The holiday season is upon us, and it is time to get shopping! Whether looking for a special gift for your own daughter, a friend’s child, or a niece, this list is sure to cover the basics with a range of prices to help everyone find just the right thing.
The list below was provided by the diligent moms in the www.momtop10.com community who filled out surveys to help us gather the best information from the moms who are in the trenches. The product reviews, however, are personal opinions.
1. Clothing- What teenage girl does not love clothing? Especially hot this year are shoes and accessories. If you don’t know sizes, a designer scarf is a sure way to go. In looking at brands, Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, and Hollister came up again and again.
2. Jewelry- With a range of prices and styles, jewelry is an easy gift for any girl. In addition to the traditional rings and earrings, anklets have also grown in popularity in recent years. Some girls may prefer beads or Bohemian styles. Others may prefer the classic gold with a small stone or basic diamond chip earrings.
3.- iPod and accessories- And one of the hottest accessories this year? The iKaraoke microphone! The words to the song are on the iPod, and the microphone attaches so that teens have a small, traveling Karaoke machine. Also handy is the Belkin Rock Star. This splitter allows up to 5 pairs of headphones so that girls can share their music in any type of environment.
4. eReader/ eBooks- The debate is on between the Kindle and Nook, but there is no doubt that an eReader is a hugely popular gift. Rather than stacking shelves with books, this generation prefers to have any book they want on this simple book-sized computer. Most moms did not feel the 3G was a necessary investment, but it is worth researching this option if you feel it benefits you.
5. Purses, sunglasses- Fortunately, Vera Bradley has an affordable line of purses and handbags with tons of matching accessories at a more affordable price. Additionally, Coach and Fossil are popular with teens. A designer pair of sunglasses- wrap around style being the biggest choice- is also a great accessory for a teen girl.
6. Gift Certificate to a Spa- If you keep it simple with a manicure, pedicure or both, you won’t break the bank, but will be a hero in a teen girl’s eyes. Anyone loves an hour of pampering, and with a variety of spas around today, there is one to fit the budget of every shopper.
7. Perfume- Of course, scent is a personal thing, but look for fresh, fun, or classic scents over heavy or intensely floral. Hint: if you, your mother, or an aunt wear it, it’s probably not a good a choice for a teen. Some suggestions include Burberry, Guess, Sean John and Usher.
8. Savings Bond- A little off the beaten path, but moms mentioned this as a good alternative to traditional gifts as well as being a gift that will last far beyond the holiday season. Since this is an actual piece of paper, it may mean more than a stock purchase, but be careful: it’s something that can also be lost.
9. Cell Phone- Since it seems cell phones change more often than my Facebook page updates, this is always a good gift for your teenager who wants to stay on top the latest trend. A phone with a built in music player and camera can end up saving you money in the long run, but most importantly, keep a family plan to keep the phone bill in check!
10. Personalized Room Art- These days there are so many different choices for affordable artwork with your teenager as the theme. From Warhol inspired canvas art, to photo inspired portraits to sports and hobby themed mementos, there is definitely something out there for every young girl’s personality.
Feel free to check out more ideas at my website, www.momtop10.com, where gifts are listed by year and by gender, and Happy Shopping!
