More Gift Tips?
Now that the book is done, 
I’ve finally started to actually think about Christmas. Started decorating this weekend…since I haven’t seen my Christmas decorations in 3 years, it was almost like Christmas came early! I opened boxes and found things I had totally forgotten I had. Plus things I’ve received since then that haven’t ever been used–like 4-5 new buildings for my Dept. 56 Dickens Village collection. That’s what I spent all day Sunday putting together. It’s gorgeous–but I don’t have room for any more buildings!
Anyway, I’m also starting to think seriously about the fact that I have some shopping to do. 
Usually by this point, I am DONE. Not just shopping, but even the wrapping. When the girls were little, I’d have layaways starting in August, pick things up every payday. I’d have them wrapped and hide them in boxes in the garage…hide in plain sight, you know? Our garage was always full of boxes, anyway.
Now, however, I’m really behind the eight ball. And it’s not just because of the book. I also am just stymied on what to get the kids. I know Janelle posted a week or two ago about the “hard to shop for” men in her life–the Dads. But pre-teen/teen girls are really tough, too.
Clothes are obvious–though none of them are clothes-hounds. (And my oldest absolutely refuses to wear anything trendy or with “brand” recognition–she prefers vintage clothing stores and used hippie stuff off eBay. Sigh.)
There are of course video games and movies that I know they’ll like. But clothes are boring and movies/video games are small. And I am a big kid on Christmas morning, I like the room to be overflowing. I’ve often told Bruce–if he got me some fabulous diamond tennis bracelet and nothing, he would see one sad-faced wife on Christmas morning. I would rather have a dozen presents to open–comprised of books I want, CD’s, DVD’s, my Reebok Princess sneakers…(eh, Julie?) rather than one single fabulous gift. (Fortunately, Bruce is a lot like me. He likes Christmas that way, too. )
Back to the girls. It was easy when they were into actual toys that I could go stock up on at Toys R Us. But there’s nary a Barbie to be seen in my house these days (:sob: - last year was our first Barbie-less Christmas in about 15 years!) I love board games myself so we have a ton already. They got lots of stuff for their new rooms when we moved in. The older two got new cell phones last year and the youngest isn’t allowed to have one. None of them are into jewelry, none of them collect things (well, they used to each have music box collections, but they all packed them away and didn’t want to display them in their new rooms. Except my oldest with her Little Mermaid stuff. It’s warring with the Buddhas, incense, beads, etc., in her totally hippie/India/Zen green & pink room. Marches to her own drummer, that one.)
They do love to read. I’d love to hear of any more YA books your “tweens” are digging. My youngest is really into the Stephanie Meyer Twilight books, but we’ve now got them all.
So, anybody have any suggestions for 12-19 year old girls who couldn’t care less about clothes or jewelry or pricey electronics? I’d love to really surprise them with something different…that they would actually like! But beyond the basics above, plus Broadway stuff–which I’ve already covered–I’m stumped!
PS:
Don’t forget to go back to eHarlequin today for the next chapter in my completely FREE Christmas novella…
Holly Cavanaugh has one chance to save her struggling B&B: a featured story on a Country Inns television show. Unfortunately, something uh, unexpected has just fallen out of her new Christmas tree.
With a stiff on the floor and a TV crew on the way, Holly has no time to deal with a visitor. Especially when it’s reporter Zach Weldon–her long lost love–who’s on the trail of diamond thieves. And Holly’s heart.
Don’t miss…
AND A DEAD GUY IN A PEAR TREE
by
Leslie Kelly
Chapter 2 goes live today here www.eharlequin.com
Morning Jungle friends and
Hi Leslie do your girls like Ann Brashers? Her Sisterhood of the Traveling pants books are great reads, even for adults…Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (I recommend that you read and discuss this one too, so you could be ready for any questions they may have)…a lot of the young girls where I work also read the Clique series by Lisi Harrison, Gossip Girl (I forgot the author’s name), the series with all the acronyms like “ttfn” and a book entitled Smashed (can’t remember that authors’ names for those either)…Avi also writes great YA books…My favorite is “Downsiders.” When I taught reading and my kids had to do a book report, I read all the books they chose, which helped me to see what they were into. The were usually shocked to find out that I knew whether they actually read the book or got the information from the dust cover. I will think of some more stuff later…my brain is still a little fuzzy.
