Good gift for 16 yo girl

[Anonymous]

What to get my niece? I want to be the cool aunt but I am so out of touch. She is a really well-rounded high-achiever, swimmer, into theater. She dresses like every other girl her age (skinny jeans tucked into UGGS, etc). She is cool but not a huge trend-setter. Any suggestions? Or should I just give her cash. And if so, how much is a respectable amount?

[Anonymous]

$100 or an ipod if she has one already you could buy the itunes gift cards. Or an Amazon gift certificate and she could shop online.

[Anonymous]

I think you cannot go wrong with itunes. I don't think you have to go up to $100.

Or - a dinner and theatre date with her aunt. That would be way more memorable.

[Anonymous]

My 15-year old lsounds like your niece. She loves getting gifts of stuff for her room at PB Teen (Pottery Barn's teenage line). We get their catalogues, and I'm sure it is online. Stuff is kind of pricey, but she has enjoyed getting things like a jewelry stand, a decroative lap desk, and they have stuff like bulletin boards, throw pillows, wall decorations, things to dislay photos, etc.

If she has a favorite clothing or sporting goods store, a gift card from there would probably be appreciated, since she's probably seeing items there all the time that she wants.

[Anonymous]

I love the idea of taking your niece out for a special event and dinner. Our DS is 15 and would love to spend some one-on-one time with a favorite uncle or aunt. Yes, kids that age like "stuff" (maybe girls more than boys), but they also crave the feeling of being treated like an adult -- esp. if they usually end up hanging with little cousins at family gatherings. Think back to when you got to sit at the grown-ups table at Thanksgiving. Just my two cents here. If you'd rather get her an object, I know the girls at my son's school love those Longchamps nylon bags. The size that's the second-smallest costs around $110, I think, and you can get one in a fun color -- lately I've seen a really pretty persimmon color that's very smart.

[Anonymous]

What about tix to the Rockettes show that's coming? Pair that with dinner and it's a fun night for a theater loving teen.

[Anonymous]

Alvin Ailey usually comes to the KenCen in January. Getting dressed up to go out to dinner and a fabulous dance performance with a favorite aunt -- I think a teen girl would love this.