Gifts for teenagers I don't know very well

[kingat]

BIL married last year and he now has 3 SC: 13yo girl and 16yo old boy. There is 11yo girl too, but I have no idea what to get for the older teens :(. I would prefer gifts than vouchers. the boy is very academic, not into any games, doesn't go out much, doesn't play with toys. The 13yo girl likes make up, so I am thinking some nice make up/cosmetics set, she has lots of friends, spends a lot of time on her phone.

What’s your budget?

20-30op

Do you have Victoria Secret/Pink near you? DD is 13 and her and her friends love Pink, you can get some nice make up/perfume sets in there.

Boots 3 for 2 have nice make up sets make up brushes, spectrum brushes are popular x

Ask BIL if the 16yo would appreciate any specific books or computer games / programmes. He may be "into" a series he reads or a topic where there's a book he'd enjoy but can't afford, especially if he's academic. I was the female version of that kid once and book tokens are still my favourite gift!

The 13yo, maybe Smashbox or NYX make up gifts if you're OK buying it for her? Look at what colours she's into or what's "hot" now - seems to be rose gold this month.

Is the 11yo sorted?

The girl would like some eyeshadow / highlighter / brow definer from Mac - its every teenage girls' favourite makeup. Or bath bombs, they all love those too.

The boy is more problematic. I have 16 year old boys and he would like ASOS or Wagamama vouchers as he's into fashion and going out. But an academic boy is more difficult, especially to buy an actual gift for, otherwise Waterstones or Amazon vouchers would suit.

Teenagers are incredibly difficult to buy for, I know as I have one . Rather than waste your money I really suggest you ask the parents what would be an appropriate gift. I have lost count of all the well meaning, but just not quite right, my DS has been given. Cash or a voucher (but only if it is the right sort of shop) are the best gifts.

The academic boy, any chance he’s a science/maths type? I love the gifts on present indicative for the more academic sorts. Here’s a good maths puzzle book book
And some great chemistry presents like this Human ingredients t-shirt
I work with teenagers every day, and they’re not as grown up as they seem, so if all else fails lots of chocolate!

The girl would like some eyeshadow / highlighter / brow definer from Mac - its every teenage girls' favourite makeup. Or bath bombs, they all love those too.

Sorry, but I wholeheartedly disagree that they all like this kind of stuff, my DD would hate it.

Around Nov/Dec, cineworld release a cinema Christmas box with vouchers for tickets & snacks for 2 people. A for £20-£25. Always a hit with the teens in my family.

I'd say cinema vouchers too. My DD doesn't wear make up, can't use smellies (super-sensitive skin), can't eat chocolate (! unusual I know), etc

A "coffee table" science book might be a good call for the eldest, there are some gorgeous ones around if you look in Waterstones, that people never think of getting for teenagers.
Trendy beanies and gloves might go down well- they can wear them to school in winter, so not wasted.

Oops, just seen that the 13yo does like makeup! Sorry...

I know you dont want vouchers but honestly its the way to go unless you can get a specific thing from their mum. Do they have an amazon wish list?
If not, i would do amazon vouchers or maybe a mac gift card for the girl.

I buy pens / pencils for the girls like these .. they have nice sayings on them .. there are lots of equivalent types of things. Pencils or markers etc. Then usually lip balm, a little book ?

https://www.johnlewis.com/npw-complimentary-pens-pack-of-6/p3246823?sku=236991054&skwcid=2dx92700037851220004&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjbveBRDVARIsAKxH7vlZFDzJ0fO74QdJAkkoYzT-IOw3CG7oh8L9QiW8ZUuxw12Q1Hy2KAaAg0lEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Boys give me nightmare so usually amazon gift voucher available in most petrol stations.

Although one year DN who's teenage asked a Lamy fountain pen. They do lots of colours

This one
www.penshop.co.uk/lamy-safari-yellow-fountain-pen-34527

I was out in the real world yesterday and superdrug had the most amazing makeup palettes on offer. They were really nice. (Would of got for my nieces, but I have to post aboard and don't think they'd make it over. )

Hard to say - you can't get a present that will encompass everyone of a certain age! Can you just ask your BIL? My DD would hate makeup and stuff from Pink.

I would certainly go for either Amazon vouchers or cinema vouchers. I think they are the most likely to be well received.

Thank you, lots of great ideas

I will get the Betchley Park book for the boy if he doesn't have it and cinema tickets for the girl with some sweets

Comfy warm pyjamas - they spend their lives in them.

Comfy warm hoodies - ditto.

I have seen so many generous and well
meaning adults give my Teenagers expensive well thought out presents that they hate. I have also given them stuff that bombed and I can remember crying in the loo when I was a teenager and my mum went to great pains to buy something special which I hated. The guilt at disappointing her was overwhelming.

DC have nice manners. They say thank you enthusiastically if the giver is present. They write a nice letter if they aren’t there. Then it all goes to the charity shop in January.

Cash or tokens are the safest bet for teenagers.

^^Totally agree with Loonoon - but even be careful with vouchers, not everyone buys from Amazon and a W H Smith voucher is rarely appreciated by a teenager - I often end up 'buying' the vouchers that my teenage DS has been given so that he can have the cash.

Even my own DS has said to me not to bother with a Christmas stocking this year. I quite enjoy choosing the bits and pieces but clearly it is for my own benefit not his.