As a soon-to-be mom of a girl, I am already completely princessed out and the poor kid hasn’t even been born yet. Avoiding a complete “pinkwash” when it comes to finding fun gifts for girls can be a daunting task, but fortunately there are some creative entrepreneurs and authors on the scene to make shopping much easier this holiday season! Here are my top picks…

Toys & Games
Kimochi means “feeling” in Japanese and each one of these plush toys comes with a unique personality and a set of emotions. Kids can change the emotions as they play, helping them to identify and communicate their own feelings. Available at selected retailers, $25.00 on Amazon. (via Parents TV)

Looking for an alternative to shopping, fashion and makeover computer games? Girls Inc. TeamUp features girl characters working together to solve puzzles (while rocking their dance moves and showing off stellar jumping and throwing skills). As a bonus, players can design their own levels and play custom levels created by other girls. I can speak from experience–this one’s addictive! Downloadable game available online for $19.95.

Clothes
Apparel from Girls Can’t WHAT? and Pigtail Pals inspires girls to dream outside of the pink and blue box. Know a girl who wants to be a firefighter? A scientist? A movie director? Encourage her with cool gear that says you believe in her. Order online from Girls Can’t WHAT? and Pigtail Pals. Prices vary, starting at $7.00

Books
I’ve recently been revisiting some of the classics that captured my imagination as a girl. These titles are already warming up my daughter’s bookshelf. I can’t wait for her to discover them.

The Complete Ramona Collection by Beverly Cleary (Yes, the box is a certain pastel color, but I’m willing to go with it here). Oh, how I loved Miss Ramona Quimby. She’s got sass, spunk, smarts, and is always ready to speak her mind. This boxed set comes with all the books in the series, including my treasured Ramona Quimby, Age 8. At bookstores, $26.39 from Amazon.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. My feelings about this book have been well-documented, so I’ll just say that any book with the power to bring a manly man trucker to tears is doing a fine job busting traditional gender roles, and more than 100 years after publication at that! At bookstores, $9.95 from Amazon.

Heaven to Betsy and Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace. The Betsy-Tacey series follows aspiring writer Betsy Ray from the time she’s in elementary school through her high school graduation and beyond. The teen books have just been reissued with forewords by Meg Cabot, Laura Lippman and Anna Quindlen. At bookstores, $10.19 from Amazon.

Stocking Stuffers
If you’re looking for a few extra somethings, check out Sticker Sisters for some great little items that will make a big impact. The Brave Girl-Aid adhesive bandages for $7.95 are my personal favorite!