What is everyone buying for tween girls?

[Reagan&Co.]

Hey, I feel pretty lucky!! My DD11 wants a sock monkey and an electric pencil sharpener!!!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

My daughter really wants Uggs but I can't justify the cost right now. She is 12 and growing like a weed. I told her when she is mid-teens and her feet seemed to have stopped, then she can get some. I figure by then they won't be the in thing anyway. I am going to get her some 'fake uggs' from aero or something, but only because she doesn't own any boots right now and will need them. When it comes to clothes, my daughter wears 80% aeropostale and I find their prices more than reasonable, and tend to buy a lot on sale/clearance for her. I got a bunch of shorts on clearance to wrap up under the tree for our trip. I paid 4.99 a pair. Can't even get that at walmart!
I made the mistake of going to verabradley.com last night and DD was in the room and FELL IN LOVE. I just wanted to see what the fuss was about. She went to her computer and spent an hour on that site. She loves the raspberry fizz. So I ordered her a purse that is on for $25, cell phone case for $5 (yes she has her own cell, but needs it to keep in touch with me after school during activities or when she goes to a preteen dance,etc...I like to be in touch if needed) and a belt for $5. Total was $35, which I think was super cheap! I told her I had finished my shopping and Vera will come for her bday She is going to be super surprised Xmas morning!!

As for the laptop she is getting, that was grandma's doing, and actually my daughter really needs one. My daughter works in the film industry and quite often is working with a tutor and can do her homework on it and use it on location to keep in touch with friends.

Oh and funny Reagan that you mention the sock monkey - my daughter wants one of those too! My mom made her one and she is just gorgeous! You can get great kits on ebay. They are fiddly to make, but look nice!

 

[RobinFabulous]

I do agree with this, to a point. My dd(soon to be 12) doesn't have a phone, a tv in her room, a game system (although we are considering a wii this year), or full-price Abercrombie, Hollister, AE clothes, although I cannot fault anyone whose kids do! As this poster said, we're choosing to wait on some things. That said, she'll be getting Uggs for Christmas (she wore the knock-offs almost daily last year, so I know she'll get use of them), and an ipod for her birthday.This thread has been very helpful in giving ideas for gifts. This can be a challenging age!

Hannah got her Nano on her 8th birthday. It was my only gift to her (plus a nice case) Hers looks BRAND new, it's been cased since day one, no scratches, etc, and she uses it EVERY day. It has been the best money I've spent on her ever, hands down. I was surprised how many of the other kids had them that young. Jonah's is used less, but he's got a shuffle. If he drops it the flash memory won't mess up. He uses his quite a bit but not as much as her. The baby (3) BEGS for an Ipod, she loves it and can sing all the kid sngs Hannah has. Plus they're GREAT for being in the car, I can listen to what i want and they can share the Ipods.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Let's see for DD12-

Ugg boots
VS boyfriend pants and hoodie
Hollister
Aerie
Coach wristlet

and from her grandma- a Coach bag

My 12 year old doesn't even know what those things are. Literally, I'm not kidding. I don't even know what boyfriend pants or Aerie are. I guess we are both nerds.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I think VS is victorias secret?? My daughter doesn't know what that is other than 'womens fancy undies'. LOL

 

[sl_underwood]

For a chemistry set, I second Discovery Channel Store and have also found at home science tools online. Some unique items dd got for her bday this year is a butterfly kit (you actually watch the caterpillar transform, she loved this) and a whodunit fingerprint lab. She plays CSI with this and has tons of fun. If your girl is into horses, breyer makes some beautiful horses. One item dd got in her stocking last Christmas was a small horse kit that you paint. Hope this helps

 

[Vijoge]

Our 11 y/o is getting a redecorated bedroom (new paint, curtains, sheets, and comforter), a Bratz laptop, a blowdryer, a grooming basket containing cologne, powder, lotions, lip gloss, deoderant, shaving supplies, and manicure supplies.
Maybe some clothes, although everything she owns is brand new. . .she needs boots. . .oh, my friend got her a Coach knock off at the flea market. She will like it because it's cute-she doesn't have any idea what Coach or fake Coach is. She still thinks Kohl's has the BEST clothes! LOL

 

[sk!mom]

I think VS is victorias secret?? My daughter doesn't know what that is other than 'womens fancy undies'. LOL

Victoria's Secret Boyfriend pants are simply loose fitting sweats from the Pink collection.

