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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

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

78 replies

Notcontent · 17/12/2023 15:46

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…

OP posts:
stepintochristmass · 17/12/2023 17:54

I would say...

Some lush stuff - if she isn't into bath bombs they do really nice face masks etc.

Look fantastic.com - they have a trending section and I love getting new toiletries to try.

Some nice hair wash - olaplex or keratese.

Primark for socks, pjs, hair wrap, bands and basic bits.

Voucher for her favourite coffee shop.

Voucher for her favourite clothes shop or cash.

Tickets to a london show.

Stanley cup.

The ugg slippers every teen seems to want this year.

Jewellery - we just got a lovely celestial bracelet from pandora for my step DD.

Nike socks.

Stationary.

Books.

Silk pillow (good for your hair)

Afternoon tea in london or dinner.

Her favourite foods.

Charging cables.

gotomomo · 17/12/2023 17:57

If you have a local independent jewellers, look for a piece(s) made by a local independent designer, silver is usually popular with youngsters. I have bought pieces by a local artist for mine

housethatbuiltme · 17/12/2023 18:05

Gifts don't have to be 'needs', thats kind of the point... the best gifts I ever got where random fun things I didn't even know existed.

Howmanysleepsnow · 17/12/2023 18:10

My DD is à similar age. I’ve bought some bits off her list (Italian charm bracelet, Vivienne Westwood necklace, noise cancelling headphones, Sol de janeiro ) and some things she hasn’t asked for: lego (she still enjoys it and a “toy” seems necessary for Christmas), a care bear (retro cool 🤣), Nike hoodie and cropped tee, makeup, a book, her favourite sweets.
I’ve basically used the same formula for her younger siblings- a couple of big things, a couple of things she’d like, a toy, a book, sweets and a surprise or two.

GodDammitCecil · 17/12/2023 22:00

Daisies12 · 17/12/2023 16:31

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,

13-19 is teen.

17 isn’t even an adult.

Hotcuppatea · 17/12/2023 22:02

How about a ticket to a band or festival for the coming year?

FedUpMumof10YO · 17/12/2023 22:26

Driving lessons ?

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 17/12/2023 22:40

shaunleane.com/collections/best-sellers

Alternative to Tiffany, this designer was the judge on the tv show to pick new jewellers. It's beautiful stuff but edgy.

MrsWhites · 17/12/2023 22:56

What about a shark ‘air wrap’ hair styled thingy…think they are actually called a 5 in 1
or something like that. Obviously quite expensive though, around £250.

My DD and friends like Pandora, they particularly wear a lot of their rings.

TiredCatLady · 17/12/2023 22:58

This might sound brutal but here goes:

We are one week to Christmas. We’re likely past the point of well thought out, planned presents.

Please, please don’t get her “things” so she “has something to open”. The money and a day set aside to go get what she actually wants (she’s a teenager - probably isn’t what you think, even with the best intentions) is better.

Please don’t buy her PJs - I’m sorry but it is a cop out present. (My heart always sank when I opened the inevitable childish/just plain awful PJs that were often the wrong size - I’d be pushed to wear them in front of family then they’d never see the light of day again).

Unless you know what skincare/toiletries she’s using or into, also don’t buy that. More is not more especially if she’s into something particular like Drunk Elephant.

Same as above with jewellery. It’s quite a personal thing and particularly at your daughters age she might have differing tastes to you.

If she absolutely has to have something to rip open then maybe do a “pass the parcel” multiple wrapped cash on a box of nice chocs gift.

Money might seem callous but money well spent on something she remembers or puts towards a bigger goal (like driving lessons or concert tickets as PP have said) will be much more appreciated than a pile of stuff and wrapping paper.

Pinkpinkpink15 · 17/12/2023 23:05

Daisies12 · 17/12/2023 16:31

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,

What??

i think the key in that is teen. Seventeen

she's not an adult.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 17/12/2023 23:13

Hair straighteners/curlers? Make up?

So my 17yo dd has done v well this year, I've got her a new (reconditioned) iPhone, new coat, a couple of new t.shirts, a light projector for her room, nice hair products, lush bath bombs, an adult lego set and a rug for her bedroom.

