Gift Idea for Emo Girl's 16Th Birthday HELP PLEASE

My niece is semi-emo too, I always get her a gift card for Hot Topic or MAC makeup, she loves that! It's hard to buy any teenager a gift anymore so I think you're safest with a gift card.

2 moms found this helpful

I agree with the others that how she spends a $50 is really up to her, but it's nice to get it in a gift certificate that shows you thought about where she likes to shop, eat, or go. My thought was a consignment shop...the money goes a lot further and she would be able to find things that are "unusual" so everyone else isn't wearing the same thing. As a resale and consignment store owner myself, I get all kinds of clothing in and all different kinds of shoppers. Almost everyone finds at least a few things that appeal to them because I have such a wide range of styles.

You can find a consignment shop near you at the How To Consign website http://www.howtoconsign.com where they have listings by state and Canadian provinces.

Good luck,
T.
http://www.bornagainresale.net

1 mom found this helpful

Just an FYI if you go the gift card route. State of washington has a law that gift cards cannot be charged a fee or expire, but visa/ Mastercard etc 'gift cards' are not technically gift cards and have monthly fees and will expire at some point.

1 mom found this helpful

I understand not wanting to give her a gift card. I would give one only if it were for a specific store and that it would be OK with me if she chose anything from that store.

One mother suggested two possibilities. I'd add teen clothing stores that sell to emo, punk, and/or goth.

Another idea is CD's if she has a CD player. The clerk at a "record" ( I'm showing my age here)could help you with what is popular. You could also do some sleuthing to find out what CD's she wants. If she has an Ipod you could buy her acessories. You could also buy skateboard stuff at a skateboard store. Gift certificates for those places might also work.

There are specific shoes for skate boarding. If she is into shoes that might be a good choice.

Will you see her before the party? If so you could quiz her about interests and she'll probably include what she wants in her answers.

Could her parents or other relative tell you wht she wants. Or perhaps one of her friends?

Good luck! Birthday gifts can be difficult!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi M.,

I agree with the other response for gift cards for Hot Topic(LOTS of Emo stuff in there. My son wanted one of their creepy Chuckie dolls--he's not Emo, just sorta somewhere near skater/rocker, hard to figure 'em out sometimes <sigh!>) or Spencer's.

I also liked the idea for iPod accessories.

Also, I don't know what your time frame is, but check out http://shop.ccs.com/browse.do;jsessionid=7CBDB88013D190FD... The page you'll end up on is somewhat girlie, but the t-shirt section had some cool emo type t-shirts, and in a minute here soon, I'll email you my code for free shipping for orders over $30(not $90 like the site says). You could have the stuff shipped directly to her.

Good luck!

K. W

1 mom found this helpful

Do you have a "Hot Topic",or a "Spencers" store near you?Maybe get her a gift card for one of those stores,or a preloaded visa to go shopping online?

Just a thought:)

1 mom found this helpful

A gift certificate to Hot Topic would be PERFECT! Incase you don't know what Hot Topic is it is a store, that Goths, Emo, Punks and Skaters shop at. All the cool black stuff :)
Don't know where you live but there is one in the Tacoma Mall...I'm sure you can find it on line.

1 mom found this helpful

Some may think it's wrong to encourage her "odd" behavior, but as I was one of these sorts of girls (back in the 80's when it wasn't cool) I say go to one of the stores she frequents and get her some accessories or things from there that she will appreciate. Deep down she'll know you love her the way she is and aren't judging her for being "odd", and she'll appreciate it a lot. Ya know, in our town the goth/emo kids have a lot more manners and kindness than the "regular" kids...I bet she's really a great kid. :o)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I do not want to scare you, but the term EMO is actually referring to self mutilation. It does go along the lines of goth, but with a twist. At least in Texas, Calf, and WA- all the teens call the cutters emo.
A gift card to Hot Topic would be good for her. They have all the clothing and accessories for goth there. If there is no Hot Topic close by she can use it online.