 

[IDoDis]

DD 12 is getting:

A new flat screen TV for her bedroom (I hope to get a 32" on BF)
Hollister perfume
A paint set w/ a canvas
A new Zuca insert bag
a gift card to Barnes & Noble
several lip glosses from Victoria Secret
clothes from Aero & AE

 

[angiejg]

Hey, I feel pretty lucky!! My DD11 wants a sock monkey and an electric pencil sharpener!!!

What's up with the sock monkeys? My DD11 on Sunday wants sock monkey stuff. I found her sheets on ebay, slippers at Target, and earrings on ebay too. I also got her a stuffed sock monkey and the kit at Amazon.

Thanks for all the great ideas here! It makes me realize I'm on the right track. This is a tough age!

 

[laurabelle]

Sock monkeys are so cute for this age.

Hey I wanted to let you guys know that TODAY only at American Eagle you can get Free Shipping + 25% off entire order ( code:47596384) including sale items! They have tops buy one get one 1/2 off.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

Yeah, Target has really cute PJ's and slippers with sock monkeys on them. They used to have sheets last year, but don't know if they still do. Santa is going to bring Mr. Monkey and hold the slipper socks in his lap!

 

[mum4jenn]

A machine that plays like rain falling, ocean waves, I forget what else is on it. It blocks background noise - I'm not quite sure why she wants it, but it is like #2 on her list. I think she thinks it will help her fall asleep easier.

We have been using a white noise for YEARS and even take it on vacation with us. I had a cd that we played and after using it for 15 years it just would not work anymore so I bought a machine a year or so ago. I usually have it on the Rain part and I sleep very well with it. I might get my dd one this year as well.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

This may be a dumb question, but how do all of these 10 and 11 year old little girls know what is hip or cool? After reading this thread the past two days and seeing that people are getting their little girls things like Coach bags, Victoria's Secret clothes, cell phones, northface coats, Uggs and other countless trendy high fashion things I just feel well, a little unsettled about it. My girls don't even have a concept of what most of those things are, and our oldest is 12. It's not even the high price of such things, because I know there folks here on the DIS from all socioeconomic relms, and frankly we could technically afford to buy all of our girls any or all of these things, but I just would not at this point. I mean, I'm not completely naive, I've always known at some point our kids would catch on to the trendy, pricey clothes, shoes and electronic gadgets, but I was thinking more like high school age, not grade school. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel this way? Is it too much too soon?

 

[RobinFabulous]

This may be a dumb question, but how do all of these 10 and 11 year old little girls know what is hip or cool? After reading this thread the past two days and seeing that people are getting their little girls things like Coach bags, Victoria's Secret clothes, cell phones, northface coats, Uggs and other countless trendy high fashion things I just feel well, a little unsettled about it. My girls don't even have a concept of what most of those things are, and our oldest is 12. It's not even the high price of such things, because I know there folks here on the DIS from all socioeconomic relms, and frankly we could technically afford to buy all of our girls any or all of these things, but I just would not at this point. I mean, I'm not completely naive, I've always known at some point our kids would catch on to the trendy, pricey clothes, shoes and electronic gadgets, but I was thinking more like high school age, not grade school. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel this way? Is it too much too soon?

It is, but it's society. Hannah asked for a Northface because she saw her friends had them and they made her feel left out. She has really cute clothes that mostly come from Target or Marshalls or sometimes a local boutique, but now all of her friends have Justice and Aero.....

 

[PrincessTiffany]

It is, but it's society. Hannah asked for a Northface because she saw her friends had them and they made her feel left out. She has really cute clothes that mostly come from Target or Marshalls or sometimes a local boutique, but now all of her friends have Justice and Aero.....

I agree, it is society. I also blame the media. I think it's playing a big part in having our girls grow up too fast.

By the way . . . Roll Tide!

 

[Kitzka]

I agree it's society. DD has clothes mainly from Justice and Limited too. There are stores i dislike for my own reasons (abercrombie & fitch, aero) and i won't let her shop there. she has started whining about not getting clothes from there but i don't like those stores and i won't let her shop there ever.

that being said i have friends who did not have money growing up and never had the 'cool' clothes or things. they have DDs and DSs who are 8-13 and because they never had the in/cool thing they HAVE to give these things to their kids to make up for them not having these things growing up.

