You can try as hard as you like, but the odds of you understanding the world your teen lives in are not very high. When it comes to birthday presents for those weird teenagers who are closed in their bedrooms for all hours of the day, the world is even more complicated. We are not here to give you ideas of what to buy on their special day; we are here to share our thoughts about what NOT to buy. These gifts will never be used, so there is no point in wasting your money.
Say No To Technology
Whatever you do, do not spend your money on technology gadgets that have been outdated for some time. If you insist on buying some modern device, make sure it is the latest version, that it will last at least for the entire year, and that the standards meet what they are expecting. This is supposed to be something huge, and if they don’t see it that way, don’t waste your time.
Anything Generic
There is no point in buying a generic gift card. When a teen receives a card that can be suited to anyone and has no personal flavor to it whatsoever, don’t bother. A teen needs a touch of personality or individuality to make something worth something, even when concerning a card. Whatever you choose, make sure it has a touch of humor and something that is related to them.
Do Not Buy Clothes
Clothes can be a great gift, just not when bought for teens. The only way of succeeding in this mission is if you take another turn with you that can give input and make the decision for you. Fashion changes as we speak, and teens enjoy expressing themselves through clothes. Let them choose what they wear and avoid aggravation on both sides.
No Such Thing As A Hobby
Be careful before choosing a gift from the hobby section. You might think they are still into sewing, card collecting, or home cake decorating when, in fact, they lost interest a long time ago and are not completely into tattoos, heavy metal bands, and how to stay awake for more than 25 hours. And don’t bother investing in any of those because, by the time you get something suitable, they will probably be over that, too.
So What to Buy?
We can go on with all the ideas of what not to buy your teen, and the list will be endless. Avoid educational games; they will think school is related to their birthday and be put off, and don’t think about grabbing something from a store at the last minute, as they will know you never had the time and feel even less appreciated. Take advice, ask them what they want, or give them the money.