Lost on Gift Ideas for Christmas

Sounds exactly like my daughter. I was always at a loss because everything I thot she'd like, she didn't. So I finally just told her I needed some ideas. If she still believes in Santa then tell her he needs some ideas. I got both my kids a portable DVD player - mainly for in the car because we travel a lot and it kept the peace. But they loved having them in their rooms also; I just had to set some rules. A gift card to some place like Claire's or Icings in the mall - she loved that because she could pick out what she wanted. They sometimes have these sales where you can get like 20 items for $5 or $10. Just be prepared because it can take awhile to pick out that many items! lol!! Does she draw? A sketchpad of her own would be nice with special art pencils. Fuzzy socks are usually a winner. Does she like to help in the kitchen? Maybe a pretty apron of her own. I just had my mother-in-law make one for my daughter out of John Deere material. She loves it! If none of this works, maybe ask her friends what she wants; little girls usually tell each other before they tell their parents. Good luck and Merry Christmas!!

Sounds like my granddaughter who will turn 10 on Oct 4.

She LOVES accessories like gloves and scarves, so I always get her some. Gift cards are also nice so she can shop the sales after Christmas and get more for her (or my) money and buy what she likes. Target cards always go over great for the kids because they can buy toys, games, movies, CD's, clothing, whatever they want.

My granddaughter is also into bath stuff, the 3-in-1's, lotions and body mists in yummy scents. I usually find them at Bath and Body Works, she loves the Vanilla Bean Noel scent. Lip Smackers are always a hit, they come out with cute sets for the holidays, and so are nail polishes which she loves in blues and greens. She's too young for real makeup so these make her feel like she's wearing it, lol ; )

And because I'm trying to simplify gift-giving this year I'm making all the grandkids, and a few other people, fleece no-sew blankets this year. I've already begun buying the fleece on sale at JoAnn's and love that i can personalize these with prints that mean something to the child. One is little sheriffs (he loves Woody from Toy Story) and trains on the other side as he also loves Thomas the Train. My granddaughter is into lime green, peace signs and hearts, so i found one print in that and another in a soccer print, her favorite sport.

Consider picking your daughter's brain to get ideas, she may surprise you!

then skip the "stuff."

my kids' favorite present from grandparents is a gift certificate to spend the night and one day, just that kid, with grandma and grandpa.

so, think movie gift certificate, ballet tickets, horse lessons, a day of shopping by herself w/just mom, whatever activity she will enjoy with just mom or just dad or mom and dad together but no one else

Hello,
well my daughter is 6 but a mature 6. She is a real creative type and loves "making" and designing clothes for her dolls. She also loooooves watching Project Runway with me, it's our bonding mother/daughter show (yes, I grimace at the occasional bad word or mature situation, but it does go over her head and I'm right there with her). This year she is asking for a sewing machine and I'm so excited!! I looked into kids' machines, but every review said to get a real, but basic, machine instead. So that's what I did. I found this absolutely adorable Hello Kitty machine by Janome (which is a top machine maker). It had 5/5 stars with over 400 reviews by "real" seamstresses, so I went for it. I'm really looking forward to teaching her how to sew. I'm not great, but can make my way around a machine and the basics. Not sure if that's something that would interest your daughter, but just an idea :) Good luck!

I have two girls. ONe is 16, one is 13.
There are coloring books in Micheals that are like stained glass or optical illusions. My girls loved them. My 13 yo still does.

Fancy Q jewelry

3D puzzles

Little House on the Prairie boxed set

nail polish-different kinds like the ones that change color on the sunshine

Hermit crabs

DS/Wii/PS3 or silmilar

iPod/Nano/MP3 player or similar

scarves/belts/socks/shoes/etc--JUstice

earrings

Butterfly chair or beanbag chair--Justice

Pj's

Craft kits from MIcheals, soap making, quilting, learn to knit, crochet,

From Lowe's--catapult, birdhouse,

Those plastic bead filled pillows shaped like her favorite candy. We have Reeses, Twizzlers, and tootsie rolls. Buy them at the Candy Stores in large malls.

