Present ideas for dd(9) Getting desperate now!

[maybeyoushouldrivesantassleigh]

We are going round in circles trying to think of a present for dd (9). She is quite a young 9 year old who mainly plays with Sylvanians and her hamster.

We are spending Christmas with other family members whose children are getting mobile phones, Kindle fires, Ipod touches etc etc. Dd doesn't show much interest in things technical but I don't want her present to either embarass her or disappoint her infront of her cousins.

Has anyone got a wonderful idea for a present (up to £70) which we haven't thought of????? I will be eternally grateful

What about a really splendid load of things for her hamster? Toys, new cage etc?

I got mine a personalised art box full of pens and pencils at one point - her name on the front.

What about a camera that also takes movies so she can film her hamster and put it on the computer?

Thank you for your lovely answers! Sorry for the delay - couldn't get MN to work...

She got a camera for her birthday (barely touched) and the hamster is not very old so has a posh cage/toys etc. You are on the right track though, thank you

What about some crafty things you could do together? A simple sewing kit with some pretty fabric, buttons and ribbon. She could make her self a little purse or bag etc.

My nece who is almost 10 loved Friends Lego, crafty things to make, trendy clothes and really wants a onesie for Christmas.

How about a lovely quill pen calligraphy set, or a Newton and winsor(?) water colours set?

I sound like a grouch. I don't think craft stuff would cut it - she has loads of sets that she just hasn't opened.

She is getting lego from my sister but it's not that often she plays with lego tbh.

Up til now there has been a very obvious present - a bike, dollshouse, playmobil campervan etc but this year it's tough... I don't really want to buy her lots of little things if possible, I'd rather a something but what? She's not interested in clothes, jewellery, hates bath bomb type stuff, not a typical girl I guess.

I am wondering if we should get a cheap tablet so she'll be similar to her cousins and can talk at school on a certain level even though she hasn't asked for one and can play Minecraft on ours when she wants.n Then I think maybe we should just stick with yet more Sylvanians....

Aaah I can see maybe a pottery wheel... Although santa is bringing Modroc...

How about a colourful sewing machine? We got DD3 one last year this lovely red one and she spends hours and hours making clothes and bags for her Sylvanians.

Things on Wheels often figure on our present list - microscooter, in-line roller skates etc?

Have never thought of a sewing machine..Hmm.. I can't sew so I guess I never model it for her to want to try... That's a good price too...

She loves her roller blades (last years present), already has a scooter but would have been good ideas if not.

You are all great BTW!

Don't buy a really cheap tablet, I got one for ds so he wouldn't need to borrow my iPad all the time. Complete waste of money and I ended up getting him an iPad anyway I was in pc world the other day and they've it some good deals on the Samsung galaxy and it looked pretty good.

Mine (who is now 13 so I've had a few years of this) tends to ask for 'suprises' and isn't into electronic gadgets either...but fortunately likes those Things on Wheels, musical instruments of various sorts (this year a ukelele) and proper science/construction sets not 'girly' ones.

I know you said she doesn't like gadget stuff - but what about a Wii and Just Dance game? Maybe not so good if you are going to be away though unless they have a Wii too?)

CD player that also has an iPod dock for the future?

I like the sewing machine best though! And sewing basket stocked with felt, ribbon etc.

Does she have any older sisters/cousins? Does she take an interest in any of their stuff?

She's adamant she doesn't want a wii - although has played on her friends and enjoys Just Dance there. No Wii where we're going unfortunately (older relative)

I have wondered about an Ipod shuffle - she has a CD player which she mainly listens to stories on.

No older siblings/cousins - she is the first grandchild etc. She really is quite a young 9, old-fashioned in many ways but I do try to bring her into the 21st century if I can. I dread her getting teased for not quite being of this world tbh

I may have to ask her again if there's anything she really wants (other than Sylvanians of course!) She is already getting the canal boat from my parents so not entirely ignoring her wishes

Not major present but have bought this for dd9 who loves her hamster.

I think an ipod could be a good idea.

Does she have a DS? I think it would be better than a cheap tablet. My DDs (6,11 and 13) all play on theirs regularly and they link up with friends too.

You can get good reconditioned ones from Game if you can't afford new.

my dd also 9 is getting, lego, some smellies (she asked for make up, no way) and a kids nail varnish set as well as a hair dryer and a lovely padde brush. all very grown up though, she seems to want to be grown up all of a sudden and likes faffing wwith her hair.

I have twin boys 9 and dd 8 who all love their hamster(he'll be having his own stocking)[saddo emoticon].

All 3 are having the Sylvanian log cabin,skidoo,skis, cosy furniture and fake snow to share.Hobbycraft do blanket style fake snow and the stuff you add to water in tubes.They'll use it with an old mirror for ice skating.

Dd is also having the Klutz Cootie Catcher book,the Cotton Candy bead set from Wu Wu,Let's Draw Cute Animals book by Sachiko Umoto(has instructions for a v cute hamster),Eeboo pencil set and sketch book,Djeco 36 paint set and a shed load of books.

For her bday she's having inline skates and a decorate your own sticker helmet,knee pads etc.She's also having Djeco glitter markers,Fabulous Girl's Doodle book,Sylvanian camper van,tent(on her bday cake) and the Polly Pocket pet shop.

You could upgrade her hamster cage to the Leon from Zooplus which is the one we have-it's fab and you can spend hours rearranging it.Has 3 floors and we have a kind of natural wooden theme going on.

Polka dd's hamster is getting a stocking as well as the track I posted earlier dd absolutely adores her and would be heartbroken if she wasn't included on Christmas Day.

We have that track-it's fab.Dp is going to kill me when he sees our hamster's stocking.I've had far too much enjoyment than is healthy putting it together,ditto the gerbil stockings!

I am cheered that other 9 year olds are getting Sylvanians too! Love the sound of the fake snow etc

The hamster track is cool! yes we already have the stocking planned bought and filled

How about a day out instead? Depending where you are - if you are close to London how about Matilda tickets? Or maybe National Trust membership, or adopt a dolphin/tiger/meerkat.

Have a look at your local theatre and see if there is something you think she may like.

Maybe magazine subscription, like animals and you.