20+ Best Gifts for 13-Year-Old Girls: Teen-Approved Ideas

Looking for a birthday or Christmas gift for a 13-year-old girl? I’ve put together this list using gifts my daughter loved receiving for her 13th and 14th birthdays, things that have gone down well with her friends, and ideas I’ve added to her Christmas gift list.

There’s a range of gifts here, from smaller treats and creative presents to luxury gift ideas for a special birthday or Christmas. I’ve grouped them by type so you can find something that suits her interests and your budget.

20+ Perfect Gift Ideas for 13-year-old girls

Tech Gadgets

For a girl who loves reading, music or gaming, tech can make a lovely main gift. Before buying an accessory, check exactly which device she owns: a phone case needs to fit the right model, and a charging accessory needs to work with her phone.

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Choosing between music and gaming? Earbuds are worth considering if she likes listening on the way to school or while relaxing at home. For a console, check what she already owns and whether the games she wants are included, so you know the full cost of the gift.

Self-Care and Beauty Gifts

Beauty gifts have been popular with my daughter and her friends, but preferences are very personal. A makeup bag or hairbrush is a useful starting point if you’re unsure which products she likes; for makeup or fragrance, I’d get a hint about the exact shade or scent first.

A small beauty gift she will actually use. The Refy lip color and Tangle Teezer below offer quite different options: one suits a teen who already enjoys makeup, while the other is a practical everyday accessory. For a heated styling tool, check that it’s something she wants and knows how to use.

Fragrance is especially tricky to choose for someone else, so I’d check her wish list before picking a body mist. Pimple patches are another gift I’d only choose if she has asked for them or already likes using them.

Books, Creative Gifts and Things to Do

If she enjoys drawing, journaling or making things, choose a gift that gives her something to get started on straight away. A book or creative kit can work as a present on its own or as a smaller extra alongside a main gift.

For the girl who is always doodling. A drawing book gives her a project to try at her own pace. You could add pencils and a sketchbook if she needs supplies, or choose the journal set further down if she prefers decorating pages and recording her thoughts.

For a more unusual gift, think about what she would enjoy making or personalizing. The journal set and wall collage kit let her put her own stamp on things. Check what comes in the box before adding extras, and let her choose where to display her finished creations.

Jewelry, Clothes and Accessories

These gifts are all about her taste. Before choosing jewelry, notice whether she wears gold or silver tones; for clothes and shoes, check her size and keep the gift receipt. I’d rather ask a discreet question than guess at an expensive present.

A useful extra check before ordering. A name necklace can be a meaningful keepsake if she enjoys wearing jewelry. Double-check the spelling and whether personalized items can be returned. For pajamas or slippers, think about how she likes them to fit. If you’re choosing the clear belt bag for an event, check the venue’s current bag rules and size limits.

Bedroom and Everyday Gifts

At 13, having a space that feels like her own can be a big deal. Think about what she actually does in her room: reading, listening to music, getting ready or hanging out with friends. That makes it easier to choose something useful rather than another thing to find space for.

Check the practical details. For the blanket, check the manufacturer’s age, sizing and use guidance before choosing. For a drinks bottle, think about how she’ll carry it and whether it fits where she needs it. An inflatable lounger needs enough floor space, while a bedside clock needs a suitable spot near an outlet.

Tips for Buying Gifts for 13-Year-Old Girls

Turning 13 brings a lot of changes. In my experience as a parent, girls can be keen to fit in with their friends while also wanting to express their own style. Her interests are a much better guide than buying something simply because it’s labeled a teen gift.

I like to think that spending several years working on glossy magazines has helped me become good at curating shopping guides and keeping an eye on the latest trends. But my daughter’s reaction to a gift is still the most useful feedback of all.

1. UNDERSTAND HER INTERESTS

Start with what she enjoys in her spare time, what she talks about and the things she has pointed out while shopping. Those little clues are often more useful than a list of trends.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO TRENDS

If she has mentioned a particular brand or product, check the exact version she wants. A similar-looking alternative might not be what she had in mind, especially when she has been saving an idea to her wish list.

3. CHOOSE AGE-APPROPRIATE GIFTS

Ensure the gift is suitable for a 13-year-old girl, not too childish nor too mature for her age. Ok, that’s easier said than done, but just try and be realistic. She is growing up, she is no longer a child, but she’s also a way off being an adult.

Related: What to get a 12-year-old for her birthday

4. ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY

Gifts that stimulate creativity, like art sets or DIY projects, are still very much relevant when your daughter reaches her teen years.

5. LUXURY GIFTS

Christmas is a great time of year to splash out on the luxury products that your 13-year-old has been lusting after, that she can’t afford to buy herself and that you couldn’t otherwise justify buying for her.

I also take the time to brief grandparents and other family members on luxury gift ideas that I know will go down well so that my daughter is given something she loves and our relatives can enjoy the happiness of knowing they’ve gifted something that a teenager actually thinks is cool and wonderful!

6. THINK ABOUT PERSONAL CARE AND BEAUTY

In my experience, girls entering their teen years start to pay a lot more attention to their personal care and how they look. While you don’t want to load them up with a full set of beauty products, many teens will appreciate being given skincare or light make-up designed for young skin.

Related: Wishlist-Worth Gift Ideas for 14-Year-Old Girls

7. INVOLVE TECHNOLOGY

For a bigger tech gift, check any extra costs for games, subscriptions or accessories before committing. Agree with her parents first if you’re buying a device for someone else’s child.

8. DON’T FORGET ABOUT SPORT

If your teen is active or enjoys outdoor activities, sports equipment or outdoor games can make fantastic gifts. Choose something connected to an activity she already enjoys, and check whether she needs a particular size or specification.

9. SEEK OUT QUALITY

A well-made product will last longer, perform better, and show that you value the recipient. Choose quality over quantity. It’s also good to show your teenager that it is worth buying good quality products over cheap stuff that doesn’t last. This is a great time to build good shopping habits.

10. SHARED EXPERIENCES ARE PRECIOUS

It won’t be long before your teenager is spending more time with her friends than she does with you and her family. So make the most of spending quality time with her by treating her to tickets to a concert by her favorite music star, a trip to see a major theater production or tickets to a festival. Make those memories you can both look back on in years to come.

I keep ideas in my Christmas gift planning spreadsheet throughout the year. It helps me remember the little hints and keep track of what I have bought.

More Gift Ideas to Browse

For smaller Christmas gifts, take a look at my stocking stuffers for teen girls, with beauty, games and practical extras to mix and match.

For more inspiration, browse my gift ideas for teen girls and popular teen girl gifts. If you are planning a group exchange, these Christmas gift exchange themes can help everyone agree on a direction.