Gift Ideas for a Girl's 16th Birthday

Sometimes the best gifts can't fit in a gift box.

Turning 16 is often a turning point in a young woman's life. She is exploring new interests, feeling lots of powerful emotions and trying to fit in with her peers all at the same time. However, this birthday can also provide a venue for you to give her a gift that shows you support her through these changes.

Salon Gift Certificate

A cut and color can be just the thing for a confidence boost.

By the age of 16, a young woman has matured a lot--both physically and mentally. These changes can leave her feeling insecure about her looks and ready for a change in style. A trip to the salon may help smooth this transition. A salon can provide everything from a facial to flamboyantly colorful hair extensions to a pedicure, helping a 16-year-old feel more confident and excited about her looks and style. A gift certificate will allow the teen to choose what services she wants and feels comfortable with. Choose a salon that is savvy to today's youth trends and is teen-friendly.

Record Player and LPs

Records are back and cooler than ever.

Teens love music, and record players have come into fashion again as hip, romantic and retro. It's possible to find record players that are decorative as well as functional. Get a girl a record player on her 16th birthday, along with some LPs in the genre of music she likes. Used classic rock, world music, funk, soul and classical LPs can usually be found at thrift stores and music stores. New pressings are more expensive than old ones, but are usually no more expensive than a similar new CD.

Lessons

Martial arts lessons are exciting and empowering for girls.

At the age of 16, a young woman's interests are changing and growing. She is likely passionate about many of her hobbies, but could use some help in improving her skills. Getting a 16-year-old lessons for her birthday is an ideal gift, and one that she probably can't afford to get herself. In order to give her the most satisfying learning experience, be sure to check in with her before signing her up for lessons, and try not to judge for yourself what kind of lessons she might want. She may go for something new: Afro-Brazilian capoeira lessons instead of her old ballet lessons, or learning sign language instead of the traditional Spanish, French or German.

Rock Band Instrument

An electric guitar and amp make a great gift.

Sixteen is a tumultuous age, when young people will want to express powerful feelings in a tangible way. Writing and playing rock music can be a constructive, entertaining way for a 16-year-old girl to safely express these feelings. Additionally, being in a rock band provides a venue for exercising creativity, and learning to cooperate with a group. The practice required by being in a band can also help a young person learn to be self-motivated. For women, however, musicianship is often not as encouraged as it is for men. An instrument birthday gift is one way to encourage a girl to trust her musical abilities and to try something new. Some possible rock band instruments include the electric bass, guitar, drums and banjo.

References

• Time Magazine: Vinyl Gets Its Groove Back
• HairBoutique.com: Seventeen.Studio.Spa.Salon Tour: Step Into The Pages Of Seventeen