Help please. I have a 14 year old granddaughter

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   tobey100posted 14 years ago

   Well, that's not exactly the problem though it can be at times.  What do you get a 14 year old girl for Christmas?  If you've read any of my stuff you'll know I have 5 boys.  I no absolutely nothing about girls, especially teenage girls.  Suggestions?

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      couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Clothes, clothes, and more clothes.  But don't buy them yourself.  Gift cards to the mall, mall, mall or a store you are positive she favors.  If she is not a girly girl who loves clothes, find out what store she loves and get a gift card.  It sounds impersonal, but you could buy something small from the store she loves and put the gift card in the same box.  She'll have something to open and if she doesn't like what you bought it won't be a great loss.
      
      If she collects anything, dolls, cards, tees, whatever, get one but make sure it's returnable.  Favorite author?  Not likely but just in case, signed copy, photo, first edition.
      
      Cosmetics.  That's makeup, lotions, hair products.  Again.  Gift card only with a little something to open.  Don't buy music unless she actually collects CDs.  Don't go generic like Sears or Penneys thinking she'll have more to choose from.  Boutiques only.  You must find out what store she loves.
      
      P.S.  Don't ask someone else what store she loves, not even her mother.  You must get it straight from the horse's mouth.  Kids are odd that way.  We think we know what they like, but that could be so yesterday.  Just ask her what her favorite clothing, jewelry, accessory, whatever store is.

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      prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Xbox 360 with the kinect controller, Hannah Montana shoulder bag (if she likes her)

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         couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         prettydarkhorse is probably closer in age to your GD.  May know a lot better than I do.  I thought Hannah was out?

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            breathe2travelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Most girls outgrow Hannah by 12.

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      Meredith Clarkeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have a 14 year old girl and can say that girls are a fickle group.  Disney is too young - if  they watch it they won't admit it and certainly won't wear a bag advertising it anymore so nix a handbag with Miley on it.  If you like it, she won't.  If you want to get her something instead of a card, then go to a store you like and ask for help - ask what the 14 year olds are getting.  Go to a Sephora or a handbag store - yes, they love wallets and bags now - and ask for help.  Salespeople are clued in and most everyone gives out gift receipts and those can be wrapped with the gift.

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      mirage erinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi,
      How lucky you are to be blessed with all your kids!
      Actually girls are easier to get gifts for then boys. Please read my two hubs on possible great gifts and places to get them for a fraction of the $!
      http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-Ten-Surpris … Gift-Ideas
      http://hubpages.com/hub/NYC-Designer-Stores
      also, if she has an ipod, and likes swimming, this could be a great gift:
      http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Keep-Lis … n-the-pool
      Good luck!

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   Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

   Cash.  It always works. Always. Does it feel "impersonal" to many adults?  Yes.  Do TEENAGERS care about that?  NO.
   
   Give her cash.  You will thank me.

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      couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Agree.  I'll take some.

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         tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Strange you should mention cash.  That's what I was thinking as well but it is a little impersonal.  The gift cards for clothes is an excellent idea and I'm going with it.  She loves horses and wants one of her own but that ain't happening.

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            Shadesbreathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            This may seem ironic or paradoxical, but cash IS a thoughtful gift when given to a teenager.
            
            They want to pick their own stuff.  Assuming they could/would spend the time to think about some item you give them and appreciate the thought that went into selecting it, they will appreciate cash in the exact same way, because you will have shown that you understand THEIR world.
            
            Frankly, I would even be willing to push it to a bit of an extreme and say that insisting on giving them a gift that meets YOUR definition of "proper" is not actually in the spirit of truly selfless gift giving.  In theory, we should give someone what they want, not what WE want to give them.  Teenagers want cash. (That's my experience having raised three and bought gifts for all their friends birthdays etc. along the way.)

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               rmrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               That's true. I have two teens of my own, and in recent years, they've actually asked for cash. Not just in addition to gifts, either. They've just requested the cash equivalent of whatever we had planned on getting them. I'm guessing they knew we weren't about to venture into Hot Topic to buy them the latest Death Metal t-shirts lol.

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            couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            tobey - horses.  Riding lessons?  Tickets to a rodeo?  Week at a horse 'camp' where they learn to take care of horses and ride?  I know - take her to the track and let her pick the horse.  Bound to be a winner.

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               tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Would be much easier and definitely cheaper

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      livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree here. Cash or Gift Cards. I had a big problem when my nieces became teenagers because they had their own styles and personalities that evolved greatly from the little girls I seen them as.  Giving them cash or gift cards also gave them the independence to make choices on their own.  Of course as they got older, the more cash they wanted or needed. Go figure!

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      rmrposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      LOL! I'm 44 years old and I still like cash! It's a magical gift that can transform into whatever you want, right before your eyes! It's also the only gift that you look forward to exchanging.

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      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with this one! My 13 year old loves to have a bit of cash to splash other than her allowance.

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   Mikeydoesposted 14 years ago

   Thats the age where girls are in to texting.
   
   All the girls do is sit on their phones and text each other.

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      livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Not just the girls.. My nephew had accumulated over 18,000 text messages last month alone.  That's roughly 600 texts per day.  I'll have to assume that the majority of them where simple (k, IDK, Yea, No, Sup) variety...lol

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         couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         So if your k is/or Idk, that means you get no supper?

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   b. Malinposted 14 years ago

   It also depends how "mature" she is...some fourteen year old girls are going on twenty eight!  I started giving $$.  I thought about "gift cards" but (sad to say) with stores going under...I was afraid.  Most girls love to go shopping, and with money not "some plastic money card" they understand how quickly it gets spent.  I still buy small "treats"...but trying to shop became a nightmare for me!

