That's a tough age. Maybe a good helmet LOL!

How about a gift card to a skate shop? 16 year old boys can be hard to shop for. Ask me how I know....

Trish in SC

Trishaw said it--gift card to the skate shop.

If he has an ipod he might like an itunes gift card.

It's hard to give 16-year-old boys "things" because they mostly don't like things adults would give them.

If you give a gift card make sure it is to a local or independent skate shop. A lot of skaters consider the mall shops and some of the bigger chains to be for posers.

I just posted on the topix forum in the town he lives in asking about skateboarding shops... so hopefully I will get an answer soon and will know where to get a gift card from. Good ideas gals! Thanks!

The local skate shop is a good idea. My oldest is 15, he would like a gift certificate to the local hockey supply shop, and would prefer that to a chain sporting goods place, too. He would also like the iTunes card. He generally likes money and food ;o) So a gift card to fast food places. Or to a movie theatre. A t-shirt/sweatshirt/jersey or other items w/his favorite college/pro teams. Now that my boys are pre-teen and teen, it's harder to know what to do for their friends' birthdays. Our new "standard" is $20 cash and a giant chocolate bar, both fit in the card envelope.

Wildchild, "poser" is my favorite teen slang word. ;o)

My son just turned 16 a couple of months ago, he was thrilled to receive money. Thirty dollars in a card I am sure would very much be appreciated.

Doreen

Don't mess with a gift card except for things like a phone card. Send money! A gift card forces the recipitant to make a purchase at a certain store and many stores have a policy not to give change if the purchased item does not exactly match the amount of the gift card. Instead, they will suggest that you select more merchandice up to and or over the card's value and pay the difference if over - stinky. Cash provides freedom of choice and avoids the no-change trap. Also, a gift card is useless if the firm closes as many speciality shops do immediately following a holiday. Most gift cards have expiration dates, and the time period may not be generous.

There is an exception to this rule. A local chain of movie theaters, Marcus, did have a full change return irregardless the size of the certificate or the amount spent against the certificate. However, this is unususal, not the norm.

I'd say money...16 is a hard age to buy for, especially boys. We have been giving my nephew money since he was about 15 (he's 18 now) and that's all he really ever wants.

My friends son who is 17 always has a list of junk he wants so I usually buy him stuff from his list for Christmas. For his bday, I usually give him money too.

My initial thought, what to get for a 16 yo boy? - a 16 yo girl! Course then MONEY would be needed too!

What's wrong with giving money? I know a lot of people think it's unimaginative, tacky or otherwise, but I think cash is a great gift, especially for kids. Let them get what they want, unless they've said there's something special they wanted. Face it, cash will buy gas if he gets a car, or could help buy the car; it can chip in on gas when he rides with friends; it can buy Itunes, burgers, movies or anything else. And if several people gave him cash he could get something he wants that costs more. I doubt you can get a decent helmet for $30 these days. Back in the days when I went snowmobiling, a good helmet was $75-$100, and really good helmets were more. The old saying then was, if you have a $20 head, buy a $20 helmet...

And y'know what else I'd suggest? Skip the $5 card to go with it. Put it in an envelope with a hand-written or computer generated note saying that you hope he spends it how he wants or whatever sentiment you want to say. Now the candy bar or something to go with it, if you wanted something to wrap, now THAT, I would go for. Check what his favorite is. Not a good idea if he's on Atkins!

Don't stress and fret about it. I gar-on-tee, it'll be MUCH appreciated!