Your older kids ~ is it harder to buy for them? ~ 2010

[3timesoccermom]

Do you find it easier or harder as they get older?

Much harder for me! Mine (all girls) are 21, (about to be) 19 and 16. It just seems like everything I think of I've already done before.

The oldest is on her own so she always needs practical stuff but that's kind of boring for Christmas. The middle one is at school and really doesn't need anything else in her room there. The 16 year-old probably won't be too bad but I am definitely not having the ideas flow like they used to. Within a dollar or 2, I spend the same amount on all of them.

If anyone has ideas or suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

[surgerynurse]

Not harder...just more expensive!

[Smee]

It seems like the older they get, the harder they are to buy for, nevermind that their tastes seem to get more expensive. I think I'm going to take the punk way out and give 17 year old Girl gift cards this year. She has every possible electronic gizmo, most that she bought with her own money, and I would sooner pour honey all over my body and lay in a fire ant bed than try to buy her clothes. I think I'll get a few gift certificates for things I know she loves-- her favorite salon, a pedi, maybe a clothing store or two. I'm so over stressing out about what to get the person who has everything.

[kschick96]

I do not have first hand experience with this since my LO is still a baby. But I do have an idea for you that was done for me in the past when I was that age.

When I was in HS and college-we would get a Christmas check or cash from my parents along with a few small gifts. The day after Christmas, my mom, sister, and I (no brothers, and dad was usually working) would go out of town (grew up in tiny town) to hit the sales. We had to use the money on stuff we wanted-and got to get our own gifts this way.

We had a girl's day out-with lunch, snacks, girl talk and lots of shopping for bargins! I have very good memories of this-it's was always something I would look forward to.

[momof2inohio]

Yes!! Its harder and more expensive the older they get. I am still trying to figure out what to do for DS 11. He has a birthday this month as well. He doesn't play with toys any more. He said he wants a BMX bike for his birthday and a new TV for his room for Christmas. I miss buying toys because I could get alot for very little money.

DD8 still plays with toys and so she is still easy for me Plus, I love buying her clothes.

[3timesoccermom]

Well, that's one of the things that makes it harder - their "toys" are so expensive. Every year I see commercials for "stocking stuffers" that are $100 - $200. Get real!!! No way I'm spending $200-$300 on just the stocking!! Furthermore, I wouldn't spend that kind of money even if we had it to blow. That's just excessive.

My middle one has a November birthday too - Thanksgiving - can't think of anything for that either.

My youngest has always been my "frou frou" girl and it was a blast buying jewelry, clothes and fancy (useless!) things but her tastes have changed so those things are out now.

The oldest further complicated matters by becoming a vegetarian recently so now the gift cards I used to get her to her favorite restaurants will, for the most part, no longer work.

kschick96 - we did something very similar last year - They all got gift cards in their stockings and plenty of coupons for their favorite stores and restaurants and the 3 of them went together (I took a day off!) so yes, that is definitely a good idea and I will do that again.

Not harder...just more expensive!

Yes!! Its harder and more expensive the older they get. I am still trying to figure out what to do for DS 11. He has a birthday this month as well. He doesn't play with toys any more. He said he wants a BMX bike for his birthday and a new TV for his room for Christmas. I miss buying toys because I could get alot for very little money.

DD8 still plays with toys and so she is still easy for me Plus, I love buying her clothes.

[3timesoccermom]

bumping for ideas

[Merczilla]

I do agree it's harder and more expensive. Mine are 26, 13,12 and (almost-Nov.9) 8. The 8 year old is still happy with toys, but I did get him a PSP for his birthday, as the two older ones have one and they don't like letting him play on theirs. I just give my oldest and his wife cash, so they can do what they want. My 13 year old is into WWE (I could kick the friend that introduced him to that....I detest that stuff) and cars. My daughter is into Hello Kitty still and wants a laptop or computer....ack.

Is there something that they're interested in that you could make a "theme" out of? A sport or an upcoming concert of some sort? We don't get many big names up here concert-wise, so that's rarely an option. They're way too expensive too. Do they likesay....trains or cars or some celebrity (my 13yo is "in love" with Selena Gomez)? Socks is a must, you know. They always get socks and sometimes underwear. lol It's a family thing.

[ELLE-TN]

I would sooner pour honey all over my body and lay in a fire ant bed than try to buy her clothes. I think I'll get a .

You are hillarious! I love your style. Great Avatar picture & siggy by the way

[frugalstafar]

The "toys" are by far more expensive-laptops, phones, video game stuff. The clothes I have given up even having an idea on that-I bought my 16 year old son a pair of jeans the other day, they were "too blue" ,huh?!?! So even though it isn't a whole lot of fun they get money or gift cards or there is really no good surprise stuff xmas morning because they send me a detailed list via email with links (Santa has bcome high tech). I try for the "fun" and "surprise" in their stockings; jewelry, hair stuff,toiletries,joke gifts, candy or gum, little cute toy things-I found a snowball maker at the CHristmas Tree Shop the other day, it make 8 snowballs and has a carrying case for them to take to a snowball fight it was $1.99 and I figure you are never too old to snowball each other.