by Elise Warren

Created on: November 11, 2007

My daughter is a fifteen year old sophomore in high school. I am a 42 year-old , single mother of four (read that as: I am so uncool). The "darling little outfits" that I purchased a few years back for my daughter, would be greeted with frowns this Christmas. I am also, apparently, the most unfashionable mom on the block when it comes to shoes, accessories, and other things...so this year, I have a plan. I will share it, as it may work for you, as well:

1. Have your daughter make a specific list of items that she desires. Ipod Nano, Pink Verizon Cellphone with Camera, Reebok shoes with straps/baby blue stripes/size 7. This will ensure that you will not buy the wrong item. (But keep the receipt, just in case...)

2. Gift cards! At our local mall, there is a gift card that you can buy that covers all of the stores in the mall. This will cover your daughters desires for clothes, shoes, and accessories. If your mall does not have this, then purchase cards from "teen " stores like Aeropostle, Hot Topic, Icings/Claire, Footlocker, and the like. You can even put fast food gift certificates in her stocking (Okay, not fashion, but a girl Does get hungry in the mall!)

3. Prepaid credit cards! Wrap up a prepaid credit card (loaded with money from you), and also a coupon promising your daughter a mother/daughter shopping spree! Buy yourself a Starbucks card too, for when you feel pooped after shopping.

4. If you absolutely want to purchase a few fashion items for your teen, you can never go wrong with a good pair of blue jeans, different colored t-shirts, a nice handbag, or even cute undies. Adorable socks are usually found in my daughter's stocking on Christmas, as well.

5. If you know your daughter's love of accessories, a good belt, gloves, and hat can always be appreciated, too.

Teenage girls are usually not hard to please. A few cute presents to open, along with some generous gift cards/certificates, and she will be happy. Now, if I can just figure out how to wrap up a cute "teenage boy", then my daughter's holiday list will be complete!

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