1 mom found this helpful

My niece is a 14yr old going on 21 emo girl. I tried to think of things that she would enjoy. Gift card to Hot Topic. If she has an i-pod, maybe an i-tunes gift card or a gift card to a store where she can buy CD's. These girls are really into their hair and make-up, so maybe a gift card to somewhere she can stock up on beauty supplies. Also, accessorising is big with them, rubber bracelets, quirky earrings and necklaces, so maybe a gift card to Claire's.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

F. S.

1 mom found this helpful

Here's a link that will, for $30, get her a pile of emo music I'll bet she doesn't have: http://www.deepelm.com/deals/deal_emo.html

You can also go to the home page and look at all they offer if you'd rather get something else.

Also www.amazon.com/good-emo-screamo-hardcore-cds/lm/35XXVVTUM...
has a bunch of individual CDs so will be more expensive than the deal, but also more that she might recognize.

A gift certificate for deepelm or amazon might work also, or for a local clothing store that sells stuff she'll wear.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello. Have you considered a gift certificate to a store she would like? There's a store called Hot Topic she might like, or ask her what her favorite store to go shopping at and get her one there. Just an idea. Good Luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

Hot Topic would be your best bet.

I have an 16 year old emo girl. I actually made her an emo build a bear for her birthday.

AND not all Emo's are cutters. I am a Dooney and Burke kinda mom with a house full of Emo kids. They really are quite cool.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi M.,
You are a cool aunt! What a great thing to do.

I have to agree with the others "Hot Topic" is a great store for cool emo stuff and itunes.com; for an itunes card if she has an mp3 player, it does not have to be only for ipod.

I have two teenagers 14 and 18 and music is a huge thing for these kids.

Regards,
E.
http://elyorganics.com/

1 mom found this helpful

Hot Topic gift certificate! She would be thrilled! My niece fits the same description and that's what we did for her.

1 mom found this helpful

I noticed a few people said a Hot Topic gift card (that would be my first instinct too). Also, an iTunes gift card is always great. And, if piercings are allowed (I had to wait until I was at least 18 to even get a second hole in my ear, so I understand if they are not) I would line up a trip to a professional piercer (NOT someone at the mall) and make it an outing to remember. It's been years since I got any body piercings so I don't even know who to recommend anymore, but you would want to really look into who you go to. Many great tattoo shops have piercers, just make sure they use sterilized needles and not guns (that can't be sterilized).

By the way, what a wonderful aunt you are! You know exactly what your nieces are into and you're tailoring the gift card for each of them. Nothing worse than getting a gift card to somewhere you would never shop.

1 mom found this helpful

Awesome! Something I know about... Maybe a gift certificate to Hot Topic? Or some Emily the Strange stuff. I had an Emily the Strange MySpace layout for the longest time. Goth/emo but SOOOOOOOOOO cute!

I'm really excited for your cousin--what a cool girl! Maybe an iTunes gift certificate. Those are things I would be thrilled with if I were 16.

1 mom found this helpful

Get her a $50 Gift Card to Best Buy or a music store. Or, call and ask her mother. When I turned 16, I got Gift Certificates, and thought it was the best birthday ever. I got to pick out what I wanted!

1 mom found this helpful

What about a "generic" Visa gift card? Or maybe Hot Topic (just don't go in there with her!! That place can be scary!! The checkers usually have enough shrapnel in their bodies to start their own armories!!) But sounds like something like that would be right up her alley.

Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi there,

My suggestion to you is to get her a $50 gift cer to Hot Topic. It's a emo lovers paradise! She would enjoy it I am sure since she's into the culture.

Or if that doesn't work for you, I would suggest maybe a first edition of Ann Rice books. She's a great author who wrote the vampire series and first editions are keepers.

Just a few ideas for you, I hope they help :)

1 mom found this helpful

The teenagers in my life are big into I-Tunes, a site where you can download music (legally). You can get gift certificates for it too.

1 mom found this helpful

Get her a gift certificate for her favorite skateboard shop. This may not be your thing, but it's definitely hers, and you've supported the horse loving niece and her passion, be respectful of the niece who loves to board. It's great exercise, she's outside getting a load of fresh air. She could end up loving to snowboard during the winter. Don't judge the activity. Celebrate their differences and how lucky you are to be an aunt to two great nieces!!

1 mom found this helpful

I asked a couple of my teenagers and their friends and they said people who are into to that like to shop at 'Hot Topic'. There's one at the South Hill Mall. Or perhaps a gift card for i-tunes?

You could get your niece a gift card at Hot Topic. My brother is into emo I got him a gift card for Xmas from there. They have clothes, chains...the stuff she is into.

