Tween girls aren't into PINK PINK PINK any more, and they're beginning to be super-aware of what's cool and what isn't. The biggest sin is to buy presents that are way too young for them, so think hard before you give in to anything too sweet and fluffy. (Although it does, of course, depend on the girl. There are 18-year-olds with bedrooms knee-deep in big-eyed Beanies.)

High street shops like Lush, Claire's, H&M, Accessorize and Top Shop are good places to start, especially if you're willing to get chatting to the staff (who will happily tell you what's popular with tweens).

If you feel you're taking a bit of a risk, check that she can exchange your gift or get a refund – and make it absolutely clear on the gift tag that you won't mind in the least if she does.


10 of the best gifts for tween girls aged 10-12

  • <p> There&rsquo;s a good selection of pretty and affordable party clothes from <a href="http://www.hm.com/gb/" target="_blank">H&amp;M</a> this winter, including this ruffled cream dress with a ribbon tie round the waist, &pound;19.99, from ages 8 to 14+, in recycled polyester (part of the company&rsquo;s push to use more sustainable materials). Dressing up needn&rsquo;t break the bank&hellip;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Adele&rsquo;s second album, 21, &pound;6.99, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> includes the number one hit &lsquo;Someone Like You&rsquo;. She didn&rsquo;t come from a musical family, she says on her website www.adele.tv: &lsquo;It all comes from impersonating The Spice Girls and Gabrielle. I did little concerts in my room for my mum and her friends. My mum&rsquo;s quite arty; she&rsquo;d get all these lamps and shine them up to make one big spotlight.&rsquo;</p>
  • <p> Aquamarine, &pound;2.99 from, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> is five years old now, but it&rsquo;s still much-loved for its celebration of friendship between girls. Claire and Hailey need a miracle, as Hailey&rsquo;s about to move halfway round the world. Enter Aquamarine, a beautiful mermaid who will grant the girls one wish if they help her to find love. Lovely sub-plot of the scheming jealous mean girl who threatens to ruin all their plans&hellip;</p>
  • <p> From the inspiring website of the Manchester family business, The Bead Shop, <a href="http://www.the-beadshop.co.uk/kits/charm-bracelet-kits.html" target="_blank">these kits </a>Miyuki drops and Swarovski beads in shades of gold, platinum, green or amethyst in a mixture of crystals, pearls and metallic. Full instructions are included, but The Bead Shop recommends that you also buy a <a href="http://www.the-beadshop.co.uk/tools/hi-tech-memory-wire-cutter-with-spring.htm" target="_blank">neat wire-cutter</a>, &pound;10, to make the job easier.</p> <p> <br /> Miyuki Drop and Swarovski Memory Wire Bracelet Kits, &pound;8.50 each, from <a href="http://www.the-beadshop.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.thebeadshop.co.uk. </a></p>
  • <p> Doo-Wops and Hooligans, &pound;7, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> is the debut album from award-winning singer-songwriter, Bruno Mars, who has contributed to the soundtrack of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I. Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Motown, reggae&nbsp; &ndash; he&rsquo;s been influenced by them all. Mostly love songs (probably a good idea to check out the lyrics first&nbsp; &ndash; may be too&nbsp; old for some pre-teens).</p>
  • <p> Everyone keeps saying, oh, this obsession with cupcakes will be over soon&hellip;No chance. Girls love cupcakes&nbsp; - and long may it continue. The Cupcake Kit, &pound;12.99, from <a href="http://www.firebox.com/" target="_blank">Firebox</a> has everything she needs to get going&nbsp; - 14 recipes, 250 pretty&nbsp; cupcake liners, and a bag and piping nozzles to create wonderful icing effects.</p>
  • <p> For all girls who love art, fashion and design, this Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio, &pound;9.99, from <a href="http://www.wickeduncle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wicked Uncle</a> includes sketch paper with silhouettes in various poses that she and her friends can use with over 100 stencils to create great fashion designs. You never know&nbsp; &ndash;&nbsp; you might be ushering in the new Stella McCartney&hellip;</p>
  • <p> What girl doesn&rsquo;t need a bit of fake fur to add a bit of glamour to her life? One of many brilliant hats at Claire&rsquo;s this season, the Faux Fur Leopard Trapper, &pound;12, from <a href="http://www.claires.com/store/" target="_blank">Claire&rsquo;s </a>will make sure she&rsquo;s all wrapped up this Christmas. You can also add gloves, a scarf and tights from the latest trends at <a href="http://www.claires.com/store/" target="_blank">Claire&rsquo;s.</a></p>
  • <p> A pink and sparkly candy-smelling collection of festive goodies, including shimmery shower gel, Angel&rsquo;s Delight soap scented with orange and tangerine oils, and a Shimmy Shimmy massage bar that will leave a trail of fairy dust on her skin. Prettily wrapped in pink&nbsp; &ndash;&nbsp; and with its very own jingle bell&hellip;<br /> Lush Christmas collection, Snow Fairy, &pound;10.95, from <a href="https://phoenix.lush.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lush. </a></p>
  • <p> What if God were a teenage boy called Bob who spent most of the day in bed dreaming about all the girls he fancied? (It might explain a lot of the random things that keep happening on earth, after all.) Playful, warm and thoughtful&nbsp; &ndash;&nbsp; and a love story, too&hellip;</p> <p> There is no Dog by Meg Rosoff, &pound;12.99, Puffin, from <a href="http://www.tesco.com/tescobooks" target="_blank">Tesco.com/tescobooks</a>,<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon,</a> and all good bookshops</p>


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