Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Twenty-Something Girl

Whether she's your kid sister, your girlfriend or your granddaughter, the twenty-something girl you have in mind will be sure to love any of these thoughtful Christmas gifts. Browse through these fun and creative ideas, and then have a ball shopping with the special girl in mind! All of these gifts are reasonably priced (easily under $50), so you can treat her to a meaningful gift without breaking your budget.

1. Soft sweater

There's nothing nicer on a brisk winter day than to curl up in a comfortable chair and read a book…while wearing your favorite soft sweater. Sweaters aren't hard to find, and they are the winter staple in clothing. Shop around at your local mall to find the perfect sweater. Hot colors this winter are brown shades, deep reds, creams, and other earthy shades…and of course, black is always in! Especially for the girl who needs to dress professionally for her job, a black sweater will always be useful. Look for these especially luxurious and soft materials when you go sweater-shopping: chenille, Merino wool and silk-Angora blends.

2. Fragrant candles

Who doesn't love candles? The soft flickering light they provide is perfect for setting a mood. And they come in all sorts of smells imaginable. If you feel especially adventurous, go shopping at a store like the Yankee Candle Company. Otherwise, you can find a wide variety of candles at your local Walmart or Target. You will find candles that come with glass holders, dark wooden stands, creatively designed metal holders, and many other designs. So before you go shopping, scope out the decorative schemes the girl uses to decorate her house or apartment. Does she favor dark woods and earth tones? Or is she into bold colors and glass? What fragrances does she enjoy the most? Buy candles that complement her favorite colors, designs and scents. And it's always nice to buy candles in multiples of three so that she can set them out in a pretty arrangement. Candles are a great gift that will warm her heart for hours and maybe weeks and months to come!

3. Truffel-making set

If your girl has a sweet tooth and love to cook creatively, consider a truffle-making gift basket. At a specialty cooking store such as Williams-Sonoma, you can find plastic, candy-making molds. Buy small paintbrushes at a craft store for painting the chocolate into the molds. The rest of the elements-a pretty basket, dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate bars, and small bottles of flavoring such as vanilla and mint liquors-can be found at Target. This is one gift that you might get to sample and enjoy as well!

4. Gift to her favorite charity

We live in a compassion-conscious age. While donating to charities is a timeless value, it is also something that is often present in the current mindset. If the girl you are gift-hunting for has a bent towards giving and helping others, find out what she really has a heart for. Does she give money to help hungry children? Maybe she wants to support a local ministry or animal shelter. Find out what she really cares about and make a donation to that organization in her name. This caring act will mean a lot to her when done in her name and with her in mind.

5. Cute dishes

Does she have her own apartment? Maybe she eats meals by herself occasionally, or drinks a cup of coffee every morning. Consider buying her a personal set of dishes that will brighten her every day. You can even find a sixteen-piece set for her and three friends for under $50. For example, Target's trendy "Escapade" dishes set comes in fun colors like cobalt blue and lime green, and features simple but fun shapes like square plates and generously sized mugs, and the set of sixteen pieces (four bowls, four plates, four mugs, four square saucers) is only $39.99.

6. Stationery

Even though every girl in her twenties has to write letters and cards for all sorts of things, this is one of those things she might not get for herself. Splurge a little to buy her really pretty stationery. Consider buying simply-designed stationery or blank cards; these can be used for multiple purposes, whether it's to write a note congratulating Mom on her retirement, or to catch up on the news of a friend from college. Nice thank-you cards are another sure bet for a good gift, because everyone always has reason to write a thank-you card.

7. Jewelry

Tasteful jewelry is always in vogue, and doesn't have to be expensive. Color-coordinated necklaces are in style for the season, so again, be aware of her favorite colors. A brown beaded necklace will match with someone who wears a lot of fall colors like orange, cream, brown and forest green. Silver and black jewelry, especially with sleek and elegant lines, is appropriate for someone who spends their days in a professional office setting. If she is a celebrity fan, try "The Finer Blings," where you can order jewelry that is fun and "hip."

8. Coffee Shop "coupon"

A simple Starbucks gift card is always nice, but why not go a step beyond? Give her a hand-made coupon (or type it up on the computer for a more "professional" look), one that is for a particular coffee shop, but that includes a special twist. Try a message like the following: "This coupon good for one cup of coffee at Coffeehouse with me." She will appreciate this special gift that includes the chance to spend time relaxing and visiting with you.

9. Music c.d.

Ipods may be the rage, but they can't really hold a candle to a good old traditional c.d. Something about the clear plastic square case, the colorful pictures, the lyrics printed out…c.d.s are always a delight to get. If you know a particular new release she's been waiting for, buy that. Otherwise, buy her something new that you think she'd enjoy-something completely new, or just a new artist who is similar to one you already know she loves. She'll remember you every time she listens to her new music (and maybe sings along!)

10. A ballroom dance lesson

…Or anything else you know she'd love but would just never buy for herself or "never have the time for." Whether she would love an evening at the symphony, a morning at the spa or a Saturday out sky-diving, buy her an experience she will never forget. If it's appropriate, accompany her. Otherwise, give her a luxurious or exhilarating experience for herself (and if you can afford it, perhaps for a good friend of hers to share the experience with!)