The Best Gifts For A Teenage Boy by Art Gib

Men are notoriously difficult to shop for, but teenage boys really aren't that hard because their likes and dislikes are usually pretty marked and universal. There are always exceptions, of course: there are probably a few boys out there who would like to receive an "Adopt A Wild Wolf" kit from an environmental group, but chances they are few and far between. If the teen is your own son or grandson, you'll probably know what he likes; but for those facing buying a gift for someone they don't know very well, of for relatives who are just not sure what to get, here are some of the best gifts for a teenage boy.

Video games, video games, and more video games

Video games are definitely ubiquitous among the teenage boy population in the United States and around the world. Today's kids have grown up with games and watched as the systems have become more and more sophisticated, realistic, and interactive. Unfortunately, if you are an adult buying for a teen, you may not know what's hot right now and what's not. "Killer Zombies IV" may have been popular 3 months ago, but chances are the crowd has moved on to a new obsession.

To avoid this problem, how about giving your teen a gift certificate good for a game or two at his favorite games store? He'll be thrilled at getting to choose one for himself and you'll be assured he's getting just what he wanted. If he needs a game system, go online and look for refurbished systems that cost a lot less than new and are just as good as new. You can find refurbished Wii systems, as well as Nintendo, Xbox, and just about anything else.

Buy for the teen's more active side

Since teen boys really shouldn't spend every waking hour playing video games (although they'd like to probably), they also like to get out there with friends and be physical. You may want to buy him gift certificates for him and his friends to go to the local laser tag place and enjoy a couple of rounds. If he really likes basketball but doesn't have a hoop at home, check with parents first then supply him with what he needs to enjoy hours of active fun with his buddies.

Get him movie or amusement park passes

Most teen boys love to go to the movies and they also love to enjoy a day at their local amusement park. Purchasing cinema gift certificates or open-ended amusement park tickets for him and a few friends (or yes: a date) will be something he will really like, appreciate, and use.

The teen boy in your life really doesn't want any more pairs of underwear or socks: he just wants to be a kid and have fun. The best gifts for teens will be the ones that tap into this need, and he'll love you for it.