LisaH 0 #1 August 22, 2007 I was thinking an American Express gift card that she can use anywhere. She is the niece of a close friend and I really don't know what her interests are anymore besides boys. They grow up so fast. I miss taking her to the zoo, but she is "like, too grown up for that now."Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #2 August 22, 2007 I think the gift card is a fine idea. She can spend it any way that she wants and you don't have to worry about getting her something she doesn't like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #3 August 22, 2007 Quote I think the gift card is a fine idea. She can spend it any way that she wants and you don't have to worry about getting her something she doesn't like. Is $50 too much? I want her to have fun with it. Edited to add: Or not enough.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #4 August 22, 2007 I don't think $50 is too much. Just think about how expensive clothes are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #5 August 22, 2007 Quote I don't think $50 is too much. Just think about how expensive clothes are. She better not spend it on clothes. She has a Paris Hilton closet as it is. I'll take her to REI. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings 0 #6 August 22, 2007 Instead of Amex, try Visa. Kids these days, they know brands.Why don't you just go to the police station in a red clown suit and let everybody know what we're doing here? I have a phobia for moobs. Thanks, youknowwhoyouare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #7 August 22, 2007 QuoteInstead of Amex, try Visa. Kids these days, they know brands. I thought you could buy anything, anywhere with the Amex card. What is better about Visa? It's a gift card.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #8 August 22, 2007 A lot of places don't take AmEx, but I prefer it anyway. Better customer service if there is a problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #9 August 22, 2007 I didn't know there was a difference either. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings 0 #10 August 22, 2007 What Nightingale said. It's not so much about what's better, but what is more widely accepted. Visa is accepted at more places than Amex.Why don't you just go to the police station in a red clown suit and let everybody know what we're doing here? I have a phobia for moobs. Thanks, youknowwhoyouare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #11 August 22, 2007 Quote A lot of places don't take AmEx, but I prefer it anyway. Better customer service if there is a problem. I agree. So what else can I do? I want her to have free run of every store. It will be her first shopping trip on her own. And I want to give her the experience of paying by herself. (I will be outside of every door. Nope, edited to add, behind her in every line.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings 0 #12 August 22, 2007 Make a day out of it. Go shopping, go have lunch. Go have girl time. Why don't you just go to the police station in a red clown suit and let everybody know what we're doing here? I have a phobia for moobs. Thanks, youknowwhoyouare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aprilcat 0 #13 August 22, 2007 Quote Make a day out of it. Go shopping, go have lunch. Go have girl time. Thats what I'm talking about!! Do the 'Ladies Lunch'...both of you get dressed up and go for fine dining (LUNCH..the bill will come to about $50 if you splurge) and the memory--priceless! I'd do the lunch first..and then window shopping. You don't really have to spend a lot of money to make it special. Do a museum after OR if you want to spend money..make her dress up and walk Rodeo Drive with something from Tiffany's hanging off her arm. Take pics, cause next year she's going to turn on you like a jackal!!! (Mom speaking here!! LOL)~~April Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #14 August 22, 2007 Buy her a chastity belt and hide the key until she's 21. What can I say? My brother's step daughter and my best man's daughter both got pregnant at 17. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #15 August 22, 2007 Gift card to a book store. My kids are all great readers and love to get just that. If the 12 YO girl is not into books, maybe it will start her on the path. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airkid 0 #16 August 22, 2007 that's a great idea... i was thinking something a little more artsy.... like a musical instrument or lessons... or an easel and palette... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings 0 #17 August 22, 2007 Oooh or she could take the girl to a pottery painting store? You know, the ones where you pick a vase/cup/thing and paint it yourself. Sort of like Build-a-Bear, but for older kids. Kids grow up too fast nowadays. Sometimes, they forget how to be one. We need to remind them it's ok to be a kid. /rant over. Why don't you just go to the police station in a red clown suit and let everybody know what we're doing here? I have a phobia for moobs. Thanks, youknowwhoyouare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #18 August 22, 2007 Quote Quote Make a day out of it. Go shopping, go have lunch. Go have girl time. Thats what I'm talking about!! Do the 'Ladies Lunch'...both of you get dressed up and go for fine dining (LUNCH..the bill will come to about $50 if you splurge) and the memory--priceless! I'd do the lunch first..and then window shopping. You don't really have to spend a lot of money to make it special. Do a museum after OR if you want to spend money..make her dress up and walk Rodeo Drive with something from Tiffany's hanging off her arm. Take pics, cause next year she's going to turn on you like a jackal!!! (Mom speaking here!! LOL)~~April Rodeo Drive? Tiffany's? Are you mad April? Hell no! I refuse to contribute to that part of a 12 year old girl's brain.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #19 August 22, 2007 Quote Gift card to a book store. My kids are all great readers and love to get just that. If the 12 YO girl is not into books, maybe it will start her on the path. That is her parent's job. I'm here to spoil. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birdshit 0 #20 August 22, 2007 Every 12 year old I have seen either has a Nintendo DS, a PSP, or an IPOD. Also a cell phone is a sure winner. edit: if you get an ipod, get a nano or full size. The shuffle isn't "cool", its a consolation prize.. Ya know? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #21 August 22, 2007 Quote Every 12 year old I have seen either has a Nintendo DS, a PSP, or an IPOD. Also a cell phone is a sure winner. edit: if you get an ipod, get a nano or full size. The shuffle isn't "cool", its a consolation prize.. Ya know? I don't know what all of that stuff is. Except the cell phone. ipods, don't know anything about them.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #22 August 22, 2007 Hi Lisa! What are you (and I) doing up? I have a suggestion...the 6th graders, whom I was working with last school year seemed to LOVE their end of year 6th grade class trip to a water park called SOAKCITY. I remember that they wanted so much for me to go with them, which I did! (Nope, I didn't get in the water. I've read too many scary things about water park water...) You should take her to a fun theme park or other place of her choice, where you two (and maybe the mom, as well) can spend quality time together. I think that is so much better than giving her something material. Kids (especially at this age, believe it or not) want our attention, love and personal time, more than those superficial things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #23 August 22, 2007 Quote Hi Lisa! What are you (and I) doing up? I have a suggestion...the 6th graders, whom I was working with last school year seemed to LOVE their end of year 6th grade class trip to a water park called SOAKCITY. I remember that they wanted so much for me to go with them, which I did! (Nope, I didn't get in the water. I've read too many scary things about water park water...) You should take her to a fun theme park or other place of her choice, where you two (and maybe the mom, as well) can spend quality time together. I think that is so much better than giving her something material. Kids (especially at this age, believe it or not) want our attention, love and personal time, more than those superficial things. That means a bikini and boys How about lunch at the beach and this http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #24 August 22, 2007 If you are able to do an event with her, definitely go with that. There is no such thing as "too much" when you're talking about time with pre-teens or teens. If you can't do that, money is definitely the way to go. Mine don't even like gift cards to a specific store because then they have to find something they like there, they prefer the cash.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #25 August 22, 2007 A Daisey Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock. And some safety glasses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
