What trinkets pass muster with 10-12 yr old girls these days?

[wildstrawberryplace]

I have three nieces in years 6, 7 and 8 to get gifts for and I have just no idea at all what to look for. I think I have often got them things that were too practical/old or too babyish. I have no girls - how does one know these things?

Some of the stuff they do have seems incredibly grown up to me for eg black handbags with fringes of leather, hair straighteners etc. I was bookish at that age and would have been really happy with fancy paper, pens, books etc, but I'm guessing that is old fashioned these days.

Any tips? Under £20 please.

Thanks.

[teenyweenytadpole]

Hi my DD is 11 and would love the things you listed. She would also not be averse to things like t-shirts, pyjamas, hats/scarves, that kind of thing but hair straighteners I would not get as I fear she would set fire to the house! Last year I got her a lot from Primark - slipper socks, a sequined beret, etc. This year I am focussing more on clothes and pretty things for her room like maybe a nice throw for the bed. I must admit I am finding it harder as she gets older! She would love an ipod touch but she is not getting one of those!! Accessorize or New Look have some nice gifty things.

[curlycat]

my dd is 11 - she likes
more grown up smellies - like Lush
fancy scarfs and hats - not woolly
arty things but more like design stuff now like - Fashion Angels
sparkly makeup - fab vanity case with makeup in wilkinsons for £10
fancy socks - with toes this year!!
the entire stock of Claires/NewLook/Tammy
girly dvds
cds
wii games - especially dance ones - she's getting the michael jackson one this year
jacqueline wilson/ wimpy kid style books - dork diaries this year
bags takes after her mother
purses
jewellry box - last years cream leather more grown up one from argos was a hit.
nomination style bracelet - can add charms for later xmas's and birthdays
name necklace
earrings
perfume
fluffy pjs
fur boot slippers
phone/ipod/laptop covers
and if all else fails she likes vouchers for any of the above:o

Hope some of that helps

[wildstrawberryplace]

Yes, it does help - thanks to you both. I think because I only see them a few times a year they are still little in my head, but they are really basically young teens for all intents and purposes aren't they?

[curlycat]

yep they are if they are anything like my dd and they have the attitude to match - mind you for all she like that glitz and teenage stuff she's still asked her gran for the giant cuddly hedgehog from Smyths - still my baby girl in there somewhere:)

[CherryMonster]

i could do some shamballa style bracelets? seem to be all the range this year, and i have genuine gemstones so could maybe do birthstone ones or sparkly ones x