Christmas Gifts for Tween Girls

Yes, it's that time again-the time every parents to a tween just dreads. Christmas shopping! I can feel mild panic ensue as I consider how truly impossible it is to add that sparkle to my tween daughter's eyes Christmas morning. I know I'm not alone in having absolutely no clue what to get my child for Christmas gifts. I have just about a month to get my act together.

What's a tween, you ask? It's a creature aged 9-12. One who isn't playing with toys anymore but isn't quite old enough to stop being interested in toys. A tween girl can't date boys yet but is very interested in all things girly, including boys. One who knows Santa Claus is really Mom and Dad but still wants to feel that special magic and surprise of unexpected gifts on Christmas morning.

I've decided to do all of us a favor. I'm on the hunt to find those amazing, reasonably-priced Christmas gifts for our tween girls. You'll thank me for this, you really will…once it's 3 days before Christmas and you're tearing your hair out with a list in your hand stating, "makeup from Claire's and a lava lamp." Yea, sure. As if a tween nowadays would tolerate getting just two gifts for Christmas.

So here goes:

1. Letter Art 2

   Cool And Colorful Letter Designs to Draw (American Girl Library) by American Girl - Hours of fun.

2. Mall Madness by Hasbro

   Board game for those tweens who love to shop.

3. Journal

   Any hard-back bound lined paper journal

4. The Care & Keeping of You

   The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) by Valorie Schaefer - a truly fabulous book with answers to all the questions tweens have about growing up.

5. Pens & Pencils

   All of a funky enough variety, of course.

6. Karaoke Machine

   Yes, it's between $100-150 but then what price is your sanity when you don't have to hear, "I'm so bored" anymore?

7. High School Musical 2

   Any video, CD, etc. Enough said.

8. Webkinz

   A stuffed animal that can hang out in the virtual world with other Webkinz. Guess what? You don't have to clean up after these pets!

9. Any subscription to a "teen" magazine

   American Girl, J-14, Girl's Life, National Geographic Kids…

10. Gift Cards

    Music stores, Itunes cards, Limited Too, Claires, even Toys 'R Us allows them to choose their gift and extend their fun past Christmas too.

11. Jewelry Box

    Of course, they need some place to stores their treasures.

12. Scrapbooking Set

    These sets come with everything a tween could want to create a memory book except pictures - that"s your job!

13. MP3 Player

    There are so many, in various price categories. Tween's love these gadgets and they are reasonably priced.

14. FLY Pentop Computer

    ... A LeapFrog product. For homework help, MP3 play and games. Pen, recharger, speaker and special Fly paper should come in at about $130-150.

15. Handheld Walkie Talkies

    Yes, I know, this is basically a toy but a perfect gift for your tween to use with her friends during a play date.

Don't forget the batteries!

Cheers!