Flutter Girl: Dream Wrap (High Intencity)  $18.00
Here's a fun gift that's sure to make your granddaughter happy.  These fun wrap bracelets are funky, hip and loaded with style.  They are one size fits all, and full of fun, jingly charms.  They're a hip gift this Holiday season!

 

Ugly Dolls (Pretty Ugly, LLC)  All ages, Price Range $6.00 - $25.00
Okay, they might be called "Ugly Dolls" but they are the biggest hit we've seen in a long time.  They are the pet rocks of this generation we think.  It seems like every tween is collecting them -- and they aren't just sleeping with them - they are taking them to school, taking them on car rides, to grandmas and using the cool clip on ones on their backpacks.  We were sent a bunch to review and our testers snapped them up so fast you'd think they were gold!  I recently took my 8-year-old to a birthday party and all the girls were talking about which Ugly Dolls they have, which they were saving for and discussing their stories!  They are great gifts, affordable, fun and collectible!  They have plush keychains, Little Uglies and the full size Ugly Dolls.  Who knows -- you might even want one for yourself!

I-DOG (Hasbro) Ages 8+, $29.99
Our tween fashionista tester who wanted the purse dogs but isn't lucky enough to get one is having a blast toting around her little I-DOG, reports her mom.  This cute little pal has a personality as well as functionality.  The I-DOG can be plugged into an iPod (or any other MP3 player) and he works as speakers, he also barks, has ears that move and a face that lights up with the music.  The music and movement change with the music!  Our tester just loved it!  In addition, she loved the little outfits and purse that you can now get.  Sweater sets retail for  $9.99 and purses for $14.99 These cute items are not just for tweens though, cool teens and college kids will enjoy the versatility of these fun little portable pooches.  They are available in various colors, as well as Dalmatian and Tiger patterns!  Not a dog fan?  Be sure to check out the I-FISH -- it retails for $39.99 and it Requires 2 “AA” batteries (not included). Includes dual-plug cable.

Denim Beanbag (MyBeanBagBlitz) $79.95
Okay, beanbags were popular when I was a kid and believe it or not, they are still popular now.  Why?  Well, they are comfortable as can be!  Our reviewers, including their parents just loved this beanbag!  They commented that it was "large enough for the adults, yet not too big for the kids.  What kid wouldn't want one of these in their bedroom!"  The thought that this would make a great gift because it's function and fun!  We got to review the denim fabric covered one, but they are available in all sorts of fabrics and colors.  If you have a passion for wild animal print you can get that - or there's leather, micro suede, fleece and more!  They make great gifts for parents too!  For the nitty gritty, Each has a circumference of 112" (taking up approximately 3 feet on the floor). Features double stitched seams and an auto lock zipper for safety and durability. It is filled with 12 cubic feet of soft, comfortable recycled polystyrene beans and is easily refilled. Made in the USA.

Headband and Hairclips (Andrea's Beau) $8.50 - $18.50
Our testers, aged 8 and up just loved the beautiful headbands by Andrea's Beau.  Tired of the old plastic headbands that hurt, our testers were thrilled to wear these beautiful headbands that are stylish and hip - and comfortable!  They loved the colors are beautiful and really compliment any outfit.  You can buy them online, and their prices are really reasonable.  Clips start at $8.50 and headbands $18.00 and up.

Flutter Girl: Dream Wrap (High Intencity)  $18.00
Here's a fun gift that's sure to make your granddaughter happy.  These fun wrap bracelets are funky, hip and loaded with style.  They are one size fits all, and full of fun, jingly charms.  They're a hip gift this Holiday season!

 

High Intencity makes really cool charm bracelets, charms and now "Glam to Go" where a girl can show off her personal style -- and have her favorite lip gloss at hand!  The ring features a mirror for easy application, and the lip glosses are sheer and pretty -- not too grown up for almost tweens and perfect for tweens.  Our 7 and 9-year-old testers loved the sparkly lip gloss -- and mom's liked them too! Slip one into a Easter Basket and watch your granddaughter's eyes - or lips -- sparkle!

Disney Princess & Cars MP3 Players (Disney Store) $99.50
Older kids, aged 6 and up, will love these MP3 Players.  They are a little bigger than the new iPod shuffle, but the are kid friendly.  The princess is adorned with rhinestones. is pink and features Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty on the back. The Cars MP3 features Lightning McQueen on the front and back.  Both feature a built-in FM radio with 20 pre-set channels, a 65K full color display and holds up to 512 MB.  Younger kids will definitely need help uploading songs and images, but older kids will be able to do it themselves.  The nice thing is that for a little more than the shuffle you can a lot more stuff.  We didn't try this, but apparently you can download music videos.  Maybe we'll have a chance to try that too!  It includes a rechargable lithium battery, USB cable.  Our testers liked uploading pictures of their friends, and storing stories for longer car rides. "My daughter liked the fact she could listen to Hanna Montana in the car and High School Musical.  She loved that she didn't have to listen to my music" reports our mom tester.  Our 9-year-old boy tester just "loved to have his own MP3 player.  He didn't upload pictures, but liked having his own music - just like Dad!" Where to buy: Disney Store: For store locations in the U.S. and Canada, call 800-757-5933.

