<p>Can anyone help me with a suggestion for a gift idea for two very nice young ladies (sisters), age 11 and almost 13, who live in Aruba? They are the daughters of my husband’s business colleague, and he and his wife and the girls entertained our family while we vacationed in Aruba recently. The girls have the same things (cell phones, clothing styles, etc.) and do similar activities (intensive “travel” synchronized swim teams, sleepover parties, etc.) as girls their age in the United States (except that they speak 4 languages, like almost everyone there - Remarkable!!!). </p>
<p>I wanted to write a thank you to the parents and send the girls a little gift. I don’t know if there is anything typically “American” they would like, or just anything girls that age would like in general. I am sort of out of touch with that age group and I was never much for trends and fashions anyway.</p>
<p>I like to give small gifts associated with my state - candy Boston Baked Beans in a beanpot, candy lobster lollipops, small stuffed toy lobsters, NE Patriots t-shirts. Kids seem to like them all. Do they have iPods? A gift certificate for iTunes might be appreciated.</p>
<p>I am trying to think back to my D’s 11th birthday party this year. It was the yr the type of gifts changed. She still likes little stuffed animals. Another thing they like is cute journal type books that you can buy at Border’s with a pen. Borders also has some cute little bags that you can put in your backpack to hold makeup or pens and pencils or just stuff with dogs, cats that type of stuff in bright colors. You could fill one with gummie type candy.
Also t-shirts and tank tops from american eagle or Hollister, or Roxy, billabong. If you have a Ross near you they often have surf company tshirts and tanks for less then 10 dollars.</p>
<p>Having just returned from the Philippines where I distributed lots of little gifts to relatives (pasalubong), a big hit with the preteen girls was a foldable brush with a mirror in the handle and a clip used for attaching it to knapsacks, etc., that I got from CVS. One “niece” who’s 10 was inseparable from it. It was about $3.50. Another favorite were a little shoulder bag–small bag with a long strap. In the past, I’ve also brought the fruit-flavored lip glosses (also from CVS).</p>
<p>Anything by Bonebell would be nice for girls their age especially the Smackers line of fruit flavored lip balms. Or, since they have cell phones you can buy cute accessories for their phones…or maybe even a pretty journal set and cute pens.</p>
<p>cute journals, earrings, make up related things…or a tee shirt related to your area of the country</p>
<p>You could also step foot into one of those Claire’s type shops at the mall…the ones that sell all sort of accessories aimed at teens and find lots of little things appealing to this age that are inexpensive.</p>
<p>I’ve always found that with 11-year-old girls, respect is way better than cute. A “cute” journal isn’t liked as much as a very nice “adult” journal, say with a leather cover, for example, rather than a unicorn. Nice silver earrings (if the parents are okay with earrings). A small carved wooden box or a pottery one, because they like to have places for things. Books that you liked when you were that age.</p>
<p>If they need to be small- a necklace with their initials, a little purse, but not a kid one, something shiny and glittery, lotions and bath oils, a fun watch</p>
<p>Classic, small silver jewelry is always tasteful and appreciated. My daughter has always appreciated such gifts and has been giving such gifts to friends over the years. A nice silver chain and simple pendant charm would be a nice, elegant gift. My daughter likes the gift to reflect the interests of the recipient (or of course, you can find something that will remind them of you & your state). Bracelets and anklets are also nice.</p>