Mykids school has a giving tree and each child takes home a tag with a child name. These are very poor families on food assistance etc. We are not allowed to give gift cards.
My kids have a 14 year old girl, russian immigrant with the Jewish federantion and a 13 year old boy same statis.

We have been through the electronics list and really are not sure about the use of computers so we have eliminated anything that would require computer hook up.

I would love some suggestion on gifts to get these kids so they can have a good holiday.

-L

Girls are easy ... junk jewelry, make-up, skin stuff, hats, mitts, gloves ... but 13 y o boys can be so diverse! How about a local team ball cap? or a car model to build?

How about a gift basket of bath stuff for the girl. For boys, how about a handheld electronic game, watch, basketball, cd player.

www.klutz.com has great craft-type gifts, especially for girls. Instructions books with supplies to make jewelry, friendship bracelets, nail art, bead art, etc. It's all stuff that I remember being really into at that age.

For boys, they have books on magic tricks, paper airplanes, making a solar-powered race car, etc. All of the books come with the supplies needed for the project.

Do you have a crafts store around (like Michaels)? They have all sorts of crafts (kits and books and such). Both my kids love those types of things. DD is into friendship bracelets that she makes for all her friends (she gives them as Bday gifts--she's 15) and DS loves anything he can build (he's 12).

Clothes are also a good idea if you know their sizes (since you can't do gift cards). Be sure to get a gift reciept in case it doesn't fit.

CD players and a couple disks are always good for teens.

I'm assuming that these unfortunate children are local and not out of the country and that they can communicate in English.

If not, then books may be difficult for them to read.

I really like the others ideas about crafts. Watch your Sunday paper (or someone elses) and get the 40% off coupons for Michaels.

A question. Are you allowed to include a card? If so, then perhaps you can include your address so the kids can become pen pals or email pals.

I've never done the gift tree thing so I don't know if you are to remain unknown to the person receiving the gift.

I think it's great that you're doing this with your children. It should make them feel good to know that they are going to make someone's holiday a bit brighter.

Oh, you said they are immigrants through the Jewish Federation. Are they Jewish? If so, you should really look at crafts instead of something that is Christian related.

how about some board games? Those are something the whole family can play together, there is Monopoly, battle ship, Sorry, ect.... Clothes are great if you know size and type or maybe a jacket? Girls love nice smelling shampoo and condition, bubble bath, bath brushes, clear lip gloss, ect... Does the boy play any sports, maybe a baseball mitt with ball and bat, football, basketball. Hope this helps.

That age group loves hooded sweatshirts. I would get a size large because it could either fit or be baggy either way it would be okay to them. As a school bus driver I see so many of these kids get on my bus that don't own a jacket.

I have a 14 yr. old DD, a 14 yr. old step-daughter and a 14 yr.old step-granddaughter. They love to get arts and crafts type things. Hats, scarves, gloves. Loose draw-string PJ pants. Make-up, lotions, powders and such. Any type of inexpensive jewlelry or hair items.

When my son was 13 yr. old he loved anything that you build . Ex. model cars, model airplanes. Or anything that had to do with fishing, hunting or sports.

Thanks for the help ladies. Much appriciated.
-L