Disney Pix Micro (Disney Store) Ages, 5+, $19.99
This cute little camera actually takes quite good digital pictures, see photo right. (Self portrait of Madison)  For under $20 you can take up to 40 pictures. You don't get a viewing window, but you do get a little pint sized camera that a 5-year-old can manageably take pictures with. My 8-year-old daughter, who has already broken one of my digital cameras tested this one out and loves it -- as you can see by her smile! Where to buy: Disney Store: For store locations in the U.S. and Canada, call 800-757-5933.

Smackers Pet Pals Pencil Bag Collection (Smackers/Bonne Bell) Ages 6+, $7.95
With flavors like Artic's Mint Smoothie, Sugar's Holiday Cookies and Cupcake's Strawberry Frosting what kid won't be happy!  Our tween reviewer was thrilled to receive this cute little gift set that she was able to test with her friends!  What was her favorite?  Strawberry frosting! These make great stocking stuffers, or a Hanukah gift.  Grandparents - these are also perfect shipping size - small and light!  The Smackers Trio Bag - Sweet Shimmers Collection (pictured right) comes festively decorated, and comes with a trio of delicious flavors like Vanilla Lights and Berry Heavenly.  They retail for just $4.75.

Lip Smacker Party Packs (Smackers/Bonne Bell) Ages 6+, $8.95
Having a party?  Have 8 granddaughters? Check out the Lip Smacker Party Pack.  There's one flavor for each girl if you have a sleepover - or if you have 8 stockings to stuff!  They have six collections – Originals, Shimmer & Shine, Pet Pals, KOOL-AID®, M&M’s® and Skittles® flavored Lip Smackers.  Don't forget - boys need and like lip balm too - so get the cool flavors like M&M's or KOOL-AID or Originals and you can't go wrong!

Digi Makeover (Radica)  Ages 8+, $59.99
Our 8- and 9-year-old testers had so much fun with this toy. They have played with several plug-and-plays before, but never one that would let them see what they'd look like in a fashion makeover. The set, which includes a built-in camera, allows them to snap a picture of themselves and go to town. There are tons of new looks, and they had fun making themselves look sophisticated as well as crazy! There are over 50 hairstyles to choose from, including various lengths and colors—if that's not enough, you can accessorize too. A real winner and fun for all!

Alarm Kit: Keep Out Door Card (Wild Planet) Ages 6+, $16.95
Our tween boy tester just thought this was the best device to keep his 8-year-old sister out of his room.  It's easy to attach with Velcro and comes with a key card to swipe.  It also has a great audible alarm if someone "breaks" in.  Comes with an extra key for mom and a shut off button if the noise gets you!  Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included.
 

Fashion Angels Design Sketch Book (The Bead Shop) Ages 8+, $14.99 
Our 8-year-old tester, a sewer, knitter, potter, and budding artist just loved this set.  Since she's already creating fashion items for her dolls on her grandmother's sewing machine she just loved this kit.  She had a blast creating designs for the Fashion Angels.  The book contains a pad of Fashion Angel templates, markers, mini color pencils, a sharpener, and an eraser. When your done designing you can save all your drawings in the inside pocket. This is a great, creative gift!

ZookiDooki (Fashion Angels) Ages 8+, $19.00 and up
How cool are these?  They are collectible - there are 12 in all, they are colorful and what's better they inspire saving!!!  They are fully functional banks with a plug in the bottom.  We just love these cool new critters from Fashion Angels. They are perfect for a tween! 

Girlvival:  Looking for something special for your granddaughter? Since they come in all shapes, sizes and with different joys and challenges, here is a product that is sure to bring a smile to any girls face, no matter what is going on in her life! A girlvival gift kit. There are kits for almost any up or down that she may be facing like going back to school, discovering boys, birthday celebrations, or fighting with her best friend! You can even design your own kit! Started by a teenager named Carrie, her grandmother is one of her best sales people. Visit www.girlvival.com to view all the gift kits and place an order. Or feel free to contact girlvival directly at 630-873-3115 and they will be happy to help you select the perfect gift to send her spirits soaring! They provide free gift cards and wrapping. 

American Girl Magazine $22.95 (6 issues)
This is a great magazine for tween girls. Each issue has crafts to make, activities, puzzles, games, and more.  The holiday issue has Christmas crafts to make, mini-mysteries, holiday stickers and more.  It's a really nice alternative to those teen magazines that focus on fashion only.

Decorate Your Room with Gel Gems!  (Design Ideas) Prices start at $5.00 for a small box of dots.  The Holiday Related ones are on the left.  There is also the Star of David, Santa Clause, Candy canes and more!  Let your creative juices flow.  You don't only have to give Holiday related gems.  There are snakes, flower pots, the Statue of Liberty and more!  For added fun and ideas check out their Design Gallery  where you can see Shrek, the Twin Towers and more!

And if you want to do your own research to find out what your granddaughter might be seeing on the Web, click on some of these sites. Be warned: They all have annoying pop-up ads and launch extra advertising windows. Just close the ads out as you surf. Here are some of the hot sites: GirlZone, GirlyNation, YM, Gurl, Seventeen.