subject: Practical Gifts for Your Teen [print this page] Practical Gifts for Your Teen
Granted, chances are your teen may not jump up and down with excitement over receiving a battery charger or a first aid kit, but you may be surprised at how much they might appreciate the practical gift that suggests to them that you are viewing them as becoming a responsible and independent individual.
If your teen has already bought their first car, a year's roadside service coverage or a battery charger and jumper cables might be appropriate, as well as coupons to the local car wash. If your teen hasn't already collected the supplies that should be in the car, you could go ahead and do it for them. (This could open up a discussion on the importance of being prepared, safe, and responsible or just be a big hint that that's the way to be.) One container should hold the trunk supplies, such as a can of instant puncture seal, a battery-operated flashing emergency light, tire jack, reflector triangle, blanket, water, etc. You may also want to include seasonal items like an ice/snow scraper, spray deicer, or sun shield. A nice little kit for inside the car might include a first aid kit, flashlight, map, change for parking and tolls, small umbrella, trash bags, note paper and pen, etc.
The days of stocking a hope chest may be long gone, but since there are so many items that your teen will eventually need when they go off on their own, whether it's to college or their first apartment, having a ritual of buying one item at a time helps defray the impact of buying everything at once. For instance, everyone eventually needs at least a hammer, measuring tape, screw driver set, etc. Buying a small tool box and adding a tool at every gift giving occasion can be an excellent family tradition to set in place.
If your teen has already moved out, consider putting together a kit of natural home remedies or over-the-counter medications for their medicine cabinet or an assortment of kitchen spices that may be cost prohibitive with their starter budget. A collection of cleaning supplies might come in handy for either gender teen, as well as simple sewing or shoe care kits. Everyone should have an emergency preparedness kit, but few of us actually put one together, so this could also be something that you put together for your teen, since chances are they probably never will.
Lastly, there's probably a practical and useful book about every element of life your teen is likely to encounter in their immediate future; especially how-to's on getting funding for college, handling money, living (including cooking!) on their own, and all things automotiveincluding how to use those jumper cables!
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