EVERYONE WANTS to give kids a gift that they will use and enjoy. Here is a list of gift ideas that will impress and please kids.
All Kids
- Ipod touch. The latest Ipod is what they want. As of this writing, the Ipod Touch has both a camera AND speaker so kids don’t have to wear headphones to hear downloads. Ironically, this item comes with ear bud headphones.
- Cell phone. Kids under age 15 don’t need a smart phone with internet access (after all, they usually know where they are going because they are being driven by an adult.) Buy kids under age 14 or 15 a phone that slides or flips open and comes in a cool color. Add them to your unlimited texting phone plan for about $10/month. Most older kids want a smart phone (which uses internet access) or a cheap phone that is very basic.
- Shoes. Girls like UGG brand Boots and boys like Converse, Vans, or Reebok Zig running shoes.
ZIG RUNNING SHOES by Reebok
- Chemistry sets are great for budding scientists.
- Drum sets to play with a Wii system from Nintendo are a sure hit for young musicians.
- Electric scooters, such as those by Razor, are fun and don’t drive terribly fast. Find them for under $150 at Target stores.
- LESSONS!!!! Offer to pay for lessons for a kid to learn karate, piano, oil painting, pottery, fencing, or a multitude of other interests.
- CAMP. Offer to pay for your favorite kid to attend a camp…either in the local area or some where far away… sports camps (such as hockey or football), astronaut camp, horseback riding camp or a religious camp with tons of planned fun. The camp can be any time of year – - one they may enjoy the memory of and re-visit for many years.
Kids age 13 & up
- Gift certificates to a retail store.
- Round of golf, cart included.
- Concert tickets to a favorite performer.
- Cologne, such as “California” by Hollister for guys, or scented body spray for girls.
- Juicy Couture® bracelets for girls – go to a Neiman Marcus Outlet Mall for best prices or log into Neiman’s online. You can’t go wrong with a Neiman Marcus purchase!
A hostess gift is a little something that guests bring along when they are invited to an event at someone’s house.
Regarded as a sign of thanks for being invited – in addition to helping the host out with extra provisions – 
Present your token of gratitude for being invited – and respect for their hard work – by immediately greeting the host or hostess upon arrival. You may wish to say, “Thank you for having me over — here is a little something that I brought.” 
(And don’t get us started on thank you notes. In over twelve years of attending kids’ birthday parties and shipping presents to relatives, we can honestly tell you that we have received 3 thank you notes. Not kidding.)
Two bottles of nail polish and one tube of lip gloss in a small make-up bag for girls.
i-Tune gift cards for older kids who have an I-pod or I-phone.
Gifts for the coach of any type of team are thoughtful and appreciated.