What to put in a present for a 13 year old girl's birthday?---UPDATE! Pictures added!

[lyncecelia]

My sister is turning 13 next month, and my boyfriend and I want to give her a "teenage survival kit".

We are planning to put it all in a pirate chest (she is OBSESSED with pirates) that has a lock for her to use as a sort of memory box type of thing.

I want to put some stuff in the pirate chest that would be a sort of "survival kit" for the teen years. Thing is, she is really girly and I was a tomboy. So I'm at a loss on what to put in there. I already got a "handbook" that I'm going to wrap with a tag saying it's her "treasure map". But I'm not sure what else to put....

Part of me is thinking of maybe a small scrapbook of sorts for memories of the past 12 years. But I'm worried she wouldn't like that much, and that maybe I should save that for another gift?

Suggestions anyone? I'm really at a loss...

UPDATE! You can now find the pictures in post 14!

 

[lunalibre]

I'll take a stab at this... .

You say she's really into pirates. Does she have the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? Those have some romance in them, and what teenage girl doesn't like some swashbuckling romance?

I think the memory book is a great idea -- but it should be for the years to come, not the ones behind her.

13 is a big transition. Anything you can put in there to remind her of the new privileges she can have as a teenager would likely be appreciated. What would say "grown-up" to her? Maybe some fancy lip gloss or a gift certificate for a manicure? For DS14, we *really* limited the PG-13 movies he could see before he was 13. I doubt he saw more than a half-dozen PG13 movies before he was an official teenager, so going to see PG13 movies was a huge deal for him. In fact, we could only get him to go see PG13 movies for about the first 3 months after his birthday. Would that mean a lot to your sister? Do you live close enough that you could include a movie gift certificate and a promise to take her out?

You don't say what your budget is, but I think as long as you stick with anything along the theme of "Congratulations! You're growing up!" you'll have a winner of a present.

 

[RMAMom]

Treasure! My girls were/are really into jewelry as teens especially earings. They like the dangling Morrocan style earings.

OK thats my 2¢ for now but my 26 yr old DD is really into pirates so I will ask her and post if she has any ideas.

 

[powellrj]

A mani-pedi kit. My DD is 14 and loves to do her nails all the time. She really isn't a girly-girl, but she does paint her finger and toe nails all the time. Maybe attach a gift card for a professional one to the kit.

 

[indimom]

I like all the ideas so far.
I doubt you'll want to do all of this, because your treasure box is going to get expensive, but here are a few more ideas:

Lotions, perfumes or body sprays (maybe travel/sample size so she could find a scent she likes?)

My daughter was pretty excited with her first quality razor. I think it made her feel all grown up when we got rid of the cheap starter electric razor.

A young teens magazine subscription? My daughter gets a couple and really loves them. They're cheap for a year's subscription.

Teenage girls around here are all about their pajamas. Maybe you could find a pair with a pirate pattern (pink skulls and crossbones were really popular not too long ago, I bet you can still find them).

Welches Sparkling Juices (since she can't have "Rum"). My daughter had a New Year's party with her friends (all 12/13) and you wouldn't believe how much those girls enjoyed their non-alcoholic drinks.

Gift Cards = Shopping! What teen girl doesn't love that?

Maybe throw in some chocolates with gold wrappers as filler to give the appearance of treasure.

Hope this helps. Your idea sounds like a lot of fun!!!

 

[cassandrap83]

whatever you do, don't get her a kit with deodorant, razors, a bra, etc. ...... I did this to my sister (many years ago) & she was sooo embarassed!!

I'd get a couple books for teens (if u still want to go to the 'survival' route) & also some nail polish, lip gloss, new earbuds, a gift card to Claire's at the mall, & maybe a sleep mask.

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd14 LOVES gift cards - starbucks, sephora, VS, movies, local eateries that she goes to with her gf's. Mani-pedi gc's are also appreciated.

 

[disneychic2]

I was going to suggest gift cards too. How about I-tunes? I love all the suggestions! Especially the gold wrapped chocolate coins.

Our two daughters did something like this for their brother one year and one thing they gave him was a notebook with all kinds of advice. Most of it humorous and tongue in cheek and he loved it! Didn't cost anything either!

 

[okeydokey]

Toe socks. My 13 year old and her friends love these!

 

[Pixieflip]

I have a 12 year old and a 13 year old and I can second all the above responses!

But let's revisit our scrapbook idea...I also think you're on to something really special there. Kids have it so tough. Many years of uncertainty, change, things can be scary, lonely, well...we all remember. A scrapbook of her made by you showing her the good times and how much she is loved and how she fits in the family and that you are really there for her both now and in the future... and to be able to tangibly hold a loveletter like that, whenever she needed/wanted to, I think that could be priceless. You could also include advice or things you wished someone could have told you at 13.

Sounds like she has an a awesome big sis!

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

My DD just turned 13 in November and is also obsessed with pirates, so I had to write. My DD loves those make-up kits that you get at Ulta or places like that where they usually have a bunch of colors of eyeshadow and some blush and lipgloss/stick. I would also get her some good mascara to go with it and some colors of eyeliner that are not black.

