16 Yr Old Birthday Present

Updated on April 23, 2008
N.B. asks from Durango, CO
33 answers

My neighbor girl, friend, and favorite babysitter is turning 16 this week. Any suggestions on gift ideas. She will get her driver's license in a few months. Nothing elaborate, but I just am having a hard time thinking of what would be a "cool" present for her. Thanks!

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J.O.

answers from Tucson on

I know this sounds cliche, but I think the best thing to get a 16 year old is a gift voucher or something from the Body Shop. My thoughts are 16yo people are finding their own independence and style. It is sometimes really nice to get a gift voucher that would show that you understand that she would like to make some choices as well as demonstrating that you appreciate her being available to babysit.

Just a thought.

Ciao

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W.F.

answers from Phoenix on

My idea is an angel visor clip which says to bless and protect all who are in the car. I have one and they are cute. At that age and driving they need all safety and blessings.

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M.H.

answers from Phoenix on

As a matter of fact I have found that the best present to give someone of that age, is a pre-paid Visa card. Works out great because that way they can get what they want where they want. Since you set the price on the card it could help them to buy something more expensive with other b-day money or whatever. Even my grand-children like this. Good luck M.

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A.N.

answers from Phoenix on

How about a gift certificate to Wal-mart,K-mart, or a music store so she could pick out her favorite music or any thing she wants?. My kids are 26 and 29 and they still love getting gift cert.'s so they can pick out what they want.

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T.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Teenagers love lotions, shower gels and makeup!
Have you ever heard of Arbonne? we have a great Teen line called FYI (For Younger Individuals)
Our products are really fun and they are good for you. They are botanically based and the lip gloss is the best!! I even like it!!
Feel free to check out my website and I would be happy to share my discount with you ! (-35% of reteail!!)

T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

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K.P.

answers from Phoenix on

For our friends daughter we got her a keychain from Things Remembered with her name engraved on it. She loved it and still has it to this day - she is 20 now. I am sure there are tons of places to go..but at Things Remembered they had really nice ones and I think it cost around $15-$20. Another thing we got her for a Christmas gift was a stirling silver mirror compact - with her name on it. good luck

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T.F.

answers from Flagstaff on

My Best Friend's daughter is also 16...I have given her several differet presents as she became a teenager, etc. The one she asked for twice was a magazine subscription. Ask her Mom what ones she reads. I think YM was the one we did for two years in a row.

Good Luck...and take care.

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L.C.

answers from Flagstaff on

Those cards that you can buy music for an ipod. Gift certificate at her favorite store.

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L.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Is she a girlie-girl? What about a gift certificate to a nail salon so she can get a pedicure and get her nails done? If she is not so girlie, what about an ipod music giftcard, so she can download songs? Hope these ideas work for you. Good Luck!

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D.G.

answers from Santa Fe on

How nice of you to think of your neighbor for her birthday! One thing I know, after having two teenage daughters, is that music is their life. With new songs coming out all the time it is hard and expensive to keep their ipod with all the current tunes. A gift card to iTunes is great because they get the music they like and you know it will be used. I know sometimes gift cards can be impersonal but if you include it in say, a nice wallet in the window where her new license will be, would be a different and imaginative way to present the card. You can get the gift cards on the iTunes website.

T.C.

answers from Albuquerque on

What's she into? Music? Books? Dancing? Sports? The arts? A gift in whatever is your "thing" at that age is always great.
T

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K.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Cash or a gift card.

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

When I was a teenage babysitter, I LOVED it when one of the parents paid me "extra" with make-up from Amway(at the time)

I would suggest a gift card for a pedicure or manicure and maybe put it in a basket or cute box with nail files, 'cool' nail polish colors, nail polish remover, etc. I just remember being so into makeup and my nails at that age and I am sure she would appreciate it!

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K.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

How about some dice to hang from her rear view mirror, or some floor mats? Something cool for her car would be great. I remember that's what I got for my 16th b-day!
Good Luck,
K.

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J.M.

answers from Tucson on

I know some people say gift cards are impersonal but when I was 16 they were my favorite. I liked them because I got to go and pick out what I wanted. I don't know the kinds of things she likes but I would suggest like Old Navy or Best Buy maybe even Borders or Barnes and Noble. Hope I hoped a little.

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G.D.

answers from Flagstaff on

money always works. if she has an ipod, you can get her a gift card for freedownloads. if she likes to read a gift card from a local bookstore. most teens like to watch movies, you could get her a free month of netflix.

