Hi!
My niece is about to turn 16 and I want to get her something special but I am having a hard time coming up with something. The budget isn't very big which makes it a little harder.
I remember when I turned 16 my uncle gave me a pair of high quality, really nice pearl earrings. I actually wore those same earrings for my wedding.
I don't have the kind of budget for something quite that elaborate. She has metal allergies and doesn't wear earrings and the like very much because of it so jewelry of any kind isn't the best choice.
Any ideas of something special and personal I could get that she'll hold on to and enjoy into adulthood that isn't very expensive?
Thanks!
Is she getting her license? A nice key fob that is grown up would be nice. Department stores have name brand ones for $30 and up.
My only thought, is there something of family significance, maybe that has been passed down, you could give her? My mother passed in November and my sister divided her costume jewelry between two of my young granddaughters, they're 11 and 8, who were very touched.
Why not make a small, pretty album of your favorite pictures of her, and on the opposite page, include a favorite quote, poem or a story about her? That would be pretty special and not very costly. The more elaborate gifts are not always the best loved. When my daughter turned 16, her favorite gift was from a friend - my daughter is a serious hobby artist, and this friend is also. He made her a personalized portfolio. He bought a store bought art portfolio and decorated/personalized it for her, she just loved it.
I have TERRIBLE metal allergies when it comes to my ears.
However, bracelets, necklaces, and rings don't bother me.
My daughter's name is Angel. I got her the prettiest I.D. type bracelet at a local jewelers that had an angel charm on it and had it engraved with her name on the front and the date on the back. It turned out so lovely. I think the whole thing, including the engraving, was about $30. I wish I could remember the brand. They had a whole case of different bracelets.
You might also consider a pearl necklace. Some of them aren't as expensive as you'd think. I have purchased many things on e-bay and home shopping channels and I've been very, very happy. I don't want to mention anything specific here because I'm not advertising for anyone, but you can get some great stuff and really good deals. Some places let you pay for things at a lower rate over a few months. I've done it a million times. You can get beautiful strands of gemstones, pearl sets, etc. It doesn't have to be about metal and jewelry doesn't have to be completely out of the question.
Best wishes!
Until I read your message I was thinking of pearl earrings or a birthstone ring. What about a charm bracelet with one "starter" charm. I saw some in the jewelry store today.
How about a journal with a lock? I recall at that age I had all these crushes on boys and couldn't possibly talk to my parents about them! I journaled a lot. Great way to express yourself when your friends are tired of hearing about Boy#1000 you like and you don't necessarily feel like going to Mom and Dad. Couple it with a pen of her personality (ie - sparkly, or colored, or some etc).
If you are the crafty type, how about a photo album? Here is a link to what I'm talking about.
http://www.ehow.com/video_###-###-####_measure-homemade-p...
My aunt made me one and I keep all the photos of my childhood in them that my grandma had.
GEt her an Alex and Ani bracelet. They are very cool, meaningful and inexpensive.
http://www.alexandani.com/bracelets/single-charm-bangles....
I have metal allergies as well, ears, neck, wrists even my fingers when I wear cheap metal. Gold, silver, platnum (sp?) are okay but I can't afford that. I make my own with beads, stone, glass etc. I use silver plated findings so they don't bother my neck. They don't have to be expensive.
