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.

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.

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

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?

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:)

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