Gift dilemma - 17y.o. girl

**lullaby80** · 10-31-2007, 08:57 PM

We always buy presents for DH's three nieces and while the two young ones are easy I'm having so much trouble coming up with something for the 17-year-old. She is not "girly" at all and previous years we've given her a gift certificate to go to Best Buy and buy herself a videogame. When we ask her dad what she likes he has no clue and always says just get her a gc for Best Buy or something. But this year I'd like to get her something else, like an actual present since her birthday is in December and we're giving her a check for a birthday present. Ugh.. Ideas?

**REJB** · 10-31-2007, 09:11 PM

I have a 17 DS. He would love gift cards to restaurants or coffee shops (Chipotle, Starbucks, etc.). Best Buy is also a good idea.

**pita1213** · 10-31-2007, 09:17 PM

why not ask her for a few ideas? at least then you know you'll get ideas that she really wants.
i take the kids to target to walk the toy dept in september and write down things they want so when relatives ask i can give them ideas. my mom just asks them directly.

**sdrjeolsen** · 10-31-2007, 09:21 PM

I know its not really a gift, but an I-tunes gift card. She can pick her own music and do her own CD mix that way. My kids love getting free music.

**lullaby80** · 11-01-2007, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by sdrjeolsen

I know its not really a gift, but an I-tunes gift card. She can pick her own music and do her own CD mix that way. My kids love getting free music.

Ooh what an excellent idea! Just have to make sure they have iTunes first.

Someone suggested asking her, the problem is that don't speak much, my DH has maybe spoken to her twice in the past two years. They live across the country and hardly ever call but maybe this is a good chance to make that phone call, lol.

**justpeachy92** · 11-01-2007, 08:00 AM

At 17 I would still do a gift card, maybe a visa one then she can use it for whatever she wants and isn't limited to just one store.

**Michelle** · 11-01-2007, 12:09 PM

My nephew will be 16 this year, so I'm sorta in the same boat--even to the extent that he has a December bday too.

Anyway, the gifts mentioned before are good ideas. I am going the GC route though, and here are some of my ideas:

Movie theater GC
fast food GC
mall GC
Itunes GC
Best Buy or Game Stop so he can pick a video game
GC so he can go skiing or snowboarding
GC to allposters.com

I'm sure I'll come up with more too

**lwlynch** · 11-01-2007, 12:15 PM

When my daughter turned 16 I started with a charm bracelet. Bought a real nice silver one, and a few sentimental charms, now every occassion, or travel I get a new one for her. I also did this with all my neices, makes a real keep giving kinda present.

**AmyMCGS** · 11-01-2007, 02:09 PM

What about a movie basket? Buy either a video or a $5 gift card to the movie rental store, and package it inside a tub of microwave popcorn (the one that comes in a cardboard bucket- usually my video store has these). Fill the bucket with movie-sized candy bars and treats.

**Jaded** · 11-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by AmyMCGS

What about a movie basket? Buy either a video or a $5 gift card to the movie rental store, and package it inside a tub of microwave popcorn (the one that comes in a cardboard bucket- usually my video store has these). Fill the bucket with movie-sized candy bars and treats.

I love this idea! Very original, and what 17 y.o. wouldn't love having friends over for a movie night? I'd do the video store GC, though, because then she can pick what she wants.

**lullaby80** · 11-04-2007, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by AmyMCGS

What about a movie basket? Buy either a video or a $5 gift card to the movie rental store, and package it inside a tub of microwave popcorn (the one that comes in a cardboard bucket- usually my video store has these). Fill the bucket with movie-sized candy bars and treats.

What a cool idea! This will be nice for someone living close by when I don't ahve to send the gift in the mail.

I went online and checked for movie theatres, the closest one is over 40 miles away from them. YIKES!! Can you tell I was brought up in a city, haha. I'll probably end up getting a giftcard since I haven't heard back from her dad at all. Anything girly is out of the question, I've learned my lesson from previous years.