Top Ten Gift Ideas for Pre-teen Girls

As the holidays approach swiftly, the one thing on many peoples minds are "What am I going to get for so-n-so?" Pre-teens in general can be very difficult to shop for, however, separating the pre-teen category into just girls can be even more difficult. Below are what I feel are ten top gift ideas for girls of around 12 years of age. Before I begin, I will emphasize the importance of making sure whatever you get for the pre-teen (or pre-teens) on your list are approved of by the parents first.

10. Bratz Rock Angelz Personal CD Player

Bratz have become quite popular nowadays. You can't go a day without seeing a Bratz (whatever style) commercial on television. What better way to welcome a girl into her soon-to-be teen years by getting her a Bratz Rock Angelz Personal CD Player? This 'toy' plays standard CD's, unlike personal CD players for toddlers, so the pre-teen on your list can listen to anything her heart desires. It features a sleek, round and modern style case with awesome Rock Angelz graphics which shows one of the popular Bratz girls in a rock-style attire, along with the Rock Angelz insignia.

This CD player carries the standard features of other personal CD players such as a 60 second anti-skip, an LCD screen and an in-line remote control. Also, this CD player comes with personal stereo earbuds! Also, the CD player has three playback modes: repeat, repeat all and random. Perhaps the most beneficial part of this cd player is that it's perfect for travel as it uses batteries(It takes AA size), but at home it can be plugged into an AC adapter, saving the parents money and aggravation from having to keep buying batteries.

9. iQuest

While most kids would jeer at the thought of getting an educational (translation for them: boring) gift for christmas, the iQuest by LeapFrog is an unconventional way for kids (not only pre-teens, but it is perfect age) to have fun and study for tests at the same time.

Handheld in size, this little computer can help prepare students for tests in math, science, and social studies by basing questions on their textbooks.

Not only can it assist in studies, but it is also a multi-tasker. Also on the iQuest are a calendar/scheduler, address book, dictionary with 40,000 words, and a calculator, giving a little organization into what can be a very difficult time to adjust to for pre-teens. The iQuest also comes with one starter cartridge and others can be bought wherever LeapFrog products are sold. However, like every other hand-held electronic out there, this mini computer runs on 4 AA batteries.

8. Password Journal

Journals and diaries seem to be key with pre-teen girls. Going through changing times and a wide variety of emotions, one thing most girls dread at this age is someone reading their inner-most thoughts and making them public. However, Password Journal was designed JUST to prevent that from happening. Password Journal can only be opened when the owner's voice and password activate it. Not only does the voice activate the lock to open, but it also recognizes voice for other functions of the journal, such as the alarm, calendar or even the reading light that's inside. Also, to make this little journal even more secure, it also has intruder alert, which notifies the owner when someone tries to sneak a peek at the journal. Another benefit to this journal is it's a glorified paper journal, so when the batteries start to go, the girl doesn't need to worry about entries disappearing. However, the voice activation functions and lock are run on 3 AAA batteries.

7. Tamagotchi Connection: Version 3

Yes, the little tamagotchi pets are back and this time better than ever. With all the same functions as the old tamagotchi's such as hunger, sickness, sleep, aging and a desire to play, this cute little toy now uses infrared technology to play with others, buy presents and even unlock secret worlds both online and on the tamagotchi. One cute and new aspect is the ability to spend "Gotchi points" which allow you to buy gifts or play new games online. With the use of passwords you can unlock these secret worlds and send your little pet off to his or her favorite destination. In this version of Tamagotchi you can experience 52 characters instead of just one and play around 6 games.

Relatively priced and up to date, the Tamagotchi Connection: Version 3 pet is available in plenty of colors and requires 1 "CR2032" battery which is included when you purchase the pet.

6. Nail Art Books

Girls at 12 are discovering what beauty rituals are, and what better way to introduce a girl to the wonders of makeup other than a Nail Art book. These books contain ideas, patterns and different styles of nail art, which transform the everyday nail polish look into an actual work of art. Found in the childrens book section (along with other beauty how-to books) these gifts are often accompanied with around six different color polishes. And for added security for buyer and parent, the polishes included are non-toxic and water based.

5. The Body Book: Recipes for Natural Body Care

On the lines of beauty, what pre-teen girl isn't interested in starting a beauty routine? Now any pre-teen (or grown up who may be curious) can learn to make their own treatments for hair, skin and even nails. The book is perfect for those who may have allergies and gives a sense of accomplishment when the girl actually makes (and uses) her own creation. What better way to teach some sciences and have fun at the same time?

The Body book comes with a home spa kit, which includes anail buffer, facial brush, pumice stone, three essential oils (fragrances: lavender, peppermint and tangerine) which can be used to add delicious flavors to shampoos or bath water. There are 60 recipes included and the message is a very clear one for anyone who buys this book: If you feel good, you look good. A very important lesson for pre-teens getting ready for a really confusing time.

4. The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a wonderful gift for the young girl who is entering a new period of her life. Without giving away any spoilers fo those who have not read this book, to sum it up, it's a coming-of-age story of girl named Mary who is sent to live with her uncle. She was considered "the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen.." and most pre-teen girls can relate to feeling like they don't fit in.

The book shows hope above obstacles, love, trust and above all else: that everything is what you make it.

3. A Magazine Subscription

Pre-Teen girls are just getting into (or have just gotten into recently) teen magazines. Why not find out what the young lady on your list likes and subscribe to her favorite magazine for a year.

However, a word of caution. A lot of the magazines out there are geared towards being perfect in body, fashion and whatever else a teen/pre-teen girl desires. These magazines should be avoided. However, after researching several teen magazines, my suggestion for 3 decent ones are J-14, Girl's Life Magazine and Teen People. While seventeen is all right, it is geared towards an older crowd, while Teen people is general and Girl's Life discusses matters that girls are going through. Even better, most of these subscriptions cost less than $20 a year, so it'll save you money and hopefully make the pre-teen girl thrilled.

2. Makeup kits

This one seems almost too perfect for the pre-teen girl. Various stores sell different makup kits, some even come with helpful tips and instructions on proper application and technique. This is something every young lady should have - so that they can learn how to put makeup on and not look fake/clown-like or worse, just sloppy. It may only be play right now, which is fine (pending parental approval!) but it's a good lesson every pre-teen needs to learn. The difference between subtle and beauty to dramatic and horrifying. Be certain, if shopping for this, that you check for any allergies the young lady might have first. You can make your own kit, too, with a little know how and even include a makeup tip book you find elsewhere to include in the goodie basket.

1. Charm braclets

This was a perfect gift when I was 12. A charm bracelet not only gives the girl some jewelry, but with the infinite number of charms to add to it, the bracelet can become something the girl grows up with. You can find charms for anything, moons, kittens or even musical instruments that the girl plays. What better way to bring back fond memories of a childhood someday by creating something that can be tradition. As the girl grows, each year buy her a new charm.

My suggestion for this is to start her out with one or two charms already on the bracelet, so that she doesn't just see a chain and nothing beyond that. And here's the big hit: you'll be set for christmas presents each year if you buy a bracelet. You'd simply need to buy a new one each year!

Remember that if you intend to buy any of these items on the list that you a) make sure they don't already OWN one and b) that the parents approve of the gift prior to purchasing. Making a young lady feel special and more grown up is only a small part of what makes Christmas and holiday time worthwhile - it's the smiles and shouts of joy that you see and hear when they open their presents.