Worried DD11's presents are too grown up

[BunTooti]

DD has grown up so much in the last year and she doesn't seem to play with toys at all. Last year LOL dolls were on her wishlist along with squishies, So Bomb kits etc but this year she wants "cool trainers", anime stuff and art supplies...all fine but I'm worried she doesn't have a toy of sorts.

Her younger brother has so many things to play with/do for christmas that I'm worried she'll be disappointed. But he's 6 so their tastes are bound to be different.

They do have a SNES mini to share and I know they'll both like that.

Is this just normal growing up? Am I worrying over nothing?

Is there something your 11 is asking for that seems like the must have toy for that age?

I was thinking about getting us matching oodies so there's still some silliness.

@IncludeWomenInTheSequel

We've got Dobble and some other games. Exploding Kitten reviews are not that great, is it good? Or anyone have any suggestions?

I'm sitting with a groaning Amazon basket, want to get it all done today!

Exploding kittens has been popular with DD2’s secondary school crowd for a few years to play at lunchtime along with uno and you’ve got crabs. They played most days from year 7 to lockdown when in Year 9.

It was also easy enough to teach to some friends who came to us for Christmas last year without too much effort.

I've just been looking up Kracie Popin and I know she would love that.
Now to find somewhere with stock available that will arrive before christmas.

I feel the same way about my DD10. She wants a mirror and curling tongs and make up. She's at her dad's over Xmas until the 27th so her main gift is actually a new cabin bed which she doesn't know about and while she's away, we're giving her bedroom a Harry Potter makeover (new bed, curtains, rug, pictures, cushions, lights, accessories). She will have the presents she's asked for at my mum's house after we collect her and then when we get home, her bedroom door will be wrapped... I feel sick with anxiety about it (especially as I've read some MN comments about bedroom furniture being a crap Xmas present.

Last year was all toys so it feels very odd not getting her any. I did speak to her and explained that her list meant she wouldn't have any toys to open and to think how she would feel and she looked a bit worried and ended up asking for a barbie which I've got her. It's hard when they start to grow up. I've still got a 3 year old so can still indulge in the toy buying for a bit longer. The 3 year old is definitely the easier to buy for!

I saw exploding kittens in the toy section of Sainsbury's this week- no suggestion it was unsuitable. Are you thinking about Cards Against Humanity?

Ah I've just googled it and there is apparently a NSFW edition! This is probably what I've seen (SIL had it!). Don't get that haha

example:
boardgamegeek.com/image/2614309/exploding-kittens-nsfw-deck

@Poppyismyfavourite

Ah I've just googled it and there is apparently a NSFW edition! This is probably what I've seen (SIL had it!). Don't get that haha

It's definitely the NSFW version you're talking about. The original one is a great game with kids. My youngest is 11 and we've been playing it for the last few years. (I'm a bit of a prude about what I allow mine to see/watch, and even I find nothing to worry about with it).

Also grab a pig, randomise, throw throw burrito, go sushi and avocado smash are fast, fun games too.

I've struggled so much with dd (11) this year, its a really awkward age.

I've got her

Board games/games-
Monopoly voice control
Scrabble
Taco cat goat cheese pizza
Uno showdown
The logo board game
1000 piece toy story impossible jigsaw (that's for her to do with my mum and dad)

Electronics
Alexa
Fire tv stick
Alexa bulb
Drawing tablet for her laptop

Clothes
Super dry hoodie
Denim skirt
River Island leggings
Ugg style boots

2 big lego friends sets

Georgie plush (moriah Elizabeth merch)

Bath bombs

Shes also getting not off me

Kick rollers
Fitbit
Ruby hot chocolate

@Treaclewading

We have the same here.

We got some Kracie Popin cooking kits to add to her present pile, she can do these while siblings play. They are basically mini Japanese food kits, teens seem to like them, probably just the novelty value, tofucute sell them (not enough time to get them shipped via Amazon now).

They look fun. Do they actually eat them though?

I think I'm going to order Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, I can see that getting rowdy

@Poppyismyfavourite

exploding kittens is fun but NOT suitable for an 11 yr old! The art and language on the cards is quite explicit!

DD has Tourette's so we're past worrying about swear words in this house 😂

@BunTooti

I think I'm going to order Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, I can see that getting rowdy

Me too!

Following this with interest. My 10yr old DD is feeling harder to buy for this year.

