When it comes to a Sweet 16, picking the perfect gift for this milestone birthday is no small task. Teens are not easy to shop for any day, let alone for a sixteenth birthday, which is why we’re here to help with a list of awesome ideas and unique gifts to commemorate your daughter’s special occasion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reading through and thinking, “one for her and one for me!”
Sweet 16 birthday gift ideas
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1) Experience Gift
Instead of celebrating with a traditional birthday party, another option is to plan a special trip or to treat her to a new experience. Think of tickets to a show or dinner at a restaurant she wants to try. Whether it is with family, a best friend, or a group of friends, big or small, let her help choose what will make the most meaningful memories.
One of our favorite gift sites, Uncommon Goods, now makes “Uncommon Experiences” that might be perfect for a birthday party for your daughter, a BFF, or your family. These are unique and unforgettable from jewelry making to pet portraits to baking.
2) Ari Heart Charm Necklace
Give your gem a pretty piece of jewelry to mark her special day. The options and styles are endless; no matter your budget, there are plenty of choices. The Ari Heart Charm Necklace from KENDRA SCOTT is dainty, engravable, and comes in 3 stunning finishes.
3) Candy Tower
For the sweet girl with the sweet tooth, Dylan’s offers a 3-Tier Candy Cake filled with chocolates, gummies, and lollipops. A perfect treat to let the birthday girl know that life is sweet! Life is sweet!
4) Spa Day
Treat your girl and several of her 16-year-old girl besties to an afternoon of pampering. It will give her time with friends that she will cherish long after the day is done. You may have to do a little research to find a local salon that will accommodate teenagers, or you may even find a salon that will come to your home for a socially distanced afternoon of pampering.
5) Driving Lessons
If your teen is getting behind the wheel this year, driving lessons are an exciting and practical gift that you can both feel good about. Look for local schools and recommendations in your area, or visit AAA to find the nearest “Behind the Wheel” course they offer.
6) Lights, Lights, Lights!
Help give her room a “Sweet Sixteen Makeover” with these LED lights with 16 different color settings — just enough to match her age and her moods! Also, this Heart LED Wall Light is just the right combination of sweet and modern.
A comfy chair of her own will likely be her favorite new place to read, watch TikTok videos and spend downtime that teens needs in their lives. We fell in love with this Unicorn swivel chair from PBTeen and think your daughter will, too.
A less pricy but more complicated option is a hanging chair.
8) Money Cake
Some girls would prefer to get cash and be free to shop for whatever they want. If your girl is one of them, you can surprise her with a money cake. How sweet is that?
9) Stylish Threads
Keep her celebration going throughout the year by gifting a subscription box that delivers each month. For the stylish teen who is big into the trend of consignment shopping and thrifting, Thred Up offers brand names at a cheaper price.
10) Cable Collectibles Heart Bracelet
The classic Cable Collectibles Heart Bracelet from David Yurman is a durable and beautiful keepsake that she can cherish for a lifetime.
There is a reason why this brand is at the top of many wish lists for workout gear. Lululemon is durable, stylish, and very trendy but more expensive than other brands, making it a special treat as a sweet 16 gift.
13) Pura Vida
Pura Vida has a line of engravable jewelry that lets you create personalized gifts of rings, necklaces, and bracelets. They also have a Pura Vida Jewelry Club, in which they send two exclusive styles every month to your lucky girl. You can sign-up for one, six, or even twelve months to keep the celebration going all year long.
14) Collage Wall
Memories meet art. Let keepsakes and pictures come to life in a collage wall art that she can create herself.
Let her add a little spice to her life with a gift subscription to Blue Apron. The meal kits contain all the ingredients and instructions she will need to learn the basics. Warning: clean-up not included.
For the gift that keeps on giving: she can ask Alexa to play music, call her friends, check the weather, and set alarms and reminders. Again and again and again. Look who is nagging now.
21) Celebrity Birthday Wishes
If she is a #1 FAN and would appreciate a personalized birthday wish from her favorite actor, artist, or influencer, you may be in luck. Cameo is a digital service that connects admirers to their most loved celebrities. Prices for videos range from $10 to the thousands, and participants include Mia Hamm, Mya, and Marlon Wayans. Messages can be viewed in the Cameo app or downloaded and saved so that she can always remember that special someone who made one of her dreams come true on her Sweet 16 Birthday.
Did you get get the memo?…it’s impossible for sixteen-year-olds to have too many pillows. Whether she “needs” them for the bed, sofa or floor or likes ruffles, sequins, fur, faux-fur, or faux-suede, PBTeen has many options.
24) Recommended Reading
One of the best gift ideas: is a personalized collection of beloved books. Ask 16 of her closest family and friends to recommend a favorite book and then head to Amazon to purchase a library of 16th birthday reads from her nearest and dearest. For an extra nice touch, create a custom personalized bookplate and ask each recommender to inscribe a birthday wish.
25) I Love You More Charm Bangles
The “I Love You More” Charm Bangles set from Alex and Ani includes one charm bangle and five beaded accent bangles that offer a modern take on a classic style.
There is also the