Teens are always up-to-date with the current trends in pop culture. For that exact reason, picking out gifts for them can be quite a stressful experience.
They are notoriously hard to please and have a very narrow definition of what fun is.
If you choose a gift that’s not ‘popping’, you might end up being the topic in a group chat of nitpicky teenagers (not all teenagers do this, but you never know!).
If you don’t know what to look for, this list of the best gifts for 16 year old boys is a good place to start.
For all other teens that don’t fall into that demographic, keep reading. We’ll make gift shopping easier without you having to ask them directly what they want.
Teens are still in the process of figuring out themselves anyway, so why don’t we lend a hand? Here are cool and useful gift ideas for every hobby, interest, or specialization:
1. For the Homebody
It’s safe to say that homebodies are the easiest to choose a gift for because they’re generally low maintenance and prefer simple pleasures. Still, that doesn’t mean your gifts for them should be sloppy or impersonal gifts.
Neon signs are extremely popular these days, and your teen has probably seen some while watching vloggers and influencers.
Homebodies love staying in, so spice up their room with a personalized neon sign or string lights that fit their personality. It could be in the shape of their name, a phrase, or a design they like.
For binge-watchers, you can pay for their subscription to their favorite streaming platform. To complete their viewing experience, get them a bubble tea kit, which is also becoming a trend.
It’s perfect for teens who love bubble tea but hate going out to buy it.
2. For the Explorer
Outdoors-loving teens must be having a harder time dealing with the pandemic than the average person, so it’s important to give them a gift that will somehow soothe their spirit.
Encourage them to make their own adventures within the comforts of your home. A portable tent, lightweight hammock, or inflatable lounge can add life even to a makeshift setup.
After all, glamping has been a steady trend, and it became even more popular during the pandemic since lockdown and quarantine restrictions have been in place.
Telescopes or binoculars are also great for stargazing at night regardless of location. These gifts make for meaningful tokens of hope until it’s safe to go out and explore again.
3. For the Techie
We always make jokes about how teens are always glued to their smartphones, so why not capitalize on that? To keep their devices powered all day, get them a central charging hub or high-capacity power bank.
Teens also love upgrading their phone cases, so personalize one with a cool design that suits their taste. You could even have some customized by artists for that extra touch pf personality.
Throw in a popsocket, too. As much as teens love technology, they also love comfort.
4. For the Music Lover
If your teen dreams of becoming the next Taylor Swift or John Mayer, help them expand their musicality with the right tools.
Apart from the instrument of their choice, audiophiles will appreciate high-quality wireless headphones and Bluetooth speakers.
Vinyl players are also all the rage in the music scene these days as they’re viewed as collectibles, and they can be a great addition to an audio setup.
These turntables have been modernized with new features, but teens will surely love to receive a memento of the past they didn’t know.
5. For the Brainy
It’s great to know that there are still a lot of teenagers who prefer books over gadgets. Nurture the bookworm in them by introducing new stories in their favorite genre.
You can also choose an entirely new genre to challenge and expand their thinking.
Reading enthusiasts will appreciate this gesture since the pandemic has made it difficult to get books from the school library or bookstore.
Collections, compilations, or book sets are ideal in this situation since they have more time for leisure in quarantine.
6. For the Gamer
If you want to go all out, nothing will make your teen happier than the latest version of popular game consoles. You can also opt for a nice gaming controller and gamepad.
If your teen is into streaming, they need a comfortable gaming chair to prevent back problems after long hours of playing.
For non-hardcore gamers, you can get them a beanbag for casual game nights in the living room or entertainment area.
7. For the Artist
Hone your teen’s skills and creativity by gifting them the right art materials for their preferred medium. There’s a host of available arts and crafts kits for visual art, sewing, knitting, and other artistic projects.
If they prefer digital art over traditional media, you can buy licensed illustration software for their device.
For photography enthusiasts, instant cameras are extremely popular, especially among teenage girls. They’re compact, easy to use, and come in pretty colors.
8. For the Fitness Buff
No age is young enough to start caring for one’s body.
Many teenagers have started adopting a healthy and active lifestyle, which is truly amazing! To help keep them on track, you can give them gym equipment or sportswear.
It sounds silly, but several studies suggested that wearing nice activewear can actually make people feel more motivated to work out.
Sportswear has become fashion items these days and teens sure love being fashionable on top of being healthy, so it’s a win-win situation.
Be in-the-know
Gift shopping for teens require some tricks and a little brainpower. You have to know what truly makes them tick, then take inspiration from current trends.
You can even mix and match these gift ideas if your teen has more than one hobby or interest. Some teens might be more nitpicky than others, so a little observation goes a long way.
Keep this in mind and you’ll never have to worry about boring gifts again.