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      livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If you have a shopping mall near by, most malls have a generic gift card that can be used at ALL of their stores.

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         breathe2travelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This was going to be my suggestion, too -- the flexibility of a mall card.  There is a small fee for purchasing one here, but everyone who has rec'd one absolutely was thrilled.

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   jondavposted 14 years ago

   itunes voucher?

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   prettydarkhorseposted 14 years ago

   But cash is very impersonal. 14 year olds still like to open some gifts.

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      prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am just thinking what my dad gave me on my 13th birthday,  a pocketbook and my first shoulder bag. I was so happy, maybe it is just me. He knows I really wanted those stuff though!

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      alwaysfaithfulposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      you can put the cash in a box so she has to open it...

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   Lifeallstar1posted 14 years ago

   OK, I have to say that I might be the closest in age and I still remember all too well that age. Obviously, everyone is different with what they like but you can not go wrong and she will think you are the coolest ever if you get her a gift bag filled with lotions and body spray type stuff (again if she's into that, if not then other little stuff like that) just fill the bag with little goodies and the key gift in the bag is a gift card to the MALL!! She will think you are the best (and I'm sure she already thinks that!) I always loved gifts like that. The fun part for her is the shopping (that age they are pretty picky and it's not worth picking it out, she will love the fact that she gets too!). If you don't like that idea I would ask her parent what she really wants and pick something from that list. I know what is popular right now but where you live and stuff depends too. You can't go wrong with the mall gift card (plus you'll know she's spending it there and not just buying anything with it if it was a mastercard gift card, although if you don't live near her and can't buy it online then the mastercard gift card would be next best thing. The goody bag will just make her eyes pop out of her head. Lots of little things like what I mentioned, plus candy and shampoo's and things. Nail stuff if she's into that. I could go on and on if you need more idea's. Just let me know!

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   Jaggedfrostposted 14 years ago

   Also there are some life like models of horses that might serve that need for horse flesh. I know my wife collected them when she was that age.

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   lrohnerposted 14 years ago

   Coach purse or wallet, Tiffany jewelry (particularly the thick chains with the heart or the Tiffany logo on them), gift certificate to a local salon for a mani/pedi, gift certificates to Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch or Victoria's Secret. (Yes, they sell more than lingerie.) Get her a pair of Pink sweatpants by VS and stuff a gift certificate in the pocket.

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    S Bollingerposted 14 years ago

    There are some great ideas here I specially like the one about the gift bag and willing it with lotions and other items teens love. Cosmetics if mom and dad allows, bath gels, hair items and that gift card. I do this same thing for my 28 year old and I see it actually gets used and does not sit on the floor in a corner some where.   If she is into having her nails done toss in a gift certificate for to have them done.

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    Eleanor's Wordsposted 14 years ago

    I agree with the cash or gift card suggestions. Most teenage girls already have an idea of all the things they'd like to buy if they had the money. Many teenagers also want expensive items that they can't otherwise afford, so any money towards it is always welcome - things like Ipod Touch's, phones, etc.  Aside from that it's clothes, clothes, clothes.
    
    Can you ask her parents if there is anything special she would like?  I am a parent of two -though no teenagers yet (although a ten year old going on 20!)Pretty much all our relatives phone to ask what they should get, and I usually have loads of ideas.
    
    If you think that money is too impersonal, you could give money plus a small gift with it.

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    Jaggedfrostposted 14 years ago

    Invade the room, talk to the kid inconspicuously about  nonsense and take mental notes.  Ask a woman after talking to your kid and have her help you decode.  Most girls that age prattle a lot.  Once you get the conversation on whatever started you may not have to say much of anything.

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    Enelle Lambposted 14 years ago

    electronic gifts work too...Iphone Ipad or accessories - and if all else fails - gift cards LOL...My daughter still likes getting them

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    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    Totally agree with the mall gift card idea.
    But also love the idea of "hiding" it in something bigger.
    The Christmas tree would be pretty empty if everyone gave/got gift cards only! It's nice to have a pretty package to open that will disguise what's inside!
    Good luck! MM

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    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    Get her a giftcard for itunes.

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    alwaysfaithfulposted 14 years ago

    Can you take her to a store and let her pick out some things? My daughter is 14, and I will never try to shop for her. We go to a store, she picks out lots of things that she likes, and I buy what is in my budget. I send her to another store with my mom. Or, we have also learned that she can take pictures on her phone and send them to me. That way, if I can't send her away, I can go back to the store without her. She likes cash better than gift cards.

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    GetInTheKnowposted 14 years ago

    Seriously as a mother of 4 - three of which are girls - I'd advise gift cards, cash, movie tickets and for the teen with a phone addiction; extra minutes, phone apps (gift cards!) or a phone upgrade.
    
    It's too hard to buy clothes, shoes, makeup etc for a teen unless they tell you the colors, sizes, styles, brands, etc etc. That's where gift cards come in handy - then they get to pick their own present - compliments of you.

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    raisingmeposted 14 years ago

    Money for sure - they love it and they love hitting the boxing day sales!

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    Jaggedfrostposted 14 years ago

    apparently repeating what the person before you just said is a conversation.

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    tobey100posted 14 years ago

    I've enjoyed all your comments but I think I have to go with Alwaysfaithful and Prettydarkhorse.  My granddaughter does need an actual gift to unwrap and cash seems to be the best gift so....I'm putting cash in a box and wrapping the dang thing and moving on with my life.

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