Gift for a 15-year-old girl

[twickster]

My niece's 15th birthday is coming up. She's a smart, serious kid, going to the arts magnet high school (she wants to be a writer). I don't know her at all well (her father, my brother, and I are not close).

Any suggestions for a gift? I've done bookstore gift cards more than once before. Is Old Navy where teens actually shop these days?

(BTW, they live in DC, if that makes a difference.)

Thanks for your help!

[~*baby cat*~]

NOOOOOO dont assume she will like old navy's style! 3 years ago i would have wanted money. i got a lot of crappy(no offense) gifts which i am fully appreciable for but never used because aunts of grandmas didnt know what kinda things i liked. as much as money seems like a gift that you didnt spend too much time looking for, you should give it to a 15 year old, let her chose what she wants that will make her happy. she can save it towards a car or to get her driver's license when she is 16, buy clothes she wants at a store she likes, spend it on more pens to write more stuff, whatever. i personally dont think old navys style is for everyone, so give her cash. teens like cash. rather than u spending cash on something she will always throw in her closet or under the bed is a waste of your money. my aunt bought me a laptop just last year because she didnt like wasting a little bit of cash here and there at all occasions for useless things. she knew i was smart and going to college the next year so she spent a large amount on a laptop and said for the next few years i will get little gifts which i am fine about, cos she still sends cards to me. give cash!

[welby]

Amazon gift certificate? Pretty decent selection of stuff other than books. That's what we give the youngster types when we're short of ideas.

[Optihut]

Money is really a big "no, no" for gifts imho. But unfortunately I don't have a good idea either, I always leeched off other people's ideas.

Although I always make a point of giving people something funny and completely useless, because they have already got the things they really want anyway.

[~*baby cat*~]

trust me i was a teen little bit ago. i want cash so does all the others. the more trinkets and crap you buy the more we will throw it out in half a year because its just taking up room. its hard to buy for teens but if u give them cash they wilkl be happy. they will say, ya extra cash toward a new ps2 game, or whatever. trust me. if ur gonna waste your money, at least let the girl have some choice in what it goes towards. gift certificates are like cash, almost except you have to buy something at that shop. you dont want her to be stuck in a situation where she wants to go out with her friends but dont have the cash and all she has is an amazon certificate??? send a card with cash, the card says it all.

[Loneraven]

baby cat's advice notwithstanding, I was a fifteen-year-old female wannabe writer as recently as five months ago, and IMHO Amazon are always a good idea. I love their gift certificates.

Another idea - stationery. I love pretty notebooks and pads. If she wants to be a writer, how about a really nice pen? I've got a silver fountain pen someone gave to me, and it's one of the nicest things anyone ever gave me.

Um... what else can I think of? Music is good, but not so good if you don't know her very well. Similarly with clothes and jewellery.
Oh - is there any book she might like? Perhaps one you yourself like (or liked when you were her age) and would like to pass on?

Happy shopping, and it's nice that you're putting so much thought into this.

[tanookie]

I was going to suggest a writer's journal and an assortment of really cool pens. I really liked that kind of stuff at 15 and I see Loneraven has also suggested something similar.

Throw in the latest strunk and white if you want to be educational as well :)

[twickster]

Ooh, good suggestion, tanookie.

Good suggestions, everyone!

Last year I got her a thing where I paid for two albums from BMG music club, with shipping, etc., and she got to pick out the CDs she wanted. That was a big hit, but I didn't want to repeat myself.

I have no idea what she's reading these days, or has read, which makes me nervous about picking out a book. (Several years ago I got her a childhood favorite of mine and it turned out she had already read it.)

I like the "cool pens" idea -- esp. since I'm an office supplies geek myself and it would be fun to do the shopping for that!

[Count Blucher]

When my nieces were very young, I'd get them Geoffrey Money for ToysRUs for Christmas. When they got older, I got them gift certificates for a local music place (like I'd know their style in music?). Now, as they approach college, I get them gift certificates for Best Buy (music, software, PC stuff, DVDs, TVs, Stereos...there's bound to be something there that they'd want but dodn't have already).

