Tammy's Ten: Perfect Gifts for Tween Girls

I recently spent a week at the cottage with my friends and their two eleven-year old girls. Seeing an opportunity to poll the girls for information, we came up with a list of perfect gift ideas any tween girl would love. So if you are a grandparent, aunt or friend of the family wondering what this generation of girls would like, see Tammy's Ten below for some useful suggestions.

1. An iPod. An iPod is a portable media player made by Apple Inc. There are currently four brands of iPods on the market ranging from an iPod shuffle that has an option of 2GB and can be purchased at the Apple Store for $55.00 to the iPod touch that has an option of 32GB and can be purchased for $319.00. Depending on the model you select, music, photos, videos, games and movies can all be downloaded and stored directly on the iPod.

2. An iTunes gift card or iPod accessory. Gift cards can be purchased in $25.00 increments at any store carrying iPod merchandise. A gift card allows the tween to select her favorite songs or albums and download them directly to her iPod. Accessories such as decorative cases, armbands and speaker systems are also available.

3. Make-up. Simple good quality make-up is an excellent choice for any tween girl. Try your local department store, drug store or spa for suggestions. Matching nail polish and lipstick sets work well, especially when wrapped in a fancy carrying case.

4. Clothes. Girls love clothes and new outfits to choose from. It seems they can never have too much! You can ask a salesclerk at a popular store in the mall for ideas or opt for a gift card if you are unsure of the clothing size.

5. Books. New release books of current movies or by popular authors are also a good pick. Take a trip to your local bookstore and browse the selection for this age.

6. Candy. Tween girls are still young enough to appreciate candy as a present. Gum, licorice, jellybeans, gummy bears, sour keys or just plain chocolate works great as a gift. If you are unsure what kind to buy, just go to a candy store and have them wrap up a variety. They can always share the kinds they don't like with their friends.

7. Money. Unlike small children, tween girls really appreciate money as a present. They are just starting to become independent and love any excuse for a trip to the mall. If you give them money, they are sure to have fun choosing their own present or spending it on entertainment for themselves and their friends.

8. Jewelry. If you think the tween girl is crafty, then the make-your own jewelry kits are a great idea. If the jewelry crafts aren't her thing, just go to the boutique stores in the mall and try a matching bracelet and necklace set.

9. Movie Gift Certificates. Tween girls love going to the theater and enjoying the latest flick. It's a fun outing with their family or friends and a great way to keep them out of trouble on a rainy day.

10. Video Games. Popular game systems for tweens include Nintendo DS, Playstation 3, Wii and the Xbox 360. If your tween has one of these systems, check out the new release video games. Good bets are games based on popular movies or television shows.

It's hard to keep up with the latest fads, especially if you do not have children in a particular age group. To keep a tween girl happy you should look for the latest trends and new releases. They are almost teenagers and striving to be cool in their own right. This is a difficult time for young girls and the perfect gift can really put a smile on their face. Happy shopping!