Last minute gift ideas. HELP!

[Family Fun Mom]

I am down to the wire and need a little help, folks. I need one more gift for my 14 year old daughter. I want to get her a book but I don't know what "the kids" are reading these days. She was totally into the Twilight series but also loves classics like Little Women and To Kill a Mockingbird. Any good suggestions?

Another one... much harder. The dreaded in-laws I actually like my in laws but don't know what the heck to get them. They are an older professional couple with plenty of money. They already have everything they could possibly want. They don't spend much time with us so we dont know them well but they are always very generous to us. I'm just stuck. Even my dh doesn't have a clue and it's HIS parents! I'd appreciate any ideas you have to offer.

 

[disneybound31]

We never know what to get either set of our parents as well...we give them a nice school portrait in a nice frame each Christmas so they can see the kids as they grow. I also like to make my own fruit/goumet baskets for in-laws and older family members...fruit, chocolates, cocoa mix, a nice box of tea, cheese, water crackers...then wrap it in a big piece of red cellophane and tie a Christmassy bow around the top- you can do these for $10, %20, $30 or higher.

You can never go wrong with "Great Expectations" for your 14 year old. I also loved Journey to the Center of the Earth at that age and even the Little House on the Prairie series of novels. The Man in the Iron Mask is another adventure/classic with a romantic twist she may like. I saw a Twilight movie board game at the $ store the other day- pretty cute- for ages 12 and up. I almost got it for my 40 year old sis-in-law! lol

 

[dthogue]

Did she read the Hunger Games books? They are all the rage right now that age group in our area - there are 3 books in the series - I've read them as well and really enjoyed them.

My only thought would be gift certificates for the In-Laws

 

[NYEmomma]

Did she read the Hunger Games books? They are all the rage right now that age group in our area - there are 3 books in the series - I've read them as well and really enjoyed them.

My only thought would be gift certificates for the In-Laws

I second the Hunger Games. I'm 30 years old and read the series this year... it was really very good. Infinitely better than Twilight.

 

[kelleigh1]

My favorite book when I was 14 was The Outsiders.

 

[shopnfun2me2]

The Hunger Games is my vote too!!!

 

[Terry36]

The Hunger Games is my vote too!!!

Mine as well!

 

[Robinrs]

He doesn't know his own parents?

Get them a gift basket with gourmet items.

As for the 14yo, how about an ereader full of the classics?

 

[kelleigh1]

He doesn't know his own parents?

Get them a gift basket with gourmet items.

As for the 14yo, how about an ereader full of the classics?

Men are clueless. I am much better at gifts for my inlaws than the hubby could ever dream of being and he knew them for 32 years before I met them.

 

[momof1princess]

the in-laws are a toughie...hmm...i'll have to get back to you on that one.

as for the 14 yo girl, i have one of those, so let's see....she read all the percy jackson books and loved them, the little house novels are also a great idea. santa is bringing my 14 yo her own make-up: the whole shebang-train case, small purse case, makeup brushes, mineral hygienics foundation and concealer, 2 eyeshadow kits, blush, eyeliner, mascara, tweezers, eyebrow/eyelash brush, makeup remover towelettes and lip gloss.

 

[averysmom]

The Hunger Games IS good... I also highly recommend the Mortal Instruments by Casandra Clare - City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass and City of Angels. If she liked Twilight, she'll love this series!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I second the Hunger Games. I'm 30 years old and read the series this year... it was really very good. Infinitely better than Twilight.

I completely agree! I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy and it was excellent, so excellent that I had a hard time putting it down. My oldest DD is 12 and for Christmas I got her a Kindle Touch loaded with classics like Jane Austen, Romeo & Juliet, Percy Jackson and the Hunger Games.

Agree with you about Twilight too, they were a fun read but I found the Hunger Games to be much more engaging.

As far as the in-laws go, do they have a particular food that you make that they love, like a baked dessert or something? Pictures of the kids are always a good bet, that's what I do. I also give them gift cards to Barnes & Noble since they love to read. Good luck!

 

[StephMK]

My inlaws are very similar. We always make them a calendar of the kids - that is a favorite. This year we gave them a bird feeder w/seed for their deck that is squirrel proof. In the past, we have done food baskets from Harry & David, Omaha Steaks, nice winter scarves & food basket, new Christmas CD. MIL loves Josh Grobin & they both love the classic holiday tunes.

Oh, and a Kindle was a huge hit. They both love to read!

 

[kelleigh1]

Forgot to mention that for both sets of parents this year we took our Christmas photo, had 16x20 prints made and framed.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I second the Hunger Games. I'm 30 years old and read the series this year... it was really very good. Infinitely better than Twilight.

Another vote for the Hunger Games series. Totally addicting and wonderful. I'm a middle school teacher and a lot of my kids have read them and love them as well. Also the movie comes out in March!

 

[englishteacha]

I'm reading a new book right now, Virals, by Kathy Reichs. It's a YA novel and so far pretty good. It's mystery with a touch of sci-fi.

For the in laws, what about an edible arrangement? I've never received one, but I'd LOVE one! I got my in laws a nice box of chocolates.

 

[rcraw45425]

Mom of a 14 year old daughter that loves to read. Agree on The Hunger Ganes books, the Mortal Instruments series (new one just came out), also I Am Number Four was good, the entire Percy Jackson series and also Ridley Pearsons Kingdom Keepers series. She has also read some of The Luxe books as well. Mine also got a new Nook Tablet, I actually let her have it the day I picked it up (two days before the official release, it came in early) she has just about worn out her Gen 1 Nook. Enjoy!

 

[luvmy3]

Another vote for The Hunger Games series, my dd loved them. However if you are a parent who censors what your kid reads, you may want to check them out yourself before you buy them. I have a friend who will not let her 13 year old read them.

Do you have a local theater around? The one near us does a holiday package for dinner and a show.
When in doubt, I always do restaurant GCs.

 

[mjkacmom]

You can never go wrong with "Great Expectations" for your 14 year old. I also loved Journey to the Center of the Earth at that age and even the Little House on the Prairie series of novels. The Man in the Iron Mask is another adventure/classic with a romantic twist she may like. I saw a Twilight movie board game at the $ store the other day- pretty cute- for ages 12 and up. I almost got it for my 40 year old sis-in-law! lol

My dd15 HATED Great Expectations (had to read it in honors English last year). However, although she's in all honors classes, she hates to read (unlike her mom). Dd10 and I are now reading The Hunger Games, and I'm going to try to get dd15 to read the series (she did love Twilight, which I thought was horrible).

 

[AllesonWonderland]

DD14 suggested a trilogy by Scott Westerfield: Uglies, Pretties and Specials. (And Harry Potter, of course.)

Good luck!