Anonymous wrote:Maybe a board game instead?

No. Unless you know they want one. You are going to get suggestions all over the place. My DD would love a Starbucks or Sephora GC. Others would hate that. She wouldn’t like stickers or a game.

This would not be used by my 10th grader. Make up gift card or target gift card would be decent ideas. One of her friends made her an adorable little basket last year with a mug, some hot chocolate mix and a pair of cozy socks. She still uses the socks and mug.

The NYT had a column on gift giving this morning and it suggested looking at secondary hobbies. So if you have a girl who loves books and just joined a club lacrosse team, don’t give her books or bookmarks because she gets that from everyone. But like a little lacrosse player ornament would be perfect because she doesn’t have everything related to that interest yet. I thought it was an interesting perspective.

Maybe a board game instead?

Truth

This would be great for the 6th grader, not the older ones.

My not super artsy high school daughter wants one. Her friends use them to make stickers of themselves.

Anonymous wrote:The middle school girls I know who are into making stickers are using cricut machines and making custom stickers for other kids to make pocket money and as gifts. I think anything less elaborate or with less professional results would be disappointing for a kid of that age.

Good call on Cricut. My aunt makes insane cards with that.

Craftiness usually runs in families.

OP...try reading Amazon recs if any.

Anonymous wrote:Good ideas, thanks pp.

The one I saw like this one showed it was more for note taking, like making your school work functional and attractive. But, I also didn't know if they were complicated to use, or if anyone was using these. Any more recs appreciated!

https://thermanote.com/products/thermanote-wireless-thermal-printer?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsAqhdxU5hpLe2KlU5nJLthKZEL6Aug2TqIl8XMaIDXafbVsIv8RUSLRoCtx8QAvD_BwE

I'm the PP who said "elementary vibes" but that is a bit more sophisticated than I was expecting. Can you ask the girls' mothers if they are crafty?

I have a cousin who would have used that in high school but me no. And I still have some 40 year old Mrs. Grossman stickers in my stationery box that I keep as a souvenir.

I was watching shark tank and this woman came on there with a machine that attaches jewels to hair. It was cute.

Also a mom of boys

The middle school girls I know who are into making stickers are using cricut machines and making custom stickers for other kids to make pocket money and as gifts. I think anything less elaborate or with less professional results would be disappointing for a kid of that age.

This would definitely be a miss with my 7th and 9th graders, sorry.

Anonymous wrote:It does sound fun but I think your gift recipients might be too old. I'd say 4th-6th grade might be o.k. Definitely not for the older ones.

Makeup gift card (Target, Sephira, Ulta) or maybe a Teen Vogue or specialty magazine subscription for the older ones.

Stickers give elementary school vibes.

Really depends. My artsy 16 year old would be way more excited about a sticker printer than a makeup gift card.

Good ideas, thanks pp.

The one I saw like this one showed it was more for note taking, like making your school work functional and attractive. But, I also didn't know if they were complicated to use, or if anyone was using these. Any more recs appreciated!

https://thermanote.com/products/thermanote-wireless-thermal-printer?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsAqhdxU5hpLe2KlU5nJLthKZEL6Aug2TqIl8XMaIDXafbVsIv8RUSLRoCtx8QAvD_BwE

It does sound fun but I think your gift recipients might be too old. I'd say 4th-6th grade might be o.k. Definitely not for the older ones.

Makeup gift card (Target, Sephira, Ulta) or maybe a Teen Vogue or specialty magazine subscription for the older ones.

Stickers give elementary school vibes.

I'm looking for a small gift to send with $$ to my nieces, who range in age 6th to 10th grade. I saw these on IG and think they look fun/useful. Are girls using these and if your dd has one she likes, what brand?

--Mom of college-aged boys