This is such a sweet little email, I asked Lisa if I could share it with all of you in hopes of hearing your feedback on finding the perfect gift for little Sally.
“Hi Holly, My almost nine year old is “passionate” (her word) about design, specifically interior design and architecture. I would love to come up with some gift ideas for her birthday that show her that I totally get her. I have found some architecture design type toys, but they haven’t been very well reviewed, so I am hoping for some more real life ideas. I have a crafting business, so she has access to lots of art supplies and a sewing machine already. Her birthday is in June, so I have a little time. Thanks so much.” -Lisa.
I’m not a mom, but I was a kid once so here are my thoughts. Maybe you can enroll her in a summer workshop at a local art school where she can be creative and meet other kids. Or take a mother/daughter class. You could also host an at home creative workshop with her and her friends where all work on a project together, like a giant painting on a canvas or cloth.
Does she like dolls? I recently found a project in Cookie magazine showing how to make a flat pack doll house out of foam board and it looked super fun, budget-friendly, and easy. (Directions here.) You can customize the walls with your own little works or art or purchase wrapping paper or dollhouse wallpaper online. Maybe she can make her own Barbie Design Firm or something. You can add a mini inspiration board and little fabric swatches and such, some desks, you know have fun with it.
You could also ask her if she’d like to redecorate her bedroom with some DIY projects — a linen covered inspiration board, chalkboard paint on the door, a new corner for arts/crafts with storage, etc. Another idea is a day trip (or a girls weekend, depending on your budget) to a nearby city and go to museums and then stop for cupcakes somewhere. Find a photobooth and have your pictures made, that’s always fun. I used to do this with my mother all the time, she would stick out her tongue and also strike these funny model poses and I really liked seeing her silly side which photobooths seem to always inspire — giggles and smiles.
For gifts, try Mahar Drygoods. Also there’s a gift guide for children on etsy, maybe you could give her a little loot bag of assorted things that are handmade?
Anyone else have some creative ideas for Lisa?
(images linked above to sources)
April 17th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I just wanted Lisa to know how lucky she is! I dream of having kids like that, but they’ll probably be into football or cheerleading or whatever is the exact opposite of me haha.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I have an idea – I don’t remember what it was called – but when I was about her age back in the late 70s there was this toy/art drafting table where you could design rooms. it was lap sized and had a ruler attached to it and it was the coolest thing. Just have no clue what it was called – maybe someone else will remember and you can find one on ebay! I ended up majoring in art in college and am now a graphic designer – it was the perfect gift!
April 17th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I saw an ad for a handheld computer console (I think it was probably the Nintendo DS) that you can get an interior design ‘game’ for – that could be great fun for a little girl to experiment with and a way for her to express her flair for interiors!
A design concious parent contacted me asking for suggestions for kids’ ornaments before, and my suggestions are here if they help.. http://www.homebug.net/2008/02/funky-ornaments-for-babys-nursery.html
I think maybe Lisa’s daughter would
like the Alexander Girard dolls, considering what a big influenece he’s been on the design world. Likewise, there are some toys and things designed by Ray & Charles Eames that she could be into? If she likes mid century mod, that is!
April 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
When I was around 11 years old, my mom bought me an unfinished nightstand with drawers and let me paint it however I wanted. Maybe if you check out some garage sales you could find a small piece of furniture that you could help her refinish?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
maybe she could show her how to make inspiration books. maybe mom already does this. but get her some filing folders, a little file box, some 3-ring binders and get her some magazines and let her figure out what inspires her. they ahve some really cute ones at target right now. and see jane work always has cute ones too. and encourage her to cut things out and save them so that she can “design” her own room. maybe take her to the fabric store that lets you get samples and she can add that to her stash. or paint swatches and laminate swatches from home depot or lowes. fun stuff li ke that.
and i love that foam core dollhouse idea. i cut that out of the mag when i got it to make something for my daughter.
or get her a dollhouse that she can redecorate in her own way?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I remember when I was 9, my parents bought me a set of “real” watercolors and some lovely watercolor paper for my birthday. It felt monumental at the time to graduate to the same paints that adults use, and I’ve never forgotten that moment. I, too, ended up with a design career, and I give my parents all the credit for investing in my talent at a young age.
Perhaps something like that would be good for the birthday girl…maybe some adult level design books, or a small set of prismacolor markers. I also like the idea of a class!
Lisa seems like such a sweet mom – trust me, it means a lot to your daughter that you take her interests seriously. Go, Mommy!!