Diary

a favorite tv show of yours she might like form the 70s or 80's. My sons fave tv show is M*A*S*H, he's almost 11. We have 4 seasons of MASH Dvd's
Or favorite movie set, Star Wars, ET, Narnia, ect

Nancy Drew fo the computer, PetVet (for Computer)

Cookbook

Science kits, electronics its, chemistry labs(kitchen chemistry, very fun)

My 7 years old are getting, ipod touch (already purchased when Toys r us had buy one get 25 dollars in gift cards). they are also getting flip video HD (magenta, and blue) through amazon.com, i got them a few weeks ago when they were down to 49 dollars (their price goes up and down so just watch for them). I got one of them a digital camera kodakeasy share this week when there was a coupon code through GMA so it brought the price down for 60 bucks less.
the other one will get a digital camera too just need to decide on which one (it will be less than 100 dollars). that is it for my girls.

Gifts cards may not seem to inventive but girls that age love to shop and it may be the best gift you can get her. I love the whole "shopping early" things. I had my kid finished in march, so you're not that early lol.

When I was her age I really liked games that I could play with my sisters or girlfriends. If she is into fashion, you can get those design kits where you trace the model and draw the clothes. Clothes and accessories would be great for this age too (as long as you check with the store on return policy and get gift receipts). I am not sure of you allow this, but at that age I also loved sparkley nail polish and nail stickers (we were only allowed to paint out toes because they get covered up for school). If you do allow this, you can even get her a day at the salon to get her nails done. I would have really liked to redecorate my room at that age, so I would also suggest some really cool bedding and room accessories (something she can grow into and still like as a young teen)!

If she likes clothes - go to Justice. Girls that age love their clothes and accessories.

I would do a gift certificate "tree" for her. Hide her "presents" on the tree... tie gift cards to different places or for different "activities" all over the tree and let her hunt for them! Or hide them around the house and make it like a scavenger hunt.

As adults my mom does this for us... each "couple" gets something that we really need and there's always some "game" attached to it. Last year it was a life-sized word search. She's nuts, but it's fun and in the end we each received a really cool gift depending on what she knew we needed.

Electronics & memberships to fun places like zoo + play pass for indoor playland for my 9 yr old this year.

well, based on the girls in my family, I think she's past the doll/dollhouse/Barbie/toy age. At 10 they're looking at the pre-teen years & it shows. I am assuming she is past this "easy-to-buy" for stage...

Sooo, think about starting to build her electronics. Does she have an Ipod, does she listen to music, does she play video games? Does she have a tv in her room? One thought, tho', if you are interested in electronics....then I would wait until the sales really kick in after Thanksgiving!

Accessories are a huge hit with this age group. Lots of choices there!

Scrapbooking or some other hobby? Is this an area where you could get her interested?

Does she participate in any sports/clubs/organizations? If not, then get her started! It will open a whole other world for you! & gift ideas will improve....

& what about a new bike, skateboard, or skates? Hope this helps!

Why not get out the Toys R Us catalog or the Ikea one or a major department store catalog and flip thru it with her to see if she throws ideas at you. Maybe since she is still young she wont remember doing this come Christmas. At least she would be able to 'shop' with you before you actually start shopping
Or better yet, take her out to lunch one day and do some window shopping and see if she throws ideas your way
My daughter will just be 2 this Christmas so I am still golden in terms of gifts

Good Luck

My daughter is 7.6: Here are a few things we are thinking of -

"how to draw" books, you know, "how to draw horses, how to draw cartoon characters, etc. with some some good art supplies like chalks, and nice art pencils

some American Girl doll clothes for her doll

some items for her dollhouse which we are decorating together

some slides for her microscope (I just gave her my old microscope from when I was a child), but my slides had turned ot dust)

a lego Creator kit

a belt rack for her martial arts belts

winter pajamas (matching her siblings)

a hot chocolate set - cute mugs, marshmallows, mix, etc.

We also are trying to focus more on some family gifts, like we are thinking about getting a tent for a camping trip in the summer (we ahve never camped). Also, I am thinking of re-doing a small play space for the girls in our house (I posted a question on this a few days ago).

Also consider gift cards. One gift card is boring, but maybe buy her a wallet and give her a collection, like $5 to Cold Stone Creamery, $10 to Barnes and Noble, $25 to Justice, etc. I bet she woudl think tha tis cool. Also, how about a gift certificate for a kids manicure?

have her make you a list
dance lessons at a park district
go to a play or musical