Sweashirts are good if it is really cold. They also have some really cut Tee shirts at places like Penney's , Target etc. Not sure about dolls, but maybe a book. Again checkt Target, bookstores. Socks?? Not sure about HSM--my grandkids never got into that. Things for the hair, a stretchie braclett etc.
Hope that helps

I've seen lots of HSM stuff at Walmart, cute gift sets with shampoo and bubble bath in it, or you can get a back pack too. I don't think 9 is too old for a HSM "Barbie" type doll.

http://search.gifts.com/find?keyword=9+year+old+girl

Here is a link that might be useful: 300 gifts for 9-year old girls

Last year we got the 11-yr, old across the street a beading kit. She was able to make a necklace, bracelet, etc.

If you're doing a stocking, I'd get some fingernail polish/remover, kids toothpaste and a spinbrush, socks, underwear. I wouldn't get a themed t-shirt unless you know taste. I'd stick with a pretty generic.

I wouldn't do a doll, I would do a stuffed animal instead, along with a craft kit, fuzzy socks, maybe some drawing stuff, my girls always love nice sketch notebooks and colored pencils, markers etc.

Doreen

A toothbrush and toothpaste for Christmas for a nine year old girl? What kind of holiday joy is that going to bring? Underwear when you don't even know her size? What kid wants cotton underpants for Chistmas? And if you buy the blingy kind it may be inappropriate.

The link to gifts for a 9y/o girl was ridiculous. Boxers with words emblazoned on the butt. A book called "The Violent Years - Girl Gangs". A book on wine country. A book on how to knit a sweater. I suppose you could toss in a ball of yarn with it and and say "Merry Chirstmas!" A wall poster of an Islamic teenager standing in front of a beehive. As a Christmas gift?!? Tell me this was a joke.

Kids that age like to be creative and like gifts where they can make things for themselves. A nail poish set with glitter and decals is good. Kits to make beaded necklaces and bracelets. Caligraphy and drawing sets. Things like that. Girly things like bubble bath and make-up for beginners. Hair oranaments might be good but you do not know if the girl has the type of hair that can use them. Something practical like a hoodie is nice and you don't have to be too specific with size. Nine year olds are too old for baby dolls and stuffed animals. Maybe a Bratz doll. Those still seem to be popular.

It may sound impersonal but a gift card may be the best. How about a gift card for some fantasy shopping at Club Libby Lu or similar store. Girls that age love that store, and the girl can pick out whatever she wants. Or a gift certificate to a beauty salon for a hair and nails makeover. Get one from a beauty school and say it is for a child and it will be inexpensive. I'll be that none of the kids on this Secret Santa tree have ever been to a salon.

Thank you for the excellent suggestions. I wrote some of them down and will take them with me when I shop for her.

Yeah, I'm not really feeling the dolls or stuffed animals for this age.. unless you do a Webkinz and even then they may be too old for them, and they would need to have a computer.

I would stick to crafty type things. For clothing, hoodies are sort of in, but still any clothes is hard to pick out. Call me a dud, but I've always been partial to board games. I don't know what your budget is, but the new electronic Monopoly or Life seem fun.

Sadly I have to agree that a doll is no longer appropriate for most 9 years old girls anymore. Just another thing that shows how little girls aren't "little girls" anymore, they are little teenagers.
I think most 9 year olds would still like a stuffed animal though. My college age daughter and her dorm mates still love to get and receive them.

Hello Kitty makes a really cute fake fur purse, which I got for my granddaughter. It's pink and really, really soft and cute.

Webkinz, my 12 year old and her friends love them.

Dilly Dally, Everyone has their own giving preferences. I don't find it terribly unreasonable to give practical gifts. Around here, we call 'giving trees' 'angel trees'. The children on those trees are there because of financial need. If a child is on there because of true financial need, they may actually need and appreciate something useful like underwear or a toothbrush. I used to volunteer with a few kids that were on those trees. I remember one child being extremely happy to receive a new coat and gloves. It didn't even matter to him that the coat was used.

A 9 yo may not changing clothes with the other kids for gym yet, but my guess is that she'd be entirely happy to get new underwear or a toothbrush for Christmas if it meant that she didn't have to be seen in holey underwear by a group of girls or have kids making fun of her because her breath stinks. The same goes for socks. The kids sometimes take their shoes off in class or gym. By donating those socks, you may be saving a child from the embarrassment and ridicule of the rest of the class.

At my child's school there are several families in need this year. I've heard through the grapevine that the principal's office asked one family what they wanted for the angel tree. The only thing they requested was food. My guess is that they would be more than happy to receive anything practical.

I do give some 'fun' gifts when we do an angel tree, but I always put a few practical gifts in too. I do the same when buying for my own kids. Dh and I could afford to give them more expensive items, but we don't because we are trying to teach them to appreciate what they have.