Teenage girls are probably one of the most difficult species to please. To make your shopping a little easier, read the suggestions below for a gift that’s sure to go over well.
Books
A book is a really personal gift, and for a girl who loves them, it’s sure to provide hours of entertainment. Not only do you get to sneak in a little education with your gift, but she’ll always remember you as the one who shared it with her, if she loves it. Try to pick a book that she’s not likely to have read -which means, stay away from popular titles like Harry Potter unless she specifically requests them, and don’t buy anything that’s on the required reading list because she’ll be reading it in school. If you have a favorite book from when you were her age, that’s also a good idea (as long as it’s not too dated as most young adult literature tends to be) because you can always talk about it afterward.
Here’s a few suggestions:
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley ($6.99): Set in a fantasy land, this is about a young woman who travels to a foreign country after her parents die. Just as she’s starting to adjust to life at the colony, she is kidnapped by a neighboring king to help save his people. There are all sorts of morals in this one: mostly, it’s about having the courage to make your own decisions and act on them. Great read for a young woman who likes the fantasy genre. There is nothing inappropriate in this novel, but it’s written at an adult level.
The Claidi Collection: Books I-III by Tanith Lee ($18.99): This is actually 3 novels in one (Wolf Tower, Wolf Star, and Wolf Queen). Also set in a fantasy land, these books are stuffed with bravery, quirky and lovable characters, and plenty of adventure. Perfect escapist fantasy, and also extremely well-written with nothing inappropriate. I also recommend Black Unicorn by the same author.
I particularly suggest the books above because of how well-written they are. These are the kinds of books you want teens to read because they’re bound to stretch their language skills and inspire a love for the literary without being boring.
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar ($9.99): Now, I know I said nothing popular, but if all else fails…This is chick lit for the younger generation. If the teenager in question only likes realistic settings and situations, this is for you. It’s written from an insider’s point of view and gossips about the life and times of rich kids in NY. You might balk at the summary because the themes sound very adult, but I can tell you that the material is not explicit. Still, this is for a slightly older teenager, no younger than 15.
Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Megan Carle, Jill Carle, Judi Carle ($19.95): This a great idea because it gives the teen something to play around with, and it’s useful too. I like this book in particular because each recipe comes with a picture, and it was also written by two teenage sisters.
If you happen to be in a bookstore, try the Teen Nonfiction section or the Crafts section for more ideas like the above. There’s all sorts of craft books out there for making your own t-shirts or learning how to knit. Make sure it’s a basic book that doesn’t involve buying a lot of materials. There’s nothing worse than getting a gift you can’t use until you get all the required parts. Or, you can stop by a craft store and get some of the materials to go with the book you pick, if you’ve got the time. Also, if it’s a book aimed at teens, make sure it’s something published recently otherwise you run the risk of it being too dated.
If she likes to write too, a journal is another great idea. Get one with a cute cover at a bookstore or a place that sells stationery: stay away from leather-bound, they’re expensive and boring.
Clothes
Clothes are a great gift because a teenage girl can never have too many, and they’re always useful and appreciated. You just have to be careful to choose something that she’ll like, which is a tall order. Stay away from skirts, jeans, or tops, or anything too trendy. You can go wrong with those way too easily. Also, be careful about what brand you choose when you buy something with a logo on it. Teenagers are extremely brand-concious so if you get something that’s not ‘cool’, she’ll never wear it.
A couple of tips:
Some hoodies for you to consider:
Hollister Aliso Creek Popover ($39.50) These are awesome because they’re super warm and comfy without being bulky, and the brand is popular. Browse through the other selections because they come in a bunch of different colors and styles. These are great for the girls that refuse to wear jackets.
abercrombie Terri Athletic Hoodie ($39.50) This one comes in a bunch of colors with a bunch of different appliques. Be careful, it’s a kid’s size so it only works for the younger teens -the adult hoodies are unfortunately a lot more expensive.
