16 y.o.birthday Ideas

If she's learning to drive, I'd get her some jumper cables or a small tool set for her car or an emergency kit for her car.

Those are my traditional age 16 gifts for both boys and girls. They're a little off the typical beaten path. I've literally never had anyone else get this stuff for the kiddos. And they provide some level of independence (and sometimes safety) in an emergency. (If you don't know how to use the jumper cables or emergency kit, get one of the guys to teach her and have her practice a couple times.)

Take her to a special event. (Theatre, musical, etc.)
Or, get her a movie ticket.
Or, get her a gift certificate to somewhere she shops and let her pick out her own gift.
Walmart; any price
restaurants; usually around 20.00
Borders; you can get one for 10.00
Itunes: 15.00
etc.

Buy her a star.
http://www.starregistry.com/

T.,

On a more personal note - a small photo/scrap book with pics you've taken over the years. A nice lunch and Mani/Pedi with you.

Since it's around Christmas, maybe dinner and the Nutcracker (or some other show).

16 is a special birthday - it would be great to try to make a special memory!

Good luck -
C.

In my family, the 16 birthday gift was a hopechest. I don't know what type of girl she is, but I love mine, and still have it.
My sister-in-law went into our house one day when we weren't there (don't ask, long story). She had never mentioned a hopechest, but the next week, she had a hopechest too.
It is one of those things that most people don't think about, but I used to love going through my mom's. It had memories from her and our childhoods, and sentimental items that I loved having her show me.

How about service gifts then? Take her out to a movie & a "khaki pants" dinner (our boys don't go out to dinner in jeans unless they're wearing a dress shirt-makes it more special that way, they usually wear khaki pants & a top). Go with her to get a pedicure or manicure, if she's a reader, spend a kidless day wandering through a bookstore, buy a cup of overpriced coffee, sit & read a few passages in some books until you find a couple of perfect books.
One sister's family is like that-they've got it all & if they don't, they go buy it. Makes it very hard to shop! I've found w/my niece (25 & still spoiled as all heck) she likes homemade stuff-scarves & hats I've crochted, I once made her a journal (bought a nice covered blank journal, drew a picture on the front & wrote an inspirational quote on every other page at the top), I've drawn the Eiffel Tower (painted regular printer paper w/red acrylic paint, drew the Tower on it, wrote a passage about it in French & framed it in a $2 frame that I painted black-it hangs above her TV in the living room), I've made stationary on the computer for our nieces before... email if you need more ideas.
Good luck!

For my 13 year old daughter we held a Blessings party. I invited women that are important in her life and asked each guest to bring a bead that represented something about them or their relationship with my daughter. Then we strung the beads together for a Blessing Bracelet to remind her of all the people that love her and pray for her regularly. She remembers the significance of each bead that was given to her. Very special!

Hi T.,
What about a pampering party just for her & her teen friends? With great products geared towards teens. Plus it's free! I can come with our F.Y.I. (for young individuals) line. We could have them do foot soaks,makeovers, etc. all with the fun, fruity & fabulous products. I would love to send you some info. These parties are fun, simple, no pressure, no obligation just a perfect "gift" for a girl that has everything but would still like something to show how much her Auntie thinks of her :)