Christmas Gifts for TEENS

[mommy2mrb]

Sorry about the party. Hope she has fun anyways.

My DD friends are the same. If they do try to plan something it very seldom happens.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I think I'm going to take my dd15 out shopping this year and let her pick out her gifts. There will be a few surprises but she is so picky on clothes and make up that I'm not sure I will find things she likes unless she picks them out. I don't want to spend days returning stuff after Christmas.

On a sad note, she planned a Halloween party for tonight and only two girls were able to make it. She invited two old friends and about a dozen friends from her high school and none of her new friends are coming. She is taking it pretty hard. They all had plans so we moved the date and they still have plans. I don't think it's anything she is doing but kids in our area don't seem to meet up as much as they did when I was a teenager.

Sorry about the party, too...my DD is doing a bigger birthday party this year, and b/c it's on a Friday in December, I already sent invites to give folks time to try to save the date...Thankfully, of the 8 invited kids, I already have 4 yeses, so the theme - a Murder Mystery 50's Malt Shop will still be able to go (I think having the mystery game and the dessert theme, so it's later, has helped the yeses b/c a few of the kids had to work or finish sport activities 1st)...I also had a backup list of a few neighbors and my 2nd daughter's friends that we would have invited late if we weren't getting yeses...thankfully, that seems that it won't be necessary...

 

[100AcreWood]

Sorry about the party, too...my DD is doing a bigger birthday party this year, and b/c it's on a Friday in December, I already sent invites to give folks time to try to save the date...Thankfully, of the 8 invited kids, I already have 4 yeses, so the theme - a Murder Mystery 50's Malt Shop will still be able to go (I think having the mystery game and the dessert theme, so it's later, has helped the yeses b/c a few of the kids had to work or finish sport activities 1st)...I also had a backup list of a few neighbors and my 2nd daughter's friends that we would have invited late if we weren't getting yeses...thankfully, that seems that it won't be necessary...

It doesn't seem like it should be this difficult to get kids to come to your house for some food and fun! Although I hate to say it, I tried to discourage dh from doing this because I worried she would be disappointed. She said some of the kids she invited were planning to meet up this weekend for a scary movie and they didn't invite her.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Something I did for my oldest /am still doing for my youngest: I buy two professional outfits per year. This means they've had something to wear to an interview or special campus event, and it means that when the reach senior year and are involved in internships, etc., they have a small professional wardrobe ready.

I bet not many juniors/ seniors in college can fit into clothes they got as a freshman....just a heads up!

 

[MomToOne]

It doesn't seem like it should be this difficult to get kids to come to your house for some food and fun! Although I hate to say it, I tried to discourage dh from doing this because I worried she would be disappointed. She said some of the kids she invited were planning to meet up this weekend for a scary movie and they didn't invite her.

Unfortunately, this is High School for ya. I read a good article the other day on how brain development makes them all go haywire during these years - basically the parts of their brains that control their impulses and handle logic are completely outshouted by the parts dealing with emotions. Girls brains in particular get "flooded" with emotions, making it all the more difficult - once there's a flood, it takes forever for it to recede apparently!

Thankfully DD17 is almost done with HS. We've had more cases of this sort of thing than I can count these past 3-1/2 years (otherwise why would I have been Googling and found the article on brain development and "flooding"?!). Sometimes DD has been on the receiving end and has been oh so hurt, sometimes she's done it to someone else but can't figure out how they possibly could have been upset because she was "right" in some way, and so she gets upset that they are now treating her badly as a result....Sigh.

My sympathies to your daughter - and you. Just assure her that it gets better eventually, most likely in college (my college experience was night and day compared to High School!).

Of course, I don't remember EVER acting this way myself as a teenager

 

[mommy2mrb]

This is my DD!!! Her emotions have been on overload all during HS. Can you let us know where to find the article???

 

[sk!mom]

I think I'm going to take my dd15 out shopping this year and let her pick out her gifts. There will be a few surprises but she is so picky on clothes and make up that I'm not sure I will find things she likes unless she picks them out. I don't want to spend days returning stuff after Christmas.

