12 year old girl - what are you getting them?

[thaegumathteth]

I can think of thousands of small gifts but nothing really as a main gift and she doesn't know herself. She doesn't need any technology.

I'll get her some clothes but that's all I can think of really and it's a bit boring.

She's into dancing, animals etc. Considered a zookeeper experience but not sure she'd enjoy it on her own iyswim?

She did ask for a dressing table but where she wants it to go it won't fit so she's changed her mind 🙄🙄.

Any inspiration?

Both my children have done zookeeper experiences. It really is worth it if she’s an animal lover!

For those people buying phones, would you mind saying which one, or ballpark figure? My dd wants one and I am going round in circles of what is reasonable to spend vs quality.

This is a great idea!

The babyliss curl secrets are good for younger girls as not so much opportunity to burn themselves as all hot parts are mostly hidden away.

Dd is getting:
PS2 (random but she likes retro- from CEX)
fidget toy advent calendar
Perfume sets
Clothes from Shein
Straighteners
Trainers

Oh she wants a waffle maker too 😅

Where did you get the fidget ring?

This is a great age to try a new activity: eg riding lessons at a BHS approved riding school.

Following as DD wants Taylor Swift tickets but may not be released before Christmas.

Alternatives on list at moment are record player and sewing machine as main bits.

Going to have to look up those Posca Pens as they are raved about on a few threads.

@chillimice how did you go about doing up DD's room for Christmas. Did you do it before? I'd like to be able to surprise DD with something like this but don't think I could actually make it work.

I've a 13 yo boy that I'm stuck on-was thinking of escape room voucher or stunt scooter but not sure he'd love either & just need something to bulk out the good table tennis clip on net from decathlon

sorry I must have missed something. Why was the previous poster deleted? I am confused.

Mine has asked for…
converse
cargo pants
so…? Body spray
chocolate
wireless headphones
a burrito blanket
bath bombs
perfume (she likes one from new look)
fluffy socks

@euff we bought everything and wrapped it up
boxed to make a gigantic pile for her to open. Some of it was really unexciting like a waste paper bin but somehow having it wrapped up made it better.. Plus she then enjoyed arranging it all perfectly (she would've hated me doing it for her)

We bought a refurbished iPhone from Amazon and it's been perfectly fine. They come in different grades (conditions) so you just need to make sure you read the descriptions well. Comes with an Amazon warranty.

Can recommend the website Backmarket for refurbished phones too, I bought dd a refurbished Samsung 9 a year ago and it's worked perfectly since.

we've used reboxed for refurbished phones, and got DD airpods from there last year - always been happy with the quality and service
other than that, as DD (12 in January) is obsessed with Harry Potter she's getting some merch from that, as well as hand knitted jumper with her initial on it, in the form of a Weasley Christmas jumper, and an apple homepod to allow her to play music etc in her room

@AllBellyandBoobs
I bought DD a phone for her birthday, an upgrade from the emergency Nokia 3210 that she had used when out and about with friends.

She doesnt care about labels so I got her a Nokia it was under £200 at the time with case and wireless ear phones and she uses the sim from the old phone at £3.99 a month.

Its a bit slower than an iPhone but actually when I'm next due an upgrade I'll be buying a Nokia outright instead of going on another contract as its more than adequate for every day normal usage and the camera is fantastic. Even as a smart phone it seems pretty indestructible, she's dropped it numerous times and there's not a scratch on it. She can do everything her friends can do on their more expensive phones but has said that whilst she takes care of it she isnt super worried and anxious about losing or breaking it which many young teens are as she knows its a sub £200 phone not a +£800 phone.