Talk to you all soon…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 11, 2007 @ 6:47 am
forgot to ask this question…
Are they into the Classics at all? Some of my fav authors are below…there’s more, but they could start with those…
Jane Austen
Bronte Sisters
George Eliot
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 11, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Morning! I’m not really up on what teenage girls are into (other than boys) so bear with me.
Erin McCarthy (as Erin Lynn) wrote a fun book called “Demon Envy” and I just bought 2 books from PC Cast & her daughter Kristin called “Marked” and “Betrayed”. Both vamp books.
Hope you find lots of great stuff for them.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 11, 2007 @ 6:56 am
I am back…guys if you haven’t read Chapter 2 of Leslie’s Dead Guy in a Pear Tree, you must…it is great…can’t wait for chapter three…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 11, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Any art stuff? My niece asked for the best gift this weekend–fabric. She doesn’t have time to go to the fabric store, but she loves to sew and fool around with crafts and fashion, so she asked me to go just pick her out some cool fabrics. I’m actually looking forward to it–even though I don’t sew. I know my daughter loves anything artsy.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 11, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Good Morning Plotmonkeys and all,
Since your kids are older who not just ask them to give you a wish list then you can take it from there. Congrats on finishing your book and now I’m off to read the next chapter at eHarlequin.
Take care all and have a great day. It’s snowing here.
:cold:
Cher :snowmanhead:
Comment by Cher — December 11, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Great book ideas, guys, thanks–hadn’t thought of the classics. Oldest has read them all but the youngest just read To Kill A Mockingbird and liked it so maybe she’s ready to delve into some of those, too.
And Julie–fabric! What a great idea! Middle one took home ec in school and liked it so much I got her a small sewing machine. Haven’t seen her use it since we moved here, but since it was packed away, maybe she’s just forgotten she liked it.
Paula–glad you liked chapter 2! I had such a blast with that story.
And Cher…I’ve been asking for lists for about a month now. I have a feeling I’m not going to see them…
Comment by Leslie — December 11, 2007 @ 8:44 am
No wish list…okay…if it were me I’d explain to them that I really needed their help in figuring out what they wanted for Christmas because I don’t read minds and unless they wanted to open boxes of clothes, electronics, girl stuff et cetera, in other words stuff they don’t want on Christmas morning then I needed the wish list. If that doesn’t do it
We’re surprising our daughter with an IPod this year. She’s been asking for one forever. She’s a clothes horse too and loves girl stuff so she’s pretty easy.
Good luck,
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 11, 2007 @ 8:59 am
Would they like a gift card to a salon/spa? My daughter loves to get manicures, pedicures, etc. I am giving her a package with lunch and I will go too. Otherwise she is into the clothes and electronics and jewelry. Good luck!
Comment by Michelle J. — December 11, 2007 @ 9:05 am
As Hanukkah is over tonight, I can only guide you on what I did and I already see our kids are night and day different! Our piles ranged from a laptop for the oldest - and then just little things - she asked for all the Starwars DVD’s; I found a pair of rain boots she loved back in September and surprised her with them, a skull keychain I think she’ll love (tonight); a jewelry case for traveling b/c we have quite a few family trips this year - one for each girl - and a pair of black gloves with a red peace sign for the oldest … for the youngest we have Wii already so the Guitar Hero game, an iPod Touch (ack!), a key chain and her first key to the house, a bag of clothes from her favorite store, a sephora makeup case with hundreds of colors and things, they both got Sandicast figurines of wheatens that I think only impressed me, LOL, plastic colored cases for their laptops … earrings … a scarf and hat set she loved, yep, gadgets and things for my girls.
But Les, for the youngest I insisted on a list! The oldest got the laptop early so the rest was gravy and teh best gifts were the ones they asked for and really really wanted badly like the Starwars movies and Guitar Hero, and things. GOOD LUCK!