I USED to give cash in a nice card til I heard that their Mother was pocketing the cash after I left and saying "you kids have had Plenty for Christmas already..." :eek:

[~*baby cat*~]

mothering pocketing cash!?!? :O no way...thats evil

[Kalhoun]

My son likes to write. I got him a leatherbound journal which he really liked. And there are a lot of cool pens out there. And maybe slip some money inside the journal.

[Count Blucher]

Originally posted by ~*baby cat*~
mothering pocketing cash!?!? :O no way...thats evil

Unfortunately, this is too true, but my experiances with my EBS (Evil Bitch Sister) are well documented on the board. I'd write about her, but I'm waiting for her to die. Sadly, so are her kids.

[~*baby cat*~]

Originally posted by quietman1920
Unfortunately, this is too true, but my experiances with my EBS (Evil Bitch Sister) are well documented on the board. I'd write about her, but I'm waiting for her to die. Sadly, so are her kids.
PLEASE do tell...

[Zabali_Clawbane]

How about a calligraphy set? Complete with instructional book, paper, pens and ink? That might be a really cool thing. (I'm inot writing, and I love calligraphy.) Buy her a pretty blank book with good quality paper too, so she can learn to write in a beautiful style, then put her thoughts/poems in the book. Ask her mom/dad if this would be something she'd like?

Failing that, why not money? At least you know she'll get something she wants/needs. Tell her you weren't certain of what she'd like, so you decided to let her choose. Maybe give her a beautiful card, as a momento?

[Ethilrist]

Karate classes.

Let's see... my daughter's 15... she got lots of sparkly clothes, The Sims: Superstar, sparkly pens & notebooks... I see a trend here... no wonder I can't get her to karate class. No sparkles.

Maybe if we tried Tae Kwon Do instead ;)

[Jonathan Chance]

Originally posted by ~*baby cat*~
trust me i was a teen little bit ago. i want cash so does all the others. the more trinkets and crap you buy the more we will throw it out in half a year because its just taking up room. its hard to buy for teens but if u give them cash they wilkl be happy. they will say, ya extra cash toward a new ps2 game, or whatever. trust me. if ur gonna waste your money, at least let the girl have some choice in what it goes towards. gift certificates are like cash, almost except you have to buy something at that shop. you dont want her to be stuck in a situation where she wants to go out with her friends but dont have the cash and all she has is an amazon certificate??? send a card with cash, the card says it all.

Look, I don't mean to be rude.

But if that's the attitude I would be facing I simply wouldn't get you anything at all. You wouldn't deserve it.

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Jonathan Chance, at least she was honest when she gave her point of veiw. It might not be what you would think and feel in that position, but it's how she feels.

I remember not being able to go grab a soda, or ice cream with my friends because I didn't have the money. Sometimes, being able to go out and do things with your friends is more appreciated than the classic novel your auntie bought you. The memories are cherished, and stay with you for life.

Yes, the novel is a gift too, and should be appreiciated, and is, but being able to go out and do things is more important to some at that age.

To each their own. It's how she feels, and she was honest about it. Why take offense to that? I'd be more offended by the mumbled thanks, and obvious disuse of a gift than the joyful use of money I gave.

Sometimes, money is not a bad thing to gift. I'm going to send my parents a money order large enough that they can go out and eat Chinese food for their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Dad is retired, and mom is in poor health. They don't get out much, and their finances are TIGHT! Giving them the chance to go out for an evening is the most thoughtful thing I can do. (Heck, I would not be too hurt if they applied the money to a bill either, if it gave them peace of mind.) I'm also sending them a lovely card. (Two years ago I was fortunate enough to find cards that were also matted artworks. You could hang the card up as a small print. I sent those for their birthdays.)

Just because you at first think the attitude is selfish and offensive, Jon does not make it so. She told the truth from where she stands, and she does have a point. Whether or not that point applies to the OP is a different matter.

