birthday present for a 13yr old...what do I get???

[Cedrus]

My sister's birthday is fast approaching and I don't know what to get her! I'm only 8 years older but I have appeared to have forgotten what I would have liked at that age. I was a tomboy anyway, I remember getting an arsenal shirt and football boots one birthday which I'm sure she would not want, lol. Shes quite girly and she said she likes 'underground grime' so have no clue what artists she would like.

I was thinking of getting her a nice pair of jeans and some make up. But then shes 13 and despite knowing she likes make up, I'm not too sure I want to promote it at her age. Is that being too protective? And then theres the matter of her growing so much in the last year (she's taller than me now!)

Eurgh, really stuck. I mentioned about getting her a biography of a group or something she likes which she was strongly against. Lol, i wonder why...?

So yeah, I am pretty stuck. Any suggestions? What did you want/like at that age?


As a joke, (and because I have someone to give it to afterwards) I was thinking of wrapping up some dora explorer type thing and being deadly serious when she opens it

Thanks in advance.


(Sorry if this in the wrong forum, I'm starting to wonder if it is :S)

[RainbowsAndButterflies]

Can you go to lush and get her some bath bombs?

or like a little hamper thing

bath bombs, candles, bubble bath

stuff like that?

[makedamnsure]

All I ever wanted was books so I can't really help.

But bath stuff is a good idea.
Or jewellry?

I wouldn't risk clothes unless you are sure she will like them. And I see your point with make up.

[XxXflowerfairyXxX]

Honestly, I'd avoid bath stuff. Always seems like a cop out to me. It's great when you're older, I love it now, but when I was 13... I would've found it boring and pretty unoriginal.

Clothes are great. You can't go massively wrong really, as long as she's not deeply into one particular style or anything, she'll be happy with what's trendy right now. American Apparel, H+M, Topshop and River Island are all pretty safe. By 13, if she wants make up, she'll buy it herself so it's not like buying it for her is going to make much of a difference. In fact, something a bit more expensive than what she'd normally get herself would be a brilliant present. If you were to get her one designer lipgloss or something, it's not too over the top.

My thirteen year old brother suggested bags, make up and jewelry.

[Tallie]

If she wants make up I don't think certain things are an issue - like lipgloss, and maybe some pretty eyeshadows. If you're unsure, you could always just get neutral tones.

[frannie]

how about a girls day? you could go shopping together, maybe get her nails painted or something. she might like spending time doing things she enjoys with her big sister :)

[Laura2.0]

You could make her a CD with music she likes.

[random.swirls]

What about some nail varnishes?

Otherwise maybe go shopping for some clothes I remember having a girly day with my godmother around that age and I loved it!

[Cedrus]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I've sort of semi decided to get her some of that soap and glory stuff, whatever its called, just remember it smells really nice (including some lip gloss) and I'll give her some money? I seriously can't buy her clothes, lol, apparently I don't have any fashion sense according to her!

I asked her if she wanted me to take her out for a meal with her friends or something but she said she just wants to stay in and watch movies/get a take away. I think she misses me as I've recently moved out so I'll try and make some sort of surprise for when she gets back from school.

Oh, and paper chase is cool =]

Yeah, I have a good idea what to do now. thanks everyone who replied. It's still a bit odd how quickly she is growing up.

[Mrs Sam]

my niece is 12 and for christmas i've got her some jewellery, a jewellery making kit and some lush bath stuff in an amazing gingerbread tin (i want to keep it but shall refrain!).

I would say you're pretty safe with anything girly like that though.