Gifts
for girls ages 3 to 5: Girls at this age love
to keep busy, especially with interactive projects that
involve adults or other friends. Consider an art supply
or craft kit filled with stickers, glitter pens, or Wikki
Stix. To give her some fun adventure time, look for a
play tent decked out as a castle or country house. Girls
at this age might also enjoy a Webkins pet that she can
snuggle at home and care for in a virtual world on the
computer. Stocking stuffer ideas include hair clips, small
dolls or stuffed animals, or crazy-colored tights.
Gifts for girls ages 6 to 8: Girls
at this age have a diverse array of interests. For girls
who love to be outdoors, select a kite with beautiful
pinwheels, a pair of roller skates, or a boogie board
for the beach. For crafty girls, consider a scrapbooking
set to help them record their memories or a bead kit
to make friendship bracelets. For budding scientists,
try a crystal growing kit or a rainforest rock garden.
Stocking stuffer ideas include hair bands, colorful
acrylic rings, or personalized stamps and labels.
Gifts for girls ages 9 to 12: Preteen
girls love to record and keep their memories. Get her
started with her own digital camera (in pink or purple,
of course), a beautiful locking journal or diary to
keep her secrets, or a brightly colored stationery set.
For athletic types, give her a pair of Ray-Bans or a
new sports bag. And for the aspiring world traveler,
get her a rolling suitcase and a cute set of luggage
tags. Stocking stuffers can include key chains, small
photo albums, or a funky-colored watch.
For all ages, consider these gifts that will
last all year round:
Memberships: Give a membership to
a local cultural institution such as a zoo, science
center, children’s museum, aquarium, or activity
gardens. Make sure that the attraction is close enough
to be convenient so that the kids get the most out of
the membership for the year.
Magazines: Give a subscription to
a children’s magazine that will keep her entertained
with new issues arriving in the mail all year round.
For ages 3 to 8, look for Highlights, National Geographic
Little Kids, and Zoobooks. For ages 9 to 12, look for
Muse (sponsored by the Smithsonian), Ask (arts and science
for kids), Calliope (a fun introduction to world history),
Discovery Girls, and Girls’ Life.
Books: Get her hooked on a series
where she can identify with a character or let her imagination
run wild. For ages 3-5, look for the Frances books by
Russell Hoban, the Charlie and Lola books by Lauren
Child, or the Taro Gomi activity books. For ages 6 to
8, try the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary or the Pippi
Longstocking books by Astrid Lindgren. For ages 9-12,
look for the American Girl series, the Fairy Chronicles
by J.H. Sweet, or the Little House on the Prairie series
by Laura Ingalls Wilder;
A day on the town: Give her a gift she will remember
all year – the gift of time with you. Create a
gift certificate promising a day at the movies, a date
for a high tea at a fancy hotel, or dinner at a special
restaurant. After all, what really counts is the thought
you put into it – and the time that she will enjoy
spending with you.
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