Need ideas for 11 year old girl!

[Poppy2421]

I need to buy a present for my friend’s stepdaughter who I don’t see that much of (we live far from each other and my children are much younger) so I’m not up to date on her latest interests etc. any ideas would be appreciated for something in the region of £10-£15.
ideas I have had are jewelry - I know she recently got ears pierced - or a book..? But don’t want to get something really uncool!

If in Y7 at my kids school they are all spraying each other with spray from Victoria's Secret! This is between £10/15. So could be a win. Trendy and then you spray it on others and they are delighted! Sounds awful but is very popular! 🤣

A bubble tea kit
Something from the New Look teen range
Simple skincare set
Set of body sprays
Lottie Brooks books
Stationary, things like pastel highlighters, scented gel pens and note books.
Some novelty slippers (my ff loved her koala slippers from Flying Tiger last year).

a bath bomb set would go down well. Lush run a bit more expensive than your budget but bomb cosmetics have some in your range.

www.justmylook.com/products/bomb-cosmetics-gingerbread-land-gift-set?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=All%20Products%20-%20UK&utm_content=Bomb%20Cosmetics%20Gingerbread%20Land%20Gift%20Set&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=JF%20-%20UK%20-%20Performance%20Max%20-%20ROI%2010%20-%20%28TROAS%2012%29&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADoybkq6Uby9zYbkc6_WAjr6mlIoh&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMz83emsiQMVtJVQBh3KwzKnEAQYAyABEgIVl_D_BwE

Why do you need to buy a present for this child that you hardly ever see or know well enough to know what she likes?

Thank you that does sound truly awful especially knowing how cloying those sprays are! But could be a good idea!

Exactly. I wouldn't bother.

It’s one of my best friends stepdaughter, who doesn’t live with them full time. My friend and I both have toddlers so when I am able to visit (they’re a few hours away) we usually do something with the younger kids and the older child often visits her mum on weekends. I am visiting in a few weeks and taking Christmas gifts for the family, I don’t want her to feel left out.

That's really lovely of you....ignore the scrooge, it sounds thoughtful!

I spent some time living with my aunt and uncle. When a friend came round at Christmas she brought me a gift of scent in a novelty shell container. I was thrilled. It was 'Evening in Paris'. I was 13.

The vanilla is gorgeous.

I have a goddaughter the same age, whom I also don't see often due to distance.

Could you think of a few things, then ask the step-mum which one she'd think the SD would like? These are things my goddaughter is into:
-lush bath bombs, lightly tinted lip gloss
-Body shop body mist sprays, shampoo/conditioner or lipgloss
-A craft kit. Make your own bath bombs, make your own lip gloss, kids stained glass window kit, friendship bracelet kit? www.galttoys.com/collections/art-craft/products/nail-art
-She used to love things from smiggle. The have a sale on, so maybe some pens? If she is secondary school though, it might be a bit young for her. https://www.smiggle.co.uk/shop/en/smiggleuk

My dds were both very different at 11 (one was very alternative not girly at all and my other is into fashion and makeup etc) winners for both of them are

Body sprays - mine liked the impulse, Charlie or superdrug sets.
Lip balms - carmex or the fun flavoured ones from primark.
Bath bomb - I would recommend 1 or 2 from lush over a cheaper set.
Giant chocolate bar or bags of sweets/pringles they didn't have to share!!
Costa voucher.
Book mark and an amazon/book shop voucher.
Hot water bottle and fleece blanket from primark.

Get a joint present. Box of chocolate for everyone to share. Job done.

Pointless buying something for the sake of it. Commercialism at its best!

It's a lovely, thoughtful idea OP. So nice to make sure all the family are thought of.

I have a DD the same age and she would love any of the following (hopefully close to or within the price range)

Starbucks voucher or mug
Body spray/mist (Sol de Janeiro is the favourite here but might be outside of the budget)
Claire's voucher or a few pairs of earrings which could go with anything - DD happy with anything silver
Nike sports socks
Phone charm or pop socket

Cute stationary - have you got a Kenji store nearby, something like that? Or one of their squishmallow style plushies....

Or make-up/skincare/beauty stuff.

Or cute PJs or a fluffy dressing gown.

It's nice you are including her I think - very thoughtful.

Username checks out. Bet you're a right laugh at Christmas.

I don't get the whole 'must buy presents' when a joint one will do.

Makes far more sense.

Do you think it seems pointless buying something for the sake of it?
Especially when you have no idea what the recipient likes/dislikes.

Year 7 was when DD started getting into the Classics and collecting 'Beautiful Books' IE clothbound ones and DD particularly liked Animal Farm and the complexity around it. A beautiful version of The Christmas Carol might be a good choice and it's likely she'll study it at school too and will be around the £10-15 mark paired with a small box of 'grown up' chocolates

Or a Costa voucher if she isn't a reader. DD loves a Costa trip with her friends.

My daughter was gifted a lot of treaclemoon which is in Tesco, affordable and popular! You can get a great big set of sprays and shower gel etc for £15

I'd go with the earrings.

And the way I would do it (I've done this with my nieces) is to take a trip in to town, now that it is half term and find a group of girls about the right age and ask them for help choosing.

Lovely thought op. Might be a boring option but what about a gift voucher for somewhere like claire's, superdrug, or local bubble tea bar, starbucks or primark? These are popular places for my soon to be 11 dd.