To think my DD doesn’t need anything for Christmas?!

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DD is 12. Before anyone becomes alarmed, she will of course get something! There are a couple of “large” presents she will get from me and my parents. However, I have been racking my brains recently trying to think of some smaller items for under the cHristmas tree and her stocking. I even posted in the Christmas topic and got give some great suggestions! Except that... she really doesn’t need or want anything... when she needs something for one of her hobbies for example, i tend to buy it at the time she needs it.

It was so different when I was that age!

Because people buy their children so much throughout the year now, there’s no anticipation of having things you’ve waited for for months and months. Such a shame really because there’s not wrong with having to wait for a gift, that’s the point of them really.

Christmas presents are almost never a need, they’re most definitely a want. Many parents buy far too much and it inevitably becomes landfill. I’ve tried buying much less this year since family always buy too much and I can’t stand the waste. My DC, like yours, really don’t need anything and they don’t even want very much either.

My dd11 needs “more fairy lights and alcohol”.... apparently it refreshes felt tip pens

Just buy her lots of things she can use, gloves, hats, socks, pencils, diary and such.
Tell her you know she will be growing so a shopping trip in the New year...
Primarks for bras and knickers will soon be an urgent need at her age.

Tell your DD to use sharpies on the fairy lights to add DIY colours.

It does Tcga! But it also makes the ink go right through the paper, so watch out for that. I used to use that trick when I was little

I was just thing about stocking fillers for teen Dds. I fill them with crap, sometimes used sometimes forgotten. This year it’s a chocolate orange and a donation for an emergency pack for a Syrian child. I don’t knie how it will go down. Ok I think and I hope a new Christmas tradition.

Things I would put in a teenager’s (or near teenager’s) stocking:

Nice mug.
Hot chocolate mix.
Squirt cream.
Mini marshmallows.
Pens.
Nice shower gel.
Scarf/gloves.
Hair accessories.
Something funny - a 4” tall wheels bin for their desks one year, or a book of bad jokes.
Hair glitter.

Arghhh - wheely bin, not wheels bin.

Don't forget the cuddly toy!

No she doesn’t need “stuff”. Donate on her behalf and if you must get a book that is relevant to the donation.

My mum did that when we were too old for minor gifts.

My DM still wraps me up shampoo, face wash, shower gel, cotton wool etc. When I was younger I found it quite funny (she'd buy me those things anyway) but now I can really see her point!

Might be a bit odd If you've never done it before but maybe 12 is a good age to start with things like that?

Donation to charity would be lovely
Knickers and stationary & stuff you would already buy is a great idea. Slippers and electric toothbrush or travel towel or stuff she may need in future.. happiness journal, hair care stuff, star sign book for the year etc

Books. Loads of books. And chocolate and sweets. And a lovely quality pen and writing journal.

Menstrual pants.

When I got older, I struggled to think of anything I wanted. I still do now. I'd be happy with nothing. I have everything I need.

From the age of 13 my parents went sensible. Before that we were spoiled at Christmas as they loved the Santa bit. But once all siblings were in the know it became more about the day and less about the gifts.
So we got one thing. Either asked for or a surprise. But something sensible, like an item of clothing. Probably cost about £20.

What about a gift experience, like a theatre ticket?

Smellies knickers n socks and chocolate

Tickets to go see a concert maybe someone like little mix. Or tickets to go to see a musical at the theatre.

A transistor radio so she can listen to radio 4.

Fancy expensive(r) sweets? Gourmet jelly beans were a hit in my house.

I’m doing similar this year. My kids have only requested one large present each. They really don’t want anything else apart from their usual stocking full of sweets and random tat. I usually buy a few smaller or medium sized presents but no one is bothered,so I’m not going to bother. I suspect the tree will look a bit strange with just 4 presents under it, but it does feel like such a waste to buy stuff just for the sake of it.

Why not have a mother /father daughter day instead of buying tatt. My daughter loved going out to the cinema, then a meal and drinks after. In the past we’ve gone to a museum, then had afternoon tea and visited a Christmas market. Plenty of memories made for each of us, and she really enjoyed it.

My dd is 10. She doesn’t need anything either. She’s into experiences and loves stuff too. In the run up to Christmas if she really wants something but doesn’t need it, I buy it and save it til Christmas. So she always gets things like clothes she’s chosen, maybe a winter coat, I add to that things like socks and underwear I know she will love to bulk out the other surprise purchases. It all contributes to lots of presents but not too much tat.

She now sees her friends wearing the coat she has to wait for. I justify this by saying we spend lots of money on her hobbies and she can’t have everything right now as she’d have very little for Christmas. In reality we could buy more but she gets so much already and it will take cash away from other things.

You can buy experiences. Driving lessons for children age 10+ for example. Lots of locations.