My 11dd wants a key board as her main present so we have that, 2 games -Labyrinth and Don't Say It (I think it's called that anyway!), a HP lego set, a game for her Nintendo lite, a Squashmallow (she still loves cuddley toys), books, a 1000 piece jigsaw, a Nike hoodie, we just painted her room so bits to decorate it -cushions in the new colour scheme, fairy lights with little pegs on them for hanging photos off, 3D gold butterfly stickers for her wall, a new desk lamp, a crystal making set, a few other craft making things, new slippers, bath bombs and other stocking bits and pieces. I can't actually remember what else. I was extra organised this year and ordered most things at the end of September! The Range are great for bits to bulk it up like fancy weekly planners (she loves making plans in advance! Not that she can do much during lockdown!!) and crafty stuff etc

@Poppyismyfavourite

exploding kittens is fun but NOT suitable for an 11 yr old! The art and language on the cards is quite explicit!

Exploding kittens is fine for an 11 yo the "nsfw" version is not.

@Bakeachocolatecaketoday yep I realised that - see my other posts!

Yes, they eat them however my children will eat anything so that's not much to go on.

Agree it is much harder when they move away from toys etc, DD1 just turned 12 and she's not really asked for anything (and not into clothes, make-up, hair stuff or music either)

This is what I have brought her (from us/family):
In a Nutshell (youtuber) calendar & poster set
Ringfit game for Switch
Tinker Crate (STEM subscription box for ages 9-16)
Bubble Tea gift set
Various Books/Graphic Novels
Elements Encyclopedia
Body Shop Satsuma Gift Set
Gravity Maze game
Lego Brickheadz Mandolorian & The Child
Neck Reading Light

We also get family puzzles and boardgames so didn't include those :)

My oldest hasnt sat an physically played with toys since he was 8 or so and even then its been rare since he was 4 unless its a football or very, very rarely nerf (which requires another player).

Never liked lego, marble runs, knex, magic kits, hot wheels etc... I bought him them but most are still unopened at waiting to be sold on.

Is physically playing something many kids do now?
Non of DS friends play with 'toys' either and havent for a long time, I dont know a single 11 year old that would want a doll honestly.

posted too soon, DS is getting:

Theater tickets

Some family games (he does ask to play things like this sometime but problem is his brothers too young and we rarely have time to play a family game of monopoly lol)

Some swimming stuff (hes a great swimmer but hasnt been all year due to covid)

Several Simpsons/Fortnite/Sports team stuff

Map where you can mark the places you have been

And a bunch of random items like a cushion that makes a fart noise (hes a big kid really lol) and fidget spinners etc...

And when they outgrow the toys, the size of the presents gets smaller too! The first year DD didn't ask for any toys there was a flicker of sadness on her face when she saw her little brother's pile of giant boxes alongside her meagre-looking collection. I mean, she got make-up and a mobile phone and was thrilled, but it was a bit of a poignant moment!

Lego Brickheadz are a good 'transition' toy if you can find a character that your DD likes. Or even just a Christmassy one. My DD was never a massive Lego fan but while her little brother was putting together some giant Lego contraption, she quite enjoyed building something small that she could display in her room.

I would ensure she has a craft kit or two to keep her occupied over the period after Christmas eg mosaic kits, jewellery etc. Art stuff was already requested so that has entertainment potential. It's an inbetween age and normal

@BunTooti

Anime is Japanese style animation, very popular. Dd is into it. There's a subscription channel via the internet that's good and (well last year) there was a month free trial, handy if she's unoccupied. Also (and I say it with caution as it drove me crazy) she might like kpop lots of it is very tween friendly lyrics wise

Books?

Off to buy Exploding Kittens!

Same sort of situation here but DD doesn't seem quite ready to give up on toys. She still sometimes plays with lego friends or barbie type dolls but it's quite rare now (but hoping she enjoys them for a bit longer). She's 11, nearly 12 is getting (from us & family):

Desktop computer - she has had this early as all her clubs went back on zoom & was using my phone previously!

Lego London skyline
Bluetooth speaker
Fake oodie
Adidas sweatshirt & leggings
Stickbot animation
Dressing gown
Yoga blocks
Thumb piano
Pens, pencils & sketchpad
Moneybox safe
Make up palette
Hermione doll
Books
Tie dye kit with t-shirts, bag etc
Lego friends cube
Organiser for her lego friends figures
Nail varnish

Stocking:
Chopsticks with instant noodles
Fountain pen
Velvet scrunchies
Fidget cube
Fold up hairbrush
Lipbalm
Bath bombs
Dig kit with gemstones