Teen DD - so worried she is going to be disappointed !

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For various reasons I have left my Christmas preparations to the last minute. (stressed lone parent with lots going on). DD (17) has had a difficult year so I would like her to have a nice Christmas. She really doesn’t need or want much - but I know she does still want that magic of opening something special !!

it’s so hard to creat that magic. When I was that age we were not poor (but not wealthy - just average) but I guess no one had that much “stuff” so there was always something I wanted that I would not have got otherwise. DD has all the “tech” she needs and she definitely does not want a new phone just for the sake of it. She is also not into gaming.

I have got her a couple of small bits and her father has got her the only thing she did say she wanted (some noise cancelling headphones) - but he will be giving these to her when he sees her before Christmas.

just having a bit of a rant really - it’s the fact she doesn’t need/want much but when it comes to the day, she will no doubt be sad if there is not much to unwrap. She also knows her half siblings (her father’s children) will be getting lots of presents so it’s all very complicated…

A decent hairdryer (Parlux)

There is some really nice jewellery on Etsy

Bonsai tree for her room?

Don’t feel like you have to create some ‘magic’ for an adult (17 is not a teen). Buy things you know she’ll genuinly appreciate, don’t buy crap for the sake of it,

How is 17 not a teen?

How about booking a spa experience for the two of you? Or another event she might like?

A nice silver or gold necklace.
Bottle of expensive perfume she likes.
Belgian chocolates.
Little bits for her stocking like bath bombs, fluffy socks to wear in the house, new stationery, a good Waterman pen, Turtle Doves cashmere fingerless gloves, skincare.

If you gift jewellery make sure it's silver or gold not just cheap plated stuff that goes black.

Nasty one? How nasty can a bloody 'oodie' be?

Is it not the thought?

Try and remember being 17 OP. Did Christmas presents matter that much? It didn’t for me! I just loved being cosy and happy with no pressure to do much for a day!

It’s DD14’s last Christmas as an only so I’ve worried about it being special. I’ve done a Christmas Eve box for the first time ever (jammies and slippers which she would’ve been getting anyway, mug, hot chocolate, candle, snow globe) and also ordered Santa’s Lost Wallet from Etsy to find under the tree which she will no doubt roll her eyes at but secretly love! Ultimately, we all just want our children to feel like they’re in a cosy little bubble of love, which your DD will feel just by spending it with you.

What about the latest 'must have' school bag? Recently Fjallraven (sp?) has been super cool at our school, but my child needs a new one so am wondering what they next must have bag will be

Would she enjoy something like a trip to London and a west end show? Hamilton is great for this age group, or the new one, Hadestown.

if not is there a red letter day she would like? Indoor Skydiving or zookeeper for a day or anything else that plays to her interests? (Sorry if all already suggested, not read the whole thread)

@Daisies12 the clue is in the word? SevenTEEN. She's not a proper adult yet. My mum and dad still pretend Santa is real to me and I am 54!

Driving lessons
private number plate (if already learning to drive)
fancy perfume
hotel/train tickets for weekend away
concert tickets
thermo printer for phone

Nice fluffy dressing gown (I luv mine from John Lewis £40) it’s so soft & cosy
was going to say Tiffany product
Nice leather purse
Leather back pack handbag thing
watch
Birthstone earrings (if pierced)
box for herself made up of
pringles, Terrys Orange , Haribo sweets , couple can drinks, toberlone ,

Well mine still love the 'magic' in their 20s.

And sevenTEEN is a teenager. The clue is in the word.

Theatre tickets?
A nice piece of jewellery?
A trip for you and her to go to a spa weekend? or an experience day?
Nice perfume?
Retro record player?
Retro film camera (or instant camera)?

A salt lamp
Crystals
Diy bead bracelets, like the Taylor Swift ones
Birthstone jewelry
A hoodie
Nail varnishes
Hotel chocolat velvetiser
Sushi kit
Costa vouchers
Something from urban outfitters
Leggings
Socks - the ones everyone's wearing over leggings
Fingerless gloves
Tickets for a gig/show
Pre mixed cocktail cans
Merch of her favourite band
A print for her wall of something she loves

How about doing some nice things together? I think that's where the magic comes from surely?

Ice skating, indoor 'real snow' skiing, a show...

Ugg boots
pj’s
Chanel perfume or any perfume she likes
money
skincare
cloud nine straighteners
Ghd hairdryer
urban voucher
Turtle dove fingerless gloves

all things my Dd 16 would appreciate

My daughter loves those super expensive Jelly Cat stuffed toys and this morning I came across a Festive Jellycat Afternoon Tea at Selfridges in London so I've booked for us to go there on Friday and we'll see the lights and do some shopping too

Something gorgeous for the bathroom that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. Eg Elemis Frangipani salt scrub or oil.

My DD would love a booked experience with me. I would book theatre tickets and a spa hotel and present them in a little Christmas box x

DD is getting tickets for a London walk about the East End history, very niche but that's what she is into.

For her 16th birthday in Summer she had a behind-the-scene tour at Hever Castle.

Nicely wrapped homemade voucher with a small token gift related to it.

Could you find something similar she is into and would not think of asking for?

You could gift her something like.this

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/events/christmas-beauty-looks/#Book%20Now5

Mac, Charlotte Tilbury and Bobbi brown do it all the time it's redeemable against purchases.

Then go to a champagne bar or for cocktails after and she can meet friends after?
Or you could do a show? Something like Harry potter/six/lion king etc

Amazing suggestions - thank you all.

I will look into some sort of experience for her - we are in London so lots of options!

Does she like theatre? Tickets to see something she is really interested in could be a great present.