My niece is turning 8. She has 2 sisters (one 10 and the other almost 6). They have every imaginable toy and I haven't a clue what to get her for her birthday. Right now, she spends most of her time playing outside with friends. They have bug-catching stuff, hula hoops, jump ropes, scooters, bikes, a large playset, you name it...
My mom has asked her multiple times what she wants and she can't think of anything!
I wonder if one of you can think of something that most kids like, but don't have. (How's that for a challenge??) We only live a few miles away from them, so maybe I just give her a "coupon" for a sleep over at my house? We could go to the zoo or a movie, watch a movie or make cookies, etc... I don't know. It feels funny not to give her a gift to open.
She likes puzzles, computer games, crafts, etc...
Help, please! Her birthday is on Sunday!!
So, I decided against the sleep-over because I know I'll have each of my 3 nieces sleep-over this summer, so I worry that the birthday girl will feel that I'm giving her a gift she would have gotten anyway! I ended up getting her a "Swingball" which is a tetherball, only instead of a volleyball on a cord, there is a tennis ball and the kids use racquets. We had one called "ZimZam" when I was a kid and we loved it. My brother's family has neighborhood kids in and out of their house/yard all the time, so I think this game will be used a lot. I haven't seen one in use since I was a kid, so I'm pretty confident I found a unique gift!
Thanks, everyone! This is one of those posts I'll save and revisit when thinking up gifts in the future!
A day out without her sisters!!!! Let her decide what she would like to do.
A piece of costume jewelry for her to open on her day.
If I were the Auntie here, I would get her some cash to spend and a coupon for 'A day with Auntie' ...you guys could have a sleepover and you could take her shopping so she can spend the cash you gave her.
~I am a lover of the good wooden puzzles! Can't go wrong with those if she likes puzzles?
I love the idea of the "coupon" for the outing or sleepover or whatever it may be that you decide on. BUT, just make sure you put a date on the calendar while you are at the party, or shortly there after, so that she knows you are serious, and it will really happen. I can't tell you how many times, my daughters have gotten something like that, or told they would be taken somewhere and it never happens. That just sets a kid up for disappointment (and please don't think I am saying you would do that, I just know how busy we all get with kids, work, home ...) But if you tell her after the party that you will call her mom (or her) the next day and you will plan when to do it, that will let her know you are serious. Just a thought . . . Let us know what you decide!
I really like your idea of the special time with you! You could make the coupons and put them in something (like a mixing bowl?) with some things that are indicative of your plan for the day! If you get real clever, you could put items in there with a riddle or somethings she has to solve. Maybe a small stuffed animal or a sharks tooth (a trip to the zoo or aquarium), a box of theater candy(movie). Hope you do this for your other nieces sometime too!
There are some really neat craft kits out there that are grreat for her age. Friendship bracelets and such. She can make them with her friends or for them.
I think the "coupon" idea is great. A whole afternoon or day with Aunt Anon! A movie, zoo, make cookies, sleep over, all great. It makes a memory that will stay strong and build a great relationship.
What do you give a girl who has everything? You give her the moon.
For my daughter's 8th birthday, her aunt gave her this.
http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-Moon-In-Room/dp/B000EU...
We, adults, got a big kick out of it. My daughter loved it.
Also, try a bag of polished rocks/pebbles -- jasper, quartz, tiger's eyes, etc. Or a geode.
Does she like to read? Books are always good. Anne of Green Gables is excellent for this age.
A fun outing IS a gift. Give her something that goes with it....popcorn and candy and stuff for the movie, or a stuffed giraffe and zoo passes.
You mentioned baking cookies. Does she like to bake? Maybe a kid's cookbook and some of her own baking tools, along with a coupon to come learn some baking skills at your house.
movie tickets, day pass to the family fun center/boomers/mini golf, gift card for bowling. Sounds like she likes to be active so whatever active experience is available give her a gift card/certificate there.
Rainbow Loom! She can make bracelets & necklaces. All the rage here right now. The kit is $17. Makes up to 24 bracelets.
She'll love it!
I'd give her cash. She'd see that and think of something right off.
Go on groupon, they have things like coupons to bouncy castles, movie theater tickets with popcorn, etc.
My dd just got some gift cards to Jamba Juice and Frozen Yogurt places
Another think my dd got was a big unicorn shaped super soaker (i.e. big squirt gun for swimming pools, she loved it!
I would give her an experience.... maybe a cooking class if she likes to cook, art class for crafty things, etc.
OR... season tickets to the zoo, museums, etc
Depending on how you and her mom feel, possibly a mani/pedi outing. No fake nails, just fun.
Have fun!
How about an outdoor activity/membership gift? I don't know if money is a limit for you, but there are lots of summer classes/camp offers out right now. Maybe even a cooking lesson?
Good luck and happy birthday to your very lucky niece :)
Absolutely -- an outing with just you, no sisters or mom along! She is old enough to understand and appreciate the idea of a trip to the zoo or other outing. If she loves nature, what about a trip to Chicago's natural history museum, with lunch included? Or check your local parks and recreation department for outdoor activities for kids that you could take her to. Also your parks dept. may have summer camps or one-time workshops in the summer that are nature-oriented and geared at kids her age -- imagine giving her entry to a "Saturday workshop on identifying local insects" or something like that! The web is your friend here -- go online and look around. Or the museum may have special kids' tours or behind-the-scenes stuff....I can't recall for sure but I think the Chicago natural history or science museum had a huge exhibit about insects (where everything was done as if you were the size of a bug)....
Kids don't need more stuff, they need experiences and time with adults who matter to them. She will love anything you do with her, large or small. Make it all about her for that day.
My kiddos have gotten into marbles lately
My sister does sleepovers as gifts for my kids every year, and honestly it's one of the favorite gifts. Sometimes she takes them somewhere, sometimes it's just a matter of letting them pick a movie, pick the meals, maybe take them out to eat. They LOVE getting the special one on one time they can't get at home with their siblings. To make it a little fancier, she usually makes up a short treasure hunt that she hides around our house for them to find with a small gift and a "certificate" for a sleepover at the end. This is really the highlight of their birthdays every year. You are absolutely on track and a great Auntie!
Museum passes, zoo passes, movie passes, amusement park passes, water park passes etc. You can include a small wrapped item to go with the passes, such as something from the zoo gift shop or museum gift shop, snacks for the movie theatre or amusement park, goggles for the waterpark etc.
This was absolutely our daughters all time favorite toy. She still talks about it and she is now 22. The kids in the neighborhood and kids that would come over, would spin and spin on this thing.
You might call around and see if Target or Toys R Us.. carries these in your area. We have seen them there before. We purchased our daughters Twizzler at a local toy shop that sells educational toys..
http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Swings-###-###-####-Twist-Wh...
I would absolutely do the coupon idea for a day with her auntie, girls mani/pedis (girls this age love that), maybe a movie, if she like to bake which most do maybe make pizzas for lunch then bake cookies for dessert or a cake they love to decorate with icing.
you can even take her to a cute salon rock candy on Lincoln in chicago you can both get your nails done then she will also get her hair done and make-up if allowed, then she will be ready for her outing with her aunt (maybe go out for lunch since she will be all fancy?
my daughter is 8 this would be her ideal day. everyone says she has everything to so she is also hard to buy for.
I love to give gifts of "experience" What I do is wrap up a photo, or tickets or whatever you want to represent your gift. Sometimes I even put it in several nesting boxes.
