Gift idea for 15 year old girl?

[hotpinkvegan]

We are going to my twin cousin's (both girls) 15th birthday party this weekend. Most of my relatives are giving them old navy giftcards or nice workout clothes (they are on the crew team).We have stopped all extra spending in order to try to get out of debt but we still feel like we need to give them a gift. I was thinking something experienced based? My first thought was to take them to the zoo (we live near DC where the zoo is free) but then I realized they are probably getting too old for that! Would love any suggestions for girls in that weird teenage stage!

[NumberCruncher]

Do they have any other hobbies besides crew? Do they like to read a certain genre of book? Maybe a favorite meal or dessert?

[hotpinkvegan]

Thanks, I like the idea of baking them a special treat and I will ask my aunt about books they like!

It is hard to stop spending but not feel like a big cheapskate!!

[ace1224]

what about one of the museums?  i agree with the books, or are they into body stuff?  you can make some sugar scrub relatively cheaply with stuff in the house, just put it in a pretty jar with a ribbon and bam, instant spa

[arebelspy]

A 15-year old boy.

[BPA]

A 15-year old boy.

You can borrow mine.  He'd love that!

[Another Reader]

I think you will have to find a 17 year-old boy.  15 year-old boys are much less mature than the 15 year-old girls, and then there's the prestige factor of dating a junior or a senior....

[jess]

Give her a book that you really enjoyed at that age.

[sheepstache]

Since we're on a personal finance forum I feel like I should suggest something that would start them on their own road to financial freedom.  Maybe open a sharebuilder or etrade account in their name and buy them a stock in a company they like.  Maybe Gap since they like Old Navy.  Run you ~$40 plus the commission.  Then give them a card with a graph showing the effect of compound interest :)  Might give them a savings itch to keep adding to the portfolio after that.

On second thought maybe Gap is not a great investment.  But you know what I mean.

[BPA]

Since we're on a personal finance forum I feel like I should suggest something that would start them on their own road to financial freedom.  Maybe open a sharebuilder or etrade account in their name and buy them a stock in a company they like.  Maybe Gap since they like Old Navy.  Run you ~$40 plus the commission.  Then give them a card with a graph showing the effect of compound interest :)  Might give them a savings itch to keep adding to the portfolio after that.

On second thought maybe Gap is not a great investment.  But you know what I mean.

I love this idea!

[lifejoy]

If they read, give them the BEST book ever: "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. It's going to be a movie in a year or two, and it's targeted at young adults.

If they don't read, I happen to know that Sephora products can be a big hit :) But omg, soooo anti-mustachian!!

[kkbmustang]

I like the share of stock idea, too. If $40 is more than you want to spend, you could put together a slumber party kit with consumables. Think fingernail polish, chapstick, lotion, face mask. Certainly something you could get a your local big box store, Ulta, Sephora or at CVS/Riteaid/Walgreens (and use Extracare bucks or whatever to reduce the cost).

[arebelspy]

If they read, give them the BEST book ever: "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. It's going to be a movie in a year or two, and it's targeted at young adults.

This was an excellent book.  I picked it up just after midnight intending to read just a chapter before bed to see what it was about, and put it down at 3am when I had finished it.

The minor cliche parts were overcome by the amazing writing.  There were three lines which I really enjoyed, which is three more than most books.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[adventure league]

My kids always love to go to the movies. Maybe a movie ticket each? You could wrap it on a box of movie candy from the dollar store. $25 or less for 2 gifts.

[grantmeaname]

Holy shit The Fault in our Stars is the greatest book. I read it in one sitting. More nuanced impressions to follow in a book club thread whenever I get the time.

I can't remember the last fiction book I read that measured up to it.

[arebelspy]

Holy shit The Fault in our Stars is the greatest book. I read it in one sitting. More nuanced impressions to follow in a book club thread whenever I get the time.

I can't remember the last fiction book I read that measured up to it.

Right?!

[Mr Mark]

How about shares in Google and amazon?

[kadikene]

What about cookbook? It`s mustachian to make your own food and these are not very expensive. And maby do something from the book together as experience gift.