Gifts Other than Gift Cards!

This gift idea is for girls (however maybe you could use it as a boy gift with different ideas)
Pick a fun color - or their favorite color- and get a gift bag that color and fill it with things the same color. I did this recently for a niece using pink and filling it with pink journal and pen, pick hair accessories and brush, pink gum and candy, pink earrings, pink lotion and nail polish, pink coin purse -- you get the idea. You can get fun things at dollar stores and still put in a gift card. For boys you could get wallet, water bottle, key chain, pens, candy, flashlight - you just don't have as many color choices.

If it's just something for them to open and the card is the "main" gift, then maybe some food item--gourmet snack or something. It seems kinda silly to me, too, but it always cracks me up how much my boys love to get snack stuff that isn't usually around the house. They also like whatever is new to throw or shoot (glow-in-dark or light-up football, nerf-ball or ping-pong-ball shooting guns, etc...) I know they seem like kid-toys, but my boys never outgrow them. My husband, either.

This is kind of a take on the gift card, but it's a littl more specific--you can get them some iTunes if they have iPods.

My teenage daughters love makeup or bath stuff, body lotions, etc from Bath and Body Works

I have done in the past for my 2 teenage daughters. A Money Tree it is so cute and they loved the idea and it was so much fun putting it together.

How about ipod earphones (you can get those for 10 bucks or so at TJ Maxx or Target). Cell phone cases..stuff for their lockers? I have a 13 year old so I know how hard it is to buy for them. Good luck.

Much as I love to give interesting gifts, I've given it up for teens. They really do prefer cash or gift cards. You can always wrap them in something fun!

Here some gift ideas for teens -
Book w/cute bookmark (and a gift card)
accessories for MP3/Ipods - such as earbugs, sleves, speakers. CD's and/or itunes gift card
Chocolate/Coffee/Tea/Hot chocolate set
Teenage girls - any kind of makeup sets, my girls love clothes - any designer T-shirt/hoodie type of thing. Just remember to get a gift receipt.
Do they have a digital camera? If not, this could be a big present or camera accessories like a camera case/photo book/scrap booking stuff. My girls also like "spa" kind of things/hair things.

As for the boy?? I have 3 girls (11,14,18) no boys so not sure there.

If you would like some other jewelry gift ideas - I am a consultant for a new unique jewelry and gift company - Allura Designs. www.snowflakegems.com - If you find something that you think your girls would love - just let me know and mention that you are responding to this post and I will give you a 20% discount.

Have a wonderful sunny day - and best of luck with your shopping.
C.

Do they have any special interests? Could you sign them up for a membership to an art museum, or a class for knitting, skiiing, scrapbooking, sewing or something they like? Do they have a goal they are saving for? (i.e. I remember that at 13, I wanted to go to Europe so I started saving my money. I was able to do it at 18 through a high school program. I also appreciated any presents from friends or relatives who said, 'this is for your europe trip.' because it meant to me that they supported my dreams. )

My kids love I-Tune cards from which they can download music onto a computer to the Ipod (if they have one). These can be purchased for $15, $25, or $50 if I remember right. Favorite perfume/cologne, shower gel/lotion, subscription to a magazine that would be of interest to them, if readers---start them on a book series (Twilight or Blue Blood novel seem popular with teens), a "seson" DVD of their favorite TV, movie passes to a theatre, etc. are additional ideas.

As a mother of three teenage daughters, 19, 17 and 14 I can maybe give you some advice. Gift cards to me seem like just a generic gift to me as well, so I usually try to find something else or I give something small with it. I too had many teenagers to buy for at one time, in addition to my children. For the teenage girls maybe find out what type of body soap/scent and purchase either a body spray, lotion or soap purchase that with a gift card, another idea is to find out what artists they like for music and purchase a cd, is there a favorite movie/book that they would like to have, do they have a special craft/hobby that they do that you could add to something they may want/need or ask for lists from them. One neat gift certificate is a movie gift certificate -especially if they dont have an income or parents that can afford this entertainment. Do the girls have pierced ears? That's always a nice gift. Sometimes a gift of your choice with some thought is just the best gift of all.

You could always get them something from a store with the gift receipt so they can exchange it if they don't like it. Another thing to consider is getting them a free lesson in something like Bellydance (I recommend Pat Kellar in Wauwautosa), yoga exercise class, knitting, or pottery throwing. You could also take them out bowling with their friends as a gift. Kids that age actually though probably just want CASH.