Gift / essential ideas for 12 year old girl - refugee

[Gab88766]

Me and my husband are sponsoring a woman and her 12 and 1 year old daughters as part of the homes for Ukraine scheme. We have two daughters ourselves but a toddler and baby…I’m getting some essentials in In case they don’t feel like going shopping when they arrive. Any ideas for a nice gift / useful items for a 12 year old girl beyond shampoo etc? I have no idea what 12 year olds do!

I’ve asked her mum but she is very reluctant to ask for any help at all..we’re going to give them cash and vouchers so they can choose their own things as some friends and other family members want to help.

Battery fairy lights to decorate her room, also double as a night light in case she's unsettled at first.

A bath bomb, fun sheet face masks (home bargains usually have a good selection). Nice socks my dd at 12 loved cute & fluffy socks. A nice notebook & stationary.

In my experience, 12 year olds like:

Nice stationery (Paperchase). Maybe a notebook and fancy pen (biro but a nice one)/small set of gel pens?

Lip balms. Many many lip balms.

Throws/cushions/soft stuff

Lights! Eg fairy lights! Or a light up initial. Or one of those light boxes where you can make words like HOME and LOVE.

A nice backpack/schoolbag filled with any supplies she needs for school and some fun stationary too.

Also totally agree with bath bomb, socks with a funny design (eg animals) and face masks (although they can sometimes irritate young skin - my younger DD (11) doesn’t like them)

Great idea with the fairy lights! We’ve offered two rooms but her mum said she’s too scared to sleep alone at first so we’ve put a single alongside a double in the same room..I could still put some lights around her bed though to make it her space

Fluffy, cosy blanket.

12 is still little IMO especially so far away from home. I’d include a cute cuddly toy or squishmallow (Google them!)

I just want to say thank you 💕

Ah this is lovely OP, thank you for what you're doing. I'd agree with cosy things like blankets, fairy lights, a squishmallow, stationery etc, maybe some nice comfy pyjamas?

Me too. You wonderful humans ❤️

Nice moisturiser
Hot water bottle

Yy to fairy lights

Pretty pens and notebook

Fluffy blanket/throw

Pretty nail polish

Maybe an age appropriate book about UK? Not a tourist guide but if there's something a bit humorous could be good

I'm guessing you've got it covered in your essentials pack but sanitary towels/tampons would probably be welcome - for mum if not both of them, they might not feel comfortable asking.

Chocolate

Hot chocolate

New hairbrush, hair ties and /or head band

A watch? Just a thought. Depending how quickly she has moved from Ukraine timezone, the change could be fairly vast and might be reassuring the know the current time

A Ukraine to English phrase book- maybe more for mum

Sanitary pads. Not to present to the 12yr old as this would be mortifying, but something to let mum know is in their own cupboard and available as needed.

I'd also put a banner written in Ukrainian 'Welcome', get a phrase book for yourselves for you can say the basics of hello, welcome, thank you etc and get a translation app on your own phones.

They might like a clock in their room?
Don't know what their phone situation will be and think it could be reassuring to have the time visible when they're in a new place.

Diary or calendar might be nice for when they're getting settled and keeping track of appointments etc.

Another thought- maybe a small nightlight. Depending what they have been through- having a small light on at night might be reassuring- but I'd explain its up to them if they use it.

If you live in a busy, noisy area and they moved from a quieter, country area- eye mask and ear plugs.

@MarmiteCoriander

Another thought- maybe a small nightlight. Depending what they have been through- having a small light on at night might be reassuring- but I'd explain its up to them if they use it.

If you live in a busy, noisy area and they moved from a quieter, country area- eye mask and ear plugs.

That's a good idea.

I'd look at getting a plug socket nightlight for your landing and hallway as well so that if they have to get up in the night for the bathroom or a drink they can find their way easily without worrying about lights.

A torch might be reassuring for them to have too.

My friend is having a 13 year old girl and her Mum and I bought a lovely toiletry bag from bodyshop and filled it with lip balms, face masks, shampoo, shower gels, body spray, hairbrush,
Bobbles, nail polish etc...:

Great suggestions already - think it's a good idea to make period products easily available for both mum and daughter.

Maybe a nice notepad, pens and pencils - she might want to draw or keep a diary. Some (more grown up) colouring books or a craft activity?

A Ukraine to English phrase book is a great suggestion, honestly. Skin/hair care products or cute stuff like glittery bath bombs or body sprays etc.
Maybe stationery items like notebooks or funny pens. Could be a DIY desk calendar with the most beautiful views in the UK.