Presents for girls aged 12 and 10.

[MookieBananas]

I'd be grateful for suggestions. Their mother says 'They like anything, really'. Which doesn't help. They also live abroad and I have not seen them since they were 3 and 5. Their mother always gets things for my DCs, though usually random tat from ebay which they don't like. For some years now I have suggested money in a card but she thinks that is 'lazy'. I would happily forgo gifts entirely, but my friend (their mother) loves gifting and vetoes that too. It's getting more difficult every year tbh.

Usually I do thinks like watches or necklaces in their various favourite colours. I try and find what films they like and buy merch (easier when it was always Frozen). I have tried to get little experience days like a trampolining voucher or a horse riding lesson but their dad didn't like that. I tried cinema vouchers also. Once i did a sponsored animal via WWF but that didn't go down well either for various reasons.

I'm at my wit's end tbh!

My kids love money in a card, I don’t understand why they think that’s lazy? Slime is quite popular at age 10 but not so much at 12. I’d go safe with a Nike pro hoodie each or something quite generic like that.

Why not agree an amount per child each and buy for your own children with a tag from each other. That way no postage and they get what they’d like.

Why does their mother get to call the shots? Just ignore her and send money and then they can choose something themselves. Or ask them directly what they’d like.

I think that makes such sense @24Dogcuddler . I've also suggested that. My friend says she likes wrapping and sending things. [facepalm]. My friend adores Christmas in all it's forms and puts alot of store by it. I get performance anxiety as she will moan to me about what other friends or family do or don't do and how what they did was lacking in some way.

It's been an issue for me for a decade now. I might just have to grey rock it now and do what suits me best and know that it's going to suck no matter what. Which would be money in a card.

Lego Creator 3 in 1 sets.
If they don't like them people will happily buy them off them.
Picture for example. They range from £8 ish upwards.

I’d go down the pamper route, face and hair masks with a beauty headband and satin bonnet (Primark has these) or get them some So body sprays or a Victoria secrets one.
Another option is pjs and fluffy socks.

Oooh I like this.

Boots voucher for the 12 year old.

Beauty things
stationery

Body shop smellies?
notepad and pen supplies for school
lego botanicals
owala drinks bottles

Wow that’s quite a drip

She sounds unpleasant

A personalised wash bag with some toiletries in (Primark is good for this).

Or a girls night in gift…pyjamas, socks, mug and hot choc stick, face mask, etc. Again, Primark is good for this stuff

My goto for girls are;

Journal/notebook, stickers, washi tape, pens (Ali Express usually under £10)
Lego set - like the flower ones someone above has posted or the teeny bricks which are more suitable for older "kids"
Jigsaw, 1000 piece of something they will like
Mini jigsaw, mini lego, sparkly brooch, again all ali express
Book, again you are guessing but just whatever is popular at the moment
Boxed book set from costco of classic books
Pencil case and pens, gel pens in pretty colours.
Smellies set
Nail polish set

Don’t buy slime unless you dislike them!!! Also it’s heavy to post!!!

what about some fun socks
cosmetic/ make up purse/ pencil case with their initial on it?
kit to make a Christmas decoration
stationery

the cost of postage is so much you really have to think about this now.