Gifts for tweens that are NOT fashion/beauty?

[cornbunting]

DD1 is 11, and has zero interest in makeup, perfume, and clothing brands, which seem to be the prevailing suggestion in the other threads.

She likes:

• Reading (Hunger Games, Jacqueline Wilson, and Skandar are current favourites)
• Nintendo Switch games (particularly animal crossing, stardew valley, Mario kart)
• Shiny pebbles and "gemstones" of the sort you see in gift shops

Any ideas gratefully received!

Could you make her a cosy reading book? For DD, this meant getting some fairy lights for around her bed, a lamp which had different settings, a couple of cushions, an electric blanket and a travel mug so she could take a hot chocolate up to her room. Reading downstairs was quite a disruptive experience for her as there was too much noise so it was giving her a nice space to escape too. She’s now mid teens and all of this still gets used, occasionally when she’s reading but also when she’s watching stuff on her phone

Agree with lots of these suggestions, DD1 loves her salt light, murano glass style mushroom lights are popular as well. How about a CD player, mine think it's really cool and retro. They also like pyjamas, blankets, cushions, mugs, and hot chocolate. Oh, and Studio Ghibli based gifts always go down well, I found some handmade soot sprites onetsy that were a good stocking filler and posters are popular as well.

Does she play any instruments or sport that means she could get gifts related to that? DD2 got a book of sheet music for her favourite Taylor Swift album and loved that (she plays the piano), DD1 got a gadget to clean her football boots and a selection of pump connectors to keep her football balls pumped up (work for bikes as well).

Children's cook book, and baking/cooking accessories. You used to be able to get personalised things like aprons, chefs' hats, wooden spoons, spatulas etc at Not On The High Street.
Would she be interested in a Fit Bit type watch?
Book ends. There are some gorgeous wooden ones around, and could find some to fit most interests.
Table tennis table, if you have room!
Bean bag.
Hot Chocolate Velvetiser.

Slime rancher for the switch is a lovely game :)

What about a book on gemstones/their meaning/how to make jewellery from them?

I did a giftbox for dd2 which was just a book gift card for waterstones in a box, with a "voucher" for lunch out/coffee...she loved it and we had a great time.

What about a theatre trip just after Christmas?

Book nook kits have been quite big this year - little dioramas in a book shaped case you can put between books on your shelves. I've done a couple of Rolife ones- click together wood- and a (more expensive) Lego Baker St one. Really good fun to do and look at.

Oh my goodness, this thread is full of such beautiful ideas. Although I'm crying at the thought of a CD player being retro!

The ‘twinkly’ brand of fairy lights are amazing.

a course to learn to sew/weave/throw a pot/dive/ dance / surf/ whatever?
an antique writing slope or jewellery box
a bank account and bank card if she doesn’t have one
balance board
switch case
new rucksack
diary and pen
waffle maker/ popcorn maker/ smoothie maker
fluffy socks

A bookcase for her room
Furry throw for bed - At her age I loved decorating my room
Juliet Marillier does YA mythology books she might enjoy
A comfy chair for her room, or rocking chair
Collectors 1/12th dolls house
Gemstones, beading wire, tools, to make her own jewellery - try Beads Unlimited
Personalised bookplates

There are a couple of new books in the Hunger Games universe, does she have them? The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping, you can get her either the books or something related the new characters (Lucy Grey, young Haymitch Abernathy, Coriolanus Snow etc). The movie based on the second book is scheduled in a year from now, but you can make a poster from a picture of book covers or characters images (here is how you can make one) or look for fanmade/official merch with prints, logos, quotes etc. A mockingjay brooch would be a hit if she doesn't have one already!

DD is 12 and definitely NOT into make-up, jewellery or clothes. She got really into the Robert Muchamore series called The Henderson Boys and then his series called Cherub. They're about child spies.

Other hits have been a decent travel neck pillow, a rubix speed cube, a trial drum lesson, piano lessons, a microwave wheatbag and led strips of lights for around her bed.

We got her a Mystery Guide last year, it's a bit like an outside escape room/adventure for a day out together. https://www.mysteryguides.co.uk/products/londoncity?srsltid=AfmBOoru7QZUgVD-WTpEuO8aqXUi7yEazJtvGuN_z6VlOEBLT5ifQfEk

Oh, she's also loved a cube shaped noteblock where you pull off pages to reveal a scene. Hers was Harry Potter.

