Best Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers for Tween Girls

I always chuckle when I read some advertisements for inexpensive stocking stuffers. I don't consider $10-$25 for one stocking stuffer 'inexpensive'. Here are useful, fun, creative stocking stuffers regularly priced under $3 each.

Flashlight: I don't know why, but tween girls are fascinated with flashlights. You can pick up inexpensive flashlights anywhere and sometimes, if you watch carefully, you can buy Mag flashlights (a more durable style) for only a few dollars.

Personal hygiene products: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and light body lotion make excellent gifts. Girls at this age need to be taught proper grooming and body care.

Jewelry making kits: Wal-Mart sells jewelry making kits for $3.97 in the jewelry making aisle. The kit includes all the beads, stones, fastenings, clips and accessories. The beads are glass or wood, not cheap plastic. The kits vary in style, but each kit contains enough supplies to make one necklace, one bracelet and two earrings. This is a great gift because it's a craft project and jewelry combined.

Craft Kits and Supplies: Check out Jo-Anne Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Target and Wal-Mart for inexpensive craft kits and craft supplies. I hit a 50% off sale. For under $15 I got about six craft sets and craft supply items: enough to fill a little girl's stocking to overflowing. Snoop out those reduced price and clearance aisles. Look for specialty crayon products from Cran and Crayola. I've found metallic crayons, neon colored crayons, fluorescent crayons, gel pens, stamps and stamp pad, decorative edged scissors, decorative paper punches, erasable colored pencils and more.

Fun socks and gloves: Look for cute colorful socks for a dollar a pair at Family Dollar and Dollar General. A growing girl can never have too many pairs of socks.

Hair Accessories: Look for headbands (Goody makes an elasticized style that holds very well and doesn't pull hair) and 'ouchless' ponytail holders with no metal clasp to pull hair. Choose a back pack or purse-sized brush, comb and mirror set. My only word of warning: beginning about 8 years old, or so, most girls will not want the cutesy frilly hair 'toys' and ornaments.

Pocket-sized nail care kit: If you get the fun nail stickers and nail polish, be sure to add a nail care kit with nail file, Emory board and cuticle trimmers. Girls need to learn that nail care doesn't just mean painting nails; nails require care, cleaning and grooming.

Books: Check your child's school backpack for Scholastic books order forms. Great reads under $3. Check Barnes and Noble clearance tables. I have found kids books, activity kits, puzzles, toys and plush animals at greatly reduced prices.

lip balm and lip gloss: Bonne Bell Lip-smackers usually makes a flavor variety pack. Watch for special holiday pricing. Avon sells their fun holiday lip balm for under a buck. I don't advise that girls under about fourteen be given make-up. Most girls are not taught how to apply it properly and look out of place with a fully made up face.

For more on gifts and presents, visit me at www.giftgivingguides.blogspot.com .