- I'm a professional declutterer and help my clients get rid of things they don't need anymore.
- The holidays can be a time where people over buy stuff they don't necessarily want or need.
The holidays are upon us, and we're shopping as fast as we can. If you have teenagers on your list, you know the special agony of trying to purchase just the right thing for someone whose daily life, not to mention likes and dislikes, you can't begin to comprehend.
Teens tend to like extremely expensive electronics or personal items such as clothing and makeup. The former are exorbitant and one per customer. The latter is nearly impossible to buy because you will undoubtedly get it wrong. And all too much of this stuff ends up collecting dust on closet shelves or under beds.
As a professional declutterer and a mom, I want to suggest we start gifting experiences instead of things. These gifts run the gamut from extravagant to inexpensive, so there's something for every budget.
Gift a plane ticket to somewhere they want to go
If you are feeling extra generous or adventurous, you can buy a plane ticket for them. If you've got far-flung family or friends, let your teenager travel all by herself. Navigating the airport, checking bags, and procuring food will boost her self-confidence and help prepare her for adulthood — extra credit for going through customs solo.
This will be scary for some kids and exhilarating for others. But no matter their initial emotional reaction, nothing prepares you for life better than having to get yourself through the security line.
An added bonus is that by having to pull out electronics, take off their shoes, proffer a ziplock full of three-ounce toiletries, and hold onto their phone all at the same time, they may learn some valuable lessons about packing.
You can also buy gift cards
For slightly younger teens, try a gift card for their favorite Boba tea shop, coffee place, or bakery. Nothing makes a kid feel more independent than buying their own snacks and beverages.
You don't have to spend a lot of money, but you know the gift will be appreciated and, more importantly, used. Adolescents are itching to get out from under their parents' supervision and do things on their own. Gift cards provide the financial wherewithal and a destination all in one.
Concert tickets provide an experience they will remember
If you've ever spent hundreds on tickets to the latest pop sensation and then suffered through a concert full of screaming tweens, you'll understand the joy of handing off a ticket so your kid can go see music with their friends.
You can drop off them off at the venue and let them enjoy themselves with friends or even go together and make memories for a lifetime.
Buy them lessons in a hobby they are interested in
Lessons of all kinds make great gifts for teenagers. Music, cooking, martial arts, dog training, robotics; whatever your favorite kid is into, it's likely there's a class they can take to get better at it.
Don't worry about finding a youth version. Letting teenagers mix it up with people of all ages who share their interests is good for their emotional development. If they tend to spend most of their time with their peers, it's good for them to bond with people from other walks of life. This is how we produce well-rounded, empathetic adults.
You can buy subscriptions for them
Everyone and their brother would like you to pay them monthly for some blessed thing or other. Favorites are music streaming services, which bring with them a certain amount of caché, or an audiobook membership so they can listen to books they want. Online publications fit this category, too. For the kid who likes to get out of the house to pursue his interests, maybe there's an all-season sports club. You can also do a symphony or a museum of their choice membership.