Question for parents of a teenager (or teenagers theirselves)

At my work, we've adopted a family. Basically what that means is that we're giving presents for a poor family that can't really afford Christmas presents. (Or Chanukkah presents. I don't know if they do both. I don't think it matters)

Everyone seems to be getting presents for the really little kids, and there's a 16 year old girl who has gotten next to nothing. I got her hairthings, but that's not enough. These are people who are probably used to getting Dollar Store gifts, and when you adopt a family, you want to give them something they wouldn't normally get. People are giving her younger siblings some nice stuff (someone got the 2 year old one of those Leapfrog electronic book things, and those things are expencive!), and I want to get her something nice.

The problem is, I'm kind of out of touch with what most teenagers like. I had very little in common with my peers when I was in High School, and even now, while the gap is separating, it's still there. When I was 16, I sat alone at lunch reading and writing poetry. I spent 90% of my time in the library reading books by writers my teachers suggested to me. Maybe she's like that, but I don't know. That's certainly not what a most teenagers do, and I don't want to get her something she doesn't like.

So my question is: What do most teenagers like to get as gifts? I'd prefer to keep my expenses somewhere between $15-$30. That's about enough for a good present, isn't it?

 

I thought they usually sent a short little description of what they wanted? We did that last year... I don't know, though. When I was 16, I was obsessed with writing in my diary... I always had really cool, unique diaries and I would fill them up in no time. I don't think a journal is ever a bad gift.

 

CDs are always great... maybe someone else could pay for half of a cd player, and you pay for the other half, and spilt paying for a cd or two too?

 

what about a mani and a pedi gift certificate? a gift card to a young clothing shop? or the mall? cds are good too...funky jewellry from one of those teenager stores like claires or ardenes...fun pajamas ... that sounds lame but alot of girls come in our store and buy spongebob and large size boys underoos candles at home facial packs and mud masks and the like... its hard to say with out knowing her preferences though

 

haha... spongebob?

Let's assume she has some taste... haha... Kids love gift cards! That was always the greatest gift, besides cash.... you just have to get it from a good place. Someone gave me a $20 gift card for TJ Maxx last year... thanks a lot... The manicure thing is a good idea... don't they have just general gift cards that work at all the stores in the mall, instead of having to buy them for specific stores? I know they do at the one here.... you just go to customer service in the mall and get one, and you can use it anywhere. It's pretty cool.

 

lol true....well it doesn't have to be spongebob then...the mall where i work has gift certificates too...the only down side to that as opposed to a specific store's card is that she can buy a pack of gum and then blow the change on something like drugs or something..not saying she will, just that i think thats what some of the kids come in and do at our work when they get one...

 

GIft cards to someplace like Borders where she can buy music or books, depending on her likes.

When we pick kids off of the "Giving Tree" I always pick older kids, as everyone wants the little ones, and no one wants to buy for an older child, who has probably had a really hard life.

 

Hmm well i would agree with a HMV or MVC voucher. (music stores)
But if you want to be different how about one of those experiance gifts? like Red Letter days? i dont know if they have them over there but you get to go do something like white waterrafting, or sports car driving or (what i did for my boyfriends 21st) Llama trecking! they are good fun, an experiance is always something more treasurable than a gift because it leaves you with memories.

 

OK all those ideas are good but what if this girl is a bit of a tomboy or really more into sports then more girly things? We did something similar in my comunity with a local retail store but the kids picked one thing they wanted. It's tough to buy if you don't know the child's taste.

 

u really cant go wrong with a gift certificate

 

kj, is that you in the picture? You're just as cute as you wanna be!


No one wants to shop for teens because their stuff is more expensive!

Gift cards, absolutely gift cards. I have 2 just out of teen years, and 2 teens, and trust me, there's nothing you can give them that they'll like. Just by the virtue of being chosen by someone else, they'll hate it on principle, even if it's something they would have chosen themselves.:H
IN Florida, we have a chain of stores (maybe they have them in other states, too?) called Rainbow, very trendy, very inexpensive, all the teens shop there. Styles to suit every teen, whether she's a girly girl or tomboy. 30 dollars could definately get a couple of outfits, especially if she's smart enough to shop the clearance rack.
Music GC's, cosmetic GC's, just gift certificates, and maybe a stocking stuffed with cosmetics; perfume, lip gloss, costume jewelry, etc. K-Mart sells a brand that each item is only about a dollar, and it's actually nice stuff. Wet-n-Wild? They have some really hip costume jewelry there too, toe rings, beaded anklets, stuff like that, really cheap.

 

lol yeah thats me, myself, and i

 

I havent met a teen yet who didnt want something from http://www.hottopic.com/default.asp?LS=0&

or heres a store I loved when I was a teenager
http://www.delias.com/frontpage.do?

Door beads .... fun!
Candles/incense
prety bedding
lip gloss...makeup..nailpolish
journals/cool pens
Shoelaces
Beads for neclace making...ribbons
candies

 

Oh, Hot Topic. We have almost as many Hot Topic plastic bags under our sink as the ones from the food store. My girls are Hot Topic addicts!

Brigid I was just thinking that. Like right before I read your post. What a dollface kj is!

 

LOL! KJ, do you believe in arranged marraiges?

Joking! Joking!

But, I have a son......