by Sierra Capalongo

Created on: April 28, 2008

Preteens- They're typically the most difficult age to shop for. They always want the best designer clothing, top-notch accessories, and have a tendancy to whine when unpleased. Well, here are some tips that are guaranteed to please the unsatisfied preteen girls that you already have a difficult time raising:

If you have absolutely no clue what sort of fashion they're into or what stores they prefer, just get a giftcard that can be used throughout a near mall. That way you're saying "Here's some cash. Do as you please," but its money given in a limited amount and they taste that freedom that they'll do anything to get their hands on.

If you know what stores your daughter or relative likes then it wouldn't harm you to check them out. See what kinds of clothing are sold there and make a mental note of it. If the prices are too high, as they normally are, go to a store that sells similiar clothing but at a lower price. For example, if your preteen likes Abercrombie, then take a look in Hollister. Although they are both owned by the same company, Hollister sells their clothes at cheaper prices. Or you can check out a Macy's, Sears, or Bon Ton for similiar styles. Almost all junior departments carry the "new & in" styles that your preteen would be interested in.

For those on a budget, look in a place such as Walmart or K-Mart. Even those stores are beginning to carry modern teen fashion. Also, if you like shopping online, you can use promotional codes for a great discount on most items. Usually at check-out, there will be a box that asks you if you have a promo code. If you don't, you can search for some on Google by using the company or website name and typing "promo codes" after it.

If shopping with your preteen, watch the items that you notice them eyeing up. If they take an even closer look, maybe you should too. If it's reasonably prices, then it would be a nice idea to go back and buy it at a later date. Surprising your preteen with a gift like that shows that you are interested in the things they wear and they will appreciate the fact that you, as a parent or relative, took time to notice the things that interest them.

One more thing- Don't put down their style of clothing and dont deny them the clothes right away. It mostly leads to arguing, which leads to future tension, which families would like to avoid as much as possible.

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