What is a Good Christmas Gift for a Teenage Boy?
Shopping for a Christmas gift for the teenage boy can prove challenging. Especially younger teenage boys may be transitioning from wanting toys into wanting more “cool” items. Though most teenage boys who are video game freaks will appreciate teen friendly video games compatible with systems they own.
The first thing to do, when possible, is ask the parents, as they usually have a good beat on what their kids want. Asking the teen is another good choice, as they will usually have a quite comprehensive list. If neither option is open, there are a few Christmas gifts that will usually prove quite welcome.
If a teenage boy is a video game freak, then new video games can be an ideal Christmas gift. To satisfy parents, do not buy above teen rated games, as some can be quite graphic or otherwise inappropriate. Be sure to include a receipt so the boy can exchange the Christmas gift if he already owns the copy. As well, subscriptions to magazines devoted to playing systems like Playstation or Nintendo Magazine are often a great way to go.
Teens are usually into music, and gifts like an MP3 player or Ipod will usually help rock the teenager’s world. Alternately, if they have a player already, gift certificates for downloads, so they can choose their own music are usually quite appreciated. Accessories to Ipods and MP3s can also be good choices.
If the boy is a sports fan, a Christmas gift could include licensed jerseys, hats or posters of a favorite team. Alternately, boys still want to play sports, and adult sized basketballs or footballs may make for great gifts. As well, an electronic dartboard is a fun Christmas gift. Try the ones without wall piercing darts so the boy’s parents don’t have to forgive you for inconsiderate gifting.
Despite eschewing most “toys” many teens still enjoy things that can be remote controlled. For example the mini zip cars are inexpensive and can be a great Christmas gift for teens and adults alike. Stores like Sharper Image cater to the gadget-obsessed teenager, and there are many nifty gadgets that are also inexpensive and make a good Christmas gift. If you really want to go for broke, robosapiens and roboraptors are fantastic gifts that can provide many hours of entertainment. Just don’t forget to include lots of batteries.
Many teens enjoy books, although others avoid them at all costs. If you have a reading teen, consider some of the fantasy novels that most appeal. For example the Ursula Le Guin Earth Sea Trilogy is a good place to start since it is not as well known as some of the more recently written books. Boys might also appreciate Asimov’s classic I, Robot.
Movies are also natural choices for teen boys and can become a well-received Christmas gift. Some excellent older movies like Breaking Away, Hoosiers or Rudy may have your teenage boy standing up and cheering. Gift certificates to theaters are also very much appreciated as movie ticket prices rise.
If you cannot decide, or do not know where a teen’s interest lies, try choosing a gift certificate for a Christmas gift that will represent a lot of choices for the teen. For example stores like Target and Wal-Mart offer a wide variety of choices. A gamer can buy games, and a clothes hound can get the latest fashions. Some large mall companies like Simon offer gift certificates that can be used at any of the stores in the mall, further increasing choice.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
