As your child grows into a tween and then a teen, you might find it harder to think of surprise gifts for their birthday and other occasions. Of course, they are likely to ask you directly for items they want, but it’s always nice to surprise our loved ones with a gift they weren’t expecting but will really enjoy – unless your kid hates surprises, in which case just stick to their list! Here are some ideas for gifts that your teenager is likely to appreciate.
Table of Contents
1. Concert tickets
Many, if not most, teenagers get really into music. As young people start to figure out who they are and who they want to be, their music tastes often rise to the status of a form of identity, and it is not uncommon for teenagers to form friendships on the basis of a shared interest in a certain genre or band. Luckily for you, it’s often easy to figure out what bands and singers your teen is into at the moment – even if they’re not in the habit of telling you directly, they might wear branded clothes from their favorite bands or stick posters up on their bedroom walls. Once you have figured out their current musical tastes you can surprise them with concert tickets – one for them and one for a friend, or for a relative if you don’t think your kid is mature enough to handle a concert venue without adult supervision. Don’t buy the tickets too far in advance, though – teenagers’ tastes can change very quickly!
2. A streaming service subscription
While you might not like the idea of your kid spending lots of time in front of a screen, the reality is that most kids will use digital devices daily whether you like it or not. Especially with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, prolonged screen time has, unfortunately, become the norm for both education and entertainment. Gifting your teenager a subscription to a streaming service will ensure that they have enjoyable content to watch, and if you set up parental controls on it you can feel reassured that they won’t encounter anything they’re not ready to handle. If you choose Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or HBO you can encourage your kid to install Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), a free browser extension that will let them watch shows at the same time as their friends and chat about them – the perfect way to have a Covid-safe movie night! This way, being at home more won’t mean your kid becoming socially isolated.
3. Some funky string lights
A lot of teenagers like decorating their room with strings of fairy lights. Some companies are now making novelty string lights that go beyond the basic ‘Christmas tree decoration’ look and add an extra layer of beauty to the room. Just look at these ivy vine string lights! Perfect for your teenager who wishes they lived in the woods or who likes the look of plants but always forgets to water them.
