I agree...crafts! How about a fairy garden kit for kids?

Fairy Garden

My Audio Pet

My nieces love these things.

Buy her a book. Reading skills and reading for enjoyment are important.

What's a mani? A manicure? At age 9 I'd have run and hid. I probably never have cashed it in for at least 7 more years. If I hadn't lost the certificate by then.

I feel bad for this girl. Nine years old, and has everything. She is going to grow up, expecting everything... and learning, or maybe not learning, you have to earn a lot of things.

Geez, let's not overreact. I hardly think a manicure is going to push a little girl towards personal vanity.

It's just another version of dress up, or should children never do that either?

Bossyvossy- crafts are also a good idea if she likes crafts.

The thing is, without knowing the kid, there is no telling what they might like or not. Some love reading, others hate it. Some love doing girly things like dress up and nails, others hate it. Some love sports or science or art or...you get the idea.

If I have to get a present for a child of either gender that I don't know, my default is to get Legos, not a Lego kit, just a box of classic Legos.

Crafts might be a good idea. Pick something she can do by herself, unless you want to be there to help her.

Some 9 year olds love the pedi experience. Check with the mother.

All 9 year olds that I know would be happy with a Target gift card or cash to buy whatever they like.

How about some cute personalized note cards? Hand-written notes are not a thing of the past!

A book would be my choice. Perhaps a book with a companion stuffed animal, There are plenty available.

Scented soaps.

I remember getting some beautiful soaps when i was 9. I really loved them and still have that pretty box. Fine soap is something I still enjoy receiving.

Do not feel bad for this girl. She's caught my attention b/c despite her good fortune she's humble and grateful. She's kind and you just want to eat her up w/kisses. so what if she turns into a surly, entitled teen. I'm living in the now on this one, ha.

A puppy.

(on a more serious note....I vote for something crafty...)

I know a lot of kids that age who are thrilled with a Target gift card.

And FYI, my SIL has been taking her step granddaughter for pedicures since she was 6 years old. It's something they do together when she visits.

One of the things that has won me over is her behavior towards my two dogs. Everybody is crazy about the new miniature poodle. Her family was visiting me, all playing with Mickey. She went straight to the schnauzer and said to me: "I don't want him to feel left out", and played with him for a bit while the others fuzzed over Mickey. That is innate goodness.

Every child I've given a squishable to loved it. Maybe a squishable poodle. You'll look and you'll think "oh no, not another stuffed animal" but they really are more than the average stuffed animal. They really are so squishy and soft and there are so many cute choices.

*Push them in the direction of personal vanity*

Know what makes a beautiful woman?

A confident woman!

This starts as children.

I think the fairy garden would be cute and she can add on to it.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are some really cool updated Polaroid cameras. I know, sounds weird to us, but DD LOVED that gift, and her girlfriends love to take photos with her. They come in cool colors!

The other idea is a gallon of Elmer's glue, and some special slime sparkles. Amazon has them.

I don't know what you have in your area but I think an "experience" gift is best for someone who already has "everything". Indoor rock climbing, roller skating, bowling,ice skating, children's theater tickets, miniature golf, amusement park tickets, paint your own pottery session etc. Preferably a pair of tickets or passes so she can take a friend with her.

If she has everything, let her pick out a gift to give to some other child in need.

She collects stuffed animals... Her family was visiting me, all playing with Mickey. She went straight to the schnauzer and said to me: "I don't want him to feel left out", and played with him for a bit while the others fuzzed over Mickey.

How about a stuffed animal that looks like your Schnauzer? You/she can name him Mickey! :)

I love the idea of an experience vs a THING but I would steer towards something more age appropriate. We live in a world where women are objectified, judged on looks. I would not begin this push at that young age. I am a firm supporter of not rushing teen/adult attitudes or behaviors. That time of life comes all too fast and lasts FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. How about a movie/play trip to a water park....

Fantastic ideas all. My giving gifts to girl is my indirect way of thanking Mom. As a good mom, she would be more thrilled that her kids got fuzzed over than herself. Gift will not be high $ or a teachable moment. Just something more than a bear hug, that's all. I do think mom will strangle me if I show up w/a stuffed animal, ha. The girl's BR is full of them and I've seen a couple of boxes of them sitting around. She is crafty and is hooked to ipad. The speakers suggested above are speaking to me....

Since school has just started is there a trendy doodad that is school related? My years of keeping up w/children trends are long gone, ha.

