fashion, and likes reading and music. But honestly, I’m just looking for any inspiration (I tried posting something similar in teens but didn’t get much) - what did you get your teens for their last birthday?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 20/02/2018 11:06

DS2 is now 16 for at least the last three years we have given him money. He has a January birthday, so near to Christmas he doesn't need any more material goods.
He still hasn't spent any of this year's birthday money, because he doesn't need anything yet.

Original poster

TabbyTigger · 20/02/2018 11:08

SparklingBrook I might have to resort to this :( I like giving actual presents though - I managed to keep it up with DS (he’s now 18) but he was so much easier to buy for - he always actually knew what he wanted!!

OP posts:

UgandanKnuckles · 20/02/2018 11:10

Give her some money and maybe something small (perfume? make up set?) so that she has something to open if you want.

fleshmarketclose · 20/02/2018 11:11

Dd's birthday tomorrow, she is fifteen, she has a laptop, a Sims game, a wireless mouse (light up all singing and dancing) a light box and a canvas for her room.
Not much use to you though as she isn't into sports or make up or fashion.

Sparkletastic · 20/02/2018 11:12

For DD's 14th she got some BeneFit make up, Converse shoes, DMs, books, CDs, money / vouchers, Lush gift box and some clothes. This wasn't just from us but I end up 'curating' list for whole family.

Sparkletastic · 20/02/2018 11:12

Oh yeah and perfume too - CKOne

Sparklingbrook · 20/02/2018 11:13

Ideally I would love to give my teens presents but wouldn't know where to start, and it would be wrong.

DS1 (18) got money and chocolate/cider to unwrap.

Ski4130 · 20/02/2018 11:13

13 year old ds here, whose birthday is in January, so we're usually out of inspiration by then, without adding in the teen bit as well :-)

We gave him cash, sports equipment (new hockey stick, boots and bag) and clothes (the stuff a teen boy craves but I baulk at buying usually - Superdry, Hype and A & F)

Paperthin · 20/02/2018 11:16

A day out with you somewhere ? Sporting event maybe? My last teenage birthday was a special one so special gift, but previous to that , shopping days out, things for the room ( canvas pics of recent holiday or last years events is a good one) If she likes books find your nearest fab proper bookshop and combine with a lunch/afternoon tea treat ?

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 20/02/2018 11:16

Vouchers and clothes. At that age, I'd just ask them what they want, usually clothes ordered online. Does your dd have no ideas or is it that you want to surprise her?
Headphones? Jewellery? Pjs? A new school bag? A coat or hoodie?

Original poster

TabbyTigger · 20/02/2018 11:17

This wasn't just from us but I end up 'curating' list for whole family.

Same here Sparkletastic - as a result I’ve managed to send out things for them all to get but now have nothing left for me to buy her!

So far I’ve got her 2 tops, 2 books, some makeup brushes, some fudge... I like the idea of something from Lush.

I considered a netball post but our garden is mostly grassy (and big but not huge - she’d only really be able to shoot and pass with one friend/her sister) so I’m not sure how much use it’d get.

OP posts:

FlyingMonkeys · 20/02/2018 11:17

What sport? Buy something related. Bit of cash will be very appreciated. Nice piece of jewellery? Something she can keep.

Rhubarbginmum · 20/02/2018 11:17

It is difficult my DS is birthday is just before Christmas and DD’s birthday is just after Christmas so it’s hard thinking of ideas. We got DS 14 a Vans top he wanted chocolate and money and DD 13 quite a lot of cheaper clothes from New Look, sloth and llama socks (animals she likes) and a jewellery box to keep her earrings in and some chocolate. Surprisingly she loved all the clothes. Family and friends mainly also gave money.

Tainbri · 20/02/2018 11:20

A professional make up lesson? Spa treatment? A voucher for an experience day?

Original poster

TabbyTigger · 20/02/2018 11:22

DD has no idea! She asked specifically for a book that isn’t out in England until June so that wasn’t helpful, and then the other things she’s asked for (some fancy trainers/ mildliners/ MUJI pens/ some weird sportsy socks/ a muscle roller) have all been sent out to be bought by other relatives. She’ll also get quite a bit of money and vouchers from other aunts and uncles (she has 14 aunts and uncle in total and four have asked me about gifts, so most of the rest will be doing money!), which is another reason I’m reluctant for that to be her main gift

I like the idea of a day out actually! I’m not sure where we’d go (and I’ve a baby due in a fortnight so I won’t be up to anything too active!) but I’ll have a look into it.

OP posts:

Pfftkids · 20/02/2018 11:23

Selfie phone light, new make up brushes, an echo dot, fairy lights and or a light box for her room

grannytomine · 20/02/2018 11:24

Teen GC we got a driving lesson, it is off road on a special course. Car mad and so excited.

Original poster

TabbyTigger · 20/02/2018 11:25

It’s a good sign that lots of your suggestions are things she’s already got - glad to see I’m doing a good job ;) (their room is literally filled with fairy lights and they have two lights boxes!)

She’s in a swim team, her school netball team and her local hockey team but her main sport is trampolining. Unfortunately once you’ve got a trampoline and the kit there’s not much else to buy related to it...

OP posts:

nobutreally · 20/02/2018 11:25

Two teens - 14 and 12 in a few weeks ;-)

Tech/computer stuff: phone covers/headphones etc as well as the big things
Things for their rooms (funky lights/beanbags etc - dd loves a snuggly blanket so we splurged on a gorgeous one for Christmas)
Shopping trip - £x to spend on clothes and lunch out (more fun and safer than buying it in advance)
Puzzles/games/books
Tickets to a show/experience (we've done indoor skydiving and annual Thorpe Park passes in the past)

Peeetle · 20/02/2018 11:27

Mine told me yesterday that she only wants clothes and make-up /toiletries for future birthdays. But these are all expensive brands so they do give her a lot of pleasure. I also buy her tickets for concerts or musicals, and expensive trainers.

SundaysFunday · 20/02/2018 11:33

My 14 yo DD is getting money and a shopping trip to London with me to spend it all on exactly what she likes, I'll also treat her to lunch on the day and my undivided attention and patience. She's very excited.

londonmummy1966 · 20/02/2018 11:34

My dd turned 14 last month - I took her to Westfield for a day with a budget from me plus her own/Christmas money. She loves shopping but my feet were killing me by the end of it...

Her older sister wanted smarter clothes at that age so I took her to a personal shopper at John Lewis (again with a budget) which she loved.

eggsandwich · 20/02/2018 11:34

My Dd is 15 and we got her makeup, lush a wireless waterproof radio that she can use in the shower to play music from her phone (Spotify) it also floats in the bath as well and lights up. Makeup mirror from boots that lights up around the edges makeup organisers for her dressing table.

needmysleep75 · 20/02/2018 11:35

Is there a band/singer she likes that is touring this year? Tickets to gigs always went down well with mine

SweetMoon · 20/02/2018 11:45

An experience voucher? Maybe for use after the baby is born so you can go with her. Something exciting, that she wouldn't ordinarily get to do.

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