Parents of 11 year olds, I need your wisdom.

[SoWhite]

I have been tasked with buying a Christmas gift for an 11 year old girl in the family secret santa.

My girls are 20 and 24, so it has been some time since I have bought for this age range.

Said 11 year old girl (according to her mother, DH's cousin) is 'precocious' and 'not girly'. I have never met her - long story.

What on earth do 11 year old want these days? Mine were happy playing Snake on their Nokia 3310s at 11.

I'm clueless. £25 quid spend limit.

Many thanks.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Skate board
Fleece blanket
Hollister hoodie
Cookie maker
Pjs/onsie
Headphones
Itunes voucher

[DragonsCanHop]

Sweets! DD really wants American candy which poundland are selling. You could do a selection along with a new mug with some hot chocolate or a fleecy blanket and a funky hot water bottle?

[SoWhite]

I think I'll go with the lava lamp. Heck, I'd like a lava lamp!

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

Na perfume factory's a bit young.

Okay well I would make her up like a little hamper of either a David Walliams or jacqueline Wilson book, bathbombs from lush, pj's, small Yankee candle and pack of sweets.

[Shirleycantbe]

Smiggle and Lush very popular with my nearly 11 yr old too.

Other ideas:

Lamy calligraphy pen set
Card games - Sleeping Queens or Rat a tat Cat are great

[Chillywhippet]

Headphones?
Coffee shop voucher if she lives near enough to one and is allowed there.
My non girls girls like the stuff at Urban outfitters, lots of bags and gifts there.

[imwithspud]

The new illustrated Harry Potter book? I saw it for £15 in sainsburys, you could then get some other bits like chocolate/sweets, grown up colouring book & pens, nice stationary etc to go with it.

[ChippyMinton]

Hollister hoody if you can get one within budget (have a look on website, if any left in the sale).
Or, as others have said, a selection of goodies , maybe in a nice re-usable bag?
Claire's for lip balms and other bits
New Look voucher
Chocolate
Funky socks - New Look have a good selection, one size fits all!


Probably would avoid books as 11yo can be pretty specific in their tastes. Ditto music.

And avoid anything pink! Purple is a better option if you have to pick a colour for something.

[jamtartandcustard]

My non-girly dd (12 in Jan) would love a lava lamp. John Lewis have a gold glitter one that even I would love.
Also bought dd some emoji cushions from Amazon which I'm sure will be s big hit. Lush is good, and vouchers especially primark!

[carries]

Things I've bought my not very girly 11 year old -

A selfie stick
Pointless book by Alfie somebody or other
A smoothie maker
A purse with 2 £10 vouchers for Costa & Subway
Lego friends
iTunes voucher
Primary pjs

[harryhausen]

My dd is 11 and very un-girly. I have bought her

An alternative Xmas jumper with a reindeer skull with red nose from Amazon.

She LOVES fat face so have bought her fatface pyjamas. Maybe size 8 womens for an 11 yr old? (My dd is tall)

She adores snuggly throws and blankets.

Pop vinyl Figures of Sherlock & Dr Watson, and Katniss from the Hunger Games.

Paper chase stuff!

Pitch Perfect 1 and 2 on DVD

My dd loves Harry Potter but is a little out of it now.

[harryhausen]

Funky cushions are also a hit.

[harryhausen]

I agree, a lava lamp would be great. Or a packman light remote controlled.

[harryhausen]

Or this? Tetris Version 2 Tetrimino Light https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009USUO68/ref=cmswwrcppawd_4fPBwbJ2QTQA9

[differentnameforthis]

Personally I'd give toiletries a swerve, as you don't about allergies etc.

[Helenluvsrob]

The boots soap and glory gift set is £30- buy it and liberate a few bits that you will use. It looks huge and would be a hit with any teen/pre teen that I know

[momb]

I would read ;'not girly' as not particularly interested in perfume and grooming.

My 11YO is very keen on stationary: cool post its, washi tape, gel pens etc. Lots of notes being written and passed around. The last 3 birthday gifts she has given have been Wreck This Journals as they seem to be just the right age.

As you don't really know her: why not go for a few inexpensive age appropriate not-girly bits and then a £20 voucher for somewhere with lots of things to choose from.

[momb]

I don't know any 11YO who drink coffee btw.

[enderwoman]

Is she at secondary school?
An 11 year old at primary and a 11 year old at secondary are very different.

Safe bets would be an iTunes voucher (if she owns an Apple product), Lush voucher, Boots or Superdrug voucher, (for makeup)

If you want something that's not a voucher: Primark has emoji stuff, American sweets (B&M etc sell these), Lush stuff, Zoella and Tanya Burr (popular YouTubers for their age) have a line at Superdrug. (feelunique sell Zoella too), Ariana Grande perfume is very popular, hoodie (try Hollister or similar)

[enderwoman]

Just seen she's not girly - what about a couple of cinema tickets? Think Cineworld does a deal of 2 tickets plus snacks for £20.

[SoWhite]

Is she at secondary school?

You can;t keep asking me questions... I just don't know

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

My very ungirly 10 (nearly 11) year old is getting:
Football training kit
Clock
Kindle case
Books (not Michael Morpurgo/Harry Potter)
Jack Wills book bag
Bananagrams
PJs
American candy (Wilkos do a good sized tub for £2)
Paperchase voucher
Lush toiletries
Stars and stripes cushion (ASDA living £3.50 bargain!)

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

11 year olds dont drink.coffee - they go for the hot chocolate with cream and post their drink on instagram - along with their friends. Its a thing

[Brandnewbrighttomorrow]

I have an 11 year old girl. Fat face pj's. Rucksack from Tinc. Hobbycraft voucher.