Victoria’s Secret Sweatshirt ($29.50) Extremely comfy but not as warm, this is a classic sweatshirt with no hood, in bright cheery colors. The great thing about this one is that it can double as sleepwear. Adult sizing.
Forever21 Hoodie ($19.80) A cheaper alternative, but she won’t mind because this is also a very popular store. This is a perfect example of an acceptable hoodie to wear to school that’s not a name brand: it’s not a weird color, the logo looks vintage without being cheesy, and there’s a little extra stuff to keep it interesting.
Forever21 Snowbunny Fur Vest ($27.80) Not a hoodie, I know, but a great choice if you’re willing to get a little adventurous. These have been popular since last winter, and it’s the perfect way to keep a teen warm if she’s the kind who hates to wear jackets. She can wear this over a long-sleeved shirt or a hoodie. I especially like it in white.
And now, some PJs:
American Eagle Striped Boyfriend Boxer ($15.50) Super cute boxers for lounging around and sleeping alike. I especially love the sash. Bows are so hot right now.
Old Navy Flannel PJ Bottoms ($14.50) Another awesome bow, and Old Navy can’t be beat for affordable. Browse around because they have a bunch of bottoms with cute patterns, and these are the only cheap flannel (warm!) PJ pants I’ve been able to find.
Another idea: If your girl is crafty, stop by a store like H&M; to pick up a cheap, completely plain hoodie or t-shirt ($7-20). Then drop by a craft store like Michael’s and buy some stuff she can decorate it with, like beads, decals, or iron-on embroidery patterns or patches (employees can help you figure out what you need to buy). And then, as part of the present, offer to help. Take lots of pictures!
Shoes
Women of any age love shoes, it’s just a given. You can always buy her a pair of sneakers like Nike, Adidas, Puma, or Diesel. Those are expensive brands so look for them in discount stores like DSW and Century21 -I’ve even found great pairs in places like T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s. But here’s a couple of options if you want to get her something trendy.
Old Navy Bow Ballet Flats ($19.50) The great thing about flats is that they never go out of style, but they’re particularly trendy right now, and they’re appropriate for any age and with practically any outfit. This is a great pair because, as I mentioned before, bows are so hot right now! If you’re buying her flats, pointy-toe is always cool, but round-toe is especially popular right now and more comfortable. Bright colors are popular, but you can’t go wrong with something basic. No square-toe, please.
BC Tapestry Slip On ($34.00) These are perfect if her style is feminine but funky. They’re sort of sneaker-like so they’re comfortable, easy to walk in, and they’ll last. The floral pattern is kind of vintage and girly, but the fraying at the edges adds an edge. These kinds of slip ons, with rubber soles and a fabric upper, are really trendy right now but have always been in style with the younger crowd.
Wet Seal Peep Toe Heel ($24.50) If she’s old enough to wear heels, she’ll be thrilled with these on so many levels. First of all, the heel is sturdy which makes walking easier (hard to find when you’re buying cheap shoes). Second of all, this is an extremely trendy look right now, and she’s no doubt seen them on a ton of celebrities. And finally, they look almost exactly like the designer options which cost hundreds of dollars. Are you tempted to buy them for yourself yet? These come in a few colors, but I would stay away from the animal print because who knows how long that will be in style.
Urban Outfitters Moccasin Slipper ($16) A much cuter, cheaper version of the Ugg slippers that are so popular right now. These are great for lounging around the house, and she won’t destroy them if she runs outside to pick up the mail, either. Check out the extra pictures- the ties have heart beads on them and there’s an adorable heart on the heel! I would get the solid grey ones, the others are a little too wild. Warm and cozy without being dorky.
Accessories
Hats and Scarves: I know this is a holiday staple, but really, how much of this stuff can a teen get? I would stay away from hats altogether because they’re too hard to get right, and definitely don’t get a matching hat and scarf set -that’s just too overdone, you can do better. If you’re going to buy a scarf, get one that’s super long and a basic color so that’s it goes with everything. Better yet, knit one yourself or show her how.
