Teenage girl gift ideas? I'm stumped!

[misfitinmn]

So my family draws names for Christmas and we got my 16 year old niece this year. I'm sure I am WAY overthinking this but I want to get her something fun. She's not really a "girly" girl - she doesn't seem into beauty products and such so much. Being a mom of 2 small boys myself, I feel completely out of touch with the life of a 16 year old girl!

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas I could run with? I'd love to hear from such a varied audience, and you guys are the best idea board in the world!

[KristinCB]

do you know what any of her hobbies are?

[misfitinmn]

Not REALLY. I mean, I know she is pretty athletic, she plays a lot of sports. I was trying to stalk her facebook for a feel for what she does but she's not REAL active on Facebook (dang her!). I see her all the time but we don't really TALK much...so I'm just at a loss!

Oh, and my budget is roughly $30ish. So I won't be getting her an iPad or anything! :P

[Laura_A]

Does she have an iPod? What about an iTunes gift card? Or, a gift card to the mall that can be used in any store? I know gift cards are no fun, but if I was a 16 year old, I'd want to choose my own gift. lol

[ripal]

BOOTS!!! My girls can't get enough of them!

Not sure of your budget, but if she has cell phone, new cell phone cover is always welcome. Does she have a wish list? I usually just ask them what they want and they link me up, which makes it so much easier to shop for them. Nice scarf/hat set is also a good one along with warm fuzzy socks/slippers.

[ripal]

I agree with gift card idea. They love to go shopping on their own and have the money/GC to spend!

[wheeliegirl]

Originally Posted by Laura_A

Does she have an iPod? What about an iTunes gift card? Or, a gift card to the mall that can be used in any store? I know gift cards are no fun, but if I was a 16 year old, I'd want to choose my own gift. lol

This is what I was going to suggest. I have a 17 year old son and several teenage nieces and nephews that I'm doing this for. They are just so picky...or at least my son is.

[jacinda]

I'd buy a gift card too.

[Libby Pritchett]

I have an almost 15 year old daughter, and she LOVES getting gift cards - itunes & aeropostale are her favorites.

She also loves shoes, purses, jewelry, & posters for her room.

And a new cell phone cover is a great idea, too.

What about a gc for a mani/pedi?

[kelley]

Well, my normal standby gift for a teen girl would be bath and body works, nail polish, cute notebook/pens, that kind of thing. But, if she is not a girly girl, that is harder for me! Maybe the pens/notebook/journal type thing would be good. Maybe a bookstore gift card? I bet most teen girls would like something like that.

[mariewilcox]

My daughter would love gift cards also - Aeropostale, iTunes, and Dick's sporting goods would be her top choices

[Jenn Barrette]

What about a "Smash Book" and some goodies for it? I always had a cute notebook going as teenager.

[Heather Prins]

movie tickets are awesome!

[kim21673]

GC to iTunes
Phone cover
Victoria's Secret lotion/spray...LOVE LoveSpell
Accessories

[julifish]

I'm with the majority here...a gift card is a great idea. Being able to after Christmas shop and pick up something you wanted but didn't get is the best. I know my 14 yo loves gift cards.

[origami]

I'd vote for the gift card!

[misfitinmn]

Okay, I am seeing a trend with the gift card. I think I will do something like this:

http://pinterest.com/pin/276760339572357987/

and include a gift card for the movies or target or something for her.

Thank you all for your perspective - I'm just glad to know a gift card will be appreciated by a teenager!

[rach3975]

I like that Pinterest idea-sounds like a good mix of a gift card and little things to present it with. GCs were definitely my favorite as a teen. (That hasn't changed!)

[nun69]

all of my kids LOVE gift cards even the little ones so I think that is a great idea and then if she gets any other money for Christmas she can combine them to shop for something she wants That is what my DD (19) has been doing for a few years....she always puts what stores she wants GC's too on her Christmas list OL!

[littlekiwi]

I struggle with this for my 21 year old cousin and have done for years now - I'm 4 years older. Last year I bought some sets of earrings which I later discovered went on to an ebay type site so now I am back to gift cards for her though this year I did a prepaid visa card because she is moving away just before christmas

[CA Dreamer]

I have a 15 year old niece and gift cards (iTunes/Amazon because she has an ipad and uses the Kindle app for books). Even Target so that she can go get some new nail polish or something. And, cozy socks. Burts Bees lip balm.

[d2vasquez]

I have a 16 year old and a gift card would definitely be her favorite so she can shop the after Christmas sales.....

[littlekiwi]

Originally Posted by d2vasquez

I have a 16 year old and a gift card would definitely be her favorite so she can shop the after Christmas sales.....

even at 25 this is still my favorite item to get for that same reason, I hate giving them though without a good way of decorating them up or something though