21 votes

What is a 'cool' birthday gift for a fifteen year old girl?

Hey folks,

since I'm completely out of the loop regarding trends but totally interested in being a 'cool uncle', I am asking you (maybe people having kids around this age) for help!

What is a 'good' present for a 15 year old girl?

I don't know much about her interests or activities and since she is quite new to the family, I haven't had the chance to talk to her.

Is there anything 'universal' today that might work? 😅

Thanks for your thoughts and discussion.

14 comments

  1. mrbig
    Link
    I’m afraid that, in 2020, the only universal gift is cash :) If that’s not an option, you’re just gonna have to ask her — or someone that knows her better — about her likes and dislikes.

    I’m afraid that, in 2020, the only universal gift is cash :)

    If that’s not an option, you’re just gonna have to ask her — or someone that knows her better — about her likes and dislikes.

    22 votes
  2. [4]
    vord
    Link
    Ask her parents what she does that drives them crazy. Get something to amplify that. Irritating your parents is like a universal constant for teenagers.

    Ask her parents what she does that drives them crazy.

    Get something to amplify that. Irritating your parents is like a universal constant for teenagers.

    20 votes
    1. [3]
      mrbig
      Link Parent
      That kinda make sense, but some teenagers actually get along with their parents! :P

      That kinda make sense, but some teenagers actually get along with their parents! :P

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        nacho
        Link Parent
        And then getting a gift from your uncle is the perfect alibi for the teen to have/do something their parents don't like without taking the heat for it. It was a gift from uncle after all!

        And then getting a gift from your uncle is the perfect alibi for the teen to have/do something their parents don't like without taking the heat for it. It was a gift from uncle after all!

        6 votes
        1. mrbig
          Link Parent
          Seeding discord, always fun hahaha

          Seeding discord, always fun hahaha

          3 votes
  3. Qis
    Link
    I've got no cool uncles but I do have one good Daft Uncle who sends whatever he likes the look of at his favorite grocery, plus a yearly mix cd of random songs he remembers, plus maybe a science...

    I've got no cool uncles but I do have one good Daft Uncle who sends whatever he likes the look of at his favorite grocery, plus a yearly mix cd of random songs he remembers, plus maybe a science craft kit. The junky route duds every once in a while but honestly just getting a miscellany of personally expressive novelties has done a lot to produce the relationship I still maintain with him. Don't try to impress a teen, just show them who you are and they'll remember it fondly

    15 votes
  4. aphoenix
    Link
    I don't know if there is anything that is a universally accepted cool gift, so one of the things I would recommend is including a note that says something like, "I hope that you like this but if...

    I don't know if there is anything that is a universally accepted cool gift, so one of the things I would recommend is including a note that says something like, "I hope that you like this but if you don't, please tell me, and we'll pick out something you like together instead."

    I asked my daughter (14) to rank the awesome list that @tomf posted above, and she liked the fridge, the light in the shape of the moon, a backpack, some hair products. Notably, she already owns an instax camera, and was dismissive of it as a kid toy. She said that she'd want cash to go shopping at the mall with her friends. I don't think that her take is necessarily better than the list above.

    Again, I think the best thing is making an effort; good kids know when you're making an effort, and you might not be cool, but you'll be kind, and kindness will win out for a long time over coolness, unless you're so cool that you're the Fonz, but he was also remarkably kind.

    13 votes
  5. asteroid
    Link
    My father's answer to this was, "A 16-year-old boy." :-) When I was 15, the best gifts I got from the "cool uncles" were things that expanded my world. E.g. my parents' friends took me to a...

    My father's answer to this was, "A 16-year-old boy." :-)

    When I was 15, the best gifts I got from the "cool uncles" were things that expanded my world. E.g. my parents' friends took me to a weekend-long folk music festival. I wasn't interested in folk music before that, but it inspired a lifelong enthusiasm.

    I wouldn't suggest subjecting a 15 year old to a long experience -- assuming there's anything you could do in person these days anyway -- but I do encourage you to share "introductions to things I think are cool." Different music, or a kite flying starter kit, or whatever. When I was 15 I was just getting into cooking, so if someone had given me a cheesemaking kit I'd have said, "Oh cool!"

    10 votes
  6. [4]
    tomf
    (edited )
    Link
    Guides like this are super handy. Personally, as a dude in the same spot as you, a backpack or a ring light would be a hit. 'Hip packs' are dope -- and really, everybody should have one. That...

    Guides like this are super handy.

    Personally, as a dude in the same spot as you, a backpack or a ring light would be a hit. 'Hip packs' are dope -- and really, everybody should have one.

    That Fujifilm Instax is super fun -- but the film can be expensive, but it would give you an easy gift for Christmas and any other occasion in between. Like the fanny pack, its another item that is great to have around -- especially for parties.

    I might get that ring light.

    Links without referral links
    9 votes
    1. MeckiSpaghetti
      Link Parent
      What a great collection, thank you! 😃

      What a great collection, thank you! 😃

      4 votes
    2. [2]
      MonkeyPants
      Link Parent
      Hip packs. Putting the hip back in fanny packs since... now, apparently?

      'Hip packs'

      Hip packs. Putting the hip back in fanny packs since... now, apparently?

      3 votes
      1. tomf
        Link Parent
        ha. People used to make fun of fanny packs... and still do... but they're so handy. It depends where you live, but they've been 'in style' for a few years in a lot of areas. :)

        ha. People used to make fun of fanny packs... and still do... but they're so handy. It depends where you live, but they've been 'in style' for a few years in a lot of areas. :)

        2 votes
  7. Grendel
    Link
    So instant cameras are pretty popular these days. Kids love getting intsant physical images while hanging out with their friends. Something like the fuji instax mini

    So instant cameras are pretty popular these days. Kids love getting intsant physical images while hanging out with their friends.

    Something like the fuji instax mini

    7 votes
  8. Good_Apollo
    Link
    The all powerful Amazon gift card never fails, they can get what they want and isn’t getting exactly what you want because you picked it the best gift?

    The all powerful Amazon gift card never fails, they can get what they want and isn’t getting exactly what you want because you picked it the best gift?

    3 votes