What do you get a teenage girl for the holidays?

So WHAT do you get a teenage girl for the holidays?

What does she want? What does she need?

Despite what she tells you, it’s not a hot new pair of jeans or an even flatter cellphone.

Those things are great, but they will only last a few years at best.

We have a list of things that will help a girl for her entire life…


  1. A chance to find her inner voice without being graded, judged or silenced

  2. The inspiration to write so many stories that she needs another journal

  3. A space just for girls, where they don’t have to compete with boys’ voices

  4. Communication tools to navigate life’s challenges

  5. To see her work in print - in a book

  6. A revolutionary perspective on girls’ voices and whether they deserve to be heard

  7. Confidence

  8. New friends

  9. Encouragement

  10. Individual support to complete her college applications

  11. Decision-making skills

  12. Sensational and surprising writing experiences

  13. The bravery and sense of self to fill it up

  14. A chance to get a glimpse of a possible future career

  15. Visits to new venues that she may not otherwise get to, like the Grammy Museum and Disney Hall

  16. Emotional support

  17. Family support

  18. Help researching colleges

  19. A sense of possibility

  20. Someone who is not her parent or teacher to talk with her about her choices, in school and in life

  21. A chance to develop healthy ways to express her feelings

  22. To meet girls with the same interests

  23. To meet girls with different interests

  24. Practice keeping commitments

  25. Leadership skills

  26. To become a better writer no matter what career she chooses

  27. To meet celebrity writers and learn about their journeys

  28. To learn how to revise her own work

  29. To see her work evolve

  30. To learn how to set and achieve goals

  31. Help applying for financial aid

  32. Understanding

  33. One very cool journal

  34. Another journal, when the first one fills up

  35. A full slate of writing activities to try whenever, wherever

  36. A different way of looking at things

  37. Permission to fail

  38. Information on internships

  39. Help with writing a resume and looking for a job

  40. To discover new interests and enthusiasm for topics through writing

  41. To learn how to set priorities

  42. To learn to speak up for the things she wants

  43. Creativity

  44. Self-expression

  45. Multiple opportunities to take different kinds of risks

  46. Current info on writing contests and scholarships

  47. Local literary event information

  48. To be introduced to internationally-acclaimed women writers

  49. A plethora of gorgeous journals

  50. An afternoon where Katy Perry’s songwriter performs the lyrics of a song she has written

  51. Positive role models

  52. Help writing college application essays

  53. Meet women engaged in different types of writing: journalism, creative writing, songwriting, poetry, comedy, screenwriting

  54. Her own voice

  55. Confidence in her own voice

  56. Monthly super fun creative writing workshops

  57. Public readings

  58. Help preparing for public readings

  59. Positive feedback

  60. To discern what is legitimate content on the internet

  61. A supportive environment where she can express herself

  62. Healthy snacks at workshops

  63. Sweets and treats too

  64. To learn about many different careers and the steps to take to get there

  65. Hours to practice, hone, and master the art of public speaking

  66. A weekly meeting in a hip coffee shop to discuss her writing with a professional woman writer

  67. A new role model, soul sister, editor, proofreader

  68. The chance to see her writing PUBLISHED in an anthology that circulates the globe.

WriteGirl gives girls every single one of the things on this list.

You can help a girl get these things today. WriteGirl has a track record of sending 100% of our graduating seniors to college, many on partial or full scholarships.

Donate to WriteGirl today >

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