Daphne’s turning thirteen, and her father asked me to suggest a special way to celebrate. She told him “no party” (I suppose her mom is planning that).
She’s funny, active, smart, kind of quiet, cheerful, easy-going, and adores her father. She even likes me (I’m Dad’s girlfriend, and I adore both of them.)
So. A father-daughter evening, the last day of her non-teens – any ideas, Dopers?
Thanks!
Why not a trip to the nearest large city? Either that or a shopping spree.
I’d go with something just a bit more “grown up” than she’s used to, to commemorate the occasion. A trip to the nearest large city is an excellent idea, with perhaps a nice dinner and a show. Something she can get dressed up for!
Nipple peircings and a neck tattoo!
I keed!
[BOT]
I like the dinner and theater idea, that would have rocked my world at that age. The whole thing of dressing up is always appealing to young ladies.
What about a weekend away somewhere doing art museums and a fancy schmancy restaurant.
I wish someone did something like that for me when I was a lass. All I got was bumpy cake which still rocks!
Dinner and a movie was what I thought of, but then, hereabouts you don’t get many shows in March.
“Treat her like a lady” in a way that her boyfriends won’t for a few years 
I’m all for a “posh dress-up dinner” - complete with a shopping trip to buy a grown-up dress to wear … it’s what my ex did for our daughter on her thirteenth, and she loved it. I did the party thing for her.
While I like the going out idea, here’s a couple others, for variety’s sake:
A piece of real, “grown-up” jewelery. Doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but a nice ring or necklace with an opal, amythest or something in a nice dignified setting. No bling.
A cell phone. This was my son’s 13th birthday gift and the Best Gift Ever, for him and for me.
A Visa gift card for her shopping spree. A “credit card” with a spending limit.
A bedroom makeover. Many 13 year olds want their bedroom to be more “adult” (or their idea of it.) New wallpaper or paint and a few accesories, not to mention time with Dad doing the work together, would be a fantastic rite of passage.