What did you get for your teen this Christmas?

[teenpresents]

Im asking this as I tend to overthink whether I'm getting it "right" as a mum (for personal reasons linked to my own childhood). Anyway.... just wondering if this seems about right for a 16 yo teen girl for Christmas?

I didn't see my teen DD yesterday as she was at her dad's for Christmas Day. She's coming home today. I've just wrapped all her stuff ready for her coming back, but I feel a bit bad as I haven't spent as much on her presents this year as I normally do. I've actually ended up getting into debt for some of her stuff. I've got her:

• Apple AirPods (she asked for)
• trainers (she asked for)
• Gym Shark leggings
• 5 new tops / jumpers (2 she asked for; 3 I chose for her)
• a personalised engraved prosecco glass
• a bottle of Prosecco
• a candle
• smellies (bath products etc)
• a fluffy onesie

When I bought these things I felt like it was a lot but it doesn't look like much wrapped. But the first 3 items alone on the list came to £200!! I just can't afford to get her as much anymore now she's older. Is this just how it is now she's older and the stuff she wants is more costly?

@UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter

I asked whether the quantity and the value of the gifts was sufficient.

Not for a detailed breakdown of people's views on the specific items.

They are listed itemised so people have an idea of quantity and value.

Last update she was approx 40 mins away! Excited to see her face and yes I will definitely update 🙂

Gosh, I didn’t realise there would be more presents from her dad. I thought your list was over the top without realising that. Now there’s more stuff to come, I think it’s way, way too much. I’m a bit shocked. Honestly, just about one of things from that list I’d see as about right - eg, five tops, and nothing else, really.

DD had her 16th Birthday just before Christmas and wanted a new iPhone (14+) which I bought outright as opposed to a contract. They are expensive so it was her main Birthday and Christmas gift combined.
She likes animé and anything Japanese. I bought her some books and a figure she chose. Also clothes, smellies, chocolate and a Vivienne Westwood necklace.
Your list sounds generous when her dad and other relatives buy separately. My parents are no longer here and only my brother buys for her apart from us. Her gifts didn't look like much when wrapped either.

Sounds similar to DD15s list. She got…
jordans
pandora ring
hoodie
top
lego
hottie
hair dryer
straighteners
Jeans
one night ultimate vampire game

stocking…
hair milk
mascara
lip balm
lip gloss
favourite drink
phone charger
peg lights
post it notes
selection box
Body spray
choc coins
vegetarian marshmallows
tube of fruit pastilles

she loved it, I’m sure your dd will too. So far the only things not used are the straighteners, body spray and game.it’s our most successful year to date!

Yeah we've been separated since she was 2 so we've always done separate Christmas presents.

Seems fine.

I've noticed as mine get older the piles of presents look smaller but are more expensive !!

I've always given some clothes though so I feel that is useful and money I would have spent anyway.

A new computer (last one was a laptop in 2013 and it’s died a death now. A book and some chocolate

That's loads OP she will be very happy!!!
Although for 16 I wouldn't have bought procesco- but maybe I'm old fashioned!
I always overthink too.
I have 4 teens / young adults and they got
DD1 jewellery, clothing, gin, olaplex,trainers, books
DS2, clothing, aftershave, electric toothbrush, earphones
DD3 boots, hotel chocolate velvetiser, 2 switch games and pop figures
DD4 Nintendo switch, splatoon figures, necklace
Plus they had a few small bits chocolate , bath bomb etc

Have a lovely day with your DD

Ds is 19 and so hard to buy for as he he so laid back and doesn't care much for stocking filler type gifts

So this year rather than exhaust myself trying to find gifts he may like

I just got him a bottle of his favourite aftershave invictus, some ralph lauren sliders he liked, a bottle of his favourite whiskey and 200 quid cash - he was delighted and happy not to be overwhelmed with gifts as per other years

My ds(16) got (and is all he will get, no presents from elsewhere)
resin casting kit to make dice
socks
vernier callipers
2 books
hoodie for his sport
multitool
stocking with pens, keyring, Lynx

He was very happy with this

DD 16
Oodie
slippers
hat and gloves
cook book
drawing tablet that I split the cost with my mother
case for the drawing tablet

stocking
pringles
chcolate fingers
shower gel
soap
phone charger
socks

Op mine are a bit younger but I show them out house budgets.
Every month my wage goes to different places, every penny. DH has a spreadsheet with bills and outgoings.
They have their own bank account with places to save and spend money deviders.

