The best holiday gifts for teens, straight from the source
Dear Straight Talk: Will you run your "favorite gifts" column again this year? The grandparents and I have begun relying on it. — Joyce, Auburn
Dear Joyce: Here are great ideas in all categories. I love Katelyn's advice to avoid gifts that make children "addicted, lazy, stubborn and friendless." It's insanity to supply a TV or computer to a teen's bedroom or contribute to their video game collection. And if you can hold off buying a cell phone until high school, you're my hero.
On another note, kids today tend to love and enjoy their families more than our generation did, so instead of gift cards, consider taking your "significant adolescent" on a shopping date. Get your bonding in while you can!
See our Web site at straighttalkforteens.com for a complete list of the panel's "favorite books and gifts."
Katelyn, 14, Huntington Beach: Personal wish: a golden locket to hold a picture of me and my best friend. Top gift ideas: college funds, outdoor equipment, family trips, gift certificates, sponsoring a child, hobby supplies. Avoid indoor things that make your child addicted, lazy, stubborn and friendless. Worst gifts: school supplies, anything displaying "little kid" logos. Top books: Manga, "Sold," "Speak," "Kite Runner," "The Uglies."
Rose, 22, Flagstaff, Ariz.: For someone working her way through college, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste all make great gifts.
Maureen, 17, Redding: I'm asking for money contributions for a trip to Europe when I graduate, and my mom is taking me to San Francisco for fun and shopping. My grandpa once took me on a shopping spree, and I enjoyed it because I also got to spend time with him. But if you're at a loss, popular gift cards are: Old Navy, Macy's, Pac Sun, Buckle, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Borders, restaurants, movie theaters and iTunes.
Lennon, 23, Fair Oaks: Rent money, gas money. Books: "Life Inc." and anything by David Foster Wallace.
Graham, 16, Fair Oaks: I play guitar, so my list has headphones, an effects pedal and an audio interface for recording.
Geoff, 24, Redding: IPhone remains the hot cell phone, but Google Android is coming on strong with real buttons rather than in-screen touch, making it much faster for typing. Cameras: Lately, it's video, video, video. The Flip UltraHD Camcorder is about $200, and uploading to Facebook, Picasa or YouTube is effortless. For point-and-shoot, though, stick with Canon or Nikon. Best social tech games: "Wii Sports Resort" (lots of new games) and "Rock Band" (which has karaoke). Top board games: Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Settlers of Catan (the big strategy game in college right now). Ultimate family card game: Apples to Apples. Other ideas: Gerber or Leatherman multi-tools, and "car kits" (containing flashlight, flares, multi-tool, first-aid kit, energy bars). Books of the year: "Life Inc." and "I Will Teach You to be Rich."
Scot, 22, San Luis Obispo: Best book: George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire."
Catherine, 22, Amherst, Mass.: I love etsy.com, an online store with variety like Amazon but focused on crafts, a do-it-yourself ethic and ability to shop locally. Favorite DVD: "Up." Books: "Raw: The Uncook Book," "How It All Vegan!" and "Wood Nymph Seeks Centaur."
Katrina, 16, Sand Springs, Okla.: I'm hoping for clothes and cosmetology-related items, like hair products and shears. Desired books: "House of Night" series.
Vanessa, 21, Galt: I find gift cards impersonal and prefer homemade gifts: quilted blankets, knitting, homemade candles, sweets, framed poetry or photos. But who couldn't use a tank of gas, movie tickets, a meal or a deposit to their savings? Pointless presents are the worst. Who really wants erasers, figurines or a fancy alarm clock? For a friend, I bought a card and said dinner was on me. She absolutely loved it, and we got to spend time together.
Lauren Forcella co-writes Straight Talk with a panel of 30 teens and young adults. To ask a question or become a panelist, click www.StraightTalkForTeens.com or write to P.O. Box 963, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.
