What to get a 12 yr old girl.

bace · Nov 18, 2005

I've always prided myself on being able to get gifts that make people really happy. Boys are no brainers. And girlfriends have been no brainers most of the time too. I spend so much time around them that I know what it is they need/want.

In this situation my little sister is a complete blank to me. Not only do I have no idea what she's into, but I wouldn't mind being the "cool older brother", that get's her things she may never have known she even wanted. Now, I have a fairly decent budget for gifts this year.

If any of you can suggest anything for a 12 yr old girl that she will think is REALLY cool, I will adore you forever.

My budget for her is basically up to $100, depending on how cool it is.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

LaFoto · Nov 18, 2005

My 12-year-old wants only clothes by Esprit this year.
And, of course, new swim suits for racing (not for training, those are different) and new slippers for inside the pool, and a new rucksack only for swimmers, by SPEEDO, and and and... but then I KNOW what my 12-year-old is into.
Swimming!
And swimming!
And swimming!

And clothes.
Underwear by H&M and clothes and shoes by Esprit.

bace · Nov 18, 2005

I was thinking of getting gift certificates as a last resort.

Even to get her really cool designer clothing would be cool. I just don't want to be the guy that gives her a card for Christmas. I want her to be able to open something and really like it.

LaFoto · Nov 18, 2005

Well, I don't exactly know where you are, but here anything including the colours orange or turquoise seems to be THE HIT. If it has a hood, even better.

Rob · Nov 18, 2005

By her some grown-up makeup? I don't know what your parents will think of that though!

bace · Nov 18, 2005

I'm in Toronto Canada.

terri · Nov 18, 2005

Do you know what her friends are wearing/doing?

That helps a lot.

It's a tough age, so don't beat yourself up for not knowing what she's into right now. She could be ready to want the cool clothes and boy-band music - or she could still be a bookworm and enjoy her stuffed animals.

If she IS into the clothes, you could take a chance on a great little jacket or blazer in some designer name that she could wear with jeans and look all grown up.

Or if you're uncertain of the style she likes, you could give the gift certificate, and just be the cool big brother who actually takes her shopping and lets her pick out anything she wants (worth a lot at that age).

Any way to do some sleuthing while you have some time?

bace · Nov 18, 2005

robhesketh said:
By her some grown-up makeup? I don't know what your parents will think of that though!

This isn't England. Children live sheltered lives. Plus, that little girl won't be going out with any need for make-up for a very long time if I have anything to say about it.

bace · Nov 18, 2005

terri said:
Any way to do some sleuthing while you have some time?

She's coming over this weekend. I will be interogating her then.

Last year I got her a book and some cheap earings.

I thought she was still into the book worm thing, but the last time I talked to her, she hadn't even read the book. Little bugger.

Alison · Nov 18, 2005

I like Terri's idea of a gift certificate and you be the one to take her shopping. I loved anything my brother ever got me. Brothers and sisters have a special bond

LittleMan · Nov 18, 2005

AlisonPower said:
I like Terri's idea of a gift certificate and you be the one to take her shopping.

one more vote for that. :thumbup:

bace · Nov 18, 2005

AlisonPower said:
I like Terri's idea of a gift certificate and you be the one to take her shopping. I loved anything my brother ever got me. Brothers and sisters have a special bond

We used to have a pretty good bond, but since I moved out I don't even know what she likes anymore. Being twice her age, there's a bit of a generation gap. I'm still cooler than my Dad. I just wanna STAY cooler.

I would totally take her shopping, it's just hard to get out to where she lives. Or have her come down here.

anicole · Nov 18, 2005

bace said:
that little girl won't be going out with any need for make-up for a very long time if I have anything to say about it.

Bless her heart! As the little sister, I have nothing but pure empathy for her!

I'm with the rest. You can always hang out at the mall and observe her. Most of all, just listen. It may not be one pricey thing. It may be several things that she has mentioned that you can put together.

(then when she returns home, she'll tell all of her friends "isn't this cool? MY brother got it for me!"

Grounds for hero worship!

photo gal · Nov 18, 2005

AlisonPower said:
I like Terri's idea of a gift certificate and you be the one to take her shopping. I loved anything my brother ever got me. Brothers and sisters have a special bond

another vote for this idea! : )

terri · Nov 18, 2005

bace said:
We used to have a pretty good bond, but since I moved out I don't even know what she likes anymore. Being twice her age, there's a bit of a generation gap. I'm still cooler than my Dad. I just wanna STAY cooler.

I would totally take her shopping, it's just hard to get out to where she lives. Or have her come down here.

Well, that's part of the gift, big brudder - you MAKE the time, Mr. I-Have-Nine-Days-Off. :mrgreen:

You could take her shopping ahead of the holidays so she can buy anything she wants and you're the one who made it happen - and if she goes anywhere she'll have the cool outfit already. You can still pepper her for info this weekend and then buy her something on the sly, so she'll still have something smaller to open for Christmas. Some funky jewelry or a diary or something.

Yep, it's a little effort, but being the cool big brother means a little work.