When the holiday season comes around, stress fills the air as parents and young people scurry to buy gifts for their peers. When this cultural cycle repeats itself, there is always a need for new and creative ideas for shopping.
Kate Linscomb, a sophomore, when asked about her 2024 Christmas wishlist, stated, “My interests usually change because I want to try different hobbies, so the stuff on my Christmas list usually changes a lot.”
Teenagers are one of the hardest demographics to buy gifts for due to rapidly changing trends and phases that shift like the weather. Here are five ideas for the 2024 holiday season that will leave your teens delighted and put them in the holiday spirit!
Trip to a Destination: In modern times, young people often become hung up on the next best product or expensive item. This leaves no room for sentimental memories. This holiday, rather than purchasing a new handbag or pair of shoes that will one day wear and tear, switch it with a ticket to somewhere new and create a memory that will last forever!
A Self-Care Basket: Much of what teenagers love consists of skincare, clothes, self-care, and everything in between—so why not combine it all into one gift? A large element of appeal for these baskets is the aesthetic, so pick a good color palette and purchase shower products, clothes, makeup, etc., that match the theme. This can be holiday-themed or an all-year-round basket full of many small goods rather than one big present.
A New Hobby: The holiday season marks the time before the new year, so why not buy your teenager a new hobby to fill their time with? You can buy the equipment for a new sport or an instrument for a new musical interest. This gives them a great tangible gift as well as years of memories with a new hobby they may have never known they would love!
Gift Card to Their Favorite Stores: During Christmas, many gifts lack an important element: sentimental value. By buying your teenager a gift card to one of their favorite places, you’re covering both material and thoughtfulness all in one! This gift shows that you know them and their interests and gives them the liberty to purchase exactly what they want!
Room Renovation: Teenagers spend a lot of their time in their rooms, whether with friends or simply to destress after a long day. If you surprise them with a room makeover, they are sure to love you for it. You may want to ask them before you do this, though, because many teenagers consider their room to be their sanctuary. But once you get the thumbs up, go for it! You can change their furniture and color palette to fit their rapidly changing interests and possibly even hire someone for a new paint job. This will leave them with a gift that lasts many years.
These are just five innovative ideas for gifts that extend further than the norm for teenage gift buying. Use these to give your teenager new memories without the need for overplayed gifts.
Karis Tillman, a 16-year-old, says, “Gifts are nice and all, but I would rather have an intangible gift, you know? One that’s meaningful and allows me to experience something with the people I love.”
As you can see, teenagers love keeping up with the trends and interests of their generation, but they also love new experiences. This year, make them happy with gifts that will last a lifetime!
