How to Pick a Great Christmas Present for a Pre-Teenager

There is a saying in my country which goes like this: "Small children - small problems. Big children - big problems."

And how true!

This time I'll focus on less troublesome problem - how to pick an ideal present for 10 to 13 years old girls. In this post I'll help you to pick such present and make your daughter satisfied!

The problem lies in the fact that kids of this age love both the toys and things grownups use. Books play an important part in that age.

My older daughter is now 11. When we ask her what would she like to get for Christmas, she usually says that she doesn't know and that we should think of something.

We used to give our older daughter several smaller (less expensive) gifts. For example: a music CD, some makeup for kids and some doll (Bratz or Barbie). We investigate what's popular with her friends first.

The same story will happen this year. Bunch of hard choices, dilemmas and finally that moment... will she like it? She always did!

Let's see how to "read their minds" and give them something cool. Here is my list of great Christmas presents for pre-teenager girl. (note that you can click on the product names and buy them at Amazon.com):

1. Apple 4 GB iPod Nano Green (2nd Generation) ($199) - Yes, it's still hot stuff with teens. Like all iPods, it is easy to learn and easy to use, has superb sound quality, and is a real joy to use.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set ($29.70) - Set of famous children's books by famed C. S. Lewis. We follow the stories of children as they enter into the mysterious world of Narnia. Narnia is inhabited by an amazing assortment of mythological creatures that delight and fascinate.

3. Sims 2 - ($29.99) - Be careful with this one - this is a rather old PC game but your kids will love it. In it, players micromanage the lives of a family of virtual people, or Sims, and influence their paths toward success or something akin to a nervous breakdown. Its open-ended blend of cartoonish behavior and everyday living is unique in an art form otherwise obsessed with carnage and sports.

4. Celestron Powerseeker 60EQ Telescope ($69.99) - Nothing wrong in getting your child interested in science. This is an affordable telescope for beginning astronomer. Even real astronomers could use this one for fun!

5. Photo Story Jr.: Publish your own keepsake photo book! ($28.88) - This is very popular with girls of this age. As a bonus, it enhances their creativity.

Perhaps it's better to buy cheaper presents for your kid because they will loose interest in them after a few days.

If you have any other suggestions, please write them in comments section of this post.