And last time:
:happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk: :happychanuk:
Comment by Carly — December 11, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Good morning all~
My 13 yr old niece is into clothes/fashion/hair - which might not help you so much. She is also a big reader (big surprise to my brother, who isn’t, but not to me!) So this year for Hanukkah/Christmas (yep, we do both in our family) she got her coveted UGG boots and gift certificates to all the stores to loves to buy her trendy clothes from. She also received gift certificates to get her hair and nails done. She’s a definetely girly girl. The 7 year old niece got everything to do with sports and clothes bought in the boys department. They are complete opposites. Any places they like to go to that they can receive a gift certificate to? Both girls are getting gift cards to a place where they can make their own sundaes, movie passes and plaster fun time. Hope something helps. Glad you finished writing in time to enjoy the season.
Comment by Barbara-Jo — December 11, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Jewlery?
Do they have pierced ears?
Diamond stud earrings?
A really nice watch?
A pair of cute little red matching convertibles? Just kidding.
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 11, 2007 @ 9:29 am
The Hot Fixer from Kandi Corp looks like a small curling iron but it’s used to apply beads, crystals and rhinestones to clothes. It’s great for “funkifying” (my ten year-old’s word) vintage and thrift store finds. The beads and crystals stay on in the washer and the dryer and even I can attach crystals without getting burned.
And would it be tacky to suggest my own YA books? (Yeah I know it would.) Okay, I’ll be a little tacky and just suggest one of them: Rules for Life.
Comment by Darlene Ryan — December 11, 2007 @ 9:38 am
My 16 year old niece and I both loved The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter. Both of my older nieces(16 &13) love to get itunes gift cards and bookstore gift cards. A spa package for you and the girls to do together would be fun. Do the whole girls day out with a special dinner and movie at the end of the day.
Comment by Liza — December 11, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Leslie, I feel your pain. My 14 year old son has an endless list which he adds to daily which gives me lots to choose from. My 19 year old daughter on the other had just has me stumped this year. I did get her a really great digital camera because she is really into photography and would like to take a class as an elective next semester. She also loves Marylin Monroe so I picked up 2 of her classic movies but that’s it, and I’m begining to panick! Like your daughter she has her own unique style so I really can’t cloths shop for her. And I don’t want to give her gift cards because its just so un-santa-ish :santawhat: (I know its probably not a real word, but I’m sticking to it…lol) So how do I make it a special Christmas morning when I have no clue what to get, which makes me feel a little guilty because I feel like, if no one else knows what to get her it its ok, but “I” should know
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 11, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Sorry, no kids of my own, and my only neice just had her second baby so you see it’s been a long time since I’ve had to buy for that age. Plus, my neice was a girly girl and clothes were just fine, and we’d given her a charm bracelot one year, so charms were the thing for every year after that. Do thrift stores give gift certificates?
I’m with you - I love lots of little gifts under the tree. Christmas Day is my birthday and mom used to get mad at my siblings if they bought me one big gift instead of separating them.
I’m off to read the next chapter - loved yesterdays.
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 11, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Acccckkkk, now I have to wait for the next installment. Not fair.
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 11, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Sorry can’t help you….I have three boys 7 and under. I would just flat out tell them, no wish list, then it’s gift card city. I tell my sils that (I put it much nicer, though). I am not a psychic, I live two states away and I haven’t seen their apartments.
I start asking my boys around Halloween, what they REALLY want. sigh…..good luck!
Comment by katie — December 11, 2007 @ 10:04 am
What about a spa day for mom and the girls?
mastree:
Comment by Darla — December 11, 2007 @ 10:18 am
What about iPod shuffles ($75) or Nanos ( a little more) so they can listen to their favorite Broadway shows on them?
Comment by Carly — December 11, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Leslie, my daughter is like your oldest when it comes to clothes. She also likes to shop at Hot Topic where I got her a buch of Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. (hope she isn’t reading this).) Did I say she was 22? Her favorite things to wear are hubby’s old Vietnam era fatigues and tiger stripes when she isn’t doing something more goth or hippie. You never know. But Hot Topics has great vintage t-shirts too.
