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Why are older kids so hard to buy for?

Posted 11th December 2006, early morning

Why is it that when kids are around 16, they start to get so difficult to buy for. It doesn't matter if it's their birthday or Christmas. It doesn't get any better when they're 20 either. As a parent, I don't like just giving them money or gift cards to open up on Christmas morning. There is something so impersonal about that... and boring!

I actually refuse to get them JUST money or gift cards. I make them give me some kind of gift ideas so they have SOMETHING to open on Christmas.

Anyone parents out there have the same issue with your older kids? Does it drive you crazy as much as it does me?

3 Comments

Posted by heislockwood, 4 days, 4 hours after the fact (Report user)

I am an older kid (ok I'm an adult), and you are a cool mom. I stopped getting decent gifts a long time before 16. Opening things on Xmas morning is cool and all, but when there's no Santa anymore, it loses it's effect. I lost interest in Xmas all together when I was 16. I got a job and bought gifts for everyone. Everyone. All I got in return was clothes that didn't fit me or my personality and the video game I didn't want to play at all. I think there was a total of 4 gifts for me and 12 gifts I gave. Call me selfish but that was a bummer. I'dve been STOKED to get some cash. Gas money is good. Best Buy cards are even better.

One thing that I've done for people that I would like in return is this:
Make little gift cards of your own. Call it a "free movie pass on mom" or "good for one trip to Dave and Busters" or a "Winter shopping spree at the Dayton Mall".

Posted by Patty, 4 days, 4 hours after the fact (Report user)

I'm sorry to hear that you lost interest in Xmas at such a young age, but it certainly sounds like you are a very giving person. Don't ever lose that quality.

Great ideas. Thanks a bunch.

P.S. Not sure I'm a cool Mom, but I certainly do everything I can for my kids.

Posted by NicoleMarie, 1 week, 3 days after the fact (Report user)

okay, I'm not a parent either. but I AM an older kid and I know for a fact my mom has a hard time shopping for me.

this is what I've run into though: I'll give my mom parameters on what to get, i.e. I don't care much for department stores, but I do like American Eagle, Gap, etc. I love silver, but dislike gold for the most part. (that's changing, but it's safe if I tell her silver.)

that way, she doesn't feel like Christmas won't be a surprise for me, but I don't get something I won't like.

also, I think we forget around this season that there are so many gifts that are practical AND fun to get. for instance, I really want a heated blanket and a hair straightener. those are easy for her to find and less risky than picking out clothes.

you'll do fine, I'm sure. :)

on another note, my birthday is also coming soon and instead of gifts, my parents are planning a family vacation to Las Vegas. as I get older, that's something I appreciate more than a bunch of presents.

This weekend

Posted 5th January 2007, early morning

So, what's going on this weekend? Anyone got ideas on what to do, places to go, music to listen to?

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