Dd aged 11 is asking for a surprise

[Doseydots]

The pressure is on, my dd has asked me to surprise her for her main present. I am stuck.

She has a phone and We have a family iPad and laptop. She’s very much into hair, makeup, fashion and loves dancing around. She doesn’t do any clubs, she prefers to be at home. She doesn’t need a new bike. She still plays with her dolls and barbie but she’s specifically said she wouldn’t like any more

It seems a struggle as they get older.

Just a thought, but does she need a 'main' present? As they get older it does get harder, how about lots of little surprises like beauty bits, toiletries or make up, games, jigsaws, books, sweet treats. My kids seem to prefer all the little things to a big one.

Just a thought, but does she need a 'main' present? As they get older it does get harder, how about lots of little surprises like beauty bits, toiletries or make up, games, jigsaws, books, sweet treats. My kids seem to prefer all the little things to a big one.

Would she like tickets to a musical or concert? My DD is almost 10 and I’m taking her to see Wicked as part of her birthday present.

Does she have space in her room for a dressing table and stool and you can fill the drawers with hairs stuff and makeup

Does she have a favourite character? My dd who is also 11 loves Pusheen the cat and last year I wrapped up a cardboard box and put lots of Pusheen presents (eg duvet cover, stationery, cuddly toys) in it. She loved it so much she wants the same again this year .

Karaoke machine?
Keyboard?
Ds?
I’m really struggling this year too

When my sister was 11 I picked out lots of lush stuff that I knew she’d love (as opposed to the kits which can have a lot of ‘filler’ products’). I put it in a special box with cute packaging. She loved it! Is that an idea?

My dd wants anyhthing Harry Potter related. You didn't mention your dd being a HP fan so I assume she is not. If she is, HP studio tour would be a great day out idea.
Alternatively a good camera if she's into such things.
Or anything to do with decorating her room such as an unusual bedside lamp.
I will add if i can think of more.

Lush would have gone down well with my dd at that age. She's a few years older now and she's getting rose gold Converse which I'm secretly very jealous of. Also a New Look voucher as she loves a mooch in there.

We decorated her bedroom (just painted two walls matching, and got some wall art stickers) and brought a lovely purple swivel chair for dd at that age.

My DD 10 would love an Instamax Mini 9 camera - prints images as you take them and they come in such great colours! The "photo paper" comes in different packs, you can choose for colour prints, b&w prints, or prints with fun borders (DD would love the fun borders on her pics!). The camera also has s button for taking selfies and an attachment for close-up shots - great little camera

Just like Whimsical my nearly 11yr old is having an instax camera as her surprise this year . She saw it and crossed out other things off her list to make room for it .

Mine asks the same! We took her to Wicked last year which she loved, plus an assortment of Lush/ Tinc/ books (graphic books too - novels and comic strip)

I've been looking at sewing machines (£40 in Aldi this week) with a few classes at a local sewing school. Not sure if the Aldi machines are any good but would be nice to make dresses for her barbies if she still likes them.

A disco ball maybe.

Echo dot?

Thank you for the ideas. I did think about a camera, she does use the one on her camera loads so I will look further into that.

We are getting tickets for a show as a family ticket from mil.

I have been thinking about some kind of experience, we live near a zoo, I might see about being a keeper for a day.

This is the first year with no toys, I am going to miss the mountain of plastic tat toys ☹️

It's a loooong time ago for me now, but I rather liked designer cosmetics during my early teens. I received Clinique dramatically different moisturiser and a Chanel nail varnish when I was 12 and, they really were my favourite presents, I felt so glamorous . I wasn't expecting them as my parents weren't well off at all so I know it was a lot for them to buy.

I would however also loved a sewing machine. John Lewis own brand has a very well regarded one at around £80-£100 and Hobby craft sells a basic Brother one for around £70.

Just hit Claire's! New phone case, jewellery, hair stuff, nail art... love the idea of a dressing table filled with goodies- or a wee set of drawers or vanity case? My 11 yo is obsessed with making slime and wants lots of slime ingredients. I'm also going to get her stuff from Claire's, books, clothes (New Look), music, scrabble! Does she have a docking station for her phone? That went down well last year.

She has a a dressing table' she had her bedroom done out last year.

What does a docking station do?

I think docking station is same as a blue tooth speaker that you can attach your phone to to play music through it.

How about one of those make over/photo days for her and a friend, tickets to the clothes show live or a budget to get a load of new clothes/accessories.

Real perfume or jewellery (charm bracelet) x

Look at www.buyagift.com for animal experience I got df a ticket for 2 to feed white lions for a 150 then paid for a hotel to. Was an amazing experience. They di loads of good deals at different zoos

Top model? You can get tons in that range. DD and friends loved that for years and my primary class love her cast offs!! Plus the fashion mannequin you make the outfits for. I’ll try and find them as can’t remember the name!