Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your DD not driving? Our DS is getting our old car as he's almost done with his driving lessons (just has to take the driving test). That's our big gift. Other (smaller) gifts are like at any other birthday.

I have been thinking about that, but I am not comfortable with the idea of giving her our old car outright. Sure, soon she will be able to drive it, but I want it to still be ours and she has to ask permission to drive it when wanted/needed. I REALLY do not like the idea of her driving her friends around. Plus, I prefer when we drive her to places, pick up her friends, drop them off, etc. And when we can’t, she takes public transportation, which I think is healthy.

We "gave" our daughter our old car, and she absolutely still has to ask permission to use it. Just because she has a car doesn't mean she isn't a teenager. And you can limit her driving her friends around.

If these are problems, OP, it's a matter of you failing to set reasonable expectations.

Anonymous wrote:I like the meaningful jewelry idea, too. Pearl or diamond studs, Tiffany diamond by the yard necklace or a Cartier love bracelet are all pieces she'd be able to cherish for decades.

Jesus

People just piss money away

For my 16th, my parents gave me a nice birthstone ring in 14k gold. I wore it for years. I still have it in my jewelry box.

It depends on your budget, of course. I didn't get diamond studs until I was in my 30s, but I did get nice pearls in my mid-20s.

Around age 16, I got a Tiffany Elsa Peretti silver necklace that I've worn on and off for now 35+ years.

A great experience is a good gift, too. Your DD's preferences would come into play for that, of course. At that age, I'd have loved a pair of concert tickets to take a friend, a weekend in NYC with my parents would have been ok.

I like the meaningful jewelry idea, too. Pearl or diamond studs, Tiffany diamond by the yard necklace or a Cartier love bracelet are all pieces she'd be able to cherish for decades.

Anonymous wrote:Hope about a trip? A special weekend away.

DP with an about to be 16 year old daughter - this is what I have planned for her birthday. A weekend trip to NYC.

Truly sad to see so many perpetuating the western capitalist cisheteropatriarchy here.

Anonymous wrote:Traditionally pearls are given on 16th bday. Can you give her necklace or bracelet with freshwater pearls? Black pearls? Pearl earrings?

I'm almost 50 and would have hated pearls for my 16th birthday. Have never worn or liked them.

Concert tickets

I’m team heirloom jewelry, sorry. I received beautiful sapphire earrings from my mother which I cherished, even though I don’t wear jewelry. 16 is old enough to appreciate it. I feel like experiences would feel like just a family vacation.

Anonymous wrote:Hope about a trip? A special weekend away.

+1 give her an experience. Gifts can be forgotten. Experiences won’t be so easily.

I put together a little album of gift cards for my DD when she turned 16. I included some of her favorite stores and food options, as well as a gas gift card. You can vary the amount on the cards depending on your budget. She really loved it.

Another idea is concert tickets if your DD is into that. For my daughter’s upcoming 17th, we got her tickets to a sold out concert she really wants to attend. She will go with a couple of friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pair of high quality athletic shoes (and an athletic outfit) and a pair of very comfortable, high quality dress shoes.

One to encourage her to exercise and the other two stress the importance of buying well fitted, well constructed, durable shoes to put focus of how quality footwear can affect one's life. Part of a healthy lifestyle that is not usually given as much thought as it deserves.

Of course, this would entail a mother-daughter shopping outing so include a nice lunch.

Why are you assuming OP's dd doesn't already have this?

Okay. So ?

Athletic shoes should be replaced at least twice a year,sometimes more depending upon how heavily used. Regardless, the point is to stress high quality footwear--as opposed to just trendy, expensive--that will not harm one's feet or body alignment.

Relax. It is just a suggestion.

It's her 16th

People are talking pearls and heirloom jewelry

Ignore the idiot trolls OP.

Anyway, would she maybe like a new iPad if not a laptop right now? My DD around the same age really enjoys watching shows in bed to relax. Good luck and happy birthday to your DD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pair of high quality athletic shoes (and an athletic outfit) and a pair of very comfortable, high quality dress shoes.

One to encourage her to exercise and the other two stress the importance of buying well fitted, well constructed, durable shoes to put focus of how quality footwear can affect one's life. Part of a healthy lifestyle that is not usually given as much thought as it deserves.

Of course, this would entail a mother-daughter shopping outing so include a nice lunch.

Why are you assuming OP's dd doesn't already have this?

Okay. So ?

Athletic shoes should be replaced at least twice a year,sometimes more depending upon how heavily used. Regardless, the point is to stress high quality footwear--as opposed to just trendy, expensive--that will not harm one's feet or body alignment.

Relax. It is just a suggestion.

Have you asked her? Mine asked for Lalapalooza tickets (on sale in March but she knew I was getting them as her birthday gift). My mom got her a very pretty gold ring with her birthstone. Both were well received.