Teenager gifts on a budget...is it possible?

[mommyto2]

I have a niece and 3 nephews to buy for. They range in age from 15-18. Are there ANY budget friendly ideas out there for them? They get everything they want from their parents, so anything we give them is never as cool or great. But in the $25-$40 range, I don't know of anything they'd be excited with. I asked their mother, and she suggested cash. I'd rather not give cash, and we did gift cards last year. Any ideas??

 

[krcit]

I know it's boring but I'm giving all my nieces and nephews cash. It's what they want. I have a dd14 and I know she wants cash from her aunts and uncles. I also do the shopping for my mom since she is disabled and she gives the grandkids cash and 1 present. For the older grandkids(teens) I got sweatshirts from PacSun.

 

[Justsyd2]

We give all of the teenagers cash. They can buy what they want, and we don't waste buying a gift they won't use.

 

[Mkaz]

I was at a loss for two of my nieces for this year. I took a stab in the dark, and I bought them digital photo keychains. I mentioned it to my sister-in-law, and she said my niece is going to be thrilled.

 

[njsweetP]

I'm in the same boat but what I usually do is get the movie gift certificates from Costco. It's good on new movies and has no restrictions - 2 tickets for 15.99. They love these as they probably don't feel like spending $$ on going to the movies - they would rather put gas in their car, but this makes it a little easier. I forgot to mention you can dress it up by putting together a package
by going to the dollar store and buying their favorite candy, micro popcorn, etc.

 

[sherry7]

At that age, cash is king. Gift cards are a close second.

My mom always gives my son cash, but she comes up with some cute ways of doing it. One year, she got one of those cheapy little Tootsie Roll banks and wrapped it up. When my son opened it up, he got a funny looking smile on his face but thanked my parents for the gift. (He really thought they just bought him a Tootsie Roll bank, lol.) Then my mom asked him if he could share the candy with the rest of the family. When he opened it up, he found the money inside. She had gotten all $1 bills, and taped them end to end. So, he just kept pulling out this long "ribbon" of money. It was cute!

For a girl, you can make/buy a money tree. She can use it later to hang her jewelry on.

 

[Hannathy]

For the niece I was just reading on here about the Burt's Bees grab bag for $25 and my DD 17 would love that. I'm calculating now if I can afford it with her other gifts.

For the teen boys this is going to sound silly but Nerf guns!!! I don't know a single Teen boy who doesn't love them, from Valedictorian to athlete. In fact a group of guys around here meet regularly in the park for these "battles"

 

[brymolmom]

The girl should be easy - get some socks or a belt from whatever 'trendy' store she likes best.

The boys are tougher...If it was my nephew I'd likely get them something like a hoodie from whatever trendy store they like. Of course, likely have to watch for a sale to get it in that price range - but sales are good right now.

I'm not a huge fan of cash either...Especially if they get all their 'wants' from their parents. Might as well stick to something that they will use like clothing, PJ's, etc.

 

[mom2val]

I just gave my 15 year old niece one of the Burt's Bee's Grab bags. She LOVED it. There is a whole thread on them I think the 20% code is burt20. I just ordered 2 more yesterday for $44.

 

[eliza61]

Another vote for cash

I have 2 sons 16 & 19. the 19 year old is a college freshman. Cash is what he wants. We're the opposite, we buy all his "needs" clothes, pj's etc so he loves getting cash because he can spend it on the things we don't get him like Itunes downloads, gas for his car, movie money.

Same with the 16 year old. We take care of the necessities and a few games for his xbox but with cash he can get extra games (we only spend so much on video stuff), itune downloads, hang out days at the mall.

 

[Crystal0608]

Check the sites like slickdeals and gotta deal, lots of good deals to be found. In the past couple days I was able to score for $14 pj shorts & a perfume set from Victoria Secrets, $5 Grace gift set from Sephora, hand lotion & full size scrub for $6 from Bliss and a $2.80 perfume from bebe with online coupon codes, all which I think would be a good girls teen gift. The VS deal may still be live today. Burt Bees products (already suggested) is another great one. Good lip balm, soft socks, and B&BW (with coupons) are in your price range too. I have an 18 yo sis, 17 yo SSIL, and 22 yo SIL and this is the type of stuff they like and get from me.

For the guys, do they have their own vehicle? If so, an armour all or meguiars (dh's fave) car cleaning kit, car air freshener, & quarters (for car wash) is a good gift. If they have a Wii, maybe a game or accessory they are asking for, good sales right now could be found for under $25.

 

[mommyto2]

At that age, cash is king. Gift cards are a close second.

My mom always gives my son cash, but she comes up with some cute ways of doing it. One year, she got one of those cheapy little Tootsie Roll banks and wrapped it up. When my son opened it up, he got a funny looking smile on his face but thanked my parents for the gift. (He really thought they just bought him a Tootsie Roll bank, lol.) Then my mom asked him if he could share the candy with the rest of the family. When he opened it up, he found the money inside. She had gotten all $1 bills, and taped them end to end. So, he just kept pulling out this long "ribbon" of money. It was cute!

For a girl, you can make/buy a money tree. She can use it later to hang her jewelry on.

These are really great ideas! What a creative way to give boring cash, when you're right, it's really what they want! I'll have to go on the lookout for Tootsie Roll banks and a money tree. Thanks!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

sounds crazy but trust me -- teenage boys LOVE IT!

Bed Bath and Beyond has for $14 a marshmallow gun. It shoots mini marshmallows.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

itunes cards

my neices BF is asking for an armoral kit to clean his truck. I think it was around $15.

gift cert for a manicure or pedicure?

are they going anywhere warm for spring break? How about stuff for their trip? small sunscreen, lip balm, etc.

 

[Hannathy]

sounds crazy but trust me -- teenage boys LOVE IT!

Bed Bath and Beyond has for $14 a marshmallow gun. It shoots mini marshmallows.

Yep they do! just like I said, marshmallow guns, nerf guns, potato guns, they love to be little boys!

 

[Jenn]

ITunes Cards

Movie Theater Gift Cards

 

[micheleq]

Don't feel bad about geting them gift cards or giving cash -- at that age kids can be really particular about what they like. We have 7 nieces and one nephew and do a grab bag each year -- they are all teenagers now and they all ask for gift cards.

My nephew is getting a GC to Bass Pro Shops (he loves to fish) and some candy he likes, my niece will get a GC to AE or Aeropostale and some items from the Burts Bees Grab Bag (the lip glosses) that I just ordered

 

[NVDisMom]

For the niece I was just reading on here about the Burt's Bees grab bag for $25 and my DD 17 would love that. I'm calculating now if I can afford it with her other gifts.

For the teen boys this is going to sound silly but Nerf guns!!! I don't know a single Teen boy who doesn't love them, from Valedictorian to athlete. In fact a group of guys around here meet regularly in the park for these "battles"

I was going to suggest the same thing for the niece. And I love the nerf gun idea! I might have to do that for my DH and brother! They would love it! Proving that men never grow up!

 

[left210]

Check the sites like slickdeals and gotta deal, lots of good deals to be found. In the past couple days I was able to score for $14 pj shorts & a perfume set from Victoria Secrets

I cannot find any pjs that apply to the offer. Can you tell me what you purchased so I can try that?

 

[java]

I'm thinking of buying this for my neice- it's the 3 sweaters @$15 each plus free scarf- there are codes to use in this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2343062