Here’s to a cultured Christmas Gifts for teens

Christmas is a busy time a cultural Christmas. Artwork not only When they are tiny, we give them the of year—how’s that makes a wonderful gift, but it is also an world. When they are teenagers, they for an understate - investment for the future. When it comes demand it from us! How do you make your ment! What with all the to art, there is no lack of options to teenaged kids happy at Christmas without decorating, hosting din - choose from: paintings, sculptures, silk ending up in the poorhouse? How do you ner parties, late night screens, pottery… Or how about the per - even know what to buy them in the first celebrations and all forming arts, such as tickets to a musical place? The sad truth is that they may be those gifts to buy! One or theatrical performance? After all, our offspring, but us parents just have no year, you bought fleece many troupes are now announcing their idea how to make our kids happy. We can’t sweaters for every - spring programming. Classical or mod - even figure out what latest electronic gad - one. Another year, it ern theatre, classical or pop music— gets to buy them because manufacturers was Walkmans for there’s something for everyone. keep changing them on us every two everyone on your list. months! What will it be this Alternatively, perhaps handmade sta - year? It’s always seems tionery or a miniature reprint of a major It’s the first law of parenting: Once your to be the same chal - work of art would better suit the people kids start picking out clothes for them - lenge: finding original on your gift list? Your local museum bou - selves, shift immediately to gift certificates. and attractive gifts that tique is sure to have a wide selection of It is now impossible for you to buy clothes will be appreciated. interesting items—from small, inexpen - they will like. Others before you have tried sive trinkets to expensive creations. and all have failed miserably. The same rule Parents! The moment your kids start picking If you’re stuck for hol - Perhaps the person you are buying for applies for music: unless you know the out their own clothes, cease and desist all iday gift ideas, would prefer tickets to a repertory movie exact CD they want, stick to gift certifi - efforts to buy clothes for them yourself. You will only get hurt! (Photo SP) maybe it’s time to theatre, an Asian cooking class, a wine- cates. If you don’t like giving gift certifi - think outside the tasting course or an intro to port class? cates, get professional help—we mean from may have to rely on gift certificates—yet gift-box and make it From gift certificates to specialized art the sales people at the store, of course! again. Or you can buy expansion packs for Looking for original gift ideas? Get out of the supplies to guitar lessons, giving the gift their existing favourite game. If you don’t department store and opt for something a bit of culture will serve the person for a Young ladies are starting to discover their know what an expansion pack is, well, more cultured! lifetime! femininity, so make up accessories and kits we just can’t help you. are bound to be big hits. Young guys are seeing a thick mustache in their peach OTHER GIFT IDEAS: fuzz, so give them their very first electric Take the fun outside razor. - - Personal phone line - Magazine subscription - Video games are another safe bet. Again, - MP3 player - Move gift certificates this Christmas your kids’ personalities will have a huge - Inline skates - Perfume/cologne impact on the games they’ll like, so you downhill skiing and snow - boarding. Even seniors who enjoy skiing will like the expe - rience. Bumper-to-bumper The world of skates also recently changed when soft gifts for lovers showed up on the market about three years ago. Like For some people, their vehicle is like a sec - Then there are all those little useful and inline skates, these boots are ond home. They are always on the road— interesting items that hardcore drivers love: lined, which makes them very whether it is for work or for fun. In fact, tachometer, compass, cell phone holder, comfortable and warm—even they almost seem to live in their car. Why clock, windshield protector, portable CD after several hours of skating not give them something that you’ll know holder, travel mug, ice scraper, collapsible on an outdoor rink. they’ll love? We’re talking about gifts to shovel, first aid kit, repair and cleaning decorate or improve their mobile “home” kits… you just need to go to your local car Sport buffs are very easy to buy for; you just need to know Or how about ? You of course! accessories store to see how endless this list what their favourite activity is: downhill skiing, cross-country can still find the traditional really is. Last but not least, how about a per - skiing, figure skating, hockey, snowshoeing or sledding! sinew models and enjoy the In terms of practical gifts, you can choose sonalized license plate or bumper sticker? Christmas is a favourite time of year for experience the way Native people in one of the many accessories that help make sports fans because they know they can Canada have for thousands of years. Of it easier to items. Depending on expect to find new sporting gear and course, western society being what it is, the needs of the person you are buying for, accessories waiting for them under the tree you can also find ultra-light graphite mod - you could opt for a cage or screen used to on Christmas morning. els that are extremely durable. You can transport pets. For an adventurer, how even find snowshoes with picks in them to about a bike rack, rack or roof-mounted Are there downhill skiers in the family? better bite into icy surfaces. luggage carrier? There are even interior Maybe they would enjoy a pair of mini- storage accessories that will increase the , which have gained in popularity in And for those who are young—or young at driving pleasure of the road-trip lovers on the last few years. Available in junior and heart—, toboggans and any other your gift list. adult sizes, they easily adapt to various contraption that will help them down sizes of downhill ski boots and can be hills at dizzying speeds are sure to offer Or perhaps you prefer to give the car enthu - shared among skiers. These skis are usual - hours of enjoyment. If you are buying a siast in your life a gift that will improve the ly less than 3 ft. long, don’t require poles for a young child, don’t forget to appearance of his or her vehicle? Rugs, Some people almost live in their car. and are very easy to control. The experi - choose one that’s big enough to let mom or cushions, seat slip covers, pedal covers and Buy them something they can enjoy while ence falls somewhere between traditional dad hop on as well! pant savers are all great ideas. spending time in their “mobile” home! NOTICE TO PUBLISHERS, SALES PERSONNEL AND PRODUCTION STAFF: In this supplement, if a photo credit is given, you cannot use the credited photo for any purpose other than what it is intended for, e.g. you cannot make an advertisement for a client with the photo. TOOLBOX , NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2003, PAGE 31