Gift ideas for young teens?

[dvcgirl]

We've "adopted" some kids at our local K-8 school for Christmas. Initially, we figured we'd just adopt a few kids and buy them some toys. But after speaking to a teacher, we were informed that there were a handful of kids who don't even have coats, hats, and gloves. We live in New Jersey, and so I think that speaks to the needs of these kids.

In all, we have 9 kids...5 of them needed coats, hats and gloves. 4 just needed gloves, scarves and hats. We even were told about a mother of five children who walks her kids to school each day....and has no coat.

But we also want each child to have at least one gift. We have a gift budget of about $40 per kid.

Some of these kids were so sweet, that they said that they didn't need anything but wanted their siblings to get gifts.

Sooo....we started out at Kohls today to get the coats, hats, gloves and scarves for all of the kids and the one Mom. Not only did we hit a great sale...50-60% off of all outerware, but when we told the Kohls manager what we were doing, she took an additional 30% off of everything! Kohls Rocks!

But....I was wondering if anyone has gift ideas for the following ages...as the kids didn't specify what they wanted....they only wanted coats, or something for a sibling.

An 11 year old 5th grade girl,

A 6th grade boy...

A 7th grade boy...

And an 8th grade boy...

All of the rest we have specific requests for gifts...

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[krcit]

Hmmm, I can't really help with the boys but my 12 year old dd loves crafts. maybe a friendship bracelet set from Michaels? She also loves Bath and Body Works lotions, perfume(the Pink line from VS is at BBW and is nice), board games.


This is a really great thing you are doing. You have inspired me for next year. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

 

[momxx5]

Any age boys....Nerf gun, sports stuff.....especially basketballs & footballs~ really popular this time of year, board games: Battleships, Trouble, Sorry(even themed ones~Disney, Nascar, Spongebob), chess or one fav around here is small versions of 20 Questions.

Girls....crafts!! Maybe lip gloss, hair accessories with brush in a pretty makeup bag.

God Bless you for you kindness, thoughtfulnes and generousity.

 

[lakoda]

What an awesome thing to do for these kiddos! I work at a children's hospital, and we have been shopping for the past week and a half to get ready for Christmas. We try to spread our $ as far as we can!

Ideas for the girl, in addition to what was mentioned, fun and/or fuzzy socks, cute fashion scarves (lots of cute things at Claires), second the idea for art kits - Michaels usually has them on sale. We bought a bunch of stuff at Ulta, they had several stocking stuffer items 5 for $10 (pretty pink hairbrushes, bath fizz, lip gloss, etc). We also bought a few pillow pets b/c they are really popular. We also give away pretty journals and gel pens, great for writing or just doodling.

For the boys...can be a bit trickier since they tend to like pricier electronic gadgets and video games...but we have found that many really enjoy nerf stuff (even the older teens if they aren't too cool for it!), remote controlled cars (or helicopters if you can find them cheap enough, they are tons of fun and my DH even has one), hand held games, board games (we found travel connect 4 for $6 at walmart - not the cheapo generic and actually a decent size), lego or erector building sets, model cars (we usually get the snap together type). It can be challenging trying to guess what kids want! You could also consider an inexpensive mp3 player if you are able to download some starter music. Radio shack had their toys buy one get one 1/2 off today...I wasn't looking too closely but they carry remote controlled stuff and the hexbug things.

Maybe you can hit up kohls again b/c they carry some of the stuff I mentioned, if they are on sale plus 30% off that would help. Good luck with shopping and I hope you can find some good deals!

 

[kacaju]

Sooo....we started out at Kohls today to get the coats, hats, gloves and scarves for all of the kids and the one Mom. Not only did we hit a great sale...50-60% off of all outerware, but when we told the Kohls manager what we were doing, she took an additional 30% off of everything! Kohls Rocks!

How cool!!!!
Games? Toss up and Blink are two fun games you can find on the end caps of Target, Pass the pig is another one with those games my kids love. Other board games: Blokus, Apples to Apples For the older boy Settlers of Cantan is a really great game.

