So - how can I handle this type of Christmas present - UPDATE post 25

[clh2]

We have a 16 YO DD. One of the things she has mentioned that she would like for a Christmas present is a nice necklace.

There is no doubt that DD would need to pick this out.

I hate to get her a GC for a jewelry store - what if they don't have something that floats her boat? Do we give her the cash (or a VISA gift card or equivalent) and then take her shopping?

I also hate to spend $200 (just tossing out random numbers) for a nice necklace, when her idea of a nice necklace would be in the $50 range. Heck, I don't even have a $200 necklace I even checked Tiffany necklaces - but didn't like any in the $200 range - so that is not an option.

Any ideas on how to give this type of gift?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Speaking from a daughter's perspective (even though I'm almost 30, I still feel like I have the 16yo mindset at times!) maybe you should take her shopping well before Christmas. Go to a few stores, have her pick out the types of necklaces that she likes. That way, you'll either know exactly what to get her or have an idea of what she likes so you can surprise her.

 

[Gigi22]

Probe a bit. A nice gold necklace, a nice pearl necklace, a nice silver necklace? Or a nice necklace, the same as one of her friends?

Other than that, could you take her online shopping and see what her taste is to get a sense of what sort of money a nice necklace will be? As a teenager she likely has very little idea of the cost of jewelry, so first tell her your budget.

 

[Hutchy]

I would have her look online at say Overstock.com and some of the different jewelery websites (chain stores in your area) and pick out a few that she really likes. That way you'll know her taste and it will still be a little bit of a surprise to her, and you can pick the price you like best! lol I have done this with my husband in the past and it's nice because I get something I know I'll like but he still gets to pick exactly what he wants to buy for me.

 

[Darcy03231]

Speaking from a daughter's perspective (even though I'm almost 30, I still feel like I have the 16yo mindset at times!) maybe you should take her shopping well before Christmas. Go to a few stores, have her pick out the types of necklaces that she likes. That way, you'll either know exactly what to get her or have an idea of what she likes so you can surprise her.

I agree. DH and I do this as he loves to buy me jewelry and his taste and mine differ greatly. I pick out a variety of things I like in different price ranges and he makes the final choice. Works for both of us.

 

[tarheel618]

How about making her a shopping gift certificate. State that you are taking her shopping right after Christmas to purchase a necklace of her choice with a dollar limit of up to 200. If she finds something cheaper, she can keep the cash. It would be a fun filled day.

You could put the certificate tied to helium balloons in a big box for her to open Christmas morning so she still has a gift.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think you set a price limit on what you are comfortable with and then take her shopping and have her pick out a few.

Obviously don't tell her she is getting it. Just tell her you are getting ideas and if she were to get a necklace what kind is she interested in.

 

[denisem]

Maybe go shopping with her, browse jewelry store windows/kiosks and get an idea what catches her eye?

(It was sooo much easier 100 yrs. ago when we marked the items we wanted in the Sears Christmas Wishbook!)

 

[luvmy3]

You have plenty of time before Christmas, I would take her window shopping. Even if she doesn't pick out somethig specific you could get an idea of what she likes and pick something for her yourself.

My dd wants a Pandora necklace, that she can add charms to, she also wants a key necklace, which seem to be "in" now.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I would make up a Necklace Shopping Trip certificate, put it n a necklace box, wrap it and put it under the tree. When she opens it you can explain that you wanted her to pick it out so you'll go together the following week.

 

[DebD4T]

I would just straight out ask her what type of necklace she would like.

 

[tinatark]

I would make a necklace for her - use some big chain, some type of dangly thing... for her to open, with a note about the shopping trip for later.

Prices are great after Christmas, anyway.

About Tiffany and Co. - check out the Elsa Peretti line - silver, it's pretty and quite reasonable.

 

[clh2]

I would make a necklace for her - use some big chain, some type of dangly thing... for her to open, with a note about the shopping trip for later.

Prices are great after Christmas, anyway.

About Tiffany and Co. - check out the Elsa Peretti line - silver, it's pretty and quite reasonable.

I will check out the website. The first thing that came to mind for making a necklace was a "pasta necklace" like we made in kinder or 1st grade. What a fun idea.

It hadn't occured to me to wait until after Christmas for better deals.... But - what a great idea!

You all have some great ideas! As always - thanks everyone!

 

[Disney Doll]

You could also give her a poem for Christmas saying that you will be taking her shopping for her necklace after Christmas so she could get what she wants.

Silver or gold
Or pearls to behold
'Round the neck of my daughter.

SAhopping around
In the stores in our town
Trying to find what I oughter

A necklace so rare
For my daughter, my dear
So she would know what I bought her

A hard job indeed
For this mom in need
Not knowing if she'd like what I got her

So this poem comes with love
And a promise from above
For a shopping spree after Christmas, dear daughter

 

[ilovepete]

Could you just give her a certificate type thing that is good for a necklace of her choosing?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'd give her a gift certificate for an "experience". A day shopping with mom, maybe with a pedicure or a nice lunch thrown in, and a "gift certificate" for a necklace of her choosing up to X dollars.

 

[golfgal]

I would wrap a fun necklace that you think she would like and put a certificate in there for a shopping trip to the jewelry store. Leave it open ended because like you said, she might be happy with a $50 necklace instead of the $200 one. Just tell her you will have final say on the price when you leave to go shopping.

 

[clh2]

DisneyDoll - I love the poem!

I appreciate the comments to just ask her, and take her window shopping - as odd as this sounds, I don't expect DD to be going to the mall at all, between her 2 sports, a weekly church commitment, and a job plus her homework, I don' think she will see the mall until Christmas break.

I don't want to ask her what she wants specifically. The last couple of years, her big presents were not surprises, for various reasons. So - for this year, I want it to be a surprise.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

I'd give her a certificate for a mother/daughter shopping day.

 

[golfgal]

Another idea-get a candy necklace or get those big wooden beads that toddlers play with and string them like a necklace and wrap it up as her "nice" necklace. In another box put the gift certificate for the real one.