Getting Personal

                Top 10 alternative gifts for teenagers | Gifts for Teenagers from GettingPersonal.co.uk
            
                If there is one thing that a parent will learn over time it is that their children, before they can become adults, must transmogrify into an altogether different species: the teenager. Whilst this means seven years of physical, mental, emotional and social torment for the children in question, for the parents the journey can be just as challenging if not more so. Moreover, life can be made infinitely more difficult when it comes to choosing gifts for teenagers. Indeed, what to buy the person who knows everything yet wants nothing?

Of course, the obvious answer to this would be, quite simply, nothing. That's right – certain clever gift producers have invented, manufactured and packaged absolutely nothing. Thus, on a top ten list of alternative gifts for teenagers, 'nothing' would be positioned somewhere near the top. Indeed, if there is one thing that teenagers will always say they want each Christmas and birthday, it is clearly and unequivocally "nothing". Curiously, 'nothing' can be found almost anywhere and is relatively inexpensive.

However, if your teenager demands a little more than nothing, which of course they will in reality, the choice of what to buy them will primarily hinge on their age in both a physical and mental context. As children develop at different rates, it is inappropriate to say that all sixteen year old kids would want this while all thirteen year old kids would want that – choosing gifts for teenagers must be given the same attention as choosing presents for adults, if not more so. Furthermore, the occasion at hand will also determine the type of gift purchased. Indeed, whilst a retro sweets jar would undoubtedly appeal to the majority of teenagers, it would prove a very poor choice of present to mark an eighteenth birthday. On the contrary, a car, holiday abroad, top of the range games console or even an alcoholic beverage or two (unfortunately, yes, it is time to concede the inevitable) would constitute more appropriate gifts for teenagers of that age. Nevertheless, generally speaking, the retro sweets jar remains a popular choice of present and, perhaps not surprisingly, it is especially popular among parents.

Notwithstanding the outward appearance and attitude of many youths today, gifts for teenagers that are humorous and fun will always be well received – parents should note that a single grunt stands for moderate approval, two for delight and three is an indication that the teenager is asleep. Popular presents for teenagers that are funny include stress balls, which often come in handy when exams are around the corner or when a love interest falls out of favour (or another emerges from somewhere), finger drums, crime scene toilet roll (do not expect this to be used for anything other than a prank) and a flying monkey. Whilst the latter may appear a little unorthodox, it is actually just a new take on what are very old and popular gifts for teenagers: catapults!

Of course, not every parent will want to arm their teenager with a flying monkey but if any comfort can be derived from statistical evidence it is worth noting that said teenager will probably have a knife hidden under their bed, so a projectile soft toy is arguably not all that bad! Equally, therefore, other airborne cuddly creatures, such as the flying pig, will constitute reasonably successful gifts for teenagers. Other humorous gifts for teenagers that ought to be on a top ten list include the toilet golf set, which is not really all that hygienic but then teenagers rarely are anyway.

Clothes can also prove to be excellent gifts but, unfortunately, choosing attire for a rapidly growing person that is no longer a child is an absolute minefield for parents. Gift vouchers for trendy high street and online fashion outlets will resolve this problem to a large extent, however, and are generally well received by teenagers. Likewise, fashion conscious teenagers will want to choose their own footwear – which will invariably mean boots, trainers or something with high heels (for girls, mostly) – so a pre-paid voucher at a designer label shoe store will also put smiles on spotty faces.

In summary, teenagers do not always think or act in ways that would seem conventional to adults. Moreover, their actions often seem utterly stupid to those who have been there, done it all and have somehow forgotten how easy it is to make such mistakes. Indeed, whilst the chasm that forms between parents and children disrupts communication between them, it remains possible to choose gifts for teenagers that will be met with gratitude. Ultimately, the very best gift that anyone can give a teenager is something that everyone wants: money.

Related article: Great gifts for teenagers that`ll keep them occupied (Gifts For Teenagers)