Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenagers and Strangers

Choosing Holiday Presents They’ll Appreciate No Matter Who They Are

Dec 7, 2008

Coming up with gift ideas for Christmas can be a challenge for even the people one knows best. So when it comes to teenagers and other choosy family members or friends, or those obligatory business associates, selecting a holiday present can become more of a headache than a pleasure. But thankfully, there are some quick, no-hassle solutions to this dilemma that will leave everyone happy—and that may even put a smile on that teenager’s face.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Discriminating Family Member

Whether it’s a flippant teenage son or fastidious Aunt Gertrude, picky people are perhaps the most challenging folks when it comes to buying Christmas presents. Save having to face that sneer of disapproval or those pursed lips by getting them a gift certificate to a store they’re known to frequent.

Still stymied? Thankfully, even if one’s not sure which stores are on the “approved” list, there’s always GiftCertificates.com. This site allows for the purchase of a SuperCertificate®, which gives the gift recipient the option to redeem the gift certificate at any of the hundreds of stores affiliated with GiftCertificates.com. The site also offers gift certificates to individual stores.

Another great stocking-stuffer idea is to relieve them of some hated chore or to perform a special favor. For teenagers, this might mean relinquishing them of chore duty for a week, or allowing them to have the car for an extra night or two. For a relative, this might mean offering to drive them somewhere or watching after a pet while they’re away.

Don’t discount the value of these sorts of gifts; they’re often appreciated more than material goods — just be sure to honor them once they're given.

Choosing a Christmas Gift for the Total Stranger

Buying an obligatory gift for Christmas for someone one barely knows is, quite frankly, a bit awkward. One potential solution can be found in the gift certificate option discussed above. Another favorite standby is to select a fruit, nut, meat and/or candy basket, or even a living plant, from a reputable merchant such as Harry and David. A wide selection of options in all price ranges are backed by an excellent customer service department, ensuring that whatever fine gifts are chosen are delivered on time and in perfect condition.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone

Choosing Christmas gifts shouldn’t be a hassle, so why make it into one? Simple solutions for even the pickiest of gift recipients—teenagers—include gift certificates and chore relief or special favors. These solutions work well for other picky family members, too. For those relatively unknown people on the gift list, consider a gift certificate or a gift basket from a reputable merchant.

The copyright of the article Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenagers and Strangers in Holiday Entertaining is owned by Alli Rainey. Permission to republish Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenagers and Strangers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Dec 8, 2008 1:38 PM

Guest :

Thanks for sharing the great gift ideas! Another creative, thoughtful
holiday gift is one that helps others at the same time. Even for the most picky of the people would love this. A few weeks
ago, I started interning at a great nonprofit called DonorsChoose.org,
which delivers much-needed materials to public school students. They
offer holiday gift cards unlike any I've seen: the giver makes a
tax-deductible donation by purchasing the gift card, and the recipient
chooses a specific classroom project to support. S/he could choose a
classroom in their hometown, or a project involving their favorite
hobby like knitting, technology, etc. There are over 14,000 projects
on the website, from every state and any topic you can imagine, so
it's a very personal gift.
The really fun, unique part of the gift card is that the recipient
then hears back from the classroom she supported!
Check them out at: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/giftoptions.html