Gifts for Teens: Seeing Green

Must you spend lots of cash to keep your teens happy this holiday? One Long Island mom weighs in.

Looking for the perfect gift for that hard-to-please teenager? Here's a hint: If it's expensive, your teen will love it. Here's my tip: Don't fall for that!

Technology is all the rage. Chances are if it starts with the letter "i" you can't go wrong. So think iPhones, iPads, iPods, and the like. And throw in a gift card for music. Anything that will let them gush and say, "I love it!" is a winner. Nevermind if they already have one. Sources close to this writer admit if the parents in question buy an updated model (or the next generation, as they say) teens will pledge their undying gratitude.

If you can't spring for the "i" group, try getting headphones. But no cheap, off-the-rack ones will do. No, siree! Ear buds must muffle outside noise, provide crystal-clear-quality sound, and they must look good, too. And please, parents, no clothes! Just as dads and moms are sick of ties and scarves, your teenager will flash you that $4,000 grin of thanks (braces compliments of your indebtedness to your orthodontist) and those clothes will never emerge from the closet except to go to your local thrift shop with tags intact. So what's the best bet? Games for electronic devices (snoop around to pick up some hints), gift cards to their favorite stores (sports clothing, of-the-moment fashion retailers, beauty and fragrance shops, teenage food hang-outs), or, if all else fails, give the green stuff. You know, what we used to use before those plastic cards showed up. It will convey just as much love as the other gifts. In fact, it will reinforce what teens have thought all along...their parents are made of money!