Mittensand Gloves: Don’t get these either. This is such a basic thing that she’s sure to already have a pair, or it’s something her parents would get her anyway. And don’t buy expensive leather gloves; they might be nice, but they’ll just get lost.
Jewelry: This will definitely go over well, but be careful what you choose. Don’t buy anything expensive, and try not to buy anything tacky. Don’t go to Claire’s unless you’re shopping for a younger teen (like 13 or 14) -the stuff there is cheap, but a lot of it is tacky. Try places like Forever21, Charlotte Russe, and H&M; for trendy, cheap stuff; they have all the latest and they cater to an older crowd, so you can’t go wrong. Look for long, dangly earrings with lots of beads, chunky rings, and delicate necklaces. Urban Outfitters has great necklaces, by the way. Oh, and don’t buy charms or charm bracelets unless she’s absolutely crazy about them.
Urban Outfitters Six Row Pearl Watch ($34) Both a watch and a bracelet, this is a really cute item that can suit many styles. It’s chunky enough to be fashionable and funky, and classic enough for the preppy girl to pull off. This is a good choice because it’s hard to find inexpensive watches that a teenager would want to wear.
Bags: A bag is a great choice! You can get something cheap and trendy at stores like OldNavy and H&M; -although you have to be careful with the latter because a lot of their bags are too plain and end up looking cheap in the bad way.
Here’s a few to try:
Old Navy Chain-Strap Crescent Bag (24.50) The chain strap, pockets, and studs make it edgy, and the crescent shape is girly. It’s just the right amount of trendy without being overdone.
Urban Outfitters Drawstring Pocket Bag ($14.99) Get it while it lasts because this one is on sale (originally $58). Big bags are stylish, and this one has lots of neat details and a ton of room.
Magazines
A magazine subscription is a great gift, and a year’s worth will cost you between $8 and $12 -small price to pay when it means you’ll be remembered every time she gets it.
Magazines.com has a lot of titles. Seventeen, CosmoGirl, and Teen Vogue are great, but you can also choose something from the adult selections that’s geared to her interests -writing, photography, etc. If you have the time, stop by a bookstore like Barnes & Noble and browse the magazine section. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re ordering and whether it contains anything inappropriate for her age group.
Beauty Stuff
Teenagers love makeup, that’s a fact of life. It’s a great gift because it’s something she’ll use, something she’ll love to carry around and show off, and it gives her something new to play with. If she’s not old enough for makeup yet, she’ll be thrilled to get anything that resembles it. Scented lotions are great, and so are body sprays.
Victoria’s Secret Body Lotion, Body Splash, Shower Gel, etc ($8-10) A bunch of scents to choose from, and here, I graciously allow you to match.
Scented candles are also awesome, especially the ones that come in cool pots.
Face masks are fun, and you can get a few cheaply at a drugstore -think mud masks and apricot scrubs.
Lip gloss will definitely go over well. You can get a bunch at a drugstore, or buy a few sheer ones from well-known brands like Lancome or Dior which will make her feel all grown up and glamorous.
Kiehl’s Tinted Lip Balm ($7.50) is particularly great because it’s got SPF 15, and a little bit of color to make the younger girl happy.
If she’s allowed to wear makeup, here a few palettes that she’ll love:
Benefit Weather Girl Palette ($28) Packaging is half the battle. You can’t help but love the cute box this comes in, and there are 3 lip glosses and 3 eyeshadows to play with -all in neutral tones which keep her from overdoing it 80’s prom-queen style.
Too Faced Quickie Chronicle- The Tropical Tease ($25) The box wins you over every time. Every palette has a mini-story, and the colors in this one are fantastic -all very soft and neutral to keep parents happy. You’re really getting your money’s worth here with 4 lips glosses, 3 eye shadows, 1 bronzer, and 2 brushes.
