Grandchildren are great fun to buy for, as long as grandma and grandpa have an idea what they will like. That becomes more difficult, however, when the grandkids hit the teen years. Choosing gifts for teen grandchildren requires a grasp of what's hot and what's not, as well as knowing the individual. These gifts for teen grandchildren should fill the bill and prove to be popular with young adults as well.
1. Apple iPod Touch 8 GB
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Chances are that your grandchildren already have an iPod; if they don't, they'll be thrilled with the iPod Touch. It uses the same touch-screen technology as the iPhone. The 8GB size holds 22 hours worth of material. If that's not enough, it also comes in 16 and 32GB sizes.
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The up-and-coming competitor in the MP3 market is Microsoft's Zune. The problem with the Zune is that it doesn't work with iTunes but has its own library of music, which is about half the size of the iTunes library. A less pricey choice from Apple is the iPod Nano. If you want something less expensive, any teenager who has an iPod would love an iTunes gift card or an accessory like a colorful carrying case. .
2. Rock Band 2
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Video games that allow teenagers to live out their fantasies of being in a rock band are very hot, and Rock Band 2 is probably the hottest. In order to fulfill this dream gift for your grandchildren, you'll need to know what kind of gaming system and accessories they have.
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The other major entry in this category is Guitar Hero: World Tour. Video game aficionados are divided as to whether Rock Band or Guitar Hero delivers the best experience. Another entry in the field is Wii Music, which features more instruments and an approach that is geared to having fun rather than to getting the notes right. Teenagers who have already honed their chops on Rock Band or Guitar Hero may find Wii Music less than challenging.
3. Microsoft Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
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Teenagers love wireless keyboards because they're not tied to their computer monitors. Grandparents will like giving them this model because it's kinder to their arms, hands and wrists. It comes with a wireless ergonomic mouse as well.
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If you want a computer gift that's not so expensive, teenagers can never seem to have enough USB flash drives (also sometimes called jump drives or thumb drives). If your teenagers have friends or family in faraway places, they'd probably love a webcam. If you buy one for them, they might actually use it to talk to their grandparents once in a while!
4. Apple iPhone
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The phone that revolutionized the whole concept of cell phones is still a smoking hot gift. The hefty price tag means that it won't be in many grandparents' budgets; also, it shouldn't be purchased for a young person who is careless with belongings.
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The BlackBerry Storm is making a bold effort to capture some of the iPhone market, and the LG Dare is also a popular choice. The Palm Centro from Sprint is a more affordable phone that comes in cool colors like red and pink.
5. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau De Toilette
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It's fresh and floral, and it comes in a cute bottle. If your granddaughter is a girly girl, she's almost guaranteed to like it. Besides, this fragrance has its own website. How cool is that?
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Happy by Clinique allows you to create a unique gift by putting a photo of your choice right on the bottle. Princess by Vera Wang comes in a sweet heart-shaped bottle. Juicy Couture continues to be popular, and any of the Dolce and Gabbana fragrances are good bets.
6. Givency Pi for Men
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This men's fragrance smells so good that females have been known to pirate a bottle. The scent is clean and citrusy, with woodsy undertones.
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Diesel and Axe continue to be popular. Some up-and-coming scents for men are Ed Hardy for Men and Armani Code. For the young man with classic taste, choose any Burberry or YSL L'Homme products.
7. Mix and Match Cardigan from Topman
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Who would have dreamed that cardigans would be hot items? They might not have ever gone out of style if they all looked as good as this one from Topman, with its colored buttons giving it hipness and its jersey weight adaptable to all kinds of weather. Topman is the UK company that recently opened its first store in the U.S. But savvy shoppers have been shopping its online stores for a while.
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Hoodies are still popular although just a tad last-week. Beanies in all colors and styles are winter must-haves, while a classic fedora is a good choice for a young man who's really into having fun with clothes.
8. Jersey Bubble Dress from Topshop
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This dress is so versatile. Your granddaughter will put tights or leggings under it for winter, and top it with a cardigan or jacket. In summer, she'll wear it with gladiator sandals. Topshop is the other half of Topman, the UK company.
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Vests are in style, especially menswear looks; they can be paired with a boyfriend's fedora. Good places to shop include Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Betsey Johnson and American Apparel. Some hip online stores include Plasticland and H & M.
9. Visa Gift Card
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You know how it is with gift cards. Some people love them; some hate them. Teenagers tend to love them. The Visa gift card wins their hearts because it can be used almost anywhere, even when shopping online or by phone. (Does anyone shop by phone any more?)
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Other gift cards that win kudos are Best Buy, Target and Starbucks. And, believe it or not, lots of teens would love a gift card for their neighborhood bookstore, the better to scoop up the latest book in the Twilight series. Or perhaps the latest from Gregory Maguire, although he'll never top Wicked.
10. John Lennon Poster
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When I had this John Lennon poster in my classroom, all my students used to beg for it. Framed, it would be a really nice gift for a hip grandchild.
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Take a cue from John Lennon and imagine. Imagine that your grandchild who loves to bake would like a cupcake carrier. And that your grandson who has a touch of metrosexual would really like a spa certificate for a massage or a pedicure. Footed pajamas, newly available in teen and adult sizes, would make a cozy gift. And who wouldn't like a magazine subscription--Mental Floss for the quirky intellectual, PC Gamer for the video game enthusiast and ESPN the Magazine for the jock in the family. With a little time and imagination, you can find the perfect gift for every grand.
