Gifts for 16& 18 Year Olds

Updated on December 16, 2009
L.C. asks from Houston, TX
20 answers

Hi Mamas!! A coworker (male) is looking to buy his nieces Christmas gifts. He hasn't seen them in a few years and he would like to get them something nice, but practical. He thought about laptops, but said it would be too expensive to buy two and didn't feel that it would be proper to make them share. He thought about Ipods, but then he said they wouldn't be practical especially for where they live. They live in another country (Columbia). The girls are 16 & 18. He's not sure on the type of clothes...so that's out of the question. Gift cards are out since the stores are different where they live. I've tried to come up with suggestions, but I'm at a loss too being that I have a 13 years old son and 9 month old daughter. Please provide suggestions. You all have been such a great help in the past...I know you'll come through again. Thanks in advance, Merry Christmas and a very Blessed New Year.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

If he's willing to spend that much money - do they have TV? what about a Wii sports package with 2 hand controllers?

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N.C.

answers from Houston on

He could get them a James Avery charm braclet and a meaningful charm that way for any other special occasions he could keep adding to their braclets.They have them in sterling silver and gold.They have stores in the woodlands mall and 1960.

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

My favorite uncle gave me jewelry at this age and I was thrilled. Felt like a princess. or how about luggage? at 18 it was my graduation gift from same uncle.

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

Walmart is all over the world, but I don't see one specifically in Columbia http://walmartstores.com/Careers/7792.aspx

Do they have a Centroamérica or maybe one of the other stores on that link? My sister said that when she moves to Japan I can get a 'walmart' gift card from Seiyu for them, he should be able to do the same.

There's also MCdonald's all over the world and they probably have one.

Sorry I can't be of much help...my girls are only 2-6

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

I don't understand why and Ipod or an MP3 player wouldn't be good. If the girls have access to a computer, then those would be great gifts. I guess if they don't have a computer then that would be out!

You can't go wrong with jewelry, I'm sure he could find nice quality at a reasonable price!

Another idea would be movies or CD's. If they enjoy reading how about the Twilight book series, it's huge with young adults right now.

I'm sure whatever he finds they will appreciate it!

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N.S.

answers from Houston on

I'm not sure why he thinks an Ipod would not work - for a teenager - regardless of where they live an Ipod would be a great gift.

A teen is a teen no matter the country - and music is music no matter the country.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Ask the parents! They should have an idea and if they don't then ask the girls themselves. I can understand wanting it to be a surprise so go the parents route first. They may already have Ipods or laptops. Kids usually have a ton of things they want or need at that age so get them something they actually want.

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D.Y.

answers from Odessa on

How about jewelry, James Avery type jewelry is almost always a hit, regardless of the age.

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J.F.

answers from Houston on

What about portable DVD players?

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E.G.

answers from San Antonio on

My suggestion would be jewelry, make-up or perfume.

Merry Christmas!

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B.J.

answers from Longview on

At this age I loved purses. What about a really nice handbag and wallet. I think they would like this!! Good Luck!!

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C.C.

answers from Austin on

What about a charm bracelet. I would be a nice way to start a tradition. He could get the bracelets this year with a charm that has initials or names engraved on it. Then he could keep up the tradition by giving them a new charm each year or for special occasions.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

He should ask the mom and dad. They should be able to give him some ideas. Also, ask the girls. See what is on their list.

D.F.

answers from Houston on

Girls that age love to shop. So matter if he is going or they are coming - GIVE THEM MONEY TAKE THEM SHOPPING.

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S.B.

answers from Austin on

A pre-loaded MP3 player with ear buds is the way to go! Every teenager likes music and knows how to work gadgets. IPod is a brand name and with it comes a price tag and conditions, but if you get a generic MP3 player, they are inexpensive and easy to upload any music files.
I got one for my 6 YO daughter from Toys R Us for under $12! Santa's helper spent about an hour uploading all of her fav music to it so there's nothing else she has to do.

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M.P.

answers from Houston on

I have a teenager nice and for this Christmas I went to Sephora and bought her ...

Eye liner, one black basic and one in a Violet color, black Mascara,a Christmas special of Philosophie Lip gloss, another special package of a good brand with Eye shadows and blush and a small travel size of Juice perfume.

I am SURE that makeup in neutral and or pink tones of a good brand is ALWAYS a great gift for any girl in that ages.

I spent around 75.00 dlls, since he was considering to buy laptops this is a much cheaper option.

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L.N.

answers from Houston on

Think he should check with the girls parents to see what they like. If he gets jewelry and one or both don't like to wear it, it's a waste. If he's going there and one or both are clothes horses, then it might be nice to get them something that they can't get there. If they're coming here, he should take them to the Village or the Galleria and give them cash and let them have a little shopping spree. Easiest would be if they have access to a computer and then I'd go with the iPod and an iTunes gift card to start them off... if they don't already have one! Good luck to him ~ LOL.

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C.G.

answers from San Antonio on

If they have access to computers, you can get giftcards for on line stores. Can he talk to their mom to get some input?? (They may already have IPods, and he could get them gc's for downloading their preferred music on them)

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K.Z.

answers from Houston on

16 & 18? Cash is always a winner at that age. Actually the IPODS are too. Maybe he can find out from Mom/Dad a few singers/groups they like and put music on it before he sends it. It sounds like they have internet service, so he could even send a gift card to download music online. I have seen those in the stores

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