Creative Presents for 15 yr old DD

[FerminRomeroDeTorres]

Have found creative type gifts for other two DDs (Lino printing kit and wood whittling kit), but can’t think of anything for DD3. She’s 15 - not into make up so no cosmetics etc. She got an embroidery hoop kit last year and liked doing it but wouldn’t do another one I don’t think. Does not enjoy design & technology or art at school so nothing related to either of those. One of her most loved gifts of the last few years is a mini zen garden and she regularly sits and makes patterns/designs in the sand.

Really stuck - I just need something which would be comparable to the gifts for other DDs as they’ll all be coming from MIL and she likes to make sure the gifts are comparable in some way. Budget around £30-£40.

Any ideas at all?

Not for someone who doesn't like crafts, no. I don't have any ideas. There must be something else she'd like?

What about a book nook kit?

Can you maybe get her something that has already been... created? Like a quirky make up bag or similar? It doesn't sound like she wants anything "creative" in the same way the other 2 do.

One of the Lego Botanical sets. I especially like the succulent sets.

Colouring ?? Lots of people getting into colouring with alcohol markers etc recently !

Baking gift box?
Baking is creative, isn't it!

i was given a set of coloured inks and a calligraphy set at this age. Loved it.

What about a punch hook kit. I think that's what they're called.

You get a wooden needle (looks like a pen) and you sort of stab it in and out to make the image. It's good fun and comes in lots of designs and styles

What are these? They look like something dd might like.

Speks magnetic balls

if she likes the zen garden, she might enjoy shaping and reshaping the tiny magnetic balls. It’s part fidget, part relaxation. Creative adjacent, but suitable for someone who isn’t crafty.

These are perfect except she (and other DD) already have several of them already. I’m away to have a look and see if there are any new ones though.

It’s not that she’s not creative - just in different ways from other DDs - one who is very arty, and one who loves woodwork. I think MIL wants to get them all something which will provide a creative outlet for them - something to occupy their time as it were - rather than just another nice gift.

She loves to read, but is already getting a ton of books from us (as are all of the others). She’d actually like something to create a wee reading space in her room - like nice lighting or something, but that’s not really creative unless you can buy a make your own fairy lights kit, and even then, she wouldn’t love the electronics side of things. Interior design and creating a cosy, beautiful space would be more her thing. (Hence why she loves the mini zen garden)

If you go with the book nook, pay attention to whether or not it comes with the glue. They often don’t. I suspect not because the manufacturer is being cheap, but because the type of glue used requires special shipping declarations. It’s easier just to have customers buy a bottle locally. Kind of disappointing on Christmas Day though if you don’t realize and you have someone excited to start their new project immediately.

@FerminRomeroDeTorres there's a new Lego Poinsettia set (I think I've spelled that right - the red Christmas plant).

Candle making kit - try Sculptd

I’m a baker so not something she would use as we pretty much have full commercial baking supplies at home already. (I do love the idea though and have made up wee kits for the DD’s friends in the past)

Now this could work! We haven’t loved the sculpt’d kits we’ve had in the past but don’t think we’ve had a candle one before. Will have a look - thank you!

Book nooks are a good shout A everything is pre-cut, the enjoyment is in the methodical doing - a bit like a jigsaw.

on the same note, have a look at the Piececool metal models on amazon. I was given the parrot a couple of Christmases ago and really enjoyed putting it together.
Parrot!

1 Circular knitting loom, can make scarves and hats. Bit like the old French
knitting with the cotton reel and four nails, but bigger. My granddaughter made several beanie hats with one.
2 Also, big wooden needles and big ply knitting wool, to make blankets etc.
3 Rag rug kit.

Rag rug! Goodness I’ve not seen those in decades! My sister had one of those when she was a teenager. She would maybe like that. Will have a look. Thank you
@Bignanna

They’ve really come back now! My mum used to get a bit of sacking, and used bits of her cut up old dresses to thread through the holes. It’s much more sophisticated now, and there are some good videos on you tube- even I could do it!

What about a big beanbag and a reading lamp?

Already got both. (Several lamps/string lights in fact)

@FerminRomeroDeTorres your DD sounds very similar to my eldest, 14yo DD. This thread is brilliant - lots of new ideas.
How about a jewellery making kit? I don't mean childish bead-threading, but a proper wires and pliers type kit.
Or a lip balm making kit, or bath bomb making kit - both along similar lines to the candle making idea.

Off to Google some of the ideas mentioned on here now!

Will definitely consider jewellery making kit, had kind of been avoiding the idea as it really needs to be a kit which MIL can buy - not a selection of bits and pieces from an independent craft/jewellery shop if that makes sense - and wasn’t sure whether I’d get one which was good. Like we have a great bead shop near us and I could get stuff from there and then get tools online, but MIL insists on buying stuff herself (and then spending a fortune posting it to us) but it has to be a specific item which I’ve told her to buy. (Don’t even ask - I spent many years over the last 20 trying to make sense of it)

We’ve had an epoxy jewellery kit before which all three DD enjoyed and have also had a lip balm one which eldest liked. Bath bombs are out as DD has eczema.

I've just bought one thanks 😊