Daughter uncomfortable with expensive gifts

[disneysteve]

How about stocks in her favorite companies?

That might work for the one aunt and uncle but I don't think the grandmothers will go for that one.

Getting back to Jim's vacation suggestion, though, I remembered that we do have an account for her in the Gift of Israel savings plan. That is a special account that we contribute to each year and there is a matching funds program that adds money to the account. The money is specifically earmarked for a future trip to Israel. We could suggest that people contribute money toward that account. I'll have to run that by her and mom.

[disneysteve]

A reproduction from a favorite art museum gift shop? (Art museum gift shops are full of beautiful things.)

That's a good idea for her. She is into art. In fact, the theme of the reception is "art" so that would tie in perfectly.

[scfr]

Would having her choose her sterling silver flatware pattern now be appropriate? Even tho' she wouldn't use it until she set up house, it would fit in the category of something more spendy that she would use forever and on special occasions. It would also be a very "adult" thing to do. My sisters and I all chose our patterns at age 13, and started receiving pieces as gifts on special occasions. Our mom put the pieces away for us, and gave them to us once we got our first place. And if you're wondering, yes, I still LOVE my the pattern I chose back then. Of course, mom did a good job of emphasizing that I was making a "forever" choice and steered me to classic patterns.

[Broken Arrow]

Here's another idea just to throw into the mix: Hire a good videographer to come in and do a biography on her as a 12 year old. In DVD, with nice music and everything. It's something that everyone can enjoy, especially her, and it will grow in sentimental value as she ages.

Collector coins are another idea.... It's a physical object that can be gifted and if it's made of precious metal, it will at the very least hold its value, if not grow over time.

[jIM_Ohio]

That might work for the one aunt and uncle but I don't think the grandmothers will go for that one.

Getting back to Jim's vacation suggestion, though, I remembered that we do have an account for her in the Gift of Israel savings plan. That is a special account that we contribute to each year and there is a matching funds program that adds money to the account. The money is specifically earmarked for a future trip to Israel. We could suggest that people contribute money toward that account. I'll have to run that by her and mom.

I told you my ideas were bad (you didn't like any of them), but it took 3 bad ideas to find one good one. LOL

[Daylily]

Definitely the Israel savings account! I would think that would go over well with the givers and with your daughter.

Aside from that, what about a high quality string of pearls. This is one item I wish I owned and I'm not at all a jewelry person.

[PrincessPerky]

Maybe if she gushed over the 100 dollar (or less item) the giver wouldn't feel they had a right to force her into a more expensive item?

Though it only works if she really really does like it.....

I like the art idea if she is really into art (for those that wont go with the account)

Or what about a piece of furniture/bedroom 'stuff' that she could use now, and later? just so long as she is able to think ahead...princess lamps might be cool to a teen or even adult woman, but to a married woman..his tastes are important too..... course I say that not really knowing what decent furniture costs...

[GiftBlogger]

If she were a little older, the family members could get together and buy her a Smart ForTwo. I love that little car.

With summer coming up, the travel options seem like the way to go. When I was twelve, my aunt took me to Spain for a month. It was an amazing trip and I have great memories.

Does she have any interests that family members could help with? Summer art classes, music lessons, a new violin or something along these lines might have more meaning for her.

[disneysteve]

Just to update, I brought up the idea of art and she really liked that. In fact, a few weeks ago I had found this:http://www.toonstown.com/3520mpicture_small.jpg It is a sculpture about 15 inches tall.
My wife showed it to her and she loves it, so this will probably be one of her gifts. I think my cousin will be giving it to her. It is perfect since the theme of the affair is art and we collect Disney memorabilia.

Another thing I thought of that I haven't told her about is a glass sculpture of a jellyfish. Something like this: http://www.crystal-fox.com/webart/pr...large/6811.jpg
She has seen them before and I know she loves them.

Thanks everyone.

[Spud]

Aside from that, what about a high quality string of pearls. This is one item I wish I owned and I'm not at all a jewelry person.

This is great. Pearls are classic, understated/not showy, and they can be worn to job interviews, on a date, to a wedding, etc. I am also not a big jewelry person, and wish I had a good string of pearls.

[ktmarvels]

Luggage? A nice set of luggage could last her for a while.

But classic jewelry things like pearls and diamond earings are good too!