What to get for pre-teen girls?

ilovehouses

11 & 12 year old girls.  They have everything under the sun.  Yet, I don't want to be auntie-downer and get them something practicle.

 In the past, I've always got them nice art supplies.  I'd like to do something different. 

kathi512

What about a purse with some lip gloss, lotion, maybe a small mani/pedi set? They sell spa sets for girls that age with body wash, lotion & other good smelling bath stuff.
GL! 

Dr.Loretta

Books

Gift cards to a tween clothing store

Movie tickets

ilovehouses

How about iTunes gift cards?  I'm 99% pos they have an iPOD.

stilldreaming

condoms.

Dr.Loretta

Alternatively, you can call their mother and ask what they're into now

Wan-naBe

kids that age really love being able to shop and pick their own stuff.  i vote for gift cards to a favorite store.

apparently

Unless there's a religious issue, a ouija board is just about the most fascinating thing you can give a tween. They can sit in a bedroom "predicting" who has a crushes on them for DAYS.

Bella in CT

How about a gift card to do something with them?  A concert, mani/pedi, or a movie date would be fun.

stargirlsheart

I taught 6th grade and my stepdaughter is 13 so I am not too far out of that range.  Mani and pedi stuff is always good lotion, colorful nail polish, remover, cotton balls.  If you are going to spend time with them you could have a girls day and take them for mani's and pedi's.  Gift cards for their favorite clothing stores are always good.  If they are not into clothes yet Old Navy is a good bet.  Probably anything from Bath and Body Works.  iTunes cards are safe too.  New colored pencils and sketch books are always a safe bet too.

wendilea

My girls asked for "spa kits", nail polish, lotion, that kind of thing.  I also got them small jewelry boxes that come with a sheet of stickers so they can personalize them, and some costume jewelry.

keihpos

I would get them something fun, like a board game (Balderdash or Cranium)...and then a little girly thing like nail polish on the side.

JanetPlanet20

are they into Twilight? there are lots of Twilight things out there that girls that age love.

I also agree with gift cards to their favorite stores. maybe some fun accessories from Claire's.

have you asked them what they want? 

RachieTK

Girls that age are suddenly in love with anything peace-sign.  A lot of stores have cute necklaces, shirts, leggings, etc.  Clothes from abercrombie and big with that age, too.  Mani/pedi gift certificates would be good, or even at that age a coach wristlet. 

Corleyrae

I am the only girl on one side of my family and I had an aunt that was garunteed to get me something over the top girly. Now I was no way considered a tom boy but pink sweaters with hearts, nail polish, and jewelry with flowers made me gag every christmas. That being said the spa day or letting me pick out my clothes would have been great!

Printergirl

I'm giving our niece a matching bracelet/earrings in a little cosmetic bag. She's been borrowing her mom's jewlery so I know she's wanting something a little more grown up than her 'little girl jewelry'.