Christmas gift for Columbian guests

December 20, 2014 4:29 AM

My family is hosting a teenage girl who is an orphan from Columbia for Christmas eve. She is here with one of my sisters as part of a Catholic Charities and KidSave program which helps older kids to network with people to look for potential adoption candidates.

I don't know what the heck to get for her because I don't know her, but I would like it to be something good. Can you help me out? It's late in the season, so I might have to ask you to focus on stuff I can likely buy in person in a store in the Philadelphia area.

posted by Drinky Die to Shopping (7 answers total)

I do the Angel Trees and stuff that teenage girls seem to ask for are:

Makeup (ELF sets from Target are cheap and good.)
Purse
Watch
Hair stuff, scrunchies, barrettes, clips headbands
Fragrance

This sounds like a lovely thing, have a wonderful Christmas!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:51 AM on December 20, 2014

If your sister can't help you out, I'd go with casual clothing.
posted by metasarah at 4:57 AM on December 20, 2014

Do you want something that's typically American, to welcome her in your country? Something that she can't get at home, or something she may have had at home and may be missing now?
I think if you can, maybe offer to take her shopping so she can choose something?
posted by LoonyLovegood at 5:58 AM on December 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Scented lotion and body mist from Bath&BodyWorks and Victoria's Secret seem popular among the teen girls I know, and are better-quality products than the ubiquitous lotion/fragrance gift sets you'll see when you walk into Target etc.
posted by drlith at 6:09 AM on December 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I second scarf/gloves/hat set, considering she's come from a warmer climate and might not have much warm clothing.
posted by catatethebird at 7:57 AM on December 20, 2014

My teenage cousins from Colombia are bonkers about clothes and bags with conspicuous branding (American Eagle, Abercrombie, Hollister) as well as normal teenage techy stuff. If you go the clothes route, remember that it's HOT in the low-lying, coastal parts Colombia. Sweaters and jeans are no good, summer dresses that may be on the clearance rack are perfect for their winters.
posted by justjess at 8:51 AM on December 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Wristlet, lip gloss set, bracelets, gift card to a store like Forever 21
posted by Lornalulu at 6:46 PM on December 22, 2014