£20 gift for 11 year old girl I don’t know?

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An 11 year old girl has been incredibly kind to my DC and really helped them settle in at school. I’d like to buy them a Christmas present to say thank you, but no idea what as my DCs are young. I don’t want to ask the parents as I don’t know them, nor do I want them to feel they have to reciprocate. We live quite rurally so a voucher is tricky. Any ideas please?

It would be good to try find out what she likes. She might be into art/ fashion/ science/ music/ books..

Pop corn maker - 19.99 on Amazon for a nice red one. Good for pre/early teens to young to go out but having mates round for movie nights

LAMY fountain pen

Mine would also hate the Joma bracelet.

So spray and notebook or gel pens is a nice idea.

Sol de Janeiro very popular among the 11 year olds around here.

Lush product, snow fairy

My daughter is only just 8 and I think some of the stationery being suggested is really babyish for an 11 year old. I think whoever suggested Lush is on the right track

My 11 year DN is way past the glittery stationary phase and would be a bit deflated with this kind of gift.
She would most like a Boots voucher to spend on face masks and lip balm or a Waterstones voucher for a book or two. Possibly a lovely accessory for her room- picture frame or something.

Key chain to put on their bag is all the rage at my daughter's school. Got one off Etsy.

Is she an 11yo in Yr6 or Yr7? There's quite a difference!
How rural are you? Is there a Boots or Superdrug or New Look in your nearest town? I think I'd be tempted to do one of those

Posca pens & note book

amzn.eu/d/bG4PIXA

amzn.eu/d/1FxUihT

Sharpies & gift box of Candy Kittens (they're vegan so usually ok for most people)

amzn.eu/d/2NzSzLP

amzn.eu/d/bQpbBGL

My 11 year old is a boy but would like gel pens, little note books etc. Maybe look at the works and make up a little stationary box?

I'd get your DD to give you an idea of what she likes. My DD wouldn't have liked any of the things suggested so far. Not all 11 year old girls are into bracelets and stationery.

£20 is a lot to spend, I'd seriously consider a voucher so she can get her own gift. You can easily get a Love to Shop voucher or similar online.

Legami stationery is lovely

Agree, and some people get rashes from certain metals, not what you want to happen. Stationery sounds like a good alternative. And as someone said up thread make sure this is wrapped and identified as a Thankyou gift, not Christmas. I would also write the card as coming from your dd and family to say how much you have appreciated her kindness. I wonder too if the school has a system for thanking pupils who make special efforts, though this might be a step too far and be embarrassing for the girl.

from the title, I WAS going to ask why you'd spend that much on someone you don't know, but the post explained it.
I'm agreeing on Stationery. stationery is great. how much is the Paperchase advent calendar this year? that's a fun present.
otherwise, yeah, something nice from Paperchase or Smiggle will probably be well received

Parent of an 11 year old who would really not appreciate stationery!

For her and her friends it is all about skincare, skincare, and more skincare. Lip oils, lip glosses.

What 11 year olds like now bears no resemblance to even 5 years ago. It blows my mind!

Thanks so much for everyone’s suggestions. This has given me loads of ideas.

It’s hard to know what she likes as she seems to chat to my DD all about the things she likes (Frozen, princesses etc!) - that’s how nice she is. But it would be a good developmental lesson for my DD to try and find out about her interests and see if she can get any info. Eg if she likes Stitch (she is Y6) then I can buy something on that theme.

If not I think I’ll go £10 Amazon voucher, a bath bomb and a note book. I’m happy spending £20 as she really has made a huge difference to her first few weeks of school. I’ll take the advice and wrap it in normal paper include a thank you card rather than Christmas card and say how grateful we are.

No to sweets. They really shouldn't go into school, even as a gift. Stationery usually works; £20 seems like a huge amount in the circumstances though

Lots of nice things in "Smiggle".

Maybe something grownup like an easy pot plant or a bunch of flowers. She's been very mature, so a mature gift seems fitting. Probably no one's ever bought her flowers before.

I agree - I would hate people to buy my kids sweets. Vouchers can be used online what about something like WH Smith?

I just follow the link that another poster added. That's really lovely. Such a genuinely nice/sweet and meaningful keepsake.

Lots of stuff online. Amazon, waterstones or Lush voucher.