Birthday giving has gotten a little more difficult for me in recent years. Tweens don't want you buying clothes for them, and they're beyond a lot of the toys that they loved years ago. So, that really leaves us with two choices: gift cards; and accessories they can put in their room (or locker).

But maybe you've got a few birthday gift ideas that I haven't thought of. What do you buy for tweens on their birthday? Cell phone covers? Concert tickets? Share your thoughts on birthday gifts for the preteen set.

This summer the presidential election will really begin to heat up, with both parties having their conventions and the press turning even more to the fall election.

Don't drop the ball, parents. This event is a learning opportunity for your tween. Be sure you keep your tween abreast of developments, and take the time to explain how our election process works. Personally, I wouldn't trash either of the candidates, that's not my style, but I would point out differences between the two, giving my child wiggle room to make decisions and form opinions on her own. But, that's me.

The point it, by the time November rolls around, your preteen should have a better understanding of how our government works, and how they can play a positive roll in it all.

• Teaching Tweens About Politics

Need to keep a group of tweens busy for a half hour or more? Plan a scavenger hunt. They're easy to put together, cost little or nothing to pull-off and tweens are always on the prowl, so you might as well put their curiosity to work.

You can even enlist the help of your tween in planning the activity. Just come up with a theme, create a list and let them go. And, don't forget the prizes.

Once you've picked a date and sent out the invitations, it's time to plan your birthday party fun. Tweens are pretty easy to please and probably have ideas on what they want to do at their parties. Scavenger hunts are always a good choice, but there are a lot of places you can take the kids if you're not up for having a party at home.

My youngest has had most of her parties at the community pool -- it's become a tradition, and now, it's just expected. But we've also held parties at bowling alleys, restaurants and once, at a cheer and tumbling gym. They were all fun.

Where are your favorite places to hold a birthday party? Or, is home sweet home, the best option for you?