Gifts for Her 16th Bithday

A girl's 16th birthday is a milestone.Tooga/Digital Vision/Getty Images

A girl's 16th birthday is a momentous occasion for her. Whether or not she has a big party to celebrate or a small gathering, gifts should reflect the importance of the birthday. Consider her personal tastes when gift-giving, of course, but here are a few stand-by gift ideas for a new 16-year-old.

Car-Related Items

In most states, 16 is old enough to get a driver's permit or even a license. Get the birthday girl a state driver's manual so she can study for her test, or pay for driving lessons. You can also give her car accessories such as hood ornaments, inside decorations or an interesting keyring. A gas card is a thoughtful idea, too.

Jewelry is a good option for any girl, but at 16, it's a sure bet. Look around her current jewelry collection to figure out her tastes and get her something along those lines. Since the 16th birthday is considered a big step to becoming an adult, it's traditional to get a girl her first pearl or diamond necklace on this occasion.

Books are a great option for a 16-year-old girl. Aim to get her something in her reading range, and appealing to her age. Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" is a standard coming-of-age novel for young women. Also try Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," or the classic "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte.

Of course, the movies are also a fertile arena for girls this age. Get her something she's been waiting for on DVD, or give her coupons to a local movie theater so she can make it an outing with her friends.

If you're feeling generous, get the birthday girl a spa day. At this age, girls can be self conscious about their appearance, and a pampering day can do wonders for self-esteem. There are other options in this area, too: consider a gift basket with her favorite body lotion or a few items of makeup that would look good on her.

Clothing can be a tricky gift option for 16-year-old girls, but it's definitely something they always seem to want. Unless you really know her style and what she might want to wear, go with a gift certificate to her favorite store. That way, she can get something she wants without having to return anything.