When i was her age I couldnt wait to play the violin. Has she shown any interests in music? Maybe a trial music lesson or two.

How about lunch/dinner and a movie just you and her.

Is there anywhere near you that you could go out for high tea?

Tea idea! That would appeal to her and mom

As others said, it depends on the individual, but I would have loved high tea at 9. I also got regular manicures with my grandmother from the age of 4 on and have never felt like I was being steered in a particular vein of womanhood. It was just fun time together.

Tea for you and the lovely little girl is a wonderful idea!! Be sure to get a picture of the two of you - maybe you could put it in a nice frame for another occasion. It is a huge gift for children to have trusted adults outside of their immediate families.

A sweet, animal-loving 9 year old would probably be happy if you donated to an animal welfare organization in SE Texas for her. Not sure how you'd wrap that though--they're probably too busy to be sending out certificates.

I love lalennoxa's idea. With all the tragedy happening in Texas (and Bangladesh area), perhaps you two could shop for some things to send to a child or children at a shelter. Then take her to lunch.

how about something personalized?? a beach towel, beach/tote bag, bath towel, Tervis water bottle, pencils with her name on them, pencil case... really some many things to choose from!! especially if she has an uncommon name, which is hard to find things pre-made, she would love it, i think!!!??

Since the gift is fluff and not a teachable moment (good for you! sometimes we just need fun): I love the personalized stuff. Still, at the age of 50. One of my intermediary bosses at work gives these out every year at Christmas. Last year was a water bottle with my name on it. I love it! My son tries to steal it constantly. The year before was a notepad with my name on it. I am still using it. It's my garden/seed log. So I second that idea.

Here's where she got the stationary. Why not let her personalize what she wants?

IMO a donation no matter how worthy and no matter how unselfish the child is just wrong....she's 9 years old. My Tim is still 9 I don't know a more unselfish, kindhearted person child or adult than him but I would bet if I made a donation in his name regardless of how his heart would swell with pride...there would also be dissappointment. 9 year olds want something they can enjoy face to face..I'm not saying anything wrong with a child donating..but on their special one day a year...make it ALL about them.

Rob333 that is a great website. Her name is "hard" so a personalized item would be great.

Bath bombs are very popular. Just not from Lush, they will stain tub!

In my day and neighborhood, a diary was a welcome gift, but I suppose in today's world, that would be passe. How about a purse with an over-the-shoulder strap.

Jemdandy..I remember well back in the day when a diary was on my wish list. Didnt all of us young girls have one hidden under the mattress lol. Every evening for a week or so pulling it out to write Dear Diary....

diaries are still wanted! took my 8.5yo out to do some school shopping and she immediately seized upon a notebook to use as one :)

For a nine-year-old so in tune with animals, there are two books she may just love. One is PAX, by Sarah Pennypacker, and the other is The Underneath by Kathy Appelt. There are others, but these are two of my favorites. Another idea: around here, it's become a bit trendy, (but I still think it's a nice thing), for children to ask for dog shelter donations rather than gifts. So possibly you could get her a gift card to a local PetSmart and let her pick some things out to then take to a local shelter herself.

I cheated! I asked a neighbor whose girls play with the girl in question. Turns out "K" is a girlie girl so she suggested bath items, toiletries, etc. Ulta had these delicious smelling bath bombs shaped like cupcakes and that's what I got. She loved it and used that very evening. It was under $10, in line with small gesture I wanted to make.

had money left to get one $2 bottle of TJ White Zinfandel. This particular wine is drunk like koolaid in my neck of the woods.

Mission accomplished! Thanks for your input.

Elmer, not fashionable for soccer moms to guzzle everclear.

Bossy, I understood what you ment.

I saw the pic before I read your concluding post and wondered why you gave a 9-y-o a bottle of wine. :)

Bossy, haha win/win.

It's never "cheating" to ask when you are not particularly close to someone and don't know their likes and dislikes.

OMG I just realized my poorly constructed sentence (I'm slow). Somebody could have turned me in for child endangerment, ha.

i gave the bottle to parents. BTW, I was sipping on the TJ wine while posting so it could explain I wasn't all there.

I raised boys so the gift for the brother was as easy as blinking. The boy is a coin collector so I got him a display book of quarters for all the states. Mom sent me pic of 1/2 completed book. So sweet. Very outstanding family. The dad grew up in UK and has a powerful voice and accent like Sean Connery, swoon!

I am so glad that your present for the little girl worked out. She sounded very sweet.