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N.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

How about a cool key chain, i remember when i was that age, I loved my key chain with my name on it... a not very cool but thoughtful gift would be to pay their insurance for a time, whatever amount you might be willing to cover... keep on praying for thier safety on the road! God bless, NLG<><

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E.Y.

answers from Santa Fe on

Hi N.,
I have several nieces and nephews that are teenagers. It is hard to find something for them that they like. For Christmas I got each of them a gift card to download music for their IPODS. They were very happy with them. Just a thought.

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T.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Teens are the hardest to buy for because they have definite likes and dislikes. Gift cards or money are always appreciated. Most teen girls like candles too.

T. C.
Spa Girlfriend Parties
www.spaescapescottsdale.com

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A.P.

answers from Phoenix on

She's gonna be 16?!
Get her gas cards! With the price of gas now, her parents may expect her to help pay for gas if she wants to use the car!

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I.G.

answers from Phoenix on

First of all, have you gone down "the list". I call it the list because it let let narrow down to certain items on what to get them. First, for instance, are they crafty, are they into sports...um, what kind of music do they like to listen to(for their radio/CD system/cassette) um, do they spend alot of time on the computer...(they have a array of puter programs). I have found that one can give them certificate to certain stores. Get my point. Make sure you definately know what they don't like. I hope I was helpful

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M.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Since she will be driving soon, how about a key chain engraved with her name on it. I think something personalized always makes it more special and memorable for the occasion.

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R.B.

answers from Las Cruces on

I thought about a music gift card. Either something she can download online, or something she could use to order her favorite CD.

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S.W.

answers from Flagstaff on

A gift Certificate at one of her favorite stores? at that age, you can't buy anything that they wont turn thier nose up to so you give them some Spending money to thier favorite store and they will love it!
S., Mother of a 21 yr old girl, 3 teen boys and a 10 yr old girl.

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K.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Starbucks gift card, Itunes gift card, westcor gift card, a gift set from bath and body works, blank journal/diary, small photo album with pictures of your kids (preferrably with her also).

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C.R.

answers from Las Cruces on

I would say iTunes gift card or clothing store gift card. If she's into books, bookstore gift card. Something simple that shows you care about her enough to know what she likes, yet think enough of her to let her choose what she really wants.

L.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

16 is a HUGE deal!! If it were me, I would give her a gift certificate to a nice spa in town so she could have a facial and maybe a manicure or pedicure! She would feel pampered and grown up. Depending on how much money you could spend on her, you could thrown in the same services for her best friend so she has someone to share the experience with. I know that when I was 16, that would have been teh coolest gift. Just an idea! Let us know what you decide to do!

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B.D.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi

My daughter just turned 16 herself a couple of months ago.. She received a car from us and one of her gifts was a complete car washing kit from Auto Zone. She really liked it.

She also liked all her gift cards from her favorite places to shop.... a girl her age loves gift cards. My daughter also enjoys her music... and ITUNE gift card will always be a good gift.

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K.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Is she into clothes and fashion? maybe you could take her shopping and get her a few outfits, that way its a little more personal than just giving cash. Can you ask her mom what she would like and be so thrilled about?

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R.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

i have a 16 yo and the best things are gift cards, especially music ones.... or to the mall, then they can use it anywhere in the mall

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M.G.

answers from Flagstaff on

how about a mall gift card.....or a gift card to any store you know she likes.....my daughter at that age loved to shop at victoria's secret for pretty undies.....a nice extra would be to include a small gift from your child....something that would coordinate with the gift card.....

hugs! sally

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V.R.

answers from Albuquerque on

It's hard to know what to get a 16 yr. old girl; they seem to be so picky. I would suggest a gift card to any of these: anchor blue, target, old navy, i-tunes---these go over big with my daughter and she just turned 19.

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J.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

My teenager always wants money!!!! I know some may say it is impersonal, but I have always found (with my sitters as well) that money is well appreciated because then they can choose to buy themselves something immediately or save for something bigger.
You also might think about - if she is getting her own car - a personalized license plate holder with her name on it or something unique like that for her car. Teenagers, especially teenage girls, like to make things their own so that it reflects their personality. I always liked to talk to the parents of my sitters to find out ideas as well as what is acceptable in their eyes.
Good luck in whatever you decide!

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