April 17th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I love the DIY idea, one that I did when I was about 12 is buy a cork board and a couple large picture frames, painted all the frames the same color, and covered the cork with pretty fabric, in the frames I put a piece of white board and a piece of peg board painted white. The peg board was perfect for hanging earrings and well anything to be hung.
I still have the cork board.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I recommend getting her own personal art/design reference library going. I really love Jeu de Paumes line of books. They are kid-friendly sized books full of wonderful photos. Here is the link- http://www.paumes.com/book-e/book-e.html
April 17th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I love the idea of an empty dollhouse with an addition of blank small inspiration boards for each room. She would start filling out each board with magazine cutouts/swatches of what her dream rooms would look like. She could eventually follow her boards and decorate the house itself.
The dollhouse idea could be replaced with a huge cork board cut out in the shape of a house (with divisions for rooms). The entire thing would be an inspiration board.
Another idea would be to create a set of binders – one per room (bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms) – decorated to her taste. She could start filling them out with her favorite magazine cutouts and/or sketches. The whole set could even be inside of a special case that would give it more importance and make it more special.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
That is the greatest thing that she loves design already!! When I was 8 I designed my own bedroom and then made my dad take pictures of it and send them to my family and friends. I was so proud!! Besides purchasing her a gift, Lisa should let her design a room. Either a play room, her bathroom or bedroom. She would love that!
April 17th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Can I just tell you how much I would have LOVED the flat pack dollhouse as a child! I loved dolls and their abodes. My favorite ones were the ones that I could make curtains and bedding for.
As a child I was super into anything I could sew, needlepoint or bake.
I also loved going to art galleries, they seemed so important and impressive to me as a child. Maybe a family pass to the nearest gallery? My parents always made those outings extra special with a lunch out to a neat place.
My advice would be a junior sewing kit with some easy home dec patterns with fun, cotton print fabrics. I can’t tell you how many aprons, pillows and bags I designed and sewed as a child. I think once I even tried to make a pair of slippers, unsuccessfully of course. You learn early that the best way to get exactly what you want is to make it yourself.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I also love the Jeu de Paume books. the ones on kids bedrooms can inspire her definetly.
Maybe many little presents of suplies. like some nice buttons, some fabric, some glue, some laces for necklaces, some leather etc… and fom that she can create anything !
happy birthday !
April 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
i totally agree that letting her design her room or even a room in your house would be so cool.
i am a designer now, and to this day, i can’t imagine anything more exciting than my mom letting me decorate one of her rooms… it would mean that really trusted me and valued my talents.
at the same time – i think the doll house is a great idea. unfortunately, most dollhouse furniture is hokey and boring.
perhaps getting her some computer software that would let her design rooms? get her her own blog and show her how she can upload images to it and write about what shes designing or what trends she sees taking off next season or what colors are just *so wrong*.
the fact that you care this much must show even if you don’t know exactly what to get her. you’re a good mom – just keep trying and it’ll make all the difference in the world!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Lucky Sally!
My mom let me design my room let me design my own room from 10 on, we had such fun colaborating on several of them. I think doing something together would be great. My favorite part of my 10 year old room was a giant framed corkboard that I could do anything with. It was about 4 feet by 8 feet and really made my room feel like a “studio”. My grandfather installed it so it was a bargin as well.
IKEA has those rectangular magnet boards that could be hung side by side as well.
I also think fabric remnant packs from somewhere like Henry Road, or from us (pixie dust) make fine dollhouse wallpaper, book covers mini patchwork pillows etc.
Sounds fun!
April 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Thank you all so much. I am so excited to pull together Sally’s gift. I think I will have enough ideas and projects to get me through summer and Christmas too! I will be sure to let Holly know what we get her.
April 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
We have two fave Birthday presents for little crafters and they are always welcomed:
First one is a cardboard suitcase with all the items you need for scrapbooking or collage making small scale. We put (depending on sum you want to spend) artful paper, shaped scissors, punches, glues, glitter, pencils, embellishments, beads, buttons, ribbon) Even not-crafters can resist these.
The second one is for older children who already like handicrafts. So we make a suitcase or basket with beautiful fabric, things to embroider, wool, needles, ribbon, etc.
And you always can add the wonderful Judy Garland books for crocheting and sewing childstyle. Or the kid’s embroidery book and and and…
Hope she’ll find something!
hugs,
Yvonne
April 21st, 2008 at 12:25 am
I’m 11 years old and I’ve been reading your blog for one year. I love the ideas you had for that little girl. I might even want to try a design camp now.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:03 am
@ thedirtyknitter — I totally had that drafting table! I forgot all about its existence until you just mentioned it. Wow.
I love all the ideas mentioned. Go, Sally! What a lucky girl. And go, Lisa. :-)