Teenagers... OMG!
Buying a gift for anyone can be a difficult task at times, but buying for a teenager can be impossible (we are talking about a whole different species of human).
Gifting a teen is not easy. As their ages vary, so do their likes and dislikes. A twelve year old has different preferences than an eighteen year old. Yes, even tho’ Billy (is anyone still called “Billy”?) was a huge Star Wars fan at twelve and had posters of Hans Solo plastered all over his room, he now has posters of Ariana Grande all over the walls and most definitely other interests.
These days the easiest way out of this “what to give” predicament is to either give money or a gift card — but wouldn't it be nice to gift something really exciting? This is where it gets tricky. In order to find that special gift you really have to know a lot about this teenage girl or boy.
If your teenager has registered with gyftit.com, our Gyftit user file will help you there as he/she should have answered a series of questions pertaining to their likes and dislikes. This information could lead you to purchase a gift that may just blow their socks off (but please, no socks — unless they connected in some way to the Internet)!
Get to know them. Teens live in a world of their own and also in an era of social media that continuously influences them. Check out their Facebook page or see if you can follow them on Twitter. Subtly talk to them about everything (and nothing) and try to squeeze out some information. You have an enormous amount of interests/categories to pick from. You may gleen enough information if your teenager used gyftit.com's site to give him or her an actual physical gift that surprises them.
The Geek is usually male, but girls are making inroads. They are totally obsessed with technology…computers, smart phones, tablets, computer games, comics, Super Heroes, etc.. Think of the characters on “The Big Bang” TV show (especially Sheldon) — that's the type. They may already have a lot of the high-ticket items. If possible, find out if they are missing items in a collection or need some added accessories to a tech device. Better yet, surprise them and get them a 3D printer!
Don't forget the Sports Enthusiast, they should be easier to buy for. These teenagers love anything associated with sports and these days both sexes can be jocks. You are probably already chauffeuring them from game to game and may be very proud of their accomplishments. From the soccer player to the surfer dude(ess), there are just so many sports out there that it is important to fully know what sport he or she is playing — perhaps numerous sports. Which one is truly their favorite? Do they have all the necessary equipment?
How about sports-related clothing, jackets, crests, footwear? A great gift could be special event tickets to a game or a sports-related trade show. Another idea may be lessons (ice-skating, golf). Put some thought into giving them something they can really relate to.
This brings us to another type of teenager…the Artsy type. In the 60s they were known as “hippies”, nowadays they are the “hipsters”. Fashion is extremely important and it makes them feel cool being part of the “in” crowd. They find esoteric music and art to their taste. This one may be hard to buy for, simply because they are so weird (in a good way). They may have tattoos or even body piercings and anything that comes from any other generation may not suit them. Try to out esoteric-ize them. (a yoga or art class, dinner out at a vegan restaurant, a scent diffuser, clothing from their favorite designer).Try your best or just give money.
The next type may be to all parents’ and grandparents’ liking — Overachievers. They are teenagers who just want to succeed (that could be in sports, academia or even both).
Finding a gift for them should be easy enough. They would probably already be registered with gyftit.com and/or they invited you to join for the sake of their own knowledge. Information is their drug. Just watch what their passion is and find an appropriate product.
Along the line of the Overachievers you will find a sub group known as the Bookworm or Nerd. He or she are usually awkward socially (again like Sheldon). Know who or what they are reading, then find that special book.
Anything to do with academic gaming would probably delight them. They ache to learn and a focused gift fills that void. A day at the museum or a visit to an art gallery may be just the thing.
Remember — these are the formative years before these teens become adults. They are not children per se but don't yet have the freedom of adulthood and so have to deal with a really problematic world that they don’t yet have any say in. A thoughtful, surprising gift given with love, will make that period in their lives a bit easier.
Here are a number of websites with a variety of ideas for gifts for your teenagers:
Cool Teen Gifts in Canada Amazon and in US Amazon
56 thoughtful gifts that teens will actually want to keep businessinsider.com
535 Cool & Unique Gifts for Teens | Uncommon Goods uncommongoods.com
By JM Pietron
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements