What did you want for your birthday when you turned 16?

kaleyandjason

My sister turns 16 in a week! Eek! It makes me feel old. Anyway, I have no idea what to get her. This is the child that has everything. All through her teen years she has pretty much been an only child. She isn't very girly, but likes to get dressed up every once in a while. She loves sports like softball and basketball. There was a new softball bat she wanted, but it was $200, and J and I just can't afford something that expensive right now. She got a new car (well, my old car but it is a 2008 G5). Over on D&R they suggested a nice key chain engraved with something. Or just taking her out to dinner and to the mall and letting her buy something, but I really wanted to do something more personal than that.

You girls are usually a big help with things like this, so what do you think?

mamie329

At 16 I probably wanted CDs, clothes, and costume jewelry.  

What about a mani/pedi day for you two?  

mrscdobs

ipod, spa day, digital camera, personalized jewelry...?

SBS0628

At 16 I mostly wanted CDs, DVDs, and books...and James Van Der Beek. Any chance you could get your sister James Van Der Beek?

No, in all seriousness though, I read though some of your posts on D&R. To be honest, I didn't get very nostalgic/sentimental about items until I was 18 or so, so the idea of getting her something that she'd "always remember from you for her 16th" would never have worked in my case. I think my mom or my grandma (or maybe both) each tried to give me a piece of heirloom jewelery and they just sat in boxes...where they very well may still be...

Could you get her tickets to something you could attend together? Like a concert or a ball game or something? I think that kind of "experience" gift with you would be great -- she'd always have photos/memories from that day, plus you could buy her a souvineer from wherever or whatever you attend as the permanent keepsake.

mamie329

What SBS said. I didn't give a crap about sentimental family gifts at that age. It's just too young to appreciate that.  I like SBS's suggestion about the experience gift that you could have a souvenir/photo from.

Or what about a GC to put toward the softball bat she wants?  

kaleyandjason

Now that you say it, I highly doubt I gave a crap about sentimental  stuff either. I think my mom got me a necklace that said sweet 16. Seriously? Who does that? Was I supposed to still wear it to this day?

I would get her James Van Der Beek, but she probably doesn't even know who that is, so it would be more like a present for myself. lol. . .

I would get her tickets to something, but my parents already got her tickets to go see the Yankees play. I passed on my love of Derek Jeter to her.

The gift card is a really good idea. That way she could use whatever money she gets for her birthday for the rest.

megs1383

I'd say gift cards are always a good choice. I would have been into clothes, jewelry, cds/movies at 16, but those things are so hard to shop for unless you know exactly what their style is.

When I was 16 I also liked stuff to decorate my car, since it was so new and exciting to have a car. I know they make cool accessories like designed floor mats and window stickers and stuff that I would have been into.

But a gift that you can do together (spa or manicure type package, or sporting event, dinner & movie, etc) would also be fun.

Junebug060609

A car.

But since she already has that...maybe the keychain idea and a supply of gas cards.  Or maybe music of some sort to play in said car. 

I also like the idea of capitalizing with the sister thing.  Maybe some time out together.  Maybe a spa day, get your nails done.