Sweet 16 gift

MickeyMouseCD524

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jan 26, 2010
My friend's daughter is turning 16 and I want to get her a gift. They're not throwing a party, she's getting a spa day with a few friends. They love to travel so I was thinking something in that vein, but I'm getting old and don't know what a 16 year old would want. Any suggestions I'm trying to keep it at $50 or under.
 
At that age cash works best. Especially if you do not really know them or what they like. Everyone likes cash or gift card gift
 


My youngest two just turned 17, put $50 in a card. Kids this age seem to be poor, going out to eat all of the time, driving around aimlessly for fun, shopping...
 
Well, it's been a long time since I was 16, but I would have liked the $50 as cash in a card :)

At that age cash works best. Especially if you do not really know them or what they like. Everyone likes cash or gift card gift

My youngest two just turned 17, put $50 in a card. Kids this age seem to be poor, going out to eat all of the time, driving around aimlessly for fun, shopping...

I would prefer to give her cash but her mom tends to avoid giving gift cards and cash (she's against getting or receiving it for some reason and I don't want to somehow offend)
 
If you can't give cash or a gift card I would try to give an experience which could be viewed as a gift card in some ways lol. Like a trip to the movies, membership to something you think she would like local?, mani/pedi trip.

When my nieces all turned 16 I bought them something small for their new cars and then a nice necklace. Would she like a piece of jewelry? Does she have a car that you could buy something for - keychain, air freshners, etc?

My son just turned 16 last year but boys are a total different set of rules lol
 


If you can't give cash or a gift card I would try to give an experience which could be viewed as a gift card in some ways lol. Like a trip to the movies, membership to something you think she would like local?, mani/pedi trip.

When my nieces all turned 16 I bought them something small for their new cars and then a nice necklace. Would she like a piece of jewelry? Does she have a car that you could buy something for - keychain, air freshners, etc?

My son just turned 16 last year but boys are a total different set of rules lol
Apparently they have a car they are going to give her once she's got her permit. So maybe I'll look at something for that?
 
I would prefer to give her cash but her mom tends to avoid giving gift cards and cash (she's against getting or receiving it for some reason and I don't want to somehow offend)
I i also do not like giving gift cards when i know the person and would rather give them something i know they like, but a teenager is hard to know what they like and what they do not already have.
 
Thanks to this thread, I’m giving dd17 and ds17 cash (their birthday was a few days ago, it’s hard to buy for them right after Christmas, and I know they appreciate cash most of all).
 
Thinking along the lines of getting a car and depending on where you live:
1. Car wash vouchers. It's really nice to be able to wash one's car on a whim.
2. Emergency car kit. Decorate a cute bin and put useful stuff in it: first aid kit, simple tool kit. blanket, paper towels, etc. It's not the most exciting thing; however, it's practical, and her mom will love you for it.

As for travel gifts for a 16-year-old girl and depending on where they like to travel:
1. Beach tote with a cute beach towel, sun block, flip flops, and hair ties
2. Hip bag or crossbody. Put small things like chapstick, hand sanitizer, mini wallet, little fun things, and even a little bit of cash if you want.
3. Cell phone accessories

That's all I've got. Good luck coming up with a gift idea. For me, making a gift with a theme and choosing little things that go along with the theme seems to work best. I learned it from my mother-in-law, and over the years, so many people have loved her gifts.
 
  • 1000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz
  • The Bucket List - 1000 Adventures Big & Small by Kath Stathers
  • Scratch off map of the world - there is also a US version
  • Travel journal
  • Travel makeup case - Hot Topic has a super cute Caboodles train case
  • Travel scarf - light infinity scarf that has a hidden pocket
If she likes to read, maybe a set of travel memoirs?
  • West with the Night by Beryl Markham
  • A Movable Feast by Hemingway
  • Travels with Charley - John Steinbeck
  • Bill Bryson has some good/funny books about his travels
  • Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
 
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Honestly, I'd rather have the cash or gift cards to use towards something that I really want. Although I appreciate the time and thought put into the gift, I usually end up with a lot of things I don't want or need - JMO.
 
If she’s getting a car soon, an emergency car kit with jumper cables is a lifesaver. I remember when I was 16 and just starting to drive to school on my own, I was constantly forgetting to turn off lights and that kit meant I could jump the car without having to tell my parents that I killed the battery...again...
 
I do not see any teen getting excited about getting safety equipment for a car or a free car wash especially not as a birthday gift. Although definitely something they should have but something parents should get or they might already have something like AAA. If you really don't want to do cash or gift card maybe tickets to a theme park or bowling or movie tickets ( which i guess are still "gift card"). A nice birthday card with $50 would be best i think.
 
Cash or gift card. I have two teens. Most actual gifts they get end up going unused. Even if her mom doesn’t like it. It’s a gift for the teenager. Not her mom.
 
Etsy has some really cute sweet sixteen personalized items. Key chains, makeup bags, insulated cups. If she is into makeup how about a personalized makeup bag with a $25.00 Sephora or ulta gift card? It’s a gift and a gift card. Lol, my daughter would love that gift, but she’s into makeup. Sports girl a personalized duffle and Dicks gift card. If you have no idea there are some adorable sweet 16 keys chains and cash.
 

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