ALT-2 Christmas 2007 Gift Ideas for Teen Girls Aged 13 15
Thirteen to fifteen is that very delecate age when image and popularity are everything! Most girls this age are still very innocent, but want to be perceived as cool to their friends and peers, so keep that in mind when shopping for them (hint: also see writing article topic called Gifts that won't embarrass your teen girl!).
Let's start in the wide world of electronics. The Nintendo DS is the newest of the handheld gaming systems (think back to the days of Gameboy) and has a dualscreen. Games to go along with the Nintendo DS are essential. When it comes to MP3 players, I-Pods are tops and come in different sizes, which account for how many songs they hold. The smallest is the Shuffle, which won't run you more than $80, but it won't hold many songs. I would recommend the I-Pod Nano, which holds up to 500 songs and is still lightweight and portable, and around $200. I-Tunes giftcards are also appreciated, as she will have to pay $1 per song to upload them.
How about home decor for her bedroom? If you have the budget to help her go all out, check out Delias.com which offers full, funky bedroom sets complete with comforters, rugs, and lampshades. Or you can of course pick and choose from these pieces. IKEA has cute, fun, and functional room decor as well, and you should also check out the offerings from Urban Outfitters. All of these vendors tend to have more art-deco type items at cheaper prices, but items that a teenage girl will love, in all kinds of bright colors and unusual patterns. "Glam" (glamour) is totally in, along with bright hues of pink, lime green, blue, and yellow.
If she's been hounding you for her own cell phone, the holidays could be the time to give in. You can get a family-share plan where you can share the minutes, such as with Verizon, and these plans also offer discounts when you buy multiple phones. You can use the service Firefly to ensure that she only calls numbers from a pre-set list, if security concerns you. With a cell phone, make sure you get a texting plan if you don't want to receive outrageous charges, because texting literally IS the raging form of teen communication these days!
There is always the ubiquitous gift card. For the 13-15 age range, try Claire's or The Icing (mall stores), Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Hollister, Journeys (for shoes), & Target. If you are buying her smaller gifts or stocking-stuffer gifts, try flavored chapsticks (which even come in Reese's, Tootsie Roll, and other flavors), cute slippers, hats, mittens, boxer shorts, nail polish, cell phone case, headbands, hair clips, earrings, gum, & mints. Claire's is a great store for buying in-style teen jewelry and other small items like these.
She may still be at the age where she loves Hannah Montana and High School Musical, so themed gifts for those shows/movies can work. Gifts you want to steer clear of if you are unsure of the teen girl's preferences include Barbies, dolls, or educational toys, Harry Potter, science-related gifts, or even books you pick out yourself... these may be too juvenile for her, and after all, the point of a gift is that she use it.
