As the mother of three grown daughters and as a veteran high school teacher, I have more than a nodding acquaintance with the complicated, many-faceted creature know as the teenage girl. This group is notoriously difficult to shop for, but there is hope for the harried hunter of perfect gifts. I have noticed many times how almost every teenage girl goes through at least a phase of unbridled creativity. I'm sure a psychologist would say that it's an integral part of the transition from childhood to womanhood, but whatever the reason behind this need of self expression, you can use it to your advantage when selecting a gift for a teenage girl.

GIFTS FOR FUTURE POETS
Many teen girls love expressing their thoughts and feelings in the form of poems. As an inspiration, give them some poetry books, along with some nice journals and fancy pens.
Popular poets among teenage girls are Nikki Giovanni, Sylvia Plath, Langston Hughes, and Emily Dickinson. This gift would be a great "starter kit," and who knows - it could be the beginning for a great writer.

CANDLEMAKING
What teenage girl doesn't love candles? I remember going through this phase. I made all kinds of candles and loved creating my own designs. Buy a kit at almost any craft store - Michaels sells them. Add some extra wax and wicking. For a really fun idea, purchase some soda glasses and straws so she can create "soda candles." These are simple to make and would be a great addition to her bedroom decor. You might want to throw in a book about candlecrafting.

FOR THE BUDDING PAINTER
Create an artist package by going to your local art supply store or Walmart and buying a few brushes, board canvases, a beginner's book on paining techniques, and tubes of acrylic paint. A few basic colors can create any shade desired. A starter kit should include cerulean blue, titanium white, cadmium yellow, a bright red, black, raw umber, yellow ochre, a medium green, and burnt sienna. Acrylics are great for beginners because they're easy to mix and require only soap and water for clean-up.

JEWELRY MAKING
Most teenage girls enjoy wearing jewelry of some sort, and most would find wearing their own creations especially satisfying. Jewelry making kits can be found at Michael's, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and many other craft stores. You might want to personalize the gift by adding some charms that represent her favorite activities or hobbies. There's an endless supply of charms available, having to do with horseback riding,

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