My niece's birthday is coming up and I don't want something frivolous; I want to get her something that will have some value in her life.

She's a bright kid and likes to read. Are there any good non-fiction books for kids her age? Any other suggestions?

Can't go wrong with a pony.

A gift certificate from a book store in your area! Wrapped in a box that has confetti and a PONY in it! BTW... it all should be purple!!!

Peace & Love

orgnote

When I was eleven, I was reading Stephen King left and right. But that may not be the way to go.

My ex used to say, "Gift cards are what you give people when you don't know what else to give them, or you feel obligated to get them a gift but you don't really like them. And people know that."

well, at that age, getting any type of 'real' jewelry is a kick something small can be purchased, it doesnt have to be of huge value... i remember getting my first necklace with an opal on it for my birthday from my sister, i thought that was for sure one of the coolest things ever !!!!

Nero said:

Sorry!

Well, I thought it might be cool because she is 11 yrs old and might wanna feel grown up with her "card" to go shopping on her own! My daughter thinks its cool to roam the store and pick out what ever she wants!!! Oh well back to
! I'll holla!

Peace & Love

npgnicolette said:

No, no. I didn't mean it that way. I was simply saying what my ex used to say.

Personally, I love getting gift cards. I can get what I really want that way and it saves me having to return what I really got or having to try to hock it on ebay.

yeah, I think gift cards are wonderful. I've never been offended, as a matter of fact, I think it's the opposite. My 10 year old son would rather a gift card over anything....you pick the store, which shows you care to think about it, and they get to pick the specific gift, does it get any better?

npgnicolette said:

This would allow for her to pick something to which I have not given my personal seal of approval. As I am a controlling bitch, this is not possible.

How about a savings bond? That would teach her a lot about money and saving, good lessons for an eleven year old.

I think gift certificates are usually from people who don't really want to put too much thinking into it. So basically it shows lack of interest/care.

How about a furby? or a portable mp3 player?
How about asking her or her friends if there's anything in particular that she'd like?

EvilGreenAlien said:

Face, is that you?

littlemissG said:

Ace said:

I'd say not. Wait til she can only redeem a meager amount sometime and she's pissed.

But that's a good route, the money thing. Perhaps you could take her and open a bank account... a savings or summat, and then put "x" amount of dollars in there for her. Your name would be on it with her, I suppose, but she could go draw some out or put some in with the little passbook they give. And every now and then, as a good uncle, you could throw in a bit.


And then get her a book, too.

Nero said:

I will think about the money angle (although her father is already very well off and I'm sure is teaching her about the value of mazuma).

Now I just need a book...

Buy her a gift card to a book store. Then she can pick the book of her choice.

luv4u said:

"A book? You bought be a book as a birthday present? You're not my uncle anymore!"

That what he might hear from her.

luv4u said:

I want to make sure it's something with some redeeming value.

EvilGreenAlien said:

I can get her frivolous things, as well, but I want at least something with substance.

But she would never say that. She likes books. She's a good kid.

i don't know how much ur looking 2 spend and it may sound boring as hell but a collection of encyclopedia's can change a kids life.

other than that i'm diggin' the book store gift card or 'real' jewelry.

this thread is ur sweet

Ace said:

what kind of books does she enjoy? She might have a favourite author etc and maybe you get her the ones she might not have.

my standard birthday gift for 11 year olds is a book by Grame Base called the Eleventh Hour it's a picture book with a mystery to solve. every child i have sent it too have loved it.

Does she like you a lot?

My sister and I took our little niece to the city for one day as her christmas-present. We went ice-skating and afterwards we went to a restaurant. She's 12. We had given her a card which told her she could choose were to go. I hoped she would choose the theatre or something, but the little girl loves to skate. She loved it.

Action man.

Thanks, everybody, for your suggestions. I ended up getting her a book of essays on "Women who Changed the World".