Shopping for children is, in many ways, easy. Sure, it can be expensive, the gifts can be massive, and hiding everything is often a nightmare. But, there’s always something that they want. When children are young, they write letters to Santa, they ask for specific toys, and they always have interests that you can expand on. If all else fails, there are always the old classics like Lego and Playdoh to fall back on. Then, as they start to get older, those lists begin to get smaller. Suddenly a long list of toys that they love has turned into one ridiculously expensive gadget, or “dunno”.
Teens can also have much more specific tastes. They want to fit in, they don’t want to take risks, they change their minds regularly, and what they liked on the day you bought the gift, might be totally uncool by the time they open it. It’s even worse perhaps when you are shopping for a teen that isn’t your own, who you don’t know as well, and don’t want to spend so much money on.
Fortunately, it’s not impossible. Here are some top tips for shopping for a teenager this Christmas.
Ask Them What They Want
Now, this is the obvious first step, but it can take a little more drawing out. Their first response might not be particularly helpful, but, if you can draw them into a conversation about their likes and dislikes, and how they spend their spare time, you might get some ideas.
Utilise Social Media
Teenagers aren’t always great with talking to adults. Even if they do, they might not want to open up about the things that they love. They are often much more open on social media. If you follow them, look at the brands that they engage with, or even invite them to a shared Pinterest board, where members of the family can pin things that they’d like without any awkward conversations.
Take Them Shopping
At the moment, going on a shopping trip isn’t really an option for many of us. But, who knows, it might be soon? Many teens would enjoy a shopping trip and lunch somewhere nice.
Gift Cards
Of course, not all teens would enjoy that shopping trip with an adult! Buying them gift cards instead means that they can go shopping with their friends when all of this is over. Or, that they can shop online in the sales. Gift cards are always a fantastic option if you’re not sure what to get, and they can be found at https://giftsvouchers.co.uk.
Buy Them an Experience
If there’s no physical present that they want, how about an experience? Teenagers are old enough to start enjoying events, fun classes to explore their interests and hobbies further, lessons, tours and even some more extreme sports. Just make sure that anything that you book is suitable for their age and check on any supervision that they might need. If it’s not your child you are shopping for, you might also want to doublecheck with their parents.
Shopping for teenagers doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. Even if you don’t know them too well, a gift card is always a great option which is sure to be well-received.
