How to Buy a Gift for a Teenager

Because teenagers' interests change so frequently, you may be buying a gift that you think is cool, but that the recipients consider yesterday's news by the time they receive it. Follow some basic considerations to get a gift that will never go out of style.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Give a teenager a sleek silver magnet board that he can hang in his room to showcase photos of friends, quotes, reminders, memorabilia and clippings of bands or celebrities. If you buy 3 or 4, he can arrange them in a larger square or rectangle. The gift will allow him to change the display whenever his favorites and interests change (see Resources below).
2. Consider a large collage picture frame that your teenager can hang in her room and use to display snapshots from throughout the year. A version with clean edges will coordinate with any style of room décor. You can also include some alphabet or design rub-ons so she can use to customize the frame.
3. Opt for a gift card to a music download services instead of buying a compact disc, movie or television DVDs that you think he'll like. He'll appreciate the flexibility to choose whatever songs, movies or shows he enjoys right now.
4. Buy clothing that will be useful regardless of current fashions and trends. Plain white T-shirts and tank tops, for example, will never go out of style. Pair the garments with a gift card to the teenager's favorite clothing store so she can pick out an outfit to layer over them.