No matter how you look at it, 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds have a rough time. They're becoming more independent by the minute, but still need the assurances and affection of parents and loved ones. They're aware enough to know that they're no longer little kids, but they're still intimidated by teenagers. They're starting to develop their own tastes and preferences, but aren't yet old enough to make their own money for shopping.



For those of us with tweens in our lives, shopping for gifts for them can seem an impossible task. The toys they treasured just a year or two ago are now too "babyish" for them, while the gifts on their wish lists are often deemed "too old" by the adults in their lives. Here are some gift ideas that are sure to delight tweens.

Computers and Computer Software: If a tween doesn't have a computer, it won't be long before he or she needs one for schoolwork and socializing. The best time for a parent to set computer ground rules and for a child to develop good computer habits is before he or she hits the teenage years. Of course, a tween - or any child - shouldn't be able to surf the Web unsupervised, but a computer combined with parental controls will lay the groundwork for later years.

If a tween already has a computer, new software would be a welcome gift. Graphics programs, photo programs and computer games are always a big hit.

Music Players: MP3 players and iPods are one of the most appropriate electronics gifts for tweens. Unlocking the door to the world of music - even if it's music you don't necessarily understand or appreciate - will set the stage for being able to express and reflect the emotional ups and downs that they will soon be experiencing.

Cell Phones: Getting your own cell phone is a rite of passage among kids today. As long as you set limits on the number of minutes a tween can use each month, giving a cell phone is a sign that you believe the tween is responsible. If he or she already has a cell phone, there are a number of cell phone accessories that he or she would love to have.

Gaming Systems and Video Games: The chances are good that the tween in your life already has a video gaming system. But, does he or she have the most updated version of the system, like an Xbox 360 or a Wii? If your tween is an avid gamer, he or she will treasure a new gaming system or a great new video game.

For the Girls: It seems as though it's especially difficult to buy gifts for girls when they're tweens. Buying apparel can be tricky, since girls' tastes in clothes change so rapidly. They don't necessarily appreciate a traditional feminine gift like flowers, and they're too young to receive housewares as presents. The two gifts that will resonate with girls in their tweens are perfume and jewelry. Both are a means of self-expression, and girls that age are trying on different personas to figure out who they are. Giving gifts of perfume and jewelry acknowledges that they're getting older, while ensuring that they're still age-appropriate.

Now that you have shopping ideas, it's a matter of figuring out where to shop. There are many online shopping malls that have great deals on gifts for tweens at bargain prices. With a few clicks of your mouse, your gift needs will be taken care of!