I (sadly) know plenty of parents who don't want their kid to be the uncool one. A friend of mine was adamant that her daughter would not have real uggs. she bought her schecher brand ugg type shoes for $60. at school a girl asked are those uggs. friend's daughter replied no. she told the mom and the mom replied "i'll sacrifice something for me to get you the $140 uggs because i know what it's like to not have something brand name and get made fun of." now granted i wasn't there so i don't know how the girl said it but the perfectly fine $60 schecher shoes never got used and were worn like one time! if this were my child and even if she had been made fun of i would have said too bad so sad. these are perfectly fine shoes and you will ear them. my friend feels that she did not have things growing up and makes a huge point to give her things to make her daughter feel cool or in.

my child is a bit overly indulged but i do reign it in (or at least i hope i do).

that being said i am just about done her shopping when she asked me to add the girl tech stylin studio to her list. i only have 2 things left to buy and am not debating whether to get the stylin studio or the star wars lego set. i am leaning towards the lego set as i think that will have longer play value but wonder if it's too hard for her to put together will she just give up?!

oy!

lara

 

[RobinFabulous]

I agree, it is society. I also blame the media. I think it's playing a big part in having our girls grow up too fast.

By the way . . . Roll Tide!

Yup, the media.... I really hate it, but I've bent on some stuff lately. We've had the worst class of MEAN girls this year. Hannah has one really good friend in her class that is pretty sheltered too, and that girl was the target most of the year, until Han stood up for her, so the really mean girl bothers her now too. Got so bad the (male) teacher took the boys outside and had the (female) assistant principal come in to talk to them about not being hateful. Hannah spoke up and said (year of therapy in this child) that it made her hurt when people said that her clothes weren't nice. Well, of course her clothes are nice, but apparently all of these girls are into designer. We do buy quite a bit at a local boutique, but Han's hard to fit and is vey picky so her things are hard to find. I cried and decided I'll just have to start doing Justice, because I don't want her to feel inadequate... She has enough self esteem problems because of our divorce.... So I sucked it up and bought the brand new Northface with a hood and she's back to being in the clique.....

i hate it, but I'd hate for her to feel bad too.....

And we're happily looking forward to the Iron Bowl in two days.....

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Yup, the media.... I really hate it, but I've bent on some stuff lately. We've had the worst class of MEAN girls this year. Hannah has one really good friend in her class that is pretty sheltered too, and that girl was the target most of the year, until Han stood up for her, so the really mean girl bothers her now too. Got so bad the (male) teacher took the boys outside and had the (female) assistant principal come in to talk to them about not being hateful. Hannah spoke up and said (year of therapy in this child) that it made her hurt when people said that her clothes weren't nice. Well, of course her clothes are nice, but apparently all of these girls are into designer. We do buy quite a bit at a local boutique, but Han's hard to fit and is vey picky so her things are hard to find. I cried and decided I'll just have to start doing Justice, because I don't want her to feel inadequate... She has enough self esteem problems because of our divorce.... So I sucked it up and bought the brand new Northface with a hood and she's back to being in the clique.....

i hate it, but I'd hate for her to feel bad too.....

And we're happily looking forward to the Iron Bowl in two days.....

Robin, you and Lara both bring up good points. It is a fine line. You want your kids to "fit in" and have friends, but you also want them to think for themselves and have good self esteem. And I know all about the mean girls, my Savannah has a few in her class this year. It makes my heart ache for your little girl or anybody's little girl to be teased or treated that way. Luckily, Savannah has three other nice little girls so they pretty much stick together. Savannah is our oldest, so we've been able to "shelter" her pretty well, but with three younger kids it will be harder to keep them away from the "teen" stuff, becaue they have an older sister. I'm not really looking forward to this whole teenage journey we are about to embark on at our house.

 

[rcymrcym]

My DD10 will be getting:
2 pr walmart jeans
1 pr walmart tennis shoes
Hannah Montana doll
vibrating toothbrush
1 lil kinz

and I feel like I am over doing it! different strokes for different folks!