On a sad note, she planned a Halloween party for tonight and only two girls were able to make it. She invited two old friends and about a dozen friends from her high school and none of her new friends are coming. She is taking it pretty hard. They all had plans so we moved the date and they still have plans. I don't think it's anything she is doing but kids in our area don't seem to meet up as much as they did when I was a teenager.

I've been taking DD21 shopping for years or having her just send me links to multiple things she likes/wants. She never knows, for sure, exactly which things I purchased but this way I have some ideas that I know she'll like.

High school can be tough although, in my experience, it's an improvement over middle school girl drama. DD had her last big birthday party at 14 or 15, after that she usually just hung out with much smaller groups. Most of high school it was her and her 2 or 3 best friends most of the time with an occasional get together with other more casual friends.

I'm sorry that your DD was hurt!

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks for all the wonderful comments ladies! I agree, it feels like an improvement from middle school but still not great. It makes me feel better knowing this isn't uncommon.

 

[MomToOne]

This is my DD!!! Her emotions have been on overload all during HS. Can you let us know where to find the article???

Here is one I found last week that helped me have the patience to deal with whatever the issue of the day was: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/li...28549947/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

I liked it because it described DD17 to a T.

But it wasn't the one that described flooding. I'm still trying to find that one again!

ETA: Found it! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129150658

 

[CrawfordMom]

Love this thread! I'm looking for a great deal on Sperry Saltwater Boots. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[mommy2mrb]

Thanks MomToOne will read them.

 

[robinb]

Love this thread! I'm looking for a great deal on Sperry Saltwater Boots. Anyone have any suggestions?

I would try one of the department stores when they have a sale and order through a shopping portal light ebates.

 

[McKelly]

For the gamers.......Target has their Buy 2 Get 1 Free Video Game sale starting today.

 

[wenrob]

For the gamers.......Target has their Buy 2 Get 1 Free Video Game sale starting today.

Does not include Nintendo Switch games. There goes that plan/strategy.

 

[robinb]

I am buying my 18-year old college DD a Patagonia Prairie Dawn Insulated jacket. Apparently, "ranch coats" are all the rage now. I also just bought her some PJs and a nice warm blanket from Costco.

 

[sksjasams]

I am buying my 18-year old college DD a Patagonia Prairie Dawn Insulated jacket. Apparently, "ranch coats" are all the rage now. I also just bought her some PJs and a nice warm blanket from Costco.

Just looked that up since I didn't know what is was. Cute and practical - good choice!

 

[havaneselover]

Does not include Nintendo Switch games. There goes that plan/strategy.

Ugh. I just picked up a Switch bundle for DS and was going to send my mom three games to pick up at Target.

 

[bjscheel]

DD19 sent me a video on this drawing tablet:
https://store.iskn.co/products/slate

Last year we got her a Wacom tablet so I don't know whether to get her another.

For DD16's ornament I'm leaning toward a Beauty and the Beast that has Belle and Beast on a Chip-shaped ornament. I may also get her Wii Just Dance 2018 as she loves all of the Just Dance games.

I think both of my daughters would like this cat nightlight:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNPTG7B/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A2H4EMWDSOBZWJ&psc=1

Another idea is my DD16 likes the Metal Factory rings on Amazon. They are really cheap, but DD has worn hers daily for a year now and they hold up just fine.

 

[wenrob]

Ugh. I just picked up a Switch bundle for DS and was going to send my mom three games to pick up at Target.

Yeah, I’m pretty disappointed. It’s usually the manufacturers that set those limits so I don’t think we’ll be seeing many, if any sales for Switch games. I also notice their selection for Wii U games is just about zero. I really had to hunt to find three games in the same price range to make it worth my while.

 

[dalmatian7]

I don't think it's anything she is doing but kids in our area don't seem to meet up as much as they did when I was a teenager.

I read an article the other day about how this generation of teenagers is oldest to get their drivers license, spends less actual time with friends, etc. They experience everything online from their own bedroom and there is no drive for that breakaway from family to get together. I really am glad I went to high school and college in the 90s and grew up without an online presence. Although, there was typical teenage drama then too.