https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 19:53:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600806 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:17:10 +0000 PinkElephant 1600806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 11 and 13 year old nieces and they'd love this - you're an awesome and generous aunt! :)</p> <p>I think if I were doing it, I'd get a Visa Buxx (or similar) card for the occasion with whatever amount I'd decided on. That way I wouldn't have to feel like I was "keeping track" or "policing" her purchases on my cc or directing her spending to a certain store. When the giftcard is out, it's out, but if she knows in advance about this shopping trip, she might decide to save some of her own money to spend, too! Like someone else said, it's soooo fun at this age to shop with someone who isn't your mom. ;)</p> <p>There *might* be a Kohl's in Jersey City - not 100% positive but I think I remember trekking out there once or twice for apartment decor. I'm not sure their offerings for her age group will be great, though - she's kind of caught between kids and juniors in terms of clothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600466 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:49:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1600466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: haha she loves mani and pedi! We were at my cousins in Toronto who's going to nail school. She offered to give us all Manis. My niece asked me of it was alright to ask for a pedi too. :) I think it's the fun experience of a pedi out. Doesn't matter that she won't be in flip flops. :) </p> <p>And tbh I've never had good luck at kohl's! Do they even have kohl's in NYC?! </p> <p>@Cole: haha I don't think she even knows what lily pulitzer is?!</p> <p>Thanks all! I have a pretty good idea of what to budget for now. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600448 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:33:27 +0000 Cole 1600448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Slightly different age group but I have taken a friend's daughter shopping a few times and she is just about 8 and adores all things fashion/clothes. She likes picking out clothes but often she gravitates to one or two fun pieces and then it is mostly the accessories, fun socks, purses, flip flops, sunglasses and other things that her mom doesn't necessarily grab when wardrobe shopping. At 11 I think most girls are still in a similar stage. </p> <p>All that to say, I don't think you need to go over board with the budget because chances are pretty high she will want several smaller things as opposed to a new wardrobe of Lilly Pulitzer dresses :happy: .</p> <p>Have fun!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600300 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:48:10 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1600300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>$200 minimum for clothes. I would have loved this gift. TBH part of the fun is not having to shop with my mom or dad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600244 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:12:27 +0000 Greentea 1600244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: aw this is so sweet of you! $200? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600237 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:09:55 +0000 gingerbebe 1600237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I don't think a pedicure would do much good in November. I might just do a manicure for an 11 year old, but let her get a special design or rhinestone for a extra few dollars instead. Around here, a quality manicure is about $13-$15 each.</p> <p>I think going out to eat lunch will be fun. I remember when I was that age, a Bible study teacher treated me to lunch at a restaurant and ordered me a fancy frozen mocktail with a bunch of garnishes and umbrella and what not and that was super neat to me (on top of the ice cream and staff singing happy birthday). Probably would budget about $30 for that. </p> <p>As to the shopping spree, I would just go somewhere like Kohl's. They have just about everything a tween would want and they have tons of sales (and there's always a coupon or savings pass in the mail or online that you can take with you). I might also try to "steer" her to things she can use all winter long, like a nice coat, jeans, or a sweater, and pair it with a fun accessory like a scarf, a hat, or small purse. I think you can get plenty of stuff for $75-100. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600199 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:49:08 +0000 littlek 1600199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mani/pedi for two $100<br /> Lunch $30<br /> Shopping spree $100 - $150<br /> I'd budget $300 to be safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600172 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:40:28 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1600172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are an incredible aunt! I would set a budget of ~$150-$200 for the entire day for the both of you.</p> <p>$50 - mani/pedi for two<br /> $30 - lunch<br /> $50-100 - "shopping spree" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1600019 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:53:47 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1600019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: We have taken our niece to the mall for a "spree" but we told her it was limited to one outfit. That ended up coming in under our rough budget so we let her pick out a few smaller things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599920 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:29:15 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1599920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you could do the day for $200. $60 for mani/pedi, $40 for lunch, $100 for an outfit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599913 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:27:05 +0000 dolphin 1599913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What an awesome aunt you are! I would probably limit to $100. She can get some great clothes for that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599911 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:25:43 +0000 regberadaisy 1599911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just told her we'll be going shopping and get mani/pedis! She loves getting mani/pedis. LOL</p> <p>ETA: Hence the quotation marks around "spree"! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599886 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:19:43 +0000 pui 1599886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was 12-16 my mom used to give us each $200 for clothes around twice a year. This was enough for me to buy a whole bunch of clothing. My mom would expect that we'd come home with at least a 4 outfits with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599885 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:19:29 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 1599885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Grandma used to take each of us out around that age for a birthday gift. We had a $100 limit. It was so nice and fun, I loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599880 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:17:54 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1599880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@googly-eyes: I agree. I think "shopping spree" is different than "going shopping" and would be more $$$. