Birthday - Beaverton,OR

I think that a sentimental jewelry piece is a beautiful idea and will last much longer than the ipod she wants :) Good luck.

I wanted something for my 16th birthday and didn't get it. I got a ring instead; it was a gold ring with a heart shape in it and 3 tiny diamonds. To this day, I still have it. (I am 30 now) I wore it until the band broke and one of the diamonds fell out. I went to get it fixed and I was told the repairs were more expensive than to replace it for about $100, but since it's almost 15 years old, the centimental value was worth the cost of repairing it.

I CAN NOT remember what it was I actually had wanted. I loved that ring the second I saw it and never was sad about whatever it was I had wanted instead.

I think I got a ring too. I still have it. Actually, if you don't have that much money and perhaps a wee bit of time. I love scrapbooks, and making a scrapbook with one page for each year, might be something totally wonderful. When you are 16, you are just starting to realize you will never be a little kid again, and that might be nice to have as something to reflect on together. Also, then you can add on to it every year afterwards. My mom did this for me when my daughter was born to give her a family tree book of pictures. Also, I would "second" the idea of doing something of a special experience, maybe a hot air balloon ride, or something memorable like that (those aren't that cheap by the way, I had one when I turned 30). Good luck!

I too was given a birthstone ring from my grandma. My parents also gave me a ring that was a small diamond cross. She might not appreciate something like that so much right now, but in a couple years, she will. Maybe consider waiting until her 18th for the birthstone ring or necklace, and go ahead with an ipod now. You might be able to find a refurbished one online for a pretty decent price.

I purchased my generic i-pod at Fred Meyer's when it was on a clearance table for $25. I recommend that you do get her an i-pod. You certainly can do it for $100 or less. It will mean a lot to her.

My aunt gave me a pearl ring and I loved it. But rings are not so popular to girls now.

I don't remember what I wanted for my 16th birthday but I do remember that when my mother asked I told her that new curtains for the dining room would be OK. Money was tight. I did get the curtains and still remember how disappointed I was.

My 9yo granddaughter just asked me last week to please buy her one thing from her Christmas list this year. She said she couldn't remember what I gave her last year but she knew I didn't buy one thing from her list. And I think she is correct. I buy presents early and already had her gifts by the time I had her list. They were things she liked and there was no problem at the time.

Sixteen seems to be an important birthday. One that she will remember.

Sorry to hear about your economic situation, I hope things work out for you soon! As for the iPod, depending on how particular she is, you could get a nice little iPod shuffle for about $60. It's the basic model, but it holds 500 songs. You can get it online at the Apple Store.

Best of luck and Happy Birthday to your DD!!

Check eBay for used iPod's too. You just might be able to get her one and have it fit right within your budget. eBay is awesome for those kinds of things.

Good luck!

aren't there ipods for less than 100? if there are and that is what she wants she will appreciate it much more than a ring.

Have you looked at a pawn shop? Our neighbor got a Wii for cheap. I would imagine you could find an Ipod to fit the budget and maybe a ring too.

I remember my birthdays being special because of the people who love me, not the things that they gave me. Some of the most special presents I have ever received were home-made. Think about what your daughter loves, and make something that she will enjoy. As her mother, you know her better than anyone else... She will appreciate the love behind whatever gift you give her, regardless of how much money you spend.

My mother made sure that I knew she was starting a tradition in our family. The girls in our family all get a blackhills gold ring for their 16th, 18th, and 21st birthday.My younger sister, My oldest daughter and I all still have and enjoy the ones we have recieved. The best part is it is now a tradition we have all agreed to keep going :)

I'd get her an ipod. I am a sentimental person and i still have my birthstone ring. Unless you are really certain she is very sentimental and will like the ring, something sentimental will probably mean more to you, but will be a disappointment for her. If you get the ipod, definitley personalize it (its free and makes it harder to steal and resell).
When I was 14, money was very tight and we didn't get much new. I desparately wanted a red 10 speed with handbrakes for Christmas and had picked out the cheapest one i could find. Right before Christmas I found a big box covered and hidden and I was sooo excited.
On Christmas morning, I ripped all the paper off to discover a 3 speed touring bike with footbrakes. I was crushed. It was hard not to cry, but the hardest part was trying to act excited and happy in front of my mom b/c she had picked out this bike she thought was wonderful (safer and it was more expensive).

I would get her the ipod. You can find good refurbished ones on craigslist for less than $100.

My husband bought me an ipod one christmas what was engraved with my name. If she really wants an ipod and you can't get her both the ipod and a ring or something, maybe personalize her ipod. Make a video for her about how proud you are to be her mom and load it onto the ipod. Maybe save the ring idea for when she turns 18 and you have more money...you could also try ebay they have pretty good prices and maybe you could get both within your price rang...maybe pass your ring down to her??? Just a few thoughts for you...Best of luck!

I would get your daughter what she wants, the ipod. Even if it doesn't last as long as a piece of jewelry, the memory of getting something she longed for will last forever.

By the way, $100 is alot of money. It is what we've spent for our kids' birthdays, even when times were good. If your daughter knows your budget, you can ask whether she'd rather have: the less expensive ipod with money left over for other gifts (like a ring), a refurbished ipod or a different brand with more features for the same price. She may prefer a less expensive ipod or mp3 player and have some accesories like an ipod dock, special earbuds or case to go with it. Oh yeah, and she'll need an itunes card.

Blessings your way, I hope your daughter has a wonderful 16th birthday!

A 16 year old should have a nice pearl necklace. It goes with everything from casual to dressy. You can find them around the $100. mark. She will love and cherish as well as have many years of wearing and remembering her 16th birthday.
Good luck,
P. N

Verging a bit from the gift she can hold in her hand, but have you considered giving an experiential gift, some thing she'd really like to do but you may not regularly have the money for it. Maybe it's a one-time deal like a horseback riding excursion or tickets for she and a friend to go to a play or other event. Memories make the best gifts; they can't be stolen or misplaced.