 

[mjantz]

I have a 7th grade son. I'd recommend some Axe bath & body stuff. My DS loves that stuff. Also building stuff like Legos or Magnetixs.

I also have a 5th grade girl. She's all about crafts. I will tell you, no Princesses. We were helping at a local charity & they had put a Princess memory game in one of the boxes for a girl her age & she insisted we replace it because 'She's too old for Princesses'. Simple make-up like lipgloss, glitter or hand lotion. I saw a lot of 'Project Runway' craft kits in boxes for older kids.

 

[mnrose]

My 11 year old DD likes crafty things, music and books. She has asked for an MP3 player for Christmas...and fortunately, she is savvy enough to know it doesn't have to be an Ipod to be fun. Thus, I know that you can definitely find them in the $25-30 range for one that would work just fine. Combined with a $10-20 gift card to Amazon to help start the collection, I'm sure this would rock the world of most tween girls.

My DD also likes nail polish, lip glosses, hair stuff (brushes, nice combs, etc).

My DD recommends the Yotsuba series of books, if you want to go that route. Yotsuba is anime (spelling is probably off on that!), which is very popular among that set. All her friends read this stuff incessantly.

 

[Minnie]

Bless you for doing this

Our work group adopted 5 families from the local elementary schools and we had the same situation with the coats. It has been bitterly cold here so the coats were taken directly to the school for the children that were going without.

As a suggestion for the children that asked for nothing but a coat and a gift for their sibling - perhaps a gift that could be used by all rather than an individual? A board games as an example.

 

[amy-momofthree]

How about board games? That way they can share with their siblings by all playing together

How sweet of you to do this

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I know a lot of people are suggesting board games. Do you know any of these people's living situation? They may not have room to store a board game how about some of those card type games or banagrams. If you do decide on a board game try and get one in a smaller package. The reason I am saying this is in our local area we have some families that are living in a one room apartment, which means they have no room to store a bigger item when not in use. No flames just my .02.

Also, I love the idea of fuzzy socks, bath and body works, and the axe body stuff (we had a coupon in our paper last week on the axe stuff for BOGOF).

Another thing I remember reading on these boards at one time is for those people who have adopted an angel and get them clothes, if you can don't forget new underware.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think every kid deserves something to play with on Christmas am. Board or card games will last the longest. Avoid anything that requires batteries as there may be no money to replace them. Nerf guns are fun if they have the room to run around and play with them. If there is any money left, a special bag or candy or cookies are Christmas dessert would be nice.

 

[bellarella]

I'm not much help on the boys -- buy for the girl, I'd offer the following:

A book light: My DD loves hers. She has to share a room, so having a book light is a way she gets to stay up later. (It makes reading "cool" -- maybe with a couple of books.)

Hygiene products: This one is kind of weird -- someone gave my DD some body spray/powder/deodorant for her birthday. They all smell like baked goods. I thought it was an exceedingly odd gift, but my DD has loved them. In retrospect, I think it's great that she has them, since it is getting her into hygiene in a fun way (she doesn't need an antiperspirant yet, but now when she does, it will be easy to transition).

Lip glosses, nail polish: Along the same line, this seems to be the age where girls want to start heading down the make-up road. It is too young in my family, but I'm fine with these items.

If you do the above, you could get a "make-up" organizer -- Target sells some that are good (Caboodles). It could make a fun gift -- the box with an assortment of glosses, nail polish, body products.

I also agree with the arts & crafts. Kits can be fun -- especially ones that make friendship bracelets and the like. Accessories (socks, fashion scarves) are also a great idea.

 

[Katy Belle]

I have only boys, but when i need a gift for a girl i go to Claire's and get fun jewlery!

Nerf has a basketball set that has 2hoops and a ball, its small, for a bedroom. I found it for $10 at k-Mart. 20 questions is a small handheld electronic gizmo that is so fun! It is about $10 as well. It can be played alone or with a group.

What about a baseball cap ...with the local team on it? Or a cool hoodie?

Good luck! We adopted several kids and adults this year, its a great thing to do!