Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extravagant is tacky.

Work backwards from something meaningful to fit into budget. Some things are naturally expensive, and nice, but not extravagant, like travel or a first formal dress or (part of) first car for a driver.

Yeah OP tell her that for her 13th birthday you pledge to pay for part of her prom dress or part of a car in the next five years or so.

So, you’re not tacky.

Absolutely no to the prom dress. How weird. What if she doesn’t even want to go to prom?

Anonymous wrote:Extravagant is tacky.

Work backwards from something meaningful to fit into budget. Some things are naturally expensive, and nice, but not extravagant, like travel or a first formal dress or (part of) first car for a driver.

Yeah OP tell her that for her 13th birthday you pledge to pay for part of her prom dress or part of a car in the next five years or so.

So, you’re not tacky.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some combo of purse/jewlery/gift card. Maybe all 3.

Like the $200 Tiffany necklace above
And a $150-200 purse from Kate spade/coach or the like
And a $100 Sephora gift card

Id be angry about this is I were mom. Please don’t encourage my 13 yr old into a materialistic basic B. What 13 yr old needs all this?

Take her to NYC for the weekend and a Broadway show

+100

Anonymous wrote:Some combo of purse/jewlery/gift card. Maybe all 3.

Like the $200 Tiffany necklace above
And a $150-200 purse from Kate spade/coach or the like
And a $100 Sephora gift card

Id be angry about this is I were mom. Please don’t encourage my 13 yr old into a materialistic basic B. What 13 yr old needs all this?

Take her to NYC for the weekend and a Broadway show

Some combo of purse/jewlery/gift card. Maybe all 3.

Like the $200 Tiffany necklace above
And a $150-200 purse from Kate spade/coach or the like
And a $100 Sephora gift card

I would do an experience. Take her to NY to see a show on broadway, or buy tickets for a show here. Or if she's into food, take her to a fancy restaurant for her favorite cuisine. Does she have a favorite band, take her to see live music.

I have an aunt who always used to give me jewelry from Tiffany when I was growing up, but it was never really my style so I don’t think I ever wore any of it. As an adult, I still don’t like to receive jewelry as a gift because I’m particular about what I’ll wear.

My teenage daughter wears all kind of jewelry, but honestly can’t tell the difference between what’s expensive and what’s junk. It’s all the same to her, so spending $500 on a necklace (that she might easily lose) would be a waste.

Jewelery from Tiffany & Co.
Something from pandora

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An electric scooter.

A shopping spree at Sephora.

New sneakers (all the kids that age are asking for incredibly expensive Nikes or other brands).

Lululemon is very popular with that age set.

Tickets to a concert: Zack Bryan, Jason Aldean, Ice Spice, and Olivia Rodrigo are all coming to Philly.

Electric scooters are extremely unsafe. In fact, all the scooters you rent say must be 18 or above

I'm talking about the kind you stand on. The kind that so many middle school kids have - my son and almost all of his friends.

A necklace or earrings from Tiffany or a purse such as Marc Jacobs snapshot bag. I think something like either of these would be closer to $300/$350 and feel very special

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I asked my best friend. My goddaughter wouldn’t share what she really wanted. She’s too polite.

Going into 8th grade. Has a phone. Apple gift card?

So it isn’t your child? This seems inappropriate for a 13 yr old coming from someone that isn’t the parent, and isn’t a college fund contribution

You are so strange. No one besides parents give gifts?

And in the OP…I stated I am her godmother, she’s my goddaughter

So? Giving a 13 yr old $500 in the form of gifts is too much. She isn’t getting married, graduate college, etc. At least ask the parents if they are ok with her getting $500 with of lululemon or Sephora junk before you do this

+1 I would be really annoyed if my DD got a $500 mean girl kit.

Anonymous wrote:If you are very close, take her to NYC to see Gracie Abrams at Radio City then go shopping and have her pick something out. She will never forget that type of experience.

I did similar for my goddaughter. As the (fairy) godmother, extravagant it is. We did a Broadway show and high tea at the NY Palace at 13 with some shopping in midtown.

If you are very close, take her to NYC to see Gracie Abrams at Radio City then go shopping and have her pick something out. She will never forget that type of experience.

I would give her jewelry: either a Tiffany alphabet necklace or birthstone jewelry.

https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/necklaces-pendants/tiffany-notes-alphabet-disc-charm-pendant-GRP03112/

https://www.shaneco.com/fashion-rings/bezel-set-heart-shaped-ruby-stackable-ring/p/41085241

If she is into art, you can get a really exquisite art supply selection for $500. Take the time to look for novel things. Metallic watercolors, handmade papers, Dresden foils calligraphy stuff. Love this shop: https://twohandspaperie.com/

If she likes baking, do something similar with a really novel pan, embossed rolling pin, amazing sprinkles , a pastel cake stand.

Juniper press also makes wonderful gift book sets for this age and they can be personalized

https://juniperbooks.com/collections/pop-culture/products/twilight-red-moon-book-set

Lord of the rings, classics…you would have to know if and what she likes to read

When I went to college a relative gave me a $300 gift card to a local bookstore. I had to use it in person and it was sooo much fun picking out what I wanted.