Berkeley Parents Network: Gift Suggestions for Teens

Berkeley Parents Network

Gift Suggestions for Teens

Advice, discussions, and reviews from the Parents of Teens weekly email newsletter.

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Teenagers > Gift Suggestions for Teens

Sweet Sixteen Present for niece

Dec 2006

My niece will be having an extravagent birthday party held in two weeks at a fancy hall and given the ''works''. Unfortunately, she has the body frame that I had when I was a teen-ager and is about 150 pounds overweight for her small frame and of course it's a very touchy subject and something her folks have forbidden for anyone to discuss and it's not something we choose to discuss anyway as it's not our business, but the men (her six uncles) in the family have expressed to me that they are indecisive as to what to get her and are concerned if they get her clothes that are too big, she'll be insulted, and if it's too small, she'll be hurt. I have suggested gift cards so she can purchase whatever she likes. But I'm, as her only aunt, am concerned because I really don't know what to provide her as she has everything materially imaginable, and I wish I could give her something that would have lots of meaning to her in the long run, but I'm not sure what. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what to provide this young woman, e.g, something that provided special meaning to you as a young woman that you cherish now in middle age? I'm the mother of sons and don't have a clue what to give. Thank you. Auntie

I'm not sure how much you'd like to spend - but what about a silver piece of jewelry from Tiffany's? I've seen bracelets and other items in the catalog for $100 or less. You could probably get the same kinds of items somewhere else, but a 16 year old may think getting something from Tiffany's is kind of cool -

I agree that giving your niece something other than ''standard'' Sweet Sixteen gifts (jewelry, clothes, gift cards, etc.) would be nice. How about a certificate for her and a friend/frineds to spend a special day doing something: going to a pottery studio and creating something, attending a concert, dance performance, etc., taking a scrapbooking, cooking or photography class, etc. Depending on budget, the day could include a nice lunch somewhere anon

What about a necklace that has sentimental value? Or a charm that can hang from a necklace? Are you close? Because if you are, a lovely idea might be to go away for a weekend together somewhere in the area for a ''girls weekend'' Have fun!

Jewelry! Classic things such as diamond, pearl, or her birthstone earrings. anon

The three things that sprang to mind when I read your post were:
-- Something related to a passion that she already holds... Although it seems like you would have mentioned any passions in your post if she had them...
-- Something experiential... a trip, a class -- something to inspire a passion or broaden her experience and life outlook.
-- Books... give her a selection of books that inspired or touched you
Happy Birthday, I hope...

How about jewelery? You could take her for a special shopping trip and buy her a ring or necklace amanda

jewelry! if a necklace, make sure sure the chain is at least 18 inches long, a typical 16 inch chain will likely be too short. a gift card is far too impersonal for the special occasion. jewelry will fit!

Great presents for important occaisions:

1- A big gorgeous World Atlas
2- JEWELERY a gold heart locket comes to mind....maybe an I
love you note inside from her loving Auntie....
3- make her one of those library/church stands that you can
leave a big referance book open on top of and it is a book case
below? Use nice wood or plywood and paint it her colors....
4- A giant dictionary
5- A gorgeous leather embossed Bible or Koran or some fabulous
copy of something really interesting to her.

I think you are really sweet to think this through so much!

Gift for 13-year-old nephew

Sept 2003

Our nephew will be turning 13 and we would love to get ideas for an appropriate birthday present. He doesn't live in the bay area (he's in the rural mid-west) and likes things like football and motorcycles. Any ideas? dgr

Does he ever come to visit you in the bay area? He might enjoy scuba diving lessons and then a chance to go diving in Monterey on a subsequent visit. That's a lot money for someone else's kid, however.

Model planes are timeless and cool. There's also a *huge* number of games that you have access to that won't be widely available in the rural midwest. You might check out Games of Berkeley on Shattuck for ideas.

At 13, I think anything that's gadget-like or that involves tinkering (or lessons to tinker) is an excellent gift.

If you knit, a sweater is a welcome gift for midwesterners, though admittedly most 13 year olds won't appreciate it as much as their folks. Eric F

Kids this age tend to have very specific tastes and desires, and the best way to cater to this is to buy them a gift certificate. My kids is a big fan of magic, a card game, so a gift certificate to a collectibles store would be great. He would also love a gift certificate to a music store, a store that sold video games and a bookstore. Alternatively, a $20 bill in a card would make his day in all sorts of ways.

Locally, he would love, love, love a gift certificate to Amoeba records, Cody's and Games of Berkeley. Mom to a tween

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network. Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.