[~*baby cat*~]

well put..nicely done :D

[Wolfgrrl]

When I was a teenager I know I always appreciated getting cash, because what my relatives thought I would like and what I really liked were two very different things, and it was better to pick something out than get another sweatshirt with a hokey design done in puffy paint. However, I don't like giving cash or gift certificates because I'm always afraid the giftee will feel like I couldn't be bothered actually picking something out. Even if it's someone who I know shops where I got the certificate, I'll usually get something else to go with it (for example, I once gave a friend a Borders gift card with a Mr. Bean doll - he loved it).

Amazon and some other websites now have "wish lists" - ie gift registries, which are searchable. If she's set one up, you could get her something you know she wants, without having to feel like you're repeating the gift certificate experience. You can have it gift-wrapped and shipped directly with a message in the card or have it sent to you for personal delivery. I know etiquette purists decry the gratuitous use of registries, but I think they're great if you don't know what the person wants or what they already have. Again, it only works if she's set one up, but if you haven't checked out that option it might be worth a try.

Also, as a former teenage-wannabe-writer, I'm down with the pens and journal idea. When I got money as gifts, that's usually what I spent it on, apart from books and music. In fact, my mom just got my cousin a journal for her birthday - she's turning 16 soon.

[SkeptiJess]

My daughter sounds similar to your niece -- 15 years old, magnet arts school and all. Doe loves pens, stationery, and journals or tablets of any kind. However, if your niece wants to be a writer, she's probably also a reader, and you can't improve on a book-store gift certificate as a gift for a reader. Maybe a couple of pens or a journal, so you have the fun of picking something out for her (and to feel you're not just throwing money at her) and a gift-certificate for the larger balance of the gift?

[beagledave]

You can pick up capital letters real cheap these day. They look real spiffy at the beginning of sentences.

[Miss Magic8ball]

Well, talking as a 15 year old aspiring writer, I want book certifacates. Chapters, indigo, barnes&noble... or you could buy her a book on writing. Or money. Money is always good...

Or get her a necklace with a nice little pendant with her name or initials engraved on it... Thats what I would have liked. Maybe buy a book or quill shaped pendant.

And you know, money is ALWAYS welcome.

[Loneraven]

Apologies if I'm late off the mark, I only just got online, but I'm in agreement with Jonathan Chance.

Zabali, yes baby cat is honest. Believe me when I say I respect that. But I dislike her generalisations. She is not speaking for all teenagers, merely herself. Doubtless there's many who would agree with her - I know for a fact there are. But I don't like the overall impression her post gives - of all teenagers being unappreciative of gifts that are not money. I like it when people give me gifts that they've obviously thought about. I thought the OP was doing a nice thing in starting this thread and trying to make the gift personal rather than just giving money. Money is useful. But utility isn't the only thing we're going for in a gift, is it?

As always, YMMV.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Originally posted by Miss Magic8ball
Or get her a necklace with a nice little pendant with her name or initials engraved on it... Thats what I would have liked.I second this. I gave my niece a nice necklace with her name on it when she turned 17, she loved it.

[~*baby cat*~]

i never said they are unappreciated, i said i appreciated my crappy gifts if you actually read the post ;)

[tanookie]

They must be out of all the common capital letters these days. beagledave... The bin must only have Q's, Z's and X's!

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Here's a link to a site that sells really neat cameos and pendants too. She might like one from here. Click "Galleries" then look into "Special Items" for the jewelry. Amy Brown Art (http://www.amybrownart.com/)

[twickster]

Those are very cool, Zabali, thanks for the link.

Thanks all of you! I appreciate your help with this so much. Y'all had pretty well talked me into getting a nice journal-and-pen combo, but now I'm starting to think about jewelry too.

