What to get a 13yo who has nothing?

pevila · May 2013

A few days ago I posted about my niece who's 18 months old being bitten by a dog. Her mom lives with her sister and they don't have a cent (mom is a gambler, she lost their house last year). DH and I have bought my niece a nice present (a Little Tikes grill).

My MIL says that I can't send my 18mo niece a present without sending her older sister a present too (she's 13 years old, and is living with her mom and sister in her aunt's house too). I agree. What would you get her? I was thinking a Justin Beiber perfume (she's the biggest Justin Beiber fan), but then I thought something more practical, like a t-shirt and a nice sweatshirt. They're just in a sad situation. I can't give her a gift card because they live in a city with no mall, and no money because her mom could spend it on something else.

What would you get her, a fantasy gift (perfume), clothes, or something else? Thanks!!!

Minipenguin · May 2013

I might get her a helmet so the dog doesn't eat her face.

More practically, though, I think she would like clothes. Girls that age are getting into fashion and new clothes are always nice. Plus, that way you know she has something to wear.

jillyjill1026sr · May 2013

I would get her the perfume. It's a special, personalized gift that you know she will really love and appreciate.

penguingrrl · May 2013

The practical side of me says that teenagers love clothes and she needs them anyway. The fun side of me says that she would adore JB perfume.

pevila · May 2013

AGGHHH, I'm torn! I would love to be able to get her both, but I can't!

kmh2201 · May 2013

That is a sad situation. So generous of you to get your 13 yo niece something too. I would go for a practical gift (I agree with clothes - I remember what a big deal clothes were in junior high and high school) and a fun/fantasy gift (I like your idea of Justin Bieber perfume).

Another idea would be if she lives close enough to you, that you take her shopping and let her pick a clothing item and fantasy item out (within the budget you specify). I think maybe she is missing that with her mom and would also like the "experience" of picking things out. Just a thought if it's geographically feasible.

pevila · May 2013

kmh2201:
That is a sad situation. So generous of you to get your 13 yo niece something too. I would go for a practical gift (I agree with clothes - I remember what a big deal clothes were in junior high and high school) and a fun/fantasy gift (I like your idea of Justin Bieber perfume).

Another idea would be if she lives close enough to you, that you take her shopping and let her pick a clothing item and fantasy item out (within the budget you specify). I think maybe she is missing that with her mom and would also like the "experience" of picking things out. Just a thought if it's geographically feasible.

I can only get her one thing, since I'm already buying something for her little sister

And they live like 3 hrs away, so no shopping.

I haven't heard her speak in years. She's had such a rough childhood I think her personality has suffered a lot. Her mom divorced her deadbeat dad when she was little, and then my cousin, her older son and my now 13yo niece went to live in a small town, where her mom married an 82 yo. They later got divorced and he gave her a house in the settlement, but she lost it because she gambles. Now they have moved to her sister's house in another small town. She never smiles in pictures because she hates her teeth. She never talks (to adults). Sigh...

pevila · May 2013

CnA:

We're just not that close. She hasn't spoken to me since she was a toddler AND, she takes care of her little sister, so it would be hard.

ta78 · May 2013

I vote for the perfume. It sounds like she needs something fun.

LatteLady5 · May 2013

I would definitely go with the clothes. While she would love the perfume, she really needs something more practical. And besides, who said practical can't be cute. I'd go with a cute outfit.

2-Step · May 2013

I would go non-practical. Something she might never get from anyone else and would cherish. I love the perfume idea because I remember at that age being obsessed with makeup and perfume and feeling so grown up because I could finally wear it. Maybe that plus a nice pair of pajamas or something. In case she gets invited to a sleep over? Those were big at age 13 and I remember always wanting cute pajamas

Merried_2008 · May 2013

pevilallonga:
AGGHHH, I'm torn! I would love to be able to get her both, but I can't!

Can you order from amazon, have it sent directly to her, use free shipping. That way maybe you can throw in a shirt or something cute that isn't too pricey? You would have spent it on shipping anyway??

NHbride129 · May 2013

well I have a 13 yr old niece and beiber perfume is the greatest thing ever to her. She also likes clothes, but they are a little trickier to buy for someone. Tough call but I would probably do perfume because I wouldn't want to risk the clothes not fitting.

nekorayne · May 2013

Unless you really know her style I would be afraid of getting her clothes she would not like. I know my niece liked very certain things at that age. I would go the perfume just because she probably does not get very many (if any) special items that make her feel special.

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