Hellobee Boards

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!

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.

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!

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!

So basically... I have no advice, haha. I'd probably limit it to $50!

@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.

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

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.

ETA.. $100 if you told her girls day, 150 if you said "spree."

@googly-eyes: I agree. I think "shopping spree" is different than "going shopping" and would be more $$$.

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.

What an awesome aunt you are! I would probably limit to $100. She can get some great clothes for that!

@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.

Mani/pedi for two $100
Lunch $30
Shopping spree $100 - $150
I'd budget $300 to be safe.

@locavore_mama: aw this is so sweet of you! $200?

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.

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 .

Have fun!!!

I have 11 and 13 year old nieces and they'd love this - you're an awesome and generous aunt!

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.

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.