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Christmas

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

Original poster

Don't know what to buy dd for Xmas

38 replies

Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 12:05

Determined to be organised this year and buy early but do not have a clue what to get for dd1 (12).

She has just had her ears pierced so I could get her some earrings and she likes bubble bath/lip balm/nail polish etc but the other dcs all have things that are bigger and I'm worried she will think her presents will look less despite the fact I spend same on all dcs.

Other dcs all have things they can actually play with and I don't want dd to get bored but she seems to be in an awkward in between stage where a lot of things seem too babyish but she does actually still like playing!

I don't know what to get her. Any ideas from anyone with similar age dds. My budget for a main present would be around 50pounds and I get her a few other bits as well- stocking fillers, sweets, things I mentioned above.

OP posts:
CaptainSweatPants · 08/10/2013 12:07

Clothes
One direction stuff

Don't they just play with phones, iPods etc at that age?

MooseyMoo · 08/10/2013 12:13

I loved anything from Body Shop at this age . But also loved getting clothes from my favourite shops/brands.

Original poster
Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 12:13

she does play on her phone a bit and got an iPod for her birthday last year but is quite 'young' for her age and does still like to play (quite often I find her playing lovely games with dd2 who is 3).

I might get her something crafty but never know what to get as have had so many sets that have been rubbish (perfume making kits, crystal decorating things etc).

OP posts:
Original poster
Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 12:14

Body shop is a good idea, do they still do all the fruity flavour lip balms and shower gels etc? She would love that.

OP posts:
MooseyMoo · 08/10/2013 12:16

Yes, just bought strawberry shower gel Smile there are lots of discounts there at mo. Hold on will see what's current...

MooseyMoo · 08/10/2013 12:18

35% off and free delivery with over £5 spend (after discount applied) with SMOKY

TessTackle · 08/10/2013 12:21

What about a nice nail set? Or a bunch of Barry M's; they do the effect nail varnishes with the magnets so DD2 could 'help' her with the effecty bit.

Face masks? Hair bits?
Clothes.
Books.
A cath kidston bag (only because I want anothe Wink )
DVD's.

BigBoobiedBertha · 08/10/2013 12:23

You don't mention books - does she enjoy reading? Doesn't have to be stories. Could be a book on make-up, favourite hobby or music. I have a boy who has just turned 13 so I do understand the inbetween bit but he loves computer games. Take those out and all I am left with is books!

How about a handbag or a board game - one for the over 10+s

Or a jigsaw, a big complicated one. I used to like those as a child

mumtosome61 · 08/10/2013 12:25

I'd go with books too - you can get the hardcovers which "seem" more (bigger and heavier).

Maybe a joint present between them all? Maybe I'm sounding old here, but a board game was the best present of the day for me and my brother because it was something we could play together/as a family.

KittiesInsane · 08/10/2013 12:26

Disney Scene-it? You might find the little ones are rather good at that! (I don't have one, but year 7 DD has played it at a friend's house with children down to 5.)

Original poster
Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 12:28

She loves books but has read so many and I can never seem to find ones I think she would like or hasn't read.

She likes mysteries and stories about horses so I will have a look.

What board game would be good?

OP posts:
KittiesInsane · 08/10/2013 12:28

Onesie. DD has just acquired a giraffe one with a hood and tail. She looks like a large cuddly toddler in it and is succumbing to very frequent cuddles.

PeterParkerSays · 08/10/2013 12:36

Would she like a guitar? although you might not

mumtosome61 · 08/10/2013 12:41

We loved the classics - Monopoly, which you can get in child format, but I suspect it may be a bit daunting for a 3 year old. Cluedo, Bingo, Chess.

How about playing cards, or something revolving around that idea? Me and my brother loved playing cards with my Grandmother, and it could be a useful way of learning/advancing numeracy for your 3 yo. I think there is another sort-of-card-game called Uno (?) or Luno or something - I have to admit my knowledge of pre-adult board games is a little rusty.

Even something like Top Trumps - I love playing this now and if you can get a topic they either both like, or two of individual favourite topics, they will both enjoy (bands, animals, TV etc)

Basically anything that will be a) fun (and can engage all of you on some level) and b) not too daunting, or easily taught if not obvious.

IsabelleRinging · 08/10/2013 12:41

How about a board game?

Craft kits are a good idea. Sewing or knitting?

Does she have rollerskates?

A diary?

A camera?

Original poster
Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 12:51

Camera might be a good idea, I think she would like that.

She used to play guitar but gave up as it hurt her arms too much. Roller skates she would love but she has a tendency to dislocate things and is clumsy so prob not the best idea!

She would def love a onesie I will see if I can get her one.

OP posts:
Takver · 08/10/2013 12:55

My dd is 11, just posted on another thread, I'm considering a sewing basket (then contents in stocking), also thinking about some wood carving tools + book + some suitable wood (she's always whittling things). She has asked for a proper grown up pen-knife to replace her little tiny one.

TheWoollybacksWife · 08/10/2013 12:55

DD2 was 13 last Christmas and her main present was a sewing box. I filled it with thread, pins, tape measure, a few fat quarters of fabric and nice scissors and didn't listen to my mother's superstitious clap-trap about not giving sharp objects as gifts

It looked quite big all wrapped up on Christmas morning.

Does she need a new dressing gown? They always look HUGE wrapped up.

A big art set?

Takver · 08/10/2013 12:56

X post, knives and carving things probably a bad craft if you are clumsy!!!

whereareyou · 08/10/2013 12:57

I like these nail varnishes or if you shop in Boots and get the £5 off no 7 vouchers there are some other bright nail polishes. Their sweet tins are lovely too. boots gifts good.
Primark have some fleece throws and cushions for her room you could wrap with a mug and hot chocolate horse cushion - they do bedding too
Some good fox socks and animal gloves in primark atm (women's bit). Dd very much wants a onesie too.
My dd loves her kindle with amazon voucher to download some books. She likes the 'Now' music for current chart stuff.
tray with some bracelets put in ?
Frames if she takes photos on her phone.
Board game such as monopoly junior to play with her sister or checkers set good.

MortifiedAdams · 08/10/2013 12:59

What about a 3D jigsaw? I remember getting one aroubd her age, was on it for fecking months.

Or a puzzle ball www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0031J8Q4E/ref=mp_s_a_1_65?qid=1381233484&sr=8-65&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Or a Bopit Extreme www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0006GWQ2S

Original poster
Somanyexcuses · 08/10/2013 13:02

Thank you, so many good ideas. I think she would love a sewing kit as she really enjoys making things.

I think I will def get her a camera, a diary, sewing kit, some body shop bits for her stocking and a onesie.

I will suggest craft kit and board game to mil as she has asked what do dcs want for Xmas.

OP posts:
milk · 08/10/2013 13:09

Great price second hand

chicaguapa · 08/10/2013 13:11

DD is almost 12 and at the inbetween stage. Last Christmas she got a onsie, cushion and blanket and mooned around all Christmas with nothing to do. So this year she is getting 'things to do'.

Thinking of things she's had in the past, a couple of years ago she got a sewing machine and sewing basket. She also has a Kindle Fire HD.

This year she's getting a microscope. And other family members are buying a book of sewing projects, a tapestry craft set in her initial, a doodle book with some new colouring pens and the Wreck my Journal book.

The Klutz books are worth a look at too. There are ones for friendship bracelets, crazy lettering, fashion design etc and work well for this age group.

HTH