I'd people don't do this or explain budgets, show how money comes in and where it has to go out...how can people expect young people to understand Money and the value of things?

I am shocked at buying a 16 year old booze ! But apart from that it is a generous amount of presents, even more so as she has things from her father too.

This sounds great! Would you able to link to the notebook? Don't worry if you can't, I only want to buy it for myself

I hope she likes her presents. It sound like loads to me, especially with more presents from her dad, but I suppose it depends what she's used to. My 16yo DD got a mirror for her bedroom, new bedding, Studio Ghibli socks and fancy tights, some books, a cuddly toy, some chocolate and foreign snacks, and we got a board game for everyone to share.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a 16 year old having a glass of Prosecco at home… BUT…I do think buying her a whole bottle of Prosecco for a xmas present is odd.

A bottle of Prosecco has to really be drunk in one day once it’s open (maybe passable the next day but no more) - is she going to drink a whole bottle?

If the bottle is to be shared with you it’s not really a present for her is it?

If you bought her, say, a bottle of Baileys it would be better as it could be drunk over a month! Or some individual small serving drinks. But a whole bottle of Prosecco is odd.

And, yes, she has got plenty for xmas, especially of that lot is only half of her presents!

Foster son 16 got
Ear buds
Trainers
Running hat with light
Running jacket
Sweatshirt
Socks
Pants
Chocolate orange
6 Kookaburra Cricket balls in box
Adult leg pads
New cricket thigh pad
Chocolate bombs
Boxing speed aid ball
Warwickshire cricket training trousers and top
Amazon voucher £50
Selection pack
Lindor chocolate balls
Chocolate coins

He got vouchers from my sister's £50+£20+£20

I asked what he wanted and got him what he asked for. Yesterday I asked if he was happy with his gifts and he said yes he was very happy and got everything he wanted.

Sounds like your dd got a similar amount.

DD 15 her got a hair dryer and volume brush ( amazon black friday) some mac make up couple of jumpers ,jeans and PJ'S. Then bits so lush bath bombs deodorant hairspray and socks. Smaller pile but she was happy and knows I've just spent a fortune on dance costumes for a show. Yours sounds fine and if it's not a conversation about cost needs to be had!

DD 16 got
Uggs
weighted blanket
2 pairs of leggings
some benefit make up
a year subscription to glossy box

DS14 got
A north face coat (he asked for that)
a tracksuit
a top
a penknife
a gym subscription

I think your list is fine

I have two 16 year old boys.

One got
£300 phone
Nike shorts
Adidas joggers
Electric toothbrush
selection box
Calendar
Fake oodie
Protein bars
Locks for the gym
Lynx Africa - mandatory
Scratch cards

The other got
£250 cash
Badminton racket
2 x hoodies
Electric toothbrush
Selection box
Fake Oodie
Pants
Lynx
Scratch cards

Just realise one got one more pressie, whoops.

That really is a lot. Mine (15) got AirPods, a lip gloss, toblerone, satsuma, tube of Pringles, box of Lindt truffles. She loved it and was very happy.

Am I the only one that thinks it's weird to get a 16 year old a bottle of prosecco? 🤔

Have you read the thread?!

You are definitely not the only one. Many, including me, find it strange. I wouldn’t even give this to my older teens. I don’t know anyone who would gift this to a 16y old and encourage drinking this way. I find the glass even more strange.

I am afraid if feels a bit sad and ‘needy’ too as if OP is trying to get the girl to sit at home drinking with lonely mum.