AllosaurusMum · 17/12/2023 23:18

Money! My parents started giving money around that age but it was a scavenger hunt. We loved it! Each envelope had a riddle with where to find the next one and a bit of money, then the last envelope had the most money in it.

Closertinydancer · 17/12/2023 23:20

A projector so that she can have movie nights watching films from Netflix etc.

Vexxa · 17/12/2023 23:20

I was remembering earlier a lovely Christmas when I was a teen when my mum bought me Chanel eyeshadow and lipgloss. She spoke to the sales lady about my skin tone etc and chose colours that really suited me. They made me feel amazing and I've never loved any makeup quite as much since!

LumionaMoonsplash · 17/12/2023 23:25

My DD is 16, I've got her some trainers she's been after, a hoodie and t-shirt from a TV show she likes, a pretty silver necklace with her initial. Then it's chocolates, cash and toiletries.

pinkzxmas · 17/12/2023 23:25

What does she like?
Does she have any interests / hobbies / sports etc?
Has she started driving lessons?

I love my M&S fluffy dressing gown - I get a new one every few years from my grandparents - have done since I was about 15! lol

BestZebbie · 17/12/2023 23:28

Driving lessons/car insurance?
Nice matching underwear set?
Vouchers for a clothes shop so she can choose her own stuff?
Luggage set for future uni/travel?
Stuff for when she moves out (nice desk lamp, rug, classy duvet cover and blanket set, cookery books?)
Expensive coat (of her choice, but a proper smart wool coat that will last several years) and/or good quality smart winter boots (ditto).

ChristmasCwtch · 17/12/2023 23:38

I was just browsing stuff for me and thinking how much fun it would be to shop for a teen DD… I’ve got young DSs, so it’s all nerf guns and hot wheels sadly 😂

How about:

  • Stanley cup
  • Kitsch hair rod curler thing
  • Charlotte Tilbury mascara
  • Hotel Chocolat penguins
  • Fluffy slippers from White Company
  • The Ordinary skin care set
  • Dock & Bay hair towel
  • Olaplex shampoo & conditioner

The Orelia jewellery range at John Lewis is super reasonable and good quality.

Squiggles23 · 18/12/2023 00:15

You’ve got some great ideas here! A few more bits and bobs:

  • Wax melt burner with little wax melts (can get lots of Christmassy ones or any theme!)
  • Little photo printer that connects to your phone like Kodak/fujifilm. Could get a cool photo frame with little pegs too.
  • Dr martens
  • Portable speaker
  • New duvet set
  • Games: cards against humanity/Disney, exploding kittens, cluedo etc (she might be off to uni soon so could take them along if so)
  • Combat trousers (seem to be popular just pop to uniqlo or H&M)
  • A water bottle
  • If she likes Harry Potter the minalima versions are beautiful and the new almanac book looks cool
  • If she likes bath a nice bath pillow
  • Murdle book or sudoku book
  • Q&A: 3 year book for teens (this would be cool as a changeable time in life £15 on Amazon)
  • A cactus or couple of other plants in cool pots
  • Light up/sunrise alarm clock
  • As you are in London theatre tickets are a great shout. There’s a stranger things one out which might be cool. Or Mrs Doubtfire? You could even book to go a few days later so it looks planned for ages
Original poster
Notcontent · 18/12/2023 00:43

@ChristmasCwtch a hair wrap is a great idea

@Squiggles23 yes, I think I will look for some theatre tickets

thanks again everyone!

OP posts:
Theoldwoman · 18/12/2023 02:42

Driving lessons
Gift cards to shop online after Christmas
Bedding
Box set of books
Jewellery box
Bedside lamp
Rug for her bedroom
Fancy mug with choice of beverage and snacks
Coffee machine
Speaker

CombatBarbie · 18/12/2023 02:55

If there's money spare, the shark multistyler hairdryer? Cheaper than the Dyson but better reviews.

We're going away for Xmas but both teen girls got Nike TN trainers (the new trend taking over from Air Force 1s apparently) and a boom 3 speaker - portable, loud, waterproof. plus stocking fillers.

Jewellery can be hit or miss dependant on the child, but a splurge could be a Tiffany necklace?

Ormside · 18/12/2023 03:00

Same age DD asked for Miss Dior as part of her list.

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