Hi M. -

What about an appointment at a "cool" salon.?? Good luck! M.

Get a Gift Card for Zumiez. That way they each get a gift card for stuff they like. Same $ amount and everything.

I would suggest you buy a 50 dollar savings bond or 100 dollar one ( it is half the amount, but if cashed they would only get the 50 I believe not sure if she can cash it right away anyway), my sons got those and I put them away and when they moved out they were given to them, and needed to be cashed ( they were a little younger when they got them) Anyway, they didn't really "get it" when they got them but as they grew older they forgot about them and it was nice to hand them over when they moved out. Who knows it might come in handy for her down the road.
Personally, I think getting kids savings bonds is the way to go, starting from the time they are born. How many times do you or I wish we had just saved the money for something we wanted down the road, these are long term, but I can tell you it was awesome when my son cashed his in to find out what he made on them without even trying, just a thought.

Or get her an I-tune gift card, she can download songs of her liking and they are less then a buck, her dollar would go farther that way then with a couple of CDs.

I would suggest a gift certificate to Hot Topic or Zumies. Those are great stores for teens.

So I was thinking if she is into music, does she have an ipod or mp3 type player? If so, maybe a gift certificate to an on-line music site that she can buy music at. I would love to get that when I was 16 . . .or now. Good luck!

get her a visa gift card!

$50 gift certificate to Hot Topic

One thing or two? Get a gift certificate to Claire's (jewelry store). They have all kinds of Goth things as well as normal. You said she liked music? $50 gift certificate could by two CD's she likes. The gift card is the best thing at that age since their likes and dislikes differ so much. Good luck.

I'd say a gift certificate for Hot Topix which has stores in Washington Square and Lloyd Center as well I'm sure other malls in the area. She can get clothing, shoes, jewelry and lots of other goth/punk type items there. My daughter-in-law is a bit goth and loves to shop there...even for baby clothes for my grandson.

Regards,
C.

Hot Topic gift card. My daughter is now 18---but at 16 sounds pretty close to how your niece is, I just allowed her to be who she was, took her shopping where she would find things she liked, and tried to be non-judgmental. It will pass, and if she feels accepted for who she is, probably sooner especially if she doesn't get a negative response from family. You would be the "cool aunt" for her...

I'd either ask her what she wants or take her out for an experience together (maybe to an art gallery or lunch or a movie of her choice, within reason).

Gift Cert from Hot Topic, or you could ask her what her favorite stores are?

I'd say a gift card for HotTopic, Zumiez or Vans (which it looks like some others suggested as well!). That way it's an equal gift for both nieces, you don't have to be too creative and risk getting her something she won't like, and she'll likely be able to find something she does want. Another option would be an itunes gift card, or one for a record store like Music Millenium.

How about several smaller gift certificates to places she might go to eat, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Denny's, Pizza Hut. Our oldest daughter loves this local used book store that also sells music (records, cds and cassettes) as well as movies. Perhaps there is some specialty shop that she might think is really cool. Or a gift certificate to the movie theater, it's not hard to spend $50.00 there! You said she's not driving how about a bus pass for a couple of months. These are usually cheaper for minors (students) and may be unlimited rides. Of course there's also Walmart, Kmart, etc. where she can get black T-shirts, hair dye, nail polish, music, shoes, etc. You can always add a note that because of her open mindedness and willingness to seek new things, you wanted to offer her a varity of options. If you decide to do the movie theater gift cerificate, you could put it in a small decorative box or basket with a couple packets of microwave popcorn, candy snacks, a can or two of soda. The bus pass: get a couple of chains, or lanyards, or beads with a plastic card holder. (She needs to feel she is liked and accepted as is.)

16, of course she will blow it...but, hey, it is her birthday money and that is kinda the point. Bummer she is into the emo stuff, sounds like a worthless avenue. The skateboarding caught my eye and I wondered if maybe a gift certif. to a skate shop would work. Skaters are always needing new wheels and shoes cause they wear through them so fast. A positive spin on this whole thing is that you would be helping her stay active and healthy... be glad she is not a couch potato. Best I could do. :-)

I agree with the gal that said Hot Topic - that was my first thought. Although you said skateboards...We have a local shop here that specialize in Skateboarding, Snowboarding and Surfing in Eugene, OR called Tatics. They actually have pretty cool looking stuff for clothes and they custom make boards and such for the finatics. I don't know where your neice lives. Check out Tactics.com You would be surprised.

