Today is my sister's birthday, and it's suddenly dawned on me, I have no clue what she likes (besides wanting to drive, boys and clothes). Don't get me wrong, I love my sister and tell her every chance I get that I do, but in terms of what to give as a present, I'm kind of clueless.
So, ladies, this is where you come in, and give me a few ideas. If you were 16 again, what would you like to get from your brother? I've been thinking about getting her a gift certificate, but don't know if that would appear stupid or not. Is giving cash a good thing, or tacky? If any guys have any suggestions, I'd listen to them.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Car
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
I let her drive a car once, and look what it got me!
Posted by Audeo (Member # 5130) on :
I give my brothers books, then, when they don't like them I borrow them on a semi-permanent basis.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Cash is a bit tacky, a car might be too expensive.
Maybe a gift cert to her favorite store?
Does she collect anything?
Oh, and whatever you do, get her some chocolate.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Concert tix or a CD?
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
So chocolate from a brother isn't too weird?
No, she doesn't collect anything that I'm aware of, but girls are sneaky little people and can easily hide a collection.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Cash would've been fine with me (even better, is your idea of a gift certificate); however, some people really DON'T like getting cash as a present. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Take her shopping. She loves the ACT of shopping more than the gift you buy her. So take her with you and let her pick it out with you along.
Farmgirl
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
I like jewelry, myself. If you have even a vague idea of what a person likes, it's not hard to buy something for them that isn't expensive.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Ooh, Farmgirl, I like that one!
Either that, or buy her a boy. Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Some appropriate DVds:
I Captured the Castle Whale Rider Bend it Like Beckham
Perhaps a subscription to Netflix, audible.com, or if all else fails consult Amazon Top Sellers list. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
And as a side note: I LOVE getting jewelry. I adore earrings, especially. Jewelry is always a good way to go, Nate.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Oooh! I like Farmgirl's idea!
As far as presentation, a homemade "coupon" good for "One Chauffeured Trip To the Mall" to accompany the gift certificate?
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
I like Farmgirl's idea, too.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Weren't you trying to school her in the finer points of 80's cinema? What about "Some Kind of Wonderful"?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
No worries from me, Speed. I embrace my tackiness! Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
I like pooka's idea. Shouldn't be hard to find a cheap copy of an '80s movie or two to throw at her along with the main gift.
I also like the idea, if you have broadband, of buying her a certain number of songs to download.
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
I have to disagree...
My little sister (15) would be horrified to go shopping with one of our older brothers. I'm only acceptable to be seen with if she "dresses" me up and "makes me up" properly... ie. I wear the tightest, shortest things possible and wear a ton of makeup.
If you know a store she loves going to, I'd go for the gift certificate.
Or if the gift certificate is "tacky" in your family do what my older brother did for many years... bought something he knew wouldn't fit me from taht store and give me the reciept "Ooops! I guess I got that all wrong... go exchange it for something that fits that you'll wear"
A gift certifate to the movies might be nice for her... I always enjoyed those.
Or do the unthinkable- ask her if she has any birthday wishes! Ask for a bunch, she'll be happy with what you get her, and it'll at least be a little bit of a surprise
[ April 19, 2004, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Jaiden ]
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
quote: "Some Kind of Wonderful"
This was the very first movie I ever saw while on a "date". I couldn't have been more than 11 or 12. His mom drove him over to pick me up and take us to the movies, then we walked over to McDonalds for ice cream. My mom picked us up from there and we took him home.
Hmmm...wonder when this movie came out...
/derailment
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Wow, what great gift ideas! My little brother's 16th birthday is coming up in early May, I think I've got his present picked out now: tickets (2, one for him and one for a friend) to a show to see one of his favorite bands.
For reference: giving cash is not tacky, just uncreative and unpersonal, especially if you are close to the person, but getting that hard currency always made my eyes light up. Making your own coupons is always a hit, as I have discovered.
Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
I remember when I was 16 all I wanted was access to alcohol and R+ rated stuff. But then again, I was a 16 year old boy, which is far less reasonable and sensible than a girl.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
I personally would be quite happy to get some good quality chocolate from my brothers. Hear that, Mr. Funny? Books are also good, as are CDs or computer games. If she's into that sort of thing, that is. A lot of girls also like scented bath stuff (make sure she's not allergic first!).
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
If her ears are not pierced and she would like it, you could offer her ear piercing and earrings. At 16, I guess it would be a way to say her you know she has grown.
[ April 20, 2004, 03:33 AM: Message edited by: Anna ]
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
You could write her an instruction manual on men--
T Smith's 101 Tips to Catch a Man
by
T Smith (a man)
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Storm Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Colin Farrell or Vin Diesel. You can never go wrong with those. Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
$$
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
I can be mistaken, but I think that a jewel - I don't mean a precious thing, just something she can wear everyday - could be fine for a 16th birthday. EDIT to add : go and choose it with her if you're not sure, for it's quite personal. The ear idea could be good if it's not done and she wants it 'cause they usually (at last here) offer you your first earrings when you pay to have your ears pearced.
[ April 20, 2004, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: Anna ]
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Money and gift certificates depend on the person. Some like it, some don't.
You could give her some roses. You could get her a game that the two of you could play together. You could bake her a cake. (or try to )
Jewellry or clothes might not be a good idea. Girls tent to be picky about what they wear, so unless you know for sure, it might be risky.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
So, T_Smith --- we are all curious as to what you DID end up getting/doing for her for her birthday. Since it was kind of last minute...
Farmgirl
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
I'm with Farmgirl Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
I thought it was funny.
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
quote: You could write her an instruction manual on men--
T Smith's 101 Tips to Catch a Man
by
T Smith (a man)
Naturally, I'd be using my Hatrack screen name, right? Actually, its not a bad idea. Simple, already made, personalized. Yeah....
Actually, my sister got home at 3 am last night from a band trip up to Seattle. She woke up this morning to break fast in bed, I wished her happy birthday and told her Friday we can go shopping at the mall, get some lunch, and pick out her present.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
You are SO sweet! My daughter is going to wish her big brother was like this...
Farmgirl
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
I don't know your last name, actually, and figured you would get the point of the joke if I just used your screen name. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
I can't believe there would actually be 101 ways to catch a man. There are, at most, three.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
If she's turning 16 get her Sixteen Candles -- one of the best cheesy 80s movies around. Or Dirty Dancing.
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
PSI, #1 being: "The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Right? Posted by Rhaegar The Fool (Member # 5811) on :
Well, at the moment I am in deep deep good places with my sister for two gifts. For her last birthday I got her season one of Buffy, her all time favorite show, that gave me awesome brother points until about Christmas, where I really proved myself to be awesome, I bought her a life size cut out of orlando bloom in Legolas outfit, I now have awesomeness points for all time.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote: Vin Diesel
He's not exactly the most inspiring person ever.
I suggest a DVD, and I liked the suggestion of 'Bend it Like Beckham'. It's cool and not dumb.
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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I embrace my tackiness! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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This was the very first movie I ever saw while on a "date". I couldn't have been more than 11 or 12. His mom drove him over to pick me up and take us to the movies, then we walked over to McDonalds for ice cream. My mom picked us up from there and we took him home.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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