[koeeoaddi]

Hey there twicks. kiddoaddi is 16 and also an artist, so I ran your dilemma past her. Her suggestions run along the lines of what everyone else has said. Here they are:

Gift certificate to Bath & Bodyworks, Blockbuster, Amazon or Soundstation (not sure if this is a regional store - a music, posters & T-Shirt place)
Bound sketch book (she likes those big black ones)
Art supplies: drawing pencils, pens, charcoal, pastels
Lined journal (nothing cutesy)

koee

She hates Old Navy too.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Originally posted by Zabali_Clawbane
Here's a link to a site that sells really neat cameos and pendants too. She might like one from here. Click "Galleries" then look into "Special Items" for the jewelry. Amy Brown Art (http://www.amybrownart.com/) Also check out Jules Enchanting Gifts ([url="http://www.julesenchantinggifts.com/). No jewelry there but plenty of other nice things.

[NinjaChick]

I'm going to agree that cash is always good. Frankly, that's what I'm hoping for come my birthday. If you're afraid it will feel impersonal, write a nice note to go with it (more than just 'happy birthday' or something, of course!) One of the nicest gifts I ever got was a 16th birthday gift from my grandmother: a long, personal letter (gramma-to-granddaughter type stuffs), and a hundred bucks cash (largest bill was a 20, btw - which was really nice). In above-mentioned note, she said how she knows that when you're sixteen, it's the little things, like being able to go out with friends and have money, and that she hoped I'd think of her when I spent any of the money. Very nice, and clearly heartfelt.

[ajlilhammer225]

I, being a 15 year old myself, would perfer a gift certificate to a bookstore or something. Maybe a couple of notebooks to write in.
Ajay out

[~*baby cat*~]

NinjaChick you got a pretty grandma I'd say when it comes to gifts and wisdom. ;)

[~*baby cat*~]

Originally posted by ~*baby cat*~
NinjaChick you got a pretty COOL grandma I'd say when it comes to gifts and wisdom. ;)
Forgot the COOL mistakes mistakes...*tisk tisk*

[~*baby cat*~]

sorry but what 15 year old, i mean or what family does not have basic, plain notebooks lying around that would wish for them for their birthday??

[~*baby cat*~]

But I suggested cash because hey the logical thing would have been to buy stationary for a writer but i didn't know you wouldnt have thought of that already....

[Caesar's Ghost]

I'm 16 here.

This year I set up an Amazon.com wishlist for myself, not just for birthdays and Christmases but also as a reference ("what was that book I saw last month? I know I added it to my wishlist...oh, yeah..."). Now that my birthday's coming up--I'll be 17 on June 10--I just printed it out for those without Internet access and gave those with Internet access the address.

It's specific in regards to books. Books are my favorite gift, but I rarely get any simply because everyone is terrified of getting me something I've read before, so that's out. Music's difficult, too.

Personally, what I love getting is a gift certificate or cash, which I'll almost always spend on books or clothes or something. I'm saving up for living expenses in college, so more than likely I'd put the cash in my savings account anyway. And if the relative really just has to get something that reflects his or her "personal touch" in a gift, something little and extra is appreciated, too. You know, a bookmark, a stuffed animal, a T-shirt, a nice pen, something like that.

I'm not one for journals (only online) so I probably wouldn't use the journal, but that's not to say I wouldn't like it and appreciate it anyways if it's a really nice, fancy one. I do love Old Navy though. I wouldn't go with clothes unless you're sure of her size in that particular brand, because getting it too small or too large could be insulting (not saying she'd actually make a fuss, just that she might feel a little miffed).

[tanookie]

Babycat... none of us suggested plain basic notebooks. There is a huge difference between the 75 cent notebook you take chemistry notes in never to be read again and a writer's journal with heavy paper and strong bindings that are to be saved and reread over a lifetime and maybe even passed on to one's children.