For young adult books, especially girls, I always reccommend Tamar Pierce’s novels. They work for even 9-10 year olds and they follow characters as they grow, but in a fantasy world of magic. I love them. Ask any bookseller at your local store for someone there that works in kids/YA. They will know which ones. I also got daughter the twilight series for Xmas. Tanya Huff’s Blood series would be good for the older one. See a theme? I like Vamps, but not the Ann Rice type.
I know you said the youngest can’t have a cell phone, but have you seen the ones that they make for kids with only 4 buttons. 911 is preset and you can put in yours, dads and maybe one more emergency number in case she can’t reach you? We have considered one of those for my 85 year old next door neighbor because he couldn’t see the buttons on a regular cell phone but could on one of these. He lives alone and his daughter is in West Virginia, so I keep and eye on him here.
I went nuts shopping at our bookstore. We have some great new games this year. Daughter wants the Pirates game. And I can have a blast in the bargain book section- that is the section I am responsible for, so I always see what is going out!
And I pick them up. We had some really nice DK Publishing ones on Digital and video photography. Oh, wait, I got them for me. 
Along with a bunch of other stuff.
I have 2 grandkids who have not told anyone, including their parents, what they want. They maybe bombarded with iTunes cards if they aren’t careful.
I put my
mastree: up last night finally. And had soooo much help from the kitten, who insisted on climbing in and helping to tip it over. Maybe I will figure out how to post them on my MySpace page and post a link. Cours I have done nothing on myspace but get a page- in 2 years. 
Comment by ev — December 11, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Bath and Body Works? The iPod options are good too, and then you can give them iTunes cards also.
Good luck, I’m struggling with mine too and am resorting to gift cards.
Comment by Jodie — December 11, 2007 @ 10:47 am
My girls are 15 & 17 and I know exactly what you’re going through, Les. It’s tough! My girls are not “girly-girls”. They aren’t into clothes or labels. They don’t like purses or jewelry or accessories, make-up, perfume, etc. It kind of bums me out because I would love to have girly-girls — yet I know they save me a ton of money because they’re not!
What they do love is their music and their ipods. This year, though, they asked for money, and I think that’s what they are going to get. Because I’m tired of buying them “STUFF” I think they’d want, but that they never end up using. I know, I know, money is so IMPERSONAL, and it doesn’t leave a whole lot of presents to “Open”, but like you I’m stumped! And they honestly, TRULY, love getting money!!! :snowmanhead:
Comment by Janelle — December 11, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Hi Leslie~ How about a few different themed gift baskets? Instead of just wrapping up a movie/video game, put it in a basket with a few other things. For example, a movie night basket with the movie, favorite candy, popcorn, and a blanket to wrap up in while watching. Or a manicure/pedicure basket with nail polish, fun nail files, slippers with open toes, lotion etc. (and you can do it with them). A game basket might be fun too if they like to play games. I’ve been wanting to get a backgammon game and teach my kids how to play. I loved it when I was young. Good luck with whatever you do! :santahat:
Happy last night of Hanukkah! :menorah: And happy shopping!
Comment by Robin — December 11, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Well speaking as a 19 year old myself, chick flick flims are always welcome. you could maybe try some of the older meg cabot books? she’s pretty good at writing for all ages, and she has a couple of good adults out as well. oh try the black magician trilogy by trudi canavan too, they’re good =D
as for your younger ones, are they into any celebs? maybe get them a calender with johnny depp or some such on them, or some of these (http://www.giantmicrobes.com/) for a laugh as they didn’t ask for anything
thats all i can really think of for now - good luck! i know i was awkward to buy for!
Comment by Ayla — December 11, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Janelle - I’m so glad to hear someone else say what I’ve been thinking. My inlaws keep asking what my family wants and I told them: GC for my youngest to the sporting goods store so he can apply it toward a shotgun that he wants. Money for my oldest so he can apply it to the IBook computer he wants. Money for me and hubby so we can pool it all together and apply it toward getting a workshop for hubby.