Check out Claires and Hot Topic, they usually have lots of sparkly pirate stuff-necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. and most of it is pretty cheap, especially at Claires. My DD likes all that cheap jewelry of any sort.

Also the teen magazines, that have pictures and stuff about celebrities they like and definitely I-tunes cards.

If you are crafty, they usually have all kinds of pirate fleece available at JoAnns that is great for making blankets, which all teens use.

Another thing that is popular around here are the short socks that don't match, you can usually get pirate ones at most stores and just get a bunch of different ones, sometimes they sell them in nonmatching bunches.

Good luck!

 

[lyncecelia]

Hey guys.

I am putting the finishing touches on my sister's box tomorrow! I really appreciate the advice all of you gave me.

I wasn't able to make a scrapbook for her, but I did write her a letter. Here is what it says:

Allison,
Here you are, turning 13! I’m so proud of the young lady that you’re becoming. A lot of changes are coming up, and you are going to grow so much in the next 5 years. Sometimes it might be scary, confusing, or hard; but it’s all normal, don’t worry.

I know that you have a good head on your shoulders, but I also know the teenage years were the hardest for me. So I want to offer you some words of wisdom to get you through. Keep this letter close to you whenever things get rough and to remind you of what I am telling you today.

Soon you will be dating boys. Understand that you probably won’t meet the love of your life right away. It’s good to date a bit before you do. When I had my first boyfriend, I was so sure that he was the one that I was going to be with forever. This is a common thought process for any teenager. Just remember to live for the moment.

You will have a lot of temptations as you get older. Some are normal human reactions, but some are not. Never feel pressured to do anything you are not comfortable with. You might think everyone is doing it, but chances are, they aren’t. And even if you think they are, it doesn’t mean that you HAVE to do it either. Everyone develops and grows at their own pace, so don’t let anyone make you grow up sooner than you have to.

I want you to know that you are beautiful. You have gorgeous eyes, a wonderful smile, and a healthy figure. Don’t feel you have to fit in a size 2 to be beautiful. Most guys don’t like girls that small anyway, the guys that I know actually find it a little gross. There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, exercising, and eating right; but the key to a healthy body is to make sure you eat when you are suppose to.

Also know that no matter what happens, I am here on your side. I know sometimes it’s hard to go to parents because you feel like they don’t “get it”. But I am going to offer you a kind ear that will know what today’s society is like. I won’t bad talk you for whatever you do or put you down for what’s going on because I love you. Love is unconditional, strong, and pure. If you ever need to talk to someone, know that I am here for you. Even if you feeling I would be “mad” or “upset” or even “disappointed” know that it’s okay to talk to me even then. Nothing you do will ever make me love you any less.

Allison, you are smart, funny, kind, and a great young woman. Everyone in our family loves you to pieces, so even if times get hard, please know that you have a support system all around you who wants to see you grow, learn, and blossom into the amazing young adult that you will be evolving into during these next 5 years and beyond.

I love you sweetheart,

Your loving sister,
Fallon

The rest I will post pictures of tomorrow! we finished the box tonight (weren't able to find an actual treasure chest affordably, but got something similar) so tomorrow I am wrapping and shipping it out.

 

[indimom]

Looking forward to the pictures. This was one of the more original gift ideas I've heard of in a while. I bet she LOVES it!

 

[lyncecelia]

Ok everyone! I have the photos here

DBF staining the box and picture frame

That took a while, couple of days actually. We had to get it the right shade and all so we'd both be satisfied with it.

Everything that went inside:

That has a journal, a "guide book", a CD, and a dress that I got at Walmart on sale for $1!

Putting the letters etc. on

This is my favorite part, but I think Tim had a lot of fun doing it

Box almost packed and then adding the treasure (to add more of the pirate theme) and then the dress on top (which was actually a royal pain in the butt to get in there!)

Top of the box

skull w/ caption I found on the DIS.

Then I have the envelope that has the letter I put on this thread earlier. The front was designed by Shadowryder:

here is the back:

That was put on the bottom of the box.

Now on the side we have this:

We attached 1 key in the card on a keychain, and the extra one on a "message" on top of the box (taped over the skull picture).

We wanted to hear her reactions before she opened it, so I put this on the back of the card envelope.

So what do you guys think? It should get there Saturday, but she's on a GS trip. So I get to hear her reaction Sunday! Yay!

 

[mousebymarriage]

I think you did an excellent job, she is gonna love it! Heck, I love it but, I would need the 40 year old mom survival kit. LOL

 

[momto2inKC]

I think it turned out great!!! I bet she is going to love it!

 

[indimom]

Love It!
She is going to be thrilled!

 

[Alice's Mommy]

That is REALLY cool! I may steal that idea when my kids turn 13.

 

[tshane]

Great job...... The time and effort should prove a priceless gify was given....

 

[cheshireqt]

That is wonderful! So much thought and attention to detail, she will most certainly be flattered that you put that much effort into her gift.