A spray painting lesson went down well too.

DD was 11 three weeks ago & she’s not really into skincare & makeup, or fashion much for that matter. She’s a fan of the books your DD read too - this is what she got:
Pony Club books
Horse Riding Hat Silk
Sketchers trainers
Junior Marine Biologist for the Day
Night Tour at Wildwood Devon
Sand Art picture
Eevee Plush
Amethyst earrings
Gem jewellery
Colourful shark jumper
Books
Full size guitar
Minecraft fox light
lego orchids
taylor swift t-shirt
plus money, craft sets, jewellery, Squishy plush etc from friends.

For Christmas I’ve bought tickets to see Lewis Capaldi for her & I
Other bits on my list of potential presents:
Oodie
Show tickets to see one of these - Legally Blonde; Matilda; The Lightening Thief, Hercules, TaylorMania, Mamma Mia, Hunger Games
Lego Horse
Lego Wednesday flower
Lego Flowers
Lego Chinese Cat
Wednesday knit jumper Primark

Thanks everyone for all these great ideas. I feel much more hopeful about being able to get her some things she'll like than I felt a few days ago 🥰

I'm not sure what size your DD is OP but I know Primark are doing Animal Crossing pyjamas for adults at the moment - maybe she'd fit into a 6?

I might have to drop in and have a look! She is a summer baby and small with it, so probably not quite in the size range, but you never know!

My 12 year old likes the same things you've mentioned. Books wise, there was a new Hunger Games book out this year. My daughter also loves Lottie Brooks, and Chi's Sweet Home (manga about a cat) and is reading A Box Full of Murders ATM (it's a mystery, not scary, recommended for age 9-13). She also likes the Odd One is Out books by a youtuber who does animations.

Other things my DD likes now or last year are: speed cubing, Kanoodle game, animation (flip books and stop motion animation), tanagram, Lego, Tamagotchis, roller skates, skateboard, anything Sanrio and other plush collections. Simple games like OKplay and bananagrams and Uno Flip. You said not crafts but my daughter has really loved a badge maker and Hama beads and still using them almost every day since last Christmas.

Fimo modelling clay? I still have a brooch my DS made me at about that age.

I'll second the idea of a rock-tumbler.

But only if - you have a place you can put it (like a garage or shed) where the noise won't disturb anyone. And you have the patience to help her, and do it together.

My son picked one out in the giftshop of a museum, and they are a bit fiddly and messy.. but they are a great hobby to encourage slow patience progress. You go to the beach, collect lovely rocks, and then put them in the tumblr with the right sandy/gritty stuff and water. Then they spin for days... then you take them out, finer grit, spin again.. repeat, and after about a month (if things go well) you have beautiful shinny gem-like stones.

It is a lovely slow-burn type of craft activity. More like gardening and waiting for things to grow. But its a good experience.

My dd likes similar things, she really enjoys the Robin Stevens murder most unlady like series and just read the Agatha Oddly first book in the series and really enjoyed that. Maybe get the 1st book as a paperback to open and then if she likes them could continue on the kindle?
Has she got a reading cushion with the high back , they look really comfy.
Does she enjoy baking? Maybe some baking and icing sets?

My niece sounds similar and I'm getting her a book nook kit for her birthday. She's also recently got the Minalima edition of Harry Potter and it's absolutely fantastic, definitely recommend!

A fleece blanket or slanket and a ‘V’ shaped pillow for cosiness while reading.
Bookends.
This mug or Google for similar with hot chocolate sachets, marshmallows etc.
A personalised snack tin - Etsy have loads but I can’t link from the app - filled with cereal bars or other treats

So not sporty then? Any sports hobbies?

She does both gymnastics and swimming, but not keenly enough that she wants stuff for it. Swimming is a bit thin on the ground for add-ons anyway, we have no space or money for our own pool 😂

The high backed cushion is a great shout! I found this one which will probably go down very well (she's not as much of a Star Wars fan as her sister, but has a soft spot for Chewie)
https://www.dunelm.com/product/lucas-chewbacca-large-cuddle-cushion-1000245471

If she likes things like 'The Hunger Games' would she be interested in something like this?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Skills-Kids-Wilderness-Activities/dp/B0F74J11GW/ref=sxin_16_sbv_search_btf?content-id

Sounds similar to my daughter. She has asked for Labubus and an oodie so far. Some of the things she had last year were a lava lamp, posca pens and an instax camera.