If there's a tween in your life you're trying to buy for this year, you know this particular age group can be pretty hard to figure out. That in-between stage of being an adolescent and a full-fledged teenager means that perfect gift can be anybody's guess. Tweens tend to like what they like -- which is typically what the rest of their friends like.
That sounds easy enough to figure out, right? Here are few items that shouldn't disappoint:
Pretty to Boot Boot Bands -- Let's face it, those trendy UGG-style boots are, to put it kindly, kind of plain. These decorative bands made of colorful ribbon can certainly help boost the style factor up a notch. Not surprisingly, the stylish bands were created by a tween's mom whose 11-year-old was looking for a new invention for a school project. The bands come in 12 colors. $22 at www.prettytoboot.com
Glee Jammin Journal -- Diaries have come such a long way since the pocket-size versions, with miniature keys and padlocks, many of us knew as kids. Tween fans of journaling and the TV show "Glee," can have a little of both. A special charm unlocks the journal case, which plays quotes and music from the show. There's a notebook inside, as well as a secret compartment to store secret stuff. $24.99 at Kohl's
"DinoMazes" -- This "colossal fossil book," as author/illustrator Elizabeth Carpenter calls it, features 31 poster-size drawings of mammoth creatures such as the 80-foot-long Apatosaurus as well as mini-mammals like the 12-pound Gobiconodon. Each maze features a page of fast facts and other information about what dinosaurs ate, their bone structure, teeth, size , etc. Available in book stores and at www.workman.com for $11.95
Kindle Fire -- Kindle fans no longer have to view the world in just black and white. Amazon's recently released Kindle Fire features a 7-inch touch screen that allows users to view books, magazines, videos, TV shows, movies and apps in full color. This tablet retails for less than half the cost of Apple's iPad 2 and about $50 cheaper than The Nook Color from Barnes & Noble. $199 on www.amazon.com and retail outlets
Style Me Up crafts -- Style Me up recently unveiled this new arts and crafts collection with eight different "glam kits" that allow girls to create items such as key pendants, friendship bracelets, fashionable purses, scrapbooks and jewelry. The various sets include items such as rhinestones, glitter, ribbons, stickers, beads, tweezers and fabric paint, depending on which version you buy. Available at Target and select retail outlets for $9.99 to $14.99
Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection -- British author J.K. Rowling touched a generation when she released the first Harry Potter book, "The Philosopher's Stone" (renamed "The Sorcerer's Stone" in the Untied States) in 1997. The seven-book series would become eight blockbuster films from 2001 to 2011. Fans young and old watched as Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, grew from a 10-year-old orphan to a confident teenage wizard. This new DVD box set includes all eight movies. Unfortunately, there are no extras or special features. Blu-ray set retails for $139.99, DVD $98.92
Ed Hardy Hearts and Daggers Cologne Spray -- Girls aren't the only ones who like to smell nice. Tween boys will appreciate this spicy, woodsy fragrance by Christian Audigier, whose Ed Hardy line is trendy among older tweens and young adults. This cologne for men has ingredients such as pear, basil, white pepper, rosemary and sandalwood. $14.99 to $75 at Kohl's
