Unusual Holiday Gifts

What are some unique ideas for teenager gifts?

My son is 19 and my daughter is 15. I want to get them something unexpected, not the same old money, ipod, computer/video game, clothes stuff. I mean I will get that stuff too, I just want to give something really meaningful that they won't expect and will be surprised over. They used to be so surprised on Christmas morning, now they already know what they are getting basically.

Public Comments

1. Give them the gift of love. This doesn't pinch at your wallet. The Best things in Life come at a low price and there are many things your children will like that comes a a low price. Not directed at you but there are too many spoiled children nowadays
2. Make something for them, what are they passionate about? Or for the girl, get her a ring with an inscribed message on the inside. Maybe make it in a diffrent language, so she'll have to look it up and it will be a mystery. For the boy, if he plays a sport, get him an autographed ball or maaybe backstage passes to his favorite band.
3. Hmm ... I don't know you or your children, so it's hard to say ... I'd say that because Christmas is so commercialized, and because teenagers are so "media infiltrated", perhaps the best thing to give them is something that will nurture their mind, spirit, and/creativity. --Are your kids into music? Maybe you can give one of them an instrument and a free lesson, or something. (There are lots of ways to find used, cheap instruments.) --How about a book you used to love that you can pass down to them? --Maybe a beautiful, leather-bound journal? It would be great if more teenagers took up writing. It's a nice thing to be able to write your experiences and thoughts. --I mentioned to my uncle once that I wanted to get into painting, and he gave me a few canvases and a paint set, brushes, everything. It's now one of my favorite hobbies. --How much time do they spend together? Maybe your gift could involve something meaningful and fun that they can do together. (Depending on their interests, you can pick something.) If you don't like any of these ideas, maybe YOU can do something creative ... Maybe you can write each of them a poem, or something, something they can always keep and be reminded of their mother's feelings about them. You could always frame a family picture and give it to each of them. (If that's too boring, you can always do that in ADDITION to something else.) Not sure what else to suggest. I hope you found somehting in here helpful. Good luck
4. What about an "experience"? A weekend getaway somewhere really fun? My daughter has always wanted to go snow tubing so we are doing that this year as one of her gifts. I think that experiences turn into memories and mean ALOT more!
5. I'm sorry, I was never a teenage boy so I don't know what you can do for our son, but for your daughter I would suggest some special jewelery: maybe a locket or a charm bracelet, or some family jewelry if you have it. You could also get a bunch of board games, things the whole family can do together.