And the OP has admitted to not knowing her well so I would rather err on the side of caution and suggest the "obvious" stationary than to give the generic suggestion of "money" that he was clearly trying to avoid by asking for gift suggestions in lieu of his normal gift of gift cards (plastic money)

[norinew]

I have a 15-year-old daughter, and what she could really use for her birthday is an attitude adjustment!:D

Best of luck finding your niece something she'll love! IMHO, an Amazon gift certificate is good, cuz she can shop for her gift online instead of waiting for a time when a grownup can drive her to a store.

[astro]

Dremel® rotary tool or a Spyder paintball gun.

It's the gift that keeps on giving (http://www.dremel.com/html/home_fr.html) and it'll blow lame "writing" gifts away. You'll always be remembered as the non-sexist uncle who encouraged her to embrace the entire range of her mad skillz.

[Teelo]

Originally posted by Kalhoun
My son likes to write. I got him a leatherbound journal which he really liked. And there are a lot of cool pens out there. And maybe slip some money inside the journal.

OH whoa, that is a really great idea!
I would be in love if I ever got a gift like that! Yikes you're smart!

[thirdwarning]

Does she have a camera? I know both of my teenagers love being able to take pictures of their own. Maybe with film and a photo album? Or a gift cerificate that would cover some film developing.

[irishgirl]

I got the kid sister an Emily Strange bag and some skater style jewelry.

She liked.

[twickster]

(Hmmm, would everyone be this helpful if they realized I was a clueless aunt and not a clueless uncle? No doubt.)

[tanookie]

Sorry twickster... my brain kept trying to tell me that but I was up waaaay past my bedtime and not thinking correctly...

*small note to listen better to brain about these things*

[astro]

Originally posted by twickster
(Hmmm, would everyone be this helpful if they realized I was a clueless aunt and not a clueless uncle? No doubt.)

It's your meaty and powerful man hands, they keep confusing us.:p

[twickster]

Damn, so much for my periodic attempts to flirt with you, astro -- no wonder I can't get you to flirt back. (They're gardener's hands, btw -- short nails, scratched up, but not particularly "meaty.")

No, I'm not offended (or by you, tanookie) -- it was more along the lines of a genuine question. Is there some interesting sociological premise being demonstrated here? I really don't think so, since Dopers are such a friendly and helpful crew, but it occurred to me as a possible factor.

[Azure Eternity]

Speaking as a fifteen-year-old girl (and possible aspiring writer - the market's already too crowded!), I definitely agree with the journals and pens as a good idea. Most of my relatives have stopped bothering with presents, but a few years ago my aunt gave me a bunch of writing supplies - stationary, journals, pens, etc. - and I thought it was really, really cool. This (http://www.flaxart.com/f/main.asp?uid=1A98033F-8E94-422D-8C9A-18C6A4BC4015) website has a lot of cool stuff. Check out these journals (http://www.flaxart.com/f/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?uid=1A98033F-8E94-422D-8C9A-18C6A4BC4015&MainCatID=486&catID=69&sl=0&productID=3612&Style=1&curItemNum=2) and pens (http://www.flaxart.com/f/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?uid=1A98033F-8E94-422D-8C9A-18C6A4BC4015&categoryselect=0&pricerange=0&advancedsearch=pen&stype=ADVANCED&sl=1&productID=2185&Style=1&curItemNum=15). BTW, you are so nice to put so much thought into this gift.

[spinningplates]

A quick survey of my students puts clothes and gift certificates at the top. They thought the idea of gift certs. to the movies was a cool idea. Gold necklaces, without initials (I was surprised that was now uncool), and ankle bracelets were a hot item. Journals were spiffy, but candles and incense got high ratings too. Bed stuff like cute throw pillows and sheets, plus picture frames and silly/trendy lamps (delia's, a catalog and .com, was mentioned for a lot of this). Everybody wants little handbags and photo albums and cameras were considered quite nifty. Good luck!

[irishgirl]

Actually I remembered something, from the bracelet thread.

Those Gigi picture bracelets at www.123bracelets.com. They're cute, kitsch, individual and cheap enough that you could get one, plus something else.

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Oooo, I just bookmarked that site! :D