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Post by epeanymous on Jun 11, 2024 21:37:28 GMT
Peas, my graduating high school senior has their first girlfriend. They have only been dating for a few weeks (including prom), and her birthday is tomorrow. My kid (who is gender-fluid which is why I am using gender-neutral pronouns; I'm offering this only if it influences your suggestions to know that these aren't kids with traditional gender roles, really) is stumped as to what to get her. She had mentioned concert tickets for a particular band, but while she is staying here for college, my kid will be a plane flight away for college when the concert actually happens, and the tickets would be pretty expensive, so the combination of those factors makes it a little weird, although I may just encourage them to do it. Other ideas? They are theater kids and she is going to college to study film.
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Post by busy on Jun 11, 2024 21:45:29 GMT
I know people don't love giving gift cards lol but maybe something like a gift card for The Beacon or Egyptian and some smaller things to go along with it?
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Post by littlemama on Jun 11, 2024 21:46:41 GMT
I dont think I would encourage my child to purchase an expensive gift for a girlfriend of a few weeks, especially when my child is leaving for college and wont be around to attend the concert. Loads of relationships end when one or both goes away to college.
Maybe a dinner at a decent mid-range place or a relatively inexpensive piece of jewelry?
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Post by tmarschall on Jun 11, 2024 21:52:34 GMT
What about a subscription to a theatre-focused magazine/publication or a classic acting book...maybe a memoir...Stella Adler? If they like to read, it might be a nice reminder that your child supports her dreams, especially if it comes monthly.
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Post by tmarschall on Jun 11, 2024 21:53:05 GMT
There are probably some fun/funny t-shirts for theatre's kids available online too?
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,302 
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Post by pantsonfire on Jun 11, 2024 22:09:33 GMT
A card and a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant. Or a fun date and a card. Go somewhere she likes to go.
I am sorry but concert tickets? I could see that when you have been seriously dating or are engaged. But teens dating a few weeks? Suggest they save their money and go light.
My high school BF got me a card, balloons, a few roses and took me to a movie.
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Post by MichyM on Jun 11, 2024 22:10:36 GMT
Concerts tickets seem like a BIG GIFT considering how long they've been dating.
My ex-husband gave me a mix-tape for my birthday, we had been dating for just a few weeks as well. What's the 2024 equivalent of that? ;D
But seriously, is there something that would work somewhere between concert tix and a mix tape? What kind of things does she like, and like to do?
ETA: what about a sweatshirt to her new college?
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jun 11, 2024 22:34:51 GMT
Since it a new relationship, a few weeks.....I wouldn't spend a lot.
Flowers....grocery store has them for $7-$10 for a smaller wrapped wildflower-random bunch.
A fancy cupcake or bundtlet ($5).
An inexpensive photo frame with a photo of them in it. (under $10).
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Post by gar on Jun 11, 2024 22:39:15 GMT
I like the t-shirt/sweatshirt idea- I’m sure you child could find something cool/funny/quirky or whatever, related to their shared interests.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 11, 2024 22:39:32 GMT
Is she perpetually dieting? (I am but I love cupcakes). What about some lovely cupcakes they can share? Get expensive ones without them being concert tix level.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 11, 2024 22:49:34 GMT
My kids at that age gave cute/silly gifts for things they knew they liked - Takis chips, an Office poster, stuffed animals etc.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 11, 2024 23:09:33 GMT
DO NOT BUY CONCERT TICKETS THAT REQUIRE A PLANE RIDE IN A FEW MONTHS WHEN THEY'VE STARTED SCHOOL. Yes yelling - been there done that in all kinds of variations. pick something SOON if want an activity - dinner, festival - something this summer. Don't layer in an event on a brand new relationship that will be long distance, please listen - DON'T DO IT! New relationship birthday - give some flowers and small gift - dinner - etc. I have lived through the future plan relationship drama, do not do it!
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 11, 2024 23:10:44 GMT
And when in doubt - goofy shirt that shows they know them - it's deep without being deep if you know what I mean. One of my kids still adores shirt from ex just because it epitomizes them - it doesn't have to be complicated to be meaningful.
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 11, 2024 23:20:50 GMT
DD and her boyfriend have been dating for a year now...birthday gifts are things like flowers, a favorite meal or an activity like a pottery painting.
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Post by Linda on Jun 11, 2024 23:20:53 GMT
frame with photo of them together
flowers and chocolate?
My kids are bakers so homemade brownies and homemade breads were often their go-to
I would encourage small, inexpensive, and shows that they know it's her special day
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,565
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Jun 11, 2024 23:40:38 GMT
When DH and I were dating, my birthday was a month into the relationship, and it was my 21st. He got me a small trinket holder and took me to dinner. Then we went to a bar with friends and the rest of the night will not be discussed at this time. >.<
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 12, 2024 0:02:15 GMT
An experience they both can do together that doesn't cost too much.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 12, 2024 0:54:41 GMT
Nothing permanent or expensive!! Like no jewelry, no concert tickets etc
A book, small bouquet of wild flowers, I like cute/silly t-shirt idea. Bruch, lunch or dinner, cute card.. simple item.
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Post by summer on Jun 12, 2024 1:06:31 GMT
Not concert tickets. Not anything expensive. They haven’t been together long and your child is going away to school.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 12, 2024 1:23:49 GMT
I agree with the consensus, no expensive gifts at this stage. Maybe something like a music or theater charm for a charm bracelet, flowers, candy, dinner and a movie. My HS boyfriends were all broke ass so I was lucky if they took me out to a $3 movie and McDonald’s!
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Post by snugglebutter on Jun 12, 2024 4:33:18 GMT
I like the fun tshirt idea.
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 12, 2024 4:41:02 GMT
DO NOT BUY CONCERT TICKETS THAT REQUIRE A PLANE RIDE IN A FEW MONTHS WHEN THEY'VE STARTED SCHOOL. Yes yelling - been there done that in all kinds of variations. pick something SOON if want an activity - dinner, festival - something this summer. Don't layer in an event on a brand new relationship that will be long distance, please listen - DON'T DO IT! New relationship birthday - give some flowers and small gift - dinner - etc. I have lived through the future plan relationship drama, do not do it! I am very silly because it literally never occurred to me that the tickets would potentially involve flying-back drama. I just though it might not be a great gift because they wouldn’t be able to go together! |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 12, 2024 8:02:22 GMT
DO NOT BUY CONCERT TICKETS THAT REQUIRE A PLANE RIDE IN A FEW MONTHS WHEN THEY'VE STARTED SCHOOL. Yes yelling - been there done that in all kinds of variations. pick something SOON if want an activity - dinner, festival - something this summer. Don't layer in an event on a brand new relationship that will be long distance, please listen - DON'T DO IT! New relationship birthday - give some flowers and small gift - dinner - etc. I have lived through the future plan relationship drama, do not do it! I am very silly because it literally never occurred to me that the tickets would potentially involve flying-back drama. I just though it might not be a great gift because they wouldn’t be able to go together! Oh I could tell you about the drama lol - yeah I have a kid who's love language is gifts so try to understand, but oh, oh oh the drama - been there and done that so so so so so so so much and honestly the very worst is the pressure it puts on then, when they've put themselves in the awkward position of promising something and the relationship has gone in a different direction, they don't usually go with the easy solution! |
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