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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

What to buy a almost 10 year old girl who doesnt like girly things?

19 replies

Marne · 12/09/2013 11:14

I know its early but I like to plan ahead.

Dd2 is really easy to buy for (as she wants everything, loves moshi monsters, my little pony and peppa pig).

Dd1 is tricky, she doesn't really play with anything other than the pc and her DS, she has asked for a DS game (pokemon x) and I have bought her a pokemon onesie. She loves reading but does not want a kindle as she likes to hold a book, she doesn't want books as she likes to read the same ones over and over (she has plenty to read), she's not too bothered about music or gadgets so wouldn't really want a I-pod, so what do I get her??

OP posts:
crazykat · 12/09/2013 11:34

Depends on your budget. Maybe a tablet? You say she's not into gadgets but they're good for games/looking up info for homework. My mum got DD1 a 9" tablet for £120ish. It's a generic one but she loves it.

Maybe some converse/hightops in her favourite colour. Or a mobile if you think she's old enough, there are some really good deals on second hand ones in as new condition.

You could also ask her for a few ideas. We've started asking DSD 11yo what she'd like and tell her we'll get her what we can within reason as we have limited funds and other DCs. At that age it's easier as they don't usually believe in Santa and we'd rather she has an idea of what she'll get than spend money on things she won't like/want.

Silverfoxballs · 12/09/2013 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NeverQuiteSure · 12/09/2013 11:42

Perhaps a stunt scooter if she's outdoorsy? Or a kite?

I loved science and construction toys at that age geek and adored Lego Technics sets and my telescope (although a pair of astrological binoculars are best for beginners). She may also like:

  • A marble run. They do some quite technical ones aimed at older children.
  • A digital camera and/or photo editing software.
Original poster
Marne · 12/09/2013 12:22

She has a ipad (she shares with dd2) and she has converse but wont wear them Sad, she's not really into fashion (would happily live in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt).

She got a scooter last year from her granddad but isn't very good at it as she has some co-ordination problems. She might like a telescope Smile.

We have quite a lot of lego but she finds it too tricky and gives up following the instructions.

She's not very active and is not a outdoor child (unless forced outside, which I do), she loves Pokémon, Minecraft, Harry potter and Percy Jackson books.

She might like a marble run, I would like to get her a laptop but its not really within our budget. We spend £100 (ish) on a main present, plus a few smaller bits, her pokemon game is £30 (that's the only thing she has really asked for). Gets so hard as they get older as we have most things already in the house, I wish she was more into clothes but unless its a novelty onesie she is not to bothered.

OP posts:
Takver · 12/09/2013 12:29

TBH it sounds like you've got her a couple of great presents that she'll really like. I wouldn't worry about finding something else, maybe just add a couple of little items (really nice socks? dd always loves posh socks).

If you really worry about the difference in cost, you could put the money aside in a savings a/c for her & use it in future if she wants a bigger item than you can afford at that point, IYKWIM.

ProfYaffle · 12/09/2013 12:32

What books does she like reading?

Lancelottie · 12/09/2013 12:44

She'd have got on brilliantly with my son at the same age!
His favourite present that year by far was a big cushion (to flop on while reading Harry Potter/Percy Jackson).

How bad are the coordination problems? Would she cope with a wobble ball to bounce around on, or a ukulele to strum at? DS again had some coordination probs and we were told music and balancing toys might help him develop out of them.

How about a Lego-based game -- we have Creationary and something vaguely Minotaur-based. Not too much construction needed!

Or jenga? Occasionally used here for actual jenga-ing, more often used for domino-toppling.

Takver · 12/09/2013 13:06

YY to the big cushion! DD spent some of last year's birthday on the biggest, purplest cushion she could find in the shop :)

NeverQuiteSure · 12/09/2013 13:17

You might be able to get a laptop for £100. Try phoning local independent IT repair bods and explaining what games and software she runs and asking if they have any reconditioned units. It doesn't sound like she's running CPU-sucking programmes so a mid-range reconditioned unit would probably suit her well.

Be sure to get word of mouth recommendations though so you buy from someone reputable.

Original poster
Marne · 12/09/2013 13:19

We have quite a few wobble cushions, gym balls and she loves the big air cushion from ikea, having 2 dd's with coordination problems, ASD and low muscle tone our house resembles a physio room :)

We bought her a few board games last year but they don't get played with ( or her sister chucks all the bits all over her bedroom ), dd2 plays ukulele, guitar and keyboard but dd1 not that interested. She does like teddies but has way too many on her bed already, I might replace her Disney Statch teddy who is looking a bit worse for wear ( I think Disney store still sell them).

OP posts:
Original poster
Marne · 12/09/2013 13:20

I love Jenna, I keep meaning to buy it for the girls ( and me ).

OP posts:
DumSpiroSpero · 12/09/2013 13:22

My DD is 9 and swings between being very girly and showing interest in things that make me go Shock !

Last Christmas she had a marble run, table top air hockey game and a magic set. The first two have been well used, the b magic set not so much.

She loves anything to do with wizards and spies and is getting increasingly interested in science. I am thinking of getting her a microscope and/or chemistry set, and some National Geographic 'spy' gadgets.

She also has been after a junior World Wildlife Fund membership for a couple of years.

Over the last couple of years I've also got her tickets for a show/concert as a main present on a few occasions.

Gilbertus · 12/09/2013 13:46

a Kindle Paperwhite? My 11 year old really wants one.

StainlessSteelCat · 12/09/2013 13:49

Book voucher? Combined with money to go out for tea and cake, a DIY book buying experience for the 2 of you.

Colouring book (i used to love the Altair ones) or drawing pad and some lovely pens or pencils.

Rufus43 · 12/09/2013 13:53

Science kits. They do bouncy balls, crystal making, soap making all sorts

Gilbertus · 12/09/2013 15:51

When mine get to 10 they got a special trip with just me and no siblings. Dd1 went to horse of the year show, dd2 to Matilda

Original poster
Marne · 12/09/2013 17:20

She would like to go to the Harry potter studio's Smile

She's not really into drawing, she does a little but is happy with a few old pencils and a drawing pad.

OP posts:
Gilbertus · 12/09/2013 17:43

How about a trip to Harry potter studio then? You could write it in a scroll hp style Smile

rubyfoz · 12/09/2013 18:00

Definitely do the trip to Harry Potter Studios!
My 2 DDs (11and 13) have both loved receiving "special trip" presents.

We went to Harry Potter Studios last year - highly recommend it :)

Maybe combined with a small Potter themed gift as well, so she actually has something tangible to unwrap. There are some gorgeous HP collectables and gifts.
Or does she have the spin off books?
Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them would be a brilliant choice, as a new movie series based on it has just been announced!

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