[Lisa1970]

My DD turned 13 in 2 weeks. I have no idea what to do for her bday! I have asked her. Thing about her is, she always says not to spend money on her, don't make a fuss. But, I also know at one point she was complaining about how no one noticed her birthdays. (we do, we used to have parties even).

She is not in to makeup, boys, or fashion. She does not like to spend money. She does want to grow her own garden and would love to live off the land if that says much about her. She is really in to symphony stuff too.

Any suggestions?

 

[mommariffic]

Here are some ideas:

Do you have any public gardens by you? I know here we have one really lovely, semi private, small garden that's beautiful and a great place to picnic. Why not get together some friends, or family and have a delicious meal outside?

If you are into volunteering, many farms at this time of year are happy to let folks come help out on the farm for the day planting, or tending to the animals. Why not try to set something up like that, and have a nice dinner after? You could also find a farm share volunteer job, and promise your daughter a ride to feed her "shared" goats, horses or whatever?

 

[Ruthla]

How about an activity to do with her, such as tickets to a symphony? Or a nice card, fancy dinner (cook all her favorite foods or go out to a restaurant)- just something to acknowledge her birthday but not making "too much of a fuss" about it.

Or you could get her a CD of music you think she'll like, or seeds for a garden.

 

[momtokea]

You have some really good ideas from all the pp. I just wanted to say that I think your dd sounds lovely

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommariffic Here are some ideas: Do you have any public gardens by you? I know here we have one really lovely, semi private, small garden that's beautiful and a great place to picnic. Why not get together some friends, or family and have a delicious meal outside? If you are into volunteering, many farms at this time of year are happy to let folks come help out on the farm for the day planting, or tending to the animals. Why not try to set something up like that, and have a nice dinner after? You could also find a farm share volunteer job, and promise your daughter a ride to feed her "shared" goats, horses or whatever?

We are in the Dallas area, so I don't know of public gardens, but I do know of the arboretum so I will look in to that. Thanks! If you know of any in my area though....I am in a northern suburb.

 

[Cherie2]

she sounds a lot like I was .. so funny

no don't fuss (why doesn't anybody notice me?)

do you have much of a family/friends network? are you planning any gardening at home? because that sounds like a fun birthday .. a potluck at home with the fam gardening!

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruthla How about an activity to do with her, such as tickets to a symphony? Or a nice card, fancy dinner (cook all her favorite foods or go out to a restaurant)- just something to acknowledge her birthday but not making "too much of a fuss" about it. Or you could get her a CD of music you think she'll like, or seeds for a garden.

We can't seem to get anything to grow in our own yard, but I was thinking of purchasing her some separate pots and organic potting soil or something in hopes that something grows. She loves this restaurant called Melting Pot.

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherie2 she sounds a lot like I was .. so funny no don't fuss (why doesn't anybody notice me?) do you have much of a family/friends network? are you planning any gardening at home? because that sounds like a fun birthday .. a potluck at home with the fam gardening!

Yes, she is sweet, I want to make her bday great.

 

[Cherie2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 Yes, she is sweet, I want to make her bday great.

well if she really is anything like me she will love an evening with family and music and laughter

 

[jeanine123]

What about a Community Garden type of thing?

http://www.gardendallas.org/

http://www.communitygarden.org/

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...s.395f195.html

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherie2 well if she really is anything like me she will love an evening with family and music and laughter

Close..but she only has brothers and wants to get away, LOL..mostly away from the 7 yr old.

 

[Lindsay1234]

Museum tickets or membership? Our local zoo and another animal sanctuary have adopt an animal program, donate money in her name? Soap/candle making supplies? Musical instrument lessons? Art supplies?

She sounds amazing, I hope my dd will be that awesome when shes 13!!

 

[meemee]

do you want to have a party with friends and family over?

could you do a bonfire evening with everyone bringing something for the fire? that is if you are allowed to have an open fire.

how about a short birthday hike and picnic? its wildfire season.

does she have favourite causes? is she a vegetarian? how about trying a rawfood meal and then donating the bday money to a favourite cause of hers.

or everyone has to bring a can or bag of dog food or cat food for the local shelter

how about a moonlight party. moonlight candles and outdoors.

 

[dogmom327]

How about building her some raised beds and get her some gardening books and an allowance for seeds (something in the vein of square-foot gardening)?

 

[mamarootoo]

what about getting her the supplies for an indoor herb garden?

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamarootoo what about getting her the supplies for an indoor herb garden?

She already built her own light hut out of a box, tin foil, light bulb and such...and had her own indoor herb garden. She loved that! And she did it herself.

 

[Lisa1970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogmom327 How about building her some raised beds and get her some gardening books and an allowance for seeds (something in the vein of square-foot gardening)?

I think this is what she will want. She has been asking for a garden, but our soil is so bad. I will go research this.

 

[laohaire]

A compost tumbler? That will help enrich the soil in your yard.

Books? Square Foot Gardening? The Encyclopedia of Country Living?

 

[Aufilia]

This just popped into my head -- when I was about that age my aunt sent me a flower press for Christmas, and I really loved that thing. I had a lot of fun pressing and drying flowers, then making cards or bookmarks or whatnot out of them.

 

[mamarootoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 She already built her own light hut out of a box, tin foil, light bulb and such...and had her own indoor herb garden. She loved that! And she did it herself.

she sounds so freaking cool! lol... i hope my kiddos do stuff like that on their own when they are older!!!