What do you buy for an 8 yo girl?

[punkin]

I have no idea what this child is like, but all of a sudden I find myself in the position of having to buy her a holiday gift (and it looks like I may have 2 others as well - about the same age and gender). So, what's nice without breaking the bank that little girls that age like. My girls were a little strange at that age (particularly the younger one, so I can't really depend on their likes or dislikes). My budget is under $50 (but if I can get something on massive sale, that would work too). Any suggestions?

 

[poohfriend77]

My DD8 is very much into American Girl. I had her make a Christmas list with 10 items (to share with Santa, aunts/uncles/etc.) and EVERY single item was from AG. But one of her good friends does not care for dolls at all, and is more into video games. Another friend only likes Legos. It's really hard to generalize.

The only thing they ALL seem to love is the crafty stuff. There are tons of kits at Michaels and even Walmart, to make your own jewelry, decorate a jewelry box, sand art, blendy pens, gel pens, cardstock, fun scissors, gem stickers, journals, etc. Any of DD's friends would love any and all of that stuff. Good luck!

 

[jcemom]

My DD just turned 9. She loves her American Girl dolls (as do most of her friends) but those are pricey...around $100 each. Monster High dolls are the new BIG thing in our house. They're $15-20 each and you can find them in pretty much any store that sells toys. They're unusual looking, but pretty, and each doll has a monster parent -- Frankie Stein is Frankenstein's daughter, Clawdeen Wolf has a werewolf parent, Draculaura is Dracula's daughter, etc.

 

[Leajess99]

My 8 year old hates the Monster High dolls but likes the Littlest Pet Shop toys. Her Christmas request is actually a digital camera. She also likes craft stuff.

Her friend who is also 8 is also into craft stuff and dislikes the Monster High dolls.


In their class the kids vary on their likes but it seems most really like the craft stuff. Maybe you could make a craft basket for the kids using Michaels 50% off coupons.

 

[jcemom]

My 8 year old hates the Monster High dolls but likes the Littlest Pet Shop toys. Her Christmas request is actually a digital camera. She also likes craft stuff.

Her friend who is also 8 is also into craft stuff and dislikes the Monster High dolls.


In their class the kids vary on their likes but it seems most really like the craft stuff. Maybe you could make a craft basket for the kids using Michaels 50% off coupons.

Wow, the way things are around here, with DD, her friends, my nieces, I didn't think there was a girl alive who disliked Monster High, LOL. I wonder if there is anyone who could answer a few question for the OP, about the girls' likes and dislikes?? If not, craft materials in general seem to be the type of gift that all, or at least most, girls would enjoy. DD likes that kind of thing too. It would never go onto her list as a must-have item, but she'd be happy with it if that's what she got. '

ETA: Pet Shops are probably good too. DD used to LOVE those, and we have tons of them. She doesn't play with them much any more, but for a while she played with them every single day.

 

[2littleprincesses]

I agree with the craft kits. THis one seems to have good reviews:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=17117903&findingMethod=rr


My dd loves Ag, but not the monster high dolls.

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd8 is pretty much done with American Girl, and all types of dolls and figures. She loves music, crafts, clothes, makeup and nail polish (for play, not to wear out), and gc's. She's my third girl, so she matured a little faster than the others. My girls love the Just Dance for Wii and xbox.

 

[ccdoster]

My DD8 likes AG stuff (although not as much as most girls), littlest pet shop, zoobles, legos, and to craft. If you know the girls like AG stuff you could always get the Our Generation stuff at Target, much cheaper. I'm steering away from the pet shop, zoobles stuff because I know that is coming to an end and most likely won't be played with after the first month.
She did ask for a microphone so I bought her the Paper Jamz one. I was also thinking of getting the kids outside toys. I live in MI so the cheap snowboard at Target, DS wants a pogo stick, etc. My kids love their scooters, if they don't already have those that would be a great addition as those are used almost daily (in the summer). Target also has those Lego gift cards, they would get a small box of Legos and you can put whatever amount on the gift card.
Gift cards aren't always as fun to open for the giver but they are an awesome gift. Think movies, kid's museum/zoo memberships, game places (mini-golf, laser tag, arcade), Claire's and clothes.

 

[Tommys Mommy]

There was another thread that I was following that had some good ideas. Maybe you can read through this.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2818375

What about some baking type items? I just bought my niece a Christmas apron, the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker and a mix. Got all 3 of those items at Kohl's (on sale) + 20% off coupon = about $36.

http://thebabycakesshop.com/products/cake-pop-makers

 

[punkin]

Thanks for the ideas (and the links). My girls always hated crafts, so that is not something I had considered. I'll have to look into that.

 

[delmar411]

my 8yr old DD wants:

Little Pet Shops - the walking ones

Monster High stuff

Figit - although I'm not sure what this is exactly.