Nope…they won’t do it. They say it’s no fun and so they’re getting who knows what. I’m like you…my youngest, especially, doesn’t need more stuff. He’ll only get in trouble for not keeping it picked up!
Comment by Jodie — December 11, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Ooo, themed baskets, that’s a great idea, Robin! I love that!
Cher :fourturkeys:
Comment by Cher — December 11, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Leslie (who is still internet deprived until this afternoon!) wanted me to thank everyone for the suggestions and keep them coming! She’s getting lots of great ideas!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 11, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Janelle-why not wrap the money up in different boxes so the girls will still have gifts under the tree to open.
Comment by Liza — December 11, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Oooh Robin, I love that idea!! :snowmanhead:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 11, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
:menorah:
Leslie, if your daughters like to read I highly recommend A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks if they haven’t already read it. It is a wonderful read, keep tissues handy. It was made into a movie that I also enjoyed. Have they read Little Women, one of my favorites when I was much younger also the original (to me) movie with June Allyson & Margaret O’Brien. Such a good story. The suggestions that others made about a day for the girls is a wonderful idea. Other than that I’m clueless. My only granddaughter is 9 & still plays with dolls & likes to do crafts. :stocking: :santahat: Good luck shopping. :candycane:
Comment by Donna M — December 11, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Maybe make a date for an all-day mom-daughter thing of each one’s choice? You could do the spa thing (if they/you like that), or just window shop and have a lunch together, or go to the zoo, or catch a concert together, or ???
Comment by Fedora — December 11, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Whoever mentioned the convertables…I second that idea. I would be all for that. Or just a car in general.
To help you out….
My Christmas List:
-World Peace
-A Pony
-Either really good bras, or a breast reduction about 10 years from now.
-A Democrat in the White House in 2008…haha
No but seriously, I’ll think about it and give you some real suggestions when I see you in three days!
Comment by Caitlin — December 11, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Have you got the Disney Scene-It Second Edition or the Pirates of the Carribbean Scene-It yet?
Comment by Ladytink_534 — December 11, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
This sounds like a dumb idea….check out the ‘lists’ on places like the “Today Show” (I just saw Yahoo had one, too). Even though, there may not be anything on them, they might ’spark’ an idea.
Comment by katie — December 11, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
I’m back online!!! 2 pages and about 20 piles of leaves raked in my front yard later!
Thank you everyone–I’m seeing some really great suggestions here. I definitely like the “themed basket” idea, and a spa day sounds fun–although we live in the middle of nowhereville and I don’t even know that there is a day spa within 50 miles!
Caitlin–you keep holding out for that pony, babe (you MUST see the T Mobile commercial…I think of you every time it comes on!)
Comment by Leslie — December 11, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
When my nieces outgrew toys, I swithched to buying them one or two good piece of jewelry a year - a nice chain, pendant, earrings, ring, bracelet etc,.
The first year I included a really nice “grown up” jewelry box. I know they weren’t really thrilled with the jewelry at the time. But it was fun for them to see their jewelry box fill up.
Each of them came to me when they were older and told me how much they appreciated having nice jewelry of their own to wear on dates and for special occasions. They have these pieces to this day and I like to believe that they think of me sometimes when they put them on.
Comment by Linda — December 11, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Hi all!
Leslie I have a 13 year old Grabddaughter.
Got her the third Pirates movie dvd, tickets to theater to see the compass movie.
Csi everything, from big crime scene box to the face reconstruction kit.
Real micro scope. She is so science oriented.
Also got her guitar hero lll and gift card to book
store. The suggestion for the HotFixer interested me so I am off to try
and find one on the web.
True we lost a lot of valuables and memories.
You are all right no one was hurt and Thank God Zoey is okay.
Comment by Jeannie and zoey — December 11, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Jeannie, Good to see you back.
mastree: :fourturkeys: 
mastree:
And Caitlyn, I also thought of the Verizon commercial…It is sooooo funny!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 12, 2007 @ 1:12 am
As a teen i LOVED Jean Ferris’ books. Into the Wind got me hooked on love stories.
Comment by Cail — December 12, 2007 @ 5:32 pm