a present for a 8yo girl

[quinne]

sorry if i am posting this in the wrong place (it was the best I could see!)

DS1 is in a new school and has been invited to a girl's 8th birthday party tomorrow. please, please! can anyone tell me what to buy for a present?

My dd would like a book token or a qualipet token, I know that it isn't very imaginative but at least she'll get what she wants if you buy a token. Could you phone the mum for ideas? i don't know what little girls in the UK play with and how much more sophisticated they are than ours (although she did tell me she wants an orange bra for xmas)

Littlest Pet Shop, hANNAH mONTANA, hIGH sCHOOL mUSICAL?

ArSe

The only other fad I can think of that my dd is interested in currently are webkinz. Little soft toys with a barcode or number that you can build a life for on the internet.

My DD is 9 and loves anything HM, HSM.

Also loves anything arty so make your own picture frame/magnets/puppets/Jewellry (not kiddy plastic beads but more grown up versions)

One of her friends bought her a cuddly toy with a bean bag filling which you can microwave which also went down really well.

T-shirts can often be good, and if it's not their style they can easily be exchanged if from a local shop, even without the receipt.

Hope she has fun!

My 8 and 9 year old dds like most art and craft stuff, board and card games, outdoor activities, Sylvanian families, cooking and sewing activities, science kits. book tokens are popular as they read a lot but already have lots of the obvious books.

How much money do people typically spend on presents like this? We have been living abroad and I am out of touch. I don't want to give too little or go over the top. £10??

Usual amount for class friend birthdays is between £5-8. Both DCs have had £5 note in a card sometimes; presents seem to be about £5-8 worth.

Thanks!

I have a 6yr old and a 9 yr old and both would be thrilled with little writing books and nice pens (scented/gel/fine liners). They also love getting accessories such as hairbands and clips, or beads (Claires is great for that sort of thing!)

Also, Pj's alway go down well as gifts in our house.

I always try to avoid specific toys if I don't know what the child has already and try to stick to gifts that you can never have too much of, just incase