Shopping For Teenagers

How to find a unique and creative gift for the teen in your life

Teenagers are a very special breed of human beings. They are at the point in their lives when they are trying to discover who they are and what they want out of life. Yes, it's a confusing time for them, but what is even more confusing is trying to shop for a teenager!

Exactly how does one choose the perfect gift for the teenager in their life? Here are a few tips for finding a unique gift that will be loved and appreciated.

Music

Most teenagers spend alot of their time listening to music. It's difficult to know what music a teen enjoys or which CDs they already own. Rather than focusing primarily on the music itself, expand your imagination and purchase a gift that's music based.

• The Band: Find out what the teen's favorite band is and purchase branded items like t-shirts, posters, hats and autographed items. Look up the band's official website and purchase a fan club membership. You can also check their tour schedule and purchase concert tickets.
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• Music Accessories: If the teenagers listens to music, they must own a stereo or digital music device such as an iPod or other MP3 player. Purchase accessories like wireless headphones, iPod docks, iPod carriers or rechargable batteries. You may also want to consider iTunes gift cards or a subscription to an online music service. If the teen has a computer with a CD burner, purchase a subscription to an online music service and throw in some CDR discs and jewel cases.
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• Concerts: You don't have to know a teenagers favorite band to get them an incredible gift. Purchase a gift certificate for the concert tickets of their choice. If the teen is too young to drive, offer drop-off and pick-up service to the event.

Movies

Most teenagers love movies. They enjoy going out to the theater with their friends or staying in and watching DVDs. Knowing which movies the teen already owns may be a little difficult, so rather than guessing, follow these tips.

• Favorite Actor: Who is the teens favorite actor? Find movies that actor or actress has starred in and build a personalized DVD box set for the teen on your list. Does she like Johnny Depp? Does he like Bruce Lee?  You can assemble the perfect gift that will cost a great deal less than a prepackaged box set. You can also buy movie posters, t-shirts and autographed items from that actor or actress.
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• Movie Tickets: You can do it the old fashioned way and go to your local theater and purchase a gift certificate. You can also hop online and find a movie ticket service to which you can purchase gift certificates, like Fandango. This will allow the teen to log onto their site, see which movies are playing, purchase the tickets and print them out.
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• Rentals: Purchase some prepaid rentals for the teen on your list at a local video store. You can also buy memberships through one of the online services like Blockbuster or Netflix. The online subscriptions are much easier for the teens to use since everything is done by mail and there are no late fees.

Sports

Some teenagers play sports and still others are sports fans. To satisfy the sports loving teen on your list, try these little tips.

• Equipment: If the teen in your life plays sports, a new duffle bag would make a great gift rather than equipment alone. A gift certificate ot a sporting goods shop would be good as well, especially if you don't know exactly what the teen might need.
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• Favorite Teams: For the sports fan, there are many gifts that would thrill a teenager. Purchase a jersey of the teens favorite football or basketball player. If the teenager has a favorite sports team, you can find all sorts of items liket-shirts, posters, hats, blankets, books and calendars . Don't foget to look for collector's cards and autographed items too.
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• Tickets: You may also want to consider purchasing tickets to a local game. Offer free pick up and drop off for the teenager and the guest of their choice if the teenager is still too young to drive.

Computer

Most teenagers have computers and use them regularly for homework, connecting with friends, gaming or downloading music and movies. Here are some technology saavy gifts you may want to consider.

• Computer Accessories: Consider investing in some wireless computer items for the teen on your list. You can find wireless keyboards and couputer mouses. You could also purchase a computer headset or microphone. If the teenager has a printer, purchase printer paper in plain and decorator styles as well as ink cartridges.
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• Cameras: If the teen doesn't yet own a digital camera. this would make a perfect gift. Digital cameras are getting much more affordable. You can also buy printer docks and photo paper as well as photo albums for the teen to collect their photos in.
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• CDRs and DVDRs: If the teenager on your gift list has a music and movie burner on their computer, you may want to consider purchasing an online music download certificate (like Rhapsody or Music Match) and some CDR discs and jewel cases. You can also do the same for movie services and throw in some DVDR discs and jewel cases.
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• Games and Software: You can purchase software for the teenagers computer as well as video games. Keep in mind the teen's personality when choosing software. There are hundreds of different types available from artisitc design software to encyclopedias and strategy and fantasy games.
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• Other accessories: You can also pick up decorative mouse pads, new speakers or a nice office chair.

Gaming

Gaming is a huge industry and nearly every teen plays video games in one format or another. Here are some tips for gaming related gifts.

• Games: Everyone has different tastes when it comes to video games. Some like sports and action while others enjoy shooter or fantasy type games. Unless you live in the same household as the teenager on your list, you have no idea what the teen already owns. This is where gift cards come in handy! Purchase a gift card to a local electronics store or shop that specializes in video games. Another idea is to purchase a prepaid rental card from your neighborhood video store or an online rental site like Gamefly.
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• Accessories: No matter what format the teen plays games on, there are accessories abound! You can buy wireless controllers, steering wheels, memory cards, rechargers and carrying cases. Other ideas to consider are game storage units and gaming chairs.
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• Magazines: Every gaming format has it's own magazine, whether it's Nintendo, Playstation or Xbox. Give a gift that keeps coming for a year by gifting a magazine subscription to the teen on your list. Many of the gaming magazines come with sneak peek games every month!

Stay Away From

Teenagers are very choosy individuals so there are some gift items to steer clear of at all costs!

• Clothing: Unless you are a parent and your child specifically handed you a shirt and said, "I want this." don't buy clothing! Teens are very particular about their style choices. A better bet would be to purchase a mall gift card that the teen can spend at their disgression. The only exceptions would be music and sports related t-shirts.
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• Room Decor: Unless it is a poster or a simple blanket, don't purchase room decor of any type! No matter how cool you might think the lava lamp is, it may be yesterday's news in a teenagers eyes. Stick to gift cards.
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• School Realted: The last thing a teenager wants is anything related to school. Steer clear of back packs, book covers, pencils, pens and school supplies of any nature. If the teen asks for these things, then go ahead, otherwise concentrate on fun things.

Now go out and shop for that teenager with more confidence! This time you're gift won't be pushed aside and forgotten.