Terra, I agree that gift certificates are a safe choice. That's what ALL our nieces and nephews are getting! We usually go with Barnes & Noble gift certificates for the ones who love books, Kohls for the ones who might choose clothes or household items for college, and Best Buy for the ones who would choose computer accessories, games, or movies. If you're anti-gift certificates (which I tried to do for many years before I gave up) I would suggest: 1. baskets of cosmetics and make-up brushes and fragrances, etc for the teenaged girls, and 2. a small tool box with some Craftsman hand tools for the boys. Both can be repeated each year with just the contents changing (a set of screwdrivers one year, a ratchet set the next year). If you want "boy" fragrances, our 16-year old son asked for Tommy Hilfinger cologne and Cool Waters this year. You could always wrap them in one of those zipper shaving kit bags (the male equivalent of a big cosmetic bag). Another idea for girls or boys would be a piece of luggage (the kind like fancy athletic bags). How about good-quality backpacks (about $40 each) for them to haul their school stuff around in? For girls, you could start them on a "collectible" and add to it each year (something like Precious Moments figurines). For older teen girls, you could choose Spode pieces and add to the collection even at their wedding shower some day! Good luck, Julie

me, too...I have 7 dgds and 2 dgs...witht he exception of the 2yo, and the one who wants nike slide sandals, wonderful idea... last year went to 5 & below..found "real" safes with a combo, for the gift cards....dh HATES them! but with one dil who 6 mos later has the toys on craigs list it's pretty sad...

Sounds like fun! My sister did a similar thing when her daughter was 13, but added a sort of mall scavenger hunt to the mix... I wish I could remember what it included! I know there was a mix of finding information, purchasing small items (some specific candy comes to mind), and getting an "autograph" from some specific person, etc.... They may have done it in two 3-teen teams. I should ask her! I know it was a hit! I think she provided a modest amount of cash to get them started. When I was growing up, we typically had "family birthdays," with one "friend party" per childhood. When I was turning 15, I realized that I hadn't yet had a party, so I choose to have a hiking party. My dad took about 8 girls for a day hike (him identifying plants, pointing out specific peaks with the shared binoculars, us tasting things like licorice fern- your basic Pacific Northwest fun!), then back home for hamburgers, with a stop for milkshakes on the way. It was memorable for everyone (it was discussed at our 30 year high school reunion!).

There are drawing pads that draw with light https://lightdrawingpad.com/products/light-drawing-pad-fun-and-developing-toy?variant=30308965843024&utm_medium But I took Bumble to be talking about this kind of light mat -- a thinner version of what used to be a light box (LEDS make that possible) used for tracing. Tracing can be a learning tool or a crutch that prevents them from learning -- all depends on how it is used and what is wanted. https:/amazon.com/Portable-LITENERGY-Artcraft-Sketching-Animation/dp/B07F147VF6/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=light+mat&qid=1573911176&sr=8-8 An upright version -- good for painters or drawers who will use an easel https://amazon.com/Diamond-Painting-Adjustable-Brightness-Detachable/dp/B07RWD3S5Q If she is really interested in learning to draw, I would look at some books that teach drawing and pencils and sketch books or pads to go with them. There are books for animals, people, flowers and general ones like this. They will help her see shapes and figure out how to break down the things she wants to draw into something that seems easier and build on that. . https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Book-Kids-Things-Activities/dp/0997799374 Another option would be to give her a subscription to Bluprint and let her take classes and watch videos there. They are running a special on the annual membership for the holidays. One plus to Blueprint is that she could get bored with drawing and try some painting -- or crocheting or knitting or embroidery or sewing.... It's all covered by the same membership (her mom could even take a class when she's not watching) and they offer a lot of discounts on materials. https://www.mybluprint.com/p/gift-bluprint Copic markers are ones a lot of illustrators use, but I wouldn't buy them for a beginner. There are sets like this one on Amazon for knockoff brands that get good ratings. I'd start there. They are alcohol inks -- like Sharpies, so rather permanent and will dry out if left uncapped. Make sure she's ready to handle them and understands that these are for coloring the designs she draws with pencil -- at least for now. If she gets into the Copic level, they have sketch versions and paint versions. https://amazon.com/Caliart-Permanent-Highlighters-Illustration-Underlining/dp/B073TWPHQN If she works on drawing skills, she can take that into anything else she might like to try. If drawing doesn't hold her interest, there are a lot of crafting options she can move into. You can search Google, Amazon and Pinterest for 9-10 year old art ideas and see if there is something else that looks like her to you. But building skills at this age will be a real plus if she has the desire to learn and the patience for it. Hope that helps.