While most of my teenage years are now nothing but a blur, I distinctly remember my sixteenth birthday. I didn’t receive any material gifts from my parents that year. Instead, my mom took me on a trip to New York City. It was just the two of us, strolling arm in arm in Central Park, scurrying to Broadway box offices in hopes of scoring discount tickets, and snacking on salty street pretzels several times a day. I still appreciate how personal and thoughtful my mom’s gift was and I’ll always cherish the memories we made on our trip together.
My own unforgettable birthday made me a big fan of thinking outside the box for creative sweet sixteen gift ideas. This extra special birthday really calls for something memorable—like the gift of a new experience or a thoughtful, homemade keepsake. That way, even when the birthday girl is all grown up, they’ll look back on this milestone with fondness and gratitude. So, here are some clever ideas for 16 creative sweet sixteen birthday gifts.
Give an Experience as a Creative Sweet Sixteen Gift Idea
Every birthday before had followed the same routine—party, cake, and presents—but my sweet sixteen was different. Walking the streets of Manhattan with my mom made me feel so grown up; it’s when I first began to understand that experience-based, creative sweet sixteen gift ideas can be as valuable, if not more so, than material gifts. Now, you don’t have to buy a plane ticket, but consider gifting your teen with something that can’t be wrapped and tied with a bow. Here are a few suggestions:
- A local class: Does your soon-to-be 16-year-old love to paint? Have they expressed a desire to learn how to code? Look online for local classes offered in their areas of interest and find one that suits your budget and your teen. Not only will they learn a lot, they may uncover a passion that they could carry into adulthood.
- A pampering session: One of the perks of turning sixteen is that my mom finally let me wear makeup! The problem was that I didn’t really know how to put it on (#clownmakeup). A fun makeover at your local beauty store can be a great gift for a 16-year-old. Look for a package that includes some instruction so that your girl learns some pro techniques for tastefully enhancing her natural beauty.
- A fancy dinner: The world of fine dining is not something that most teens get to experience, but getting all gussied up for a memorable meal will make any 16-year-old feel like a real grown up. Plus, it may inspire them to try new foods or experiment with cooking at home.
- A trip: If you can swing it, plan a fun trip somewhere you’ve never been. Whether it’s a short road trip or a long plane ride, going somewhere new will open any 16-year-old’s mind to the world that lies beyond their hometown. Plus, you get to spend some quality time together sightseeing and snapping pics!
The teen years are for exploring | Image courtesy Unsplash user Amy Treasure
For budget-friendly experience gifting options consider:
- A day hike: Just gift a road map, $20 for gas, and a small gift card to a coffee shop on the way.
- A local coffee tour: If your teen loves coffee, and you live somewhere where local is king, buy several $5 coffee gift cards from a variety of close-in hot spots so they can sample all the local beans.
- 16 “go for it” cards: Write out 16 inspiring messages that remind your favorite sixteen-year-old that they are brave and strong enough to take on any experience life throws their way.
- An experience savings account: Set your teen up with a savings account—including a minimal deposit—that is only to be used when they want to take a chance on something new. Maybe you can even commit to depositing $20 a month, or making matching deposits to what they contribute for the next year.
If you’re gifting an experience, think of creative ways to present it. Making a cute computer-themed card to reveal a surprise coding class or creating a fake boarding pass for a trip are few cool ideas that only take a few moments, a pair of scissors, and an imagination to whip up.
Creatively Homemade Sweet Sixteen Gift Ideas
Just as gifts of experience are thoughtful, personal, and memorable, so are gifts specially made with your 16-year-old in mind. Teens are particularly tricky to buy for; chances are they already have an iPhone and a closet full of clothes that meet their specific fashion criteria. That’s why I’m a fan of making unique gifts that reflect who they are—and can be carried into their adult lives.
When I was sixteen, I got the perfect homemade gift from my bestie—a keepsake book full of pictures of us playing our saxophones, silly notes we passed back and forth in class, and a heartfelt friendship letter. I still have it to this day and I flip through it every year on my birthday (and admittedly shed a few tears). It means so much to me not only because it captured who I was at sixteen, but continues to remind me how far I’ve come since then.
Here are a few fun ideas for creatively homemade sweet sixteen gifts your teen will love—now, and into the future:
- A book of favorite recipes: Teens generally love to eat, but most don’t really know how to cook. Put together a snazzy recipe book of all their favorites, complete with colorful photos you’ve taken of each dish. It will make for a yummy gift that keeps on giving for many years to come—especially after they move away from home. Plan cooking dates so that you can test out the recipes together, pass along your culinary wisdom, and maybe even make a few messes together in the kitchen.
Gift them coziness | Image courtesy Etsy seller ColorwaysGallery - A tribute video: Create a short video with clips of friends and family expressing their wishes for the birthday girl. Make it personal by asking them to share their favorite memories or funniest moments, and by setting it to her favorite tunes. This makes for a great pick-me-up that your teen can watch anytime they’re feeling blue.
- An Instagram collage picture: Using an online program like Social Print Studio or working with a vendor on Etsy, make a collage of the best pics from the birthday girl’s Instagram account. You may have to be stealthy to pull this one off, but any social media-loving, selfie-taking 16-year-old will love this gift. It’s like a personal work of art that will likely grace their wall for many years.
Other handmade gifts for a sweet sixteen, depending on your available time and talents, include:
- A knitted or crocheted blanket that they can eventually take to college with them
- A terrarium—succulents and air plants are all the rage, no matter what your age
- A book collection of lesser known works by their favorite authors
- An hand sewn apron—to go with the cookbook
- Essential oil perfumes or sprays that you can DIY according to their favorite scents, like vanilla or rose.
Making Sweet Sixteen Memories Last a Lifetime
Deciding on the perfect gift for a 16-year-old is no easy feat, but with a little creative thinking—and some personal flare—you’re bound to discover something your teen will love. Whether you opt to give an experience or get creative and make a gift, there will undoubtedly be a lot of friends and family also wondering what the perfect gift is for the birthday girl. This is where an online wish list comes in really handy. To make sure they get what they really want or need, have your teen add the items to a wish list so that gifters can view them and easily purchase them online with the click of a mouse.
In adulthood, some birthdays pass by quietly as if they were any other day of the year (much to my chagrin), but a sweet sixteen is definitely a birthday you want to take time to celebrate. Giving the gift of an experience or creating a thoughtful homemade gift that will be cherished for many years to come is the sweetest way you can celebrate this milestone birthday. Even though the birthday only lasts a day, the memories will last a lifetime.
For more sweet birthday ideas, check out our Happy Birthday Gift Guide or start an online gift exchange for a twist on traditional birthday gift giving. You can also connect with Elfster on Facebook, on Twitter @Elfster, or on Instagram @Elfster.
