How to Buy a Gift for a Teenager

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 10, 2022

Purchasing the right gift for a teenager can be very difficult. However, by getting to know the teenager, you can allay your anxieties about choosing the right gift. Ask the teenager about their interests, and remember to ask open-ended questions. Once you have determined their interests and personality, make a list of things that would make great gifts. Keep in mind that teenagers are coming of age, and tend to like things that allow them to enjoy their new freedoms and responsibilities. If all else fails, purchasing a gift card or giving the teen money will ensure that they will receive something that they like.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting to Know the Teenager

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Ask about their interests. Find a chance to get to know the teenager you are buying the gift for. Ask them about their interests and look for clues. Ask what they like to do on the weekend, what they are passionate about, or what their favorites are. Also, take note of their style, i.e., what they are wearing, how they talk, and how they carry themselves, to clue you into what kind of person they are.^{[1]
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- If you are buying a gift for your niece or nephew, then make a trip to your sister or brother-in-law’s house. Ask the teen if you can see their room, or visit with them in their room. Take note of the things that you see in order to get a sense of what kind of person they are. You can also use objects in their room as conversation starters; for example, ask about a movie or music poster they have.
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Don’t ask simple yes or no questions. Instead, ask open-ended questions. These questions will give you a lot more information, and will enable you to delve deeper into the teen’s interests. Examples of good open-ended questions are:^{[2]
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- “How do you spend your free time?”
- “What is your favorite book or musical band?”
- “Can you describe your perfect day?”
- “Would you rather watch Star Wars or Star Trek, hike or bike, visit the beach or the mountains, watch a movie or read a book?”
- When asking questions, don’t make it a one-way conversation. Reveal things about yourself, as well. You might find that you and the teen have something in common, or that you were interested in similar things as a teenager.
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Look into their social media account. Their social media account(s) might clue you into their interests, as well. Look into their Facebook and/or Instagram history to see what they like and post about.^{[3]
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- For example, if the teen you are buying a gift for likes a lot of posts about video games, or posts a lot about video games, then think about buying them a video game.
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Ask the teen's parents. Asking their parents might help you pick the right gift. Parents often know what their teenagers hate and love, what they already have, and what their passions are. Call their parents, or send them an email or text. If you already have a few gifts in mind, ask them which gift their teen would prefer.
- Additionally, if you know other teenagers who have similar interests, ask them what kind of gifts they would like to receive from someone.
- You can also ask the teenager's siblings or friends for some suggestions, as well.
- Remember, if you have a great gift in mind, but are not sure if it is appropriate, run the idea by their parents first.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Picking the Right Gift

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Make a list. Once you have determined a few of the teen’s interests, and their personality and style, make a list of all the things they are interested in, as well as the things that define who they are. Spend at least two minutes writing down as many things as you can. Next, think of something to go with every item you wrote down. Pick one of the items, or combine a few.^{[4]
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- For example, if the teen loves watching movies, pay for a one-year Netflix or Hulu subscription. If they already have a subscription, then upgrade their account for a year.
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Look to your past. Another way to pick a great gift is to think about the types of things you were interested in as a teenager. Most teenagers are transitioning into new periods of their life where they enjoy more freedom and responsibility. Choose a gift that speaks to these newfound freedoms.^{[5]
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- A quality watch is a classic coming of age gift you can give to any teen.
- A set of headphones or bluetooth speakers make great gifts for teens, as well. This way, they can take their music with them everywhere.
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Browse the Internet. There are many sites that list top gifts for teenagers, or have gift suggestions for teenagers. These lists are often based off of gifts that others are buying for teenagers, as well as contemporary teenage interests. Browse these sites to see if you can find an appropriate gift.^{[6]
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- Sites that offer great suggestions are Pinterest, GoodHousekeeping.com, GiftsforTeens.com, and Realsimple.com.
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Narrow down your options. By factoring in how much you are willing to spend, what is appropriate, what they might already have, and how much time you have to purchase the gift, you can make the process of purchasing a gift much easier.
- For example, if their parents deem concert tickets as an inappropriate gift, then you can rule this out. Opt for a CD, or a subscription to Spotify or Pandora account instead.
- Avoid gifts that the teen's parents might get them like clothes.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Buying Safe Gifts

If all else fails, a gift card is always a safe choice. Give the teen a gift card to their favorite retailer, for example Urban Outfitters, Best Buy, or Game Stop. If you do not know their favorite retailer, then fill a temporary credit card with money, like Vanilla Visa.^{[7]
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Alternatively, you can give them cash. This way, you can ensure that you are giving the teen something they want and like. Buy a card for the occasion from your local store or pharmacy and place the money in the card.
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Include a gift receipt. Gift receipts are important because they allow the gift receiver to choose something they like in the event that they do not like the gift they received. When purchasing the gift, make sure it is returnable, and ask for a gift receipt. Choose a gift from a retailer that has a flexible return policy.
- See if the store only allows exchanges with products of equal or lesser value, or will issue the person a gift card or store credit in equal value.
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Question

What if the teenager is hinting at a gift, but I can't afford it?

Community Answer

See if friends or relatives want to which in to get a collective gift. Or, consider combining a birthday and Christmas gift, if this is something the teen really wants.

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Question

What should I get for my 14-year-old crush? We're the same age and freshmen in high school. I don't know what he likes.

Sylghouls

Top Answerer

If you are close with any of his friends, ask them discreetly what he likes! There's no harm in asking around to try to make the gift more personal, but don't stress too much about making it line up exactly with his interests. After all, it's the thought that counts.

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