Christmas Present for 9 yo girl - help! What to buy?

[ItllBeLonelymumThisChristmas]

I can't find the help thread that was around earlier this week so please forgive yet another thread on this subject.

What can I buy a 9 yo girl? She is not into girly things - always had quite a boyish outlook on life I think. I only want to spend about £5 and it must be light for posting and easily available as I absolutely can't go dragging round any more shops unnecessarily (major shopping fatique here!)

Also, if you are full of good ideas, could you please help with a 5 yo boy (again about £5 and lightweight) and little ideas for my 4 children to give to their dad.

Thank you so much.

What about book tokens for the girl? does she like reading? if not how about a token for somewhere like WH Smith where they sell other things like stationery and she could choose something herself.
For the boy I'd go to early learning centre, they have things for your budget - do you know the kind of things he's into?

I think her mother would think I was copping out buying a book token or a WHSmith token, although the thought had occurred to me to do just that! You see, we send each other's children presents and she has never failed to buy mine something "proper". I don't mind getting a book though. I know she reads well - anyone got any ideas what a 9 yo tomboy might like?

As for the boy, I don't know what he likes but I think more construction type thing rather than sport.

Anyone else with any ideas?

You're right that gift vouchers always appear as a cop out, but if she's not a girly-9 year old you could get it very wrong! Do they have internet access? how about a gift certificate from amazon - she 'might' think it's cooler if it's from the internet?

I am not sure if they have internet although I expect so. I just know her mother and know she would harbour a grudge if I hadn't bought a proper present. We used to know each other much better, and then we used to ring each other up and ask for ideas, but now it is all down to guess work, and I am all out of ideas!

i bought a neighbours daughter (11 and a tomboy) a John Rocha schoolbag for her birthday (like a satchel and was about a tenner)

she loved it

Is there time to order things on mail order/internet though? I then have to send it on to her. Oh bum, wish I had done this earlier!

Sainsbury's have Jacqueline Wilson branded stuff including a 'write your own novel' pack.

OR

If you live near a sewing shop or John Lewis you can buy really cute buttons to sew onto, for example, a favourite cardigan

Amazon and sites like that give the delivery dates on there. Think it is also possible to have an email sent to her confirming the gift certificate, plus they start at £5

get this 20Q

and get £5.00 off by doing this easy peasy game which takes about a minute Santa game

Thanks Zippi, I have ordered that and also something else for the 5 yo boy. Might end up keeping it for my kids though! No no, I must be strong!