Ten Great Gifts for Teen Girls Under $20

The holidays are coming, and chances are, you have at least one teenager on your list. If that teenager is a girl, the gift possibilities are endless, but if you don't want your gift to end up garage sale fodder next spring, making choices about which gifts are appropriate, well-received, useful, and fun is essential. Here are ten great gifts for teen girls that you can buy for under $20.

1. The Beadazzler - A popular craft gadget from the 1980's, the beadazzler is still a stunner at just $19.95. This little blue plastic object, closely resembling a stapler, can be used with special sets to add sparkle to just about anything from scrapbooks to clothing. When you purchase the beadazzler it comes with plastic rhinestones and studs as well as a mini version of itself. Since today's fashion is often all about glimmer (Paris Hilton's phone is "crystallized" with Austrian crystals) girls might really enjoy having this handy little bling tool to add a little magic to their wardrobe.

2. Jewelry - Nothing says Happy Holidays like a gift in a small box, especially if that box contains jewelry. Be careful to choose quality jewelry that will last: either Sterling .925 silver or real gold (no plated stuff.) If you want it to be an exceptionally memorable holiday, select a solitary pendant. For practical accessories, think about purchasing a nice watch.

3. A Loaded Purse - Okay, so it won't be loaded with money, but nothing is more appreciated than a purse with all the essentials. Choose a moderately sized model in a plain color and fill with sample sized hand lotion, a new brush, a cool wallet, a compact, a lipstick case, and anything else that you think would be an "essential" in a great carryable. Be sure to put a penny in the wallet for luck. No good at picking out extras? Buy a Claire's boutique gift card and slide it in one of the compartments.

4. Crystal Coverings - Forget about strenuous crystal placement to beautify your MP3 Player or Cell Phone; you can buy an MP3 or Cell Phone cover in stunning rhinestone studded vinyl to make your phone or tunes shine. Made to slip over your gadget, these crystallized wonders are chic and easy, which is far more convenient than supergluing crystals to your stuff. Each retails for around $15.00.

5. Ahhh Spa - Purchase spa services like a haircut, tanning sessions, a brief massage, or even buy a basket full of self-pampering goodies for your teenage gal. Or, build your own basket including all sorts of bath salts, bubble bath, handmade soaps, and essential oils. Be careful about giving candles to immature teens, but most girls really love to relax with a little "me" time.

6. Classic Love Stories - Introduce your teenage girl to original classics like Sabrina, Dr. Zhivago, and Gone with the Wind. For an added affect, present them in a basket along with a box of microwave popcorn, some boxed movie theater candy, and a box of Kleenex.

7. Journal and Keepsake Box or Scrapbooking Items - Let your teen record her life with a journal and keepsake box for treasures. Scrapbook items are also wonderful ways of showing a girl how unique and wonderful she is. All of these types of items are relatively cheap but will provide literally hours of entertainment.

8. Retro Room - If your teen girl is like most teenage girls, the retro room is in. Funky seventies oversized throw pillows and Lucite flowers as well as quirky beanbag chairs are all great ways to accessorize a girl's abode. Beaded curtains can replace closet doors for a fun retro look, and lava lamps as well as static storm globes are cool toys at just under $20 at many places.

9. Addressing Artistic Tendencies - One of the nicest gifts for a teen girl is the gift of creativity. From an assortment of art materials to craft kits, art gifts are a great way to give teenage girls something to keep them entertained, and we've come a long way from paint by numbers. Rock tumblers, pottery wheels, paints and sketch books are all neat gifts for girls who love to be creative. Sometimes you can find entire art kits in handy cases including paints, charcoals, pencils, and pastels.

10. Clothes - When in doubt, clothes are one of the best gifts for teenage girls, as many of them can never get enough clothing. If you're unsure of a teen's size, buy an oversized T-shirt. Usually, purchasing the right outfit is as simple as asking the parents what kind of clothes their teen likes. If you are the parent, take notice of what your daughter is wearing and what her friends are wearing. When in total doubt, buy a gift card, but only as a last resort, as it's much more fun to open a present.

When you're shopping for a teenage girl, a lot of things can go through your head, but if you stick with what you already know about her, you shouldn't go wrong. Be very careful of purchasing magazine subscriptions for teen girls, as many of them contain racy dialogue. Of course, every shopping decision at holiday time should be made with the teen in mind, not what's trendy at the time. Not every teen is into trends, and some of them may be better served by simplicity.