Music

• Music usually becomes very important to girls of this age. Choose a CD of one of her favorite bands, or better yet, buy her an iTunes card if she has an iPod. A gift certificate to a music or electronics store is also sure to be a big hit for her.
  
  

Books

• It may come as a surprise, but most girls this age still love to read. Go to any bookstore, and you will see a lot of books geared toward preteen and teenage girls. Ask her parents if she is reading any book series, and buy her the next book in the series. Or, if she likes certain types of books, such as books about vampires (think "Twilight"), buy her a book by a different author but with that same theme.
  
  

Makeup

• Preteen girls are just starting to experiment with makeup. This is not the time, however, to buy her heavy or dark cosmetics. Instead, purchase lighter items such as colored lip glosses or a softly scented body spray. Be sure to clear this with her parents, as many parents do not let their daughters wear make-up or perfume until they reach a certain age.
  
  

Journals

• Writing is important to many preteen girls. Most love to record their thoughts or poetry, or even try their hand at writing a book. Give her a beautiful journal to write in, along with a high-quality pen. A set of note cards or stationery is also a nice gift.
  
  

Money or Gift Cards

• You simply can't go wrong when giving a preteen girl money or a gift card. Slip it into a small, glittery purse to make it extra special, or buy her a new backpack and put a dollar or two into each pocket of the backpack.
  
  

Jewelry

• Finally, consider upgrading her jewelry. Chances are, she has a lot of costume jewelry from when she was little, from plastic beads to necklaces with teddy bears dangling from them. Try purchasing her first gold chain with a delicate locket hanging from it, or a small ring featuring a real gemstone. This is especially nice at a milestone birthday, such as her 13th birthday.