Another thought is ask her parents and find out what they think.

Try a 50 $ gift cert. to Hot Topic at the mall...emo-goth wear for teens.

I haven't read all the responses, but I would shoot for a certificate to a music store or ticketmaster.

a gift certificate for a skate board shop or even ebau would be great. There is lots of ways for her to spend it on ebay no mmatter what her interest is.

If you can handle going into Hot Topic, that sounds like her kind of store. There are skater type stores, but I can't think of any names right now. Good luck! That's a tough one!

If she enjoys skateboarding, you might try a gift certificate to Zumiez. It's my son's favorite store for skateboarding stuff and skateboard related apparel.

Get her a $50 gift cert. from a skate shop....or somewhere that sells clothes on her style.

Ithink you should get her a gift certificate in the same amount as the other niece only at a shop that carries things that she's interested in. Skateboard store, or retro clothing store. Also costume shop would be a good choice.It feels like you are not happy with her lifestyle choices so can't support her where she is.

Like a lot of people have said.... Hot Topic is a really good idea for a gift certificate, especially since niece #2 has a gift certificate as well.

Hope she has a wonderful birthday!

Hi M.! There are some goth stores in the mall (not sure what they are called) that I am sure you could either get a gift certificate, or find something there, just by asking the sales rep. Good luck!

What consitutes "blowing" a gift card which, in theory, is made for such an activity? Other than she'd buy things that you aren't interested in? It's a gift. A gift is for the other person to do with what they want not the person giving it. Get a gift card to a music store or Best Buy and let her be.

Get her a gift cert to Hot Topic. There should be one in the mall in South Center. I was that girl at 16 and would have loved it had they had hot topic when I was a teenager. They have goth items, skateboard stuff - you name it they got it.

I hope this helps!
J.

What about a gift cert. to Hot Topics or Zumiz's at the Tacoma Mall. She could get both goth and skateboarding stuff. Good Luck

How about a GGP gift card www.ggp.com - they are good at a variety of malls then she could choose whatever she wanted from any store in the mall. Not sure if they have a mall near where you live but you can check their web site for locations. Or does she have an MP3 player? Maybe a gift certificate to itunes or one of the music places? Or local restaurants or coffee places or movie theatres? Good luck!

Find out where she likes to shop... and get her a gift certificate from there... she will think you are the coolest Aunt and she cant just blow it on junk food lol

My favorite gift is a VISA gift card. She can spend it on whatever she wants and at different places. It may seem a little impersonal, but at least you went through the trouble to get the gift card and didn't just throw some money in an envelope.
:) - A.

Gift card for I-Tunes. A chunky silver charm she can add to her collection. Or $50 cash, the point of a gift being that she can spend it how she wants, even if you think she is "blowing" it. Remember being that age?

My son says that the emo girls like gift certificates to Zumiez for skateboard stuff or Hot Topic for clothes and accessories.

I know alot of emos have peircings...belly button andnose for instance. Is she like that...I amonly asking because you said she was emo....would her parent's frown on this?
I am trying to help you out her....LOL
I have a 17 yearold that has hernose and bellybutton pierced. But I have threatenedher with her life if she gets a tattoo. she is not emo...but I am trying to thinkof somethingand it is hard...I will ask my 17 year old.
Bellybutton's can't be seenallthe time and noses are cute....my daughter has just a small diamond. L.

You have got a lot of great ideas. I agree with a lot of the others. I would ask her mom what store she likes best, or which food she likes, and then get gift certs for those items.

My own daughter went through this phase. We would get her gift certificates to HOT TOPIC. It is a clothing store in most malls and online that caters to this style of dress. If she doesn't like the clothes, they have shoes, jewelry, band t's, etc. My daughter also liked to read, as EMO kids are usually artistic, loners or love music. Some family members would get her a gift card for a book store or art supplies, or to Target if she has an IPOD, you can get her a gift card for Itunes down loads. You can find them at the check out stands. If she does not have an IPOD, you can get a similar products Target/Wallmart stores for under $50.00, as well. GODD LUCK