[Citylovely]

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in this section before but am hoping someone can help me!
I don't know what to get my partners 8 and 11 year old nieces for Christmas. The family isn't particularly close so my DP wouldn't ring and ask his brother (nor would his brother have any idea!). I usually ask the mum but she has just started working full time as well as running the house so don't think it's appropriate to bug her.
So, does anyone know what the 'in' thing is for these age groups this year? We got them pillow pets last year and those guinea pigs that were all the rage the year before as their main presents with a couple of little extra things that I found and liked. Our budget is about $60-80 per child, but don't mind if we go under/over, would prefer to buy them something they would like than just any old present IYKWIM.
I am going to go to myer next week and get them some pretty dresses if worst comes to worst but would prefer not to.
Thank you so much!

[cward]

It really depends what they are in to but
stuff from Smiggle
iTunes gift cards
craft things
maybe a book series they are in to
maybe a voucher for an "experience" or something to do in the holidays - horseriding, movie (even gold class)

[~A2~]

I give movie tickets to a couple of my friends kids each year. They are older now (one is a teenager) but she said the other day they have actually commented this year that they hope they get movie tickets from people as they are 'the best'.

In this house for an 11 yo the movie tickets would be a hit too, also Smiggle items/gift voucher or even a Coles Myer voucher that they could spend in a few places with a wide range of items they could then get.

[Julie3Girls]

Does the mum have an email address? Because a short email, asking if there is anything in particular that the girls are into would be my suggestion. Doesn't take a lot of time, the mum can answer when she has time.

- smiggle stuff always a hit.
- itunes card if they have an ipod. If not, even a cd is good (hits for kids type of thing?)
- my 8yr old and friends are still into littlest petshops, and there are some new glow in the dark ones.
- Geleez are great as a craft type of thing.
- things like glittery nailpolish - my 11yr old is getting a pretty nail manicure set, with some nailpolish
- craft sets

But really so much depends on what they like individually. My girls are big readers so they are getting books (eg dance academy for 11yr old, EJ12 for the 8yr old). But I know a lot of girls that age are into things like Justin Bieber or One Direction. Not something my girls are particularly interested in. We also have a pool, so pool stuff is high on the list as well.

[Citylovely]

Oh thanks everyone for the suggestions!
The thing is I have sent the mum 2 emails about what the girls would like as a PP suggested as this was the least invasive communication. I thought this would be an easy way for her to get back to me when she could but hasn't happened
Thanks for the book suggestions julie3girls, they do love reading.
Movie tickets and all the other suggestions are greatly appreciated, now I won't be going in so blind while shopping next week.
Cheers

[Megan@bondi]

I have an 8 yo I got her a furby (about $80) for her birthday which she loved
Otherwise really its smiggle stuff, diaries and journals, books, ballet stuff, and she has just asked for rollerskates, but i donlt think she will use them.
not sure about 11yo - I would think itunes gift cards and smiggle

[2bundles]

stuff from Smiggle
iTunes gift cards
craft things
maybe a book series they are in to
maybe a voucher for an "experience" or something to do in the holidays - horseriding, movie (even gold class)

My 8yr old would love all these.

Just read the love reading. My 8yo is into EJ12, & Dork Diaries.

This post has been edited by 2bundles: 02/12/2012, 07:45 PM

[RealityBites]

My 10yo dd has been angling for Coles myer gift cards as she has just discovered shopping for herself.

[flipped out]

My nieces are the same age and have both asked for Lego sets.

[Ehill]

Smiggle, smiggle and smiggle! I did my Christmas shopping the other day and all the girls over 3yo got smiggle stuff. I love that place. Staff are generally pretty helpful, there is a huge range for different ages and it is all decent quality stuff. Also it gives the kids something to do for the holidays. I buy activity books and then add a cool pen or some textas, pencils or something like that.