me2

Wait until Target goes 90% off Halloween clearance. You can get some great dress up stuff and costume props CHEAP. One of the big hits last year at Christmas here was three cheapie plastic swords that I picked up at Target for around fifty cents each.

I'd skip the Victoria's Secret. 11 y.o. is all about Limited Too. I have a 14 y.o. Craft and art kits are another hit with a lot of girls that age, particularly the nicer "professional" looking art kits from Michaels. Aaaand...they have those 40% off one item coupons that regularly pop up in the newspaper. Room decor - lava lamps, fuzzy pillows, cool bulletin boards. Digital cameras can be a big hit, particularly if they come with nifty software to fool around with.

Dh is one of 7 and there are 20+ nieces and nephews, and that's not counting the nieces and nephews who now have kids of their own. $30 MINIMUM sounds way too high! His family does a family name drawing. We'll have one family for whom we need to buy a gift. They also have a $20 maximum, which is really, really tough! The idea is to make it low enough so everyone can participate and nobody feels left out if it's been a tough year. With only $20, you really have to hit the sales and get creative. I like the idea of doing a drawing and giving a family gift, just because it's worked well for us.

How about a gift certificate for maid service for a day (I would LOVE that one! ) Or possibly flowers and an invitation to a really nice restaurant for brunch?

Play-doh and Play-doh sets. My younger daughter absolutely loved Play-doh from the time she was about 3 until age 6 or so. It's good for developing hand strength for writing later on.

[ I could really use some ideas. [/font] Flowers. Or Flower of the Month Club. Or Cake of the Month Club. Or tickets to an event that she likes - symphony, a play, a concert.