Christmas Gift for a Picky 9-Year Old Girl?

Get her the lego set. Screw stereotypical gender role toys. I'm a girl and I loved playing with legos. My husband loved legos too! We played with them very differently. He would get many sets and lump them all together to craft strange and creative conglomerations of his own making. I loved following the directions to the letter and duplicating with mechanical precision exactly what I saw on the box.

Legos are gender neutral and so is Harry Potter.

My daughter just turned 10 this past summer, and her best friend gave her a Star Wars lego set for her birthday. It was exactly what she wanted. Don't nix an idea simply because it is "boyish". She is 9. Lots of girls are into things you could label "boyish"... but not all girls are into girly stuff only. Mine dislikes anything pink or that slightly resembles a doll. And always has. She loves Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Legos, Bionicles and myriad other "boy" type toys. She just got her ears pierced. Don't lump all girls into doll playing "girly girls". They aren't all that way.

I would go with the lego set, and ask for a gift receipt when you get it. I know I always wanted to play with my brother's legos... no one ever seemed to realize that I would like some too! You can give the gift receipt to her mom, and if it turns out that she doesn't like the legos then she can return them and pick something else out.

I suggest a trip to a homeless shelter where she (or any other "picky" child) can get a reality check. Then a shopping trip where things are purchased for children who would appreciate the smallest gift because they have almost nothing at all.

Tis the season mamas and pappas...."Teach your children well".

Blessings.....

How about an age-appropriate jewelry making kit? Can be beading. Could be friendship bracelets. i don't think a 9 yr old would need assistance with most of the ones I have seen.

**ETA** I do agree that girls can TOTALLY love Legos! I loved them, so if she has a Harry Potter obsession, she will love it.

Okay, first of all, there is no need to pick on this child for the people who are responding this way. I am sure she is not ungrateful or rude, and just because she is blessed does not mean she needs to be taught lessons that all kids don't need to be taught. Off of my soapbox now...

My daughter is asking for a new cell phone this year. Does she have a phone? If so, you can get even the iphone for as cheap as $40 if her parents are willing to pay the bill. What about an iTunes card? Cash? A pedi/mani certificate? Can she make her own necklaces and all? My kids all want the Stompeez slippers this year (8 girl, 6 boy, and 4 boy). And lego's are fun!!

I would get her the lego set or a gift card. My nephew is the same way. He has everything! I get him points for his wii so that he download games.

Yep, as someone else put it -- "the gift of time." Take her out somewhere -- to a movie, even better, to a play; to the mall if that's her thing; if there's a Lego store near you, make that an option: I'll take you to the Lego store if you want and you can pick out anything there that's $45 or less. And so on. She probably will like the attention.

As for American Girl,you say your budget is $40 to $50 and also say that AG doll clothes are outside your budget -- but AG clothes, depending on exactly which outfit you pick, are about $22 and up per outfit; you probably could get her one outfit plus an accessory kit or even two outfits and still be around $50. You're in New York area -- why not take her to American Girl Place in New York and let her pick out that $40-$50 worth of items? Just a possibility.

Another idea is a magazine subscription! There's American Girl Magazine which is very good and she might like that. Subscriptions keep on giving all year. Find out if there's another she might like -- National Geographic Kids, Kids Discover, etc.

Why don't you give her the gift of time. It sounds like she isn't appreciative of the gifts in the past. I am not sure I would be buying her much of anything because she has to much.

My kids absolutely adore Amazon gift cards because they can shop for themselves. They like to split it up & get a few small things, maybe some clothes & a toy or book, but they can use it whenever they want.

Get her books.
And/or gift certificates.

E-bay has Harry Potter props and things.

movie theater gift certificates

Forgive me, but the line out of the entire post that stands out is that the mom rolled her eyes...hmm? Get the lego set with a gift receipt. Next year, get her a gift certificate to a beauty salon that will do a mani/pedi and style her hair. She seems like the type that likes to be pampered. Make the appt. for early in the day, and if that comes in under budget, take her to a simple lunch afterwards. You're a great friend :)

forget it...get her a gift card. and then take her shopping.