Too Faced- The Jewelry Box ($39.50) The colors in this one are a little more adventurous, and there’s a lot more to play with. The box is, of course, really cute, but it’s what’s inside that amazes. It comes with 8 eyeshadows, 6 lip glosses, a duo bronzer, a foundation powder, eyeliner cake, a face illuminator, and 2 brushes.
Arts & Crafts
Teenagers tend to love being creative. At this age, they’re trying to find a mode of expression if they’re artistically inclined, or they just love making things they can wear.
Stop by a store like Michael’s if you have the time, and browse. They also have a website, Michaels.com, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There are a lot of kits and books available that would make great gifts. Buy a knitting book and some yarn, or a jewelry-making set. Pick something that she would want to wear, nothing dorky or tacky looking. Stay away from anything geared toward kids because it won’t be challenging enough.
As an example:
For around $40, you can pick up tools, a scrapbook or an album, and stuff to decorate it with. You can then spend a couple of hours looking through family photos and making the scrapbook together.
If she’s into photography, you can pick up a disposable camera at a drugstore and tell her you’ll be happy to get the photos developed for her. Or include a set of instructions for something fun she can do with it: tell her she has to take the first picture and then pass it around, so that the photos are a surprise.
If she’s into drawing or painting, I recommend going to a store that specializes in art supplies. You can get her a nice sketchbook for around $5-20, depending on the size. It’s a great idea to get her a set of high-quality colored pencils or pastels. I particularly like these two:
Studio Set, Metal Tin of 25 ($33.75) This set is monochrome which is perfect for realistic drawings, and a great gift for a budding artist because it’s challenging to work with. There are 12 pencils, and 13 crayons which makes blending and shading easier for anyone who’s frustrated with plain old number twos.
Expressionist Cray Pas Set ($23.60) 50 soft pastel crayons in a range of colors. This is a great gift for anyone with an artsy bent, no experience necessary. Pastels are like regular crayons without the frustration because they’re soft and easy to blend, and they come on smooth which makes them fun to play with.
When you’re out of ideas, this is the obvious choice, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not personal. Choose a store you know she’ll love to shop in. Be careful to choose a store that’s in her area because she may not be able to shop online.
If she’s into music and downloads online, get her a giftcard to iTunes so she can download the music she likes without you agonizing over which cd to buy.
If she likes the movies, get her a gift certificate so she can take a friend to the movies (you can buy one here for example, or at the actual movie theatre).
Another option is a gift certificate for one of her favorite restaurants so she can treat herself or go with a friend.
Time is free: spend it!
If you’re a family member, the best thing you can give is your time. Teenage girls can be hard to pin down once they reach that angsty age, so it’s important to stay connected. Plan a day together as your gift, but don’t overdo it -anything over a couple of hours can sometimes cause more tension than enjoyment.
If you want to include time with your gift, here’s a couple of ideas…
Take her for a mini shopping spree. Yes, it’s painful, but if you relax, you’ll have fun. Give her a limit to play with and tell her she can buy anything she wants with that money. If you were planning to buy her a bunch of new clothes anyway, give her a higher limit, with the stipulation that she can’t spend more than x amount on things that aren’t clothes. Let her choose and at least pretend to shop for yourself too so you can ask her for advice.
Take her out for dinner or icecream at any place she chooses. Then stop by a video store and let her pick what she wants the two of you to watch.
Plan a beauty afternoon. Get manicures together at a salon, or give each other masks at home. Get out all your makeup and play around. Do your hair. Take lots of pictures!
Let her have a small party. Give her a budget and let her decorate, and choose a few movies to watch. Help her make snacks out of whatever you have in the kitchen. Prepare together and then step back and let her enjoy. She’ll definitely thank you for this one.
Pick a day and tell her she can choose whatever activities she wants for you to do together.
The key is to give her lots of choice, and have fun. Let her lead the way, and she’ll want to spend more time with you in the future.
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That’s it! I hope it helps!
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