Barbie movies

Barbies

pretty much anything that has had a commercial on TV over the past few months!

She LOVES crafty stuff and drawing too.

She also wants a new Ipod but I wouldn't buy something like that for someone else's child. I don't want to assume they want to own something that requires more money into the gift.

 

[mello]

My dd is 8. She is wanting a digital camera this year. She also (like many in this thread) loves to craft - especially anything involving glitter. She's big into glittery lip gloss, fingernail polish, and body spray too. She likes her AG doll, but doesn't play with her a whole lot. She loves to play with Polly Pockets and Barbies. And she loves stuffed animals. We found a GIANT stuffed Minnie Mouse at Costco for like $35, and DH said, "oh we have to get this - she'll squeal when she sees it!"

 

[Darcy03231]

I just got a christmas list from my 8 year old niece. On it are:

Craft kits/supplies
nail polish
Little Pet Shop
Barbie DVDs
Netbook (I'm leaving that one for her mom)
Webkinz

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd8 likes Barbies, LIV girls, Monster High dolls, jewelry, make-up (play makeup, I don't let her go anywhere with makeup yet), video games, and anything to write in/on/color or make. And anything made by Justice. I was shopping yesterday and saw some really cute snap-on style watches at Justice that I'm going to get her one. She also loves to take pictures so I'm thinking a cheaper camera.

What we have bought for her so far:
Figit (although that thing will probably drive us all crazy before Christmas is over and will loose it's batteries)
LeadPad w/ Game
A set of 4 Liv Dolls
Lalaloopsie Doll

Her birthday is December 9 and instead of a party this year, I am giving her cash to spend on whatever she wants. I'm just hoping she doesn't buy what I've already bought for Christmas.

 

[libinatorsmom]

My daughter is 7 almost 8 and mature for her age.... She is over Barbies (which makes me knida sad ) but loves American Girl, Crafts & Art, Reading, Disney Movies, etc.... So we are getting her (or plan to get her) Bean Bag Chair (she asked for this), Lots of Chapter Books, A watch (again she asked for this), American Girl Stuff (Accessories and outfit she already has two dolls), Cars 2, Dumbo (maybe this might go in my sock), A CInderealla Keepsake Box form Disney Movie Rewards (gosh I hope its here before CHristmas) and some other things... we usually get her one BIG gift but this year hubby and I just cant come up with anything super cool - so it lootks like a lot of little things so lots of wrapping for me - I will admit we spoil our daughter at Christmas and we love every moment of it

 

[happygirl]

My little girl just turned 8

She loves

Hello Kitty
She got a make at home build a bear kit
nail polish
lip gloss
Pillow Pets

 

[disneyofcourse]

I just shopped for an 8 year old and a 6 year old. Hair accessories $2-5 each, cute socks $3 each ,craft kits $5-10 each and a littlest pet shop toy $10($8?) for the younger one. These girls love this type of stuff. It came to under $50 with tax

 

[punkin]

I just shopped for an 8 year old and a 6 year old. Hair accessories $2-5 each, cute socks $3 each ,craft kits $5-10 each and a littlest pet shop toy $10($8?) for the younger one. These girls love this type of stuff. It came to under $50 with tax

Do you think a little gift box with a whole bunch of "cute" little things would be all right? I'm always afraid that it looks a little cheap. On the other, hand, I would be sure she would like the stuff. Every girls needs hair accessories and socks. I know mine are always running out.

 

[jcemom]

Do you think a little gift box with a whole bunch of "cute" little things would be all right? I'm always afraid that it looks a little cheap. On the other, hand, I would be sure she would like the stuff. Every girls needs hair accessories and socks. I know mine are always running out.

Personally, I prefer to spend my budgeted amount on one or two bigger items, rather than a bunch of little things. It's easy to buy small things one or two at a time when they get a few dollars. It's harder for kids to buy bigger, more expensive items on their own. Besides, I know *I* sure don't want socks for Christmas, lol, unless I'm so underprivileged that my feet are cold because I don't have any at all (that would be completely different).

 

[punkin]

Personally, I prefer to spend my budgeted amount on one or two bigger items, rather than a bunch of little things. It's easy to buy small things one or two at a time when they get a few dollars. It's harder for kids to buy bigger, more expensive items on their own. Besides, I know *I* sure don't want socks for Christmas, lol, unless I'm so underprivileged that my feet are cold because I don't have any at all (that would be completely different).

No, this child NEEDS absolutely nothing. That's why I thought maybe Little Miss Matched socks (http://www.littlemissmatched.com/Catalog/girls-socks) and some Hello Kitty accessories...but maybe you are right. This is tough. My own girls were easier - electronics all the way!