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599877 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:17:30 +0000 twinmama 1599877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think $100 is good for the shopping spree part if you're comfortable. My aunt did that for me around the same age and I was floored at the generosity. Have fun! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599874 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:15:51 +0000 googly-eyes 1599874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hm. For just the shopping part I think $100-150. I'd give her the money before the shopping started so she knew what to expect.</p> <p>ETA.. $100 if you told her girls day, 150 if you said "spree." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599872 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:15:23 +0000 Adira 1599872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: hahaha, you spend a lot more on your family than we do and I only have one nephew and one niece, haha! Can I be one of your nieces? :D</p> <p>But I hear you - some people have different relationships with their family. I love my nephew and niece, but I'm actually not THAT close with them, so spending a lot would seem really strange to everyone involved. But you have a different relationship with your niece and I'm sure she's going to LOVE the outing you have planned! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599855 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:11:18 +0000 Chillybear 1599855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Remember shows like what not to wear? or when they would find high fashion looks and try to recreate them in the mall (back when Style and E! had good shows) Why not give her $100 either in cash or GC and let her see what good deals she can get. maybe shop at a TJ max or marshalls </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599853 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:10:15 +0000 regberadaisy 1599853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: LOL! With our own kids now and 6 nieces and nephews between us I've curbed my spending to $60-75/kid now for birthday's and Christmas! I was a lot crazier when there was only 2.... :meh:<br /> But a splurge every now and then is warranted! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599851 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:09:59 +0000 Smurfette 1599851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: 13 is a big deal in my family, cause then you are a teenager. but then again my cousin's daughter just turned 11 and she was super excited cause she can't show her age on 2 hands any more. I think it is really sweet! And I am sure yall are going to have a blast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599847 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:09:03 +0000 snowjewelz 1599847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Oh good then $100 should def be enough! She is so lucky! I would have loved having a day like that when I was 11! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599846 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:08:48 +0000 Adira 1599846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Considering I only spend $25 on gifts for my nieces/nephews, I would feel weird taking my niece on a shopping spree after already paying for lunch and a mani/pedi!</p> <p>So basically... I have no advice, haha. I'd probably limit it to $50! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599837 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:07:36 +0000 regberadaisy 1599837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Leialou: Thanks! That helps! And exactly, my niece has never had a "official girls day out!". :)</p> <p>@Smurfette: what's so special about 13? But yeah, I know lunch and mani/pedi is more than enough for most. But my niece and I have a real special relationship. And she is a amazing girl about ready to head into teenhood! I want to make sure we maintain this relationship before she becomes a bratty teenager! LOL</p> <p>But I like the idea of telling her she has x$ to spend and she can figure out how she wants to spend it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599822 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:04:53 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1599822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would budget around $200. I did this with my sister in December because she'd never experienced anything like that before. I spent around $100. She only wanted to go to Forever 21 and Target! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599820 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:04:33 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1599820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably budget $250-300 for the day.<br /> Lunch = $50<br /> Mani/Pedi for two = $80<br /> Outfit/gift = $120-170 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599819 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:04:21 +0000 Smurfette 1599819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally think lunch and mani/pedi's is gift enough for a niece. But if you want to take her shopping I would say $50 which the max I would spend on a bday gift. Especially since it is 11, 13 is a bigger day, where I would spend more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599815 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:03:26 +0000 regberadaisy 1599815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: haha I know, hence, the quotation marks between spree. ;)</p> <p>@snowjewelz: god, no. My SIL is like me. Only buys clothes for her during clearance/sales. She has tons of big name brands but mostly from family gifts. ;) But we will NOT be going into A&amp;F, Hollister and the like! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599811 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:02:18 +0000 snowjewelz 1599811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would consider a shopping spree for her to maybe get 1 completely new outfit? I would set $100 limit.. That should be plenty for an 11 year old, assuming she doesn't only ship at expensive stores! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-would-you-budget-for-a-pre-teen-shopping-spree#post-1599799 Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:59:55 +0000 Mae 1599799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hard question because I think there are various levels of "spree" shopping and the fact that this is a gift from her aunt makes me want to lower the limit. Like taking her out to lunch and manis/pedis is already such a nice gift! If it was a mom/daughter thing I'd say maybe $250ish. But I feel like anything you buy her is a total extra and I'd be much more inclined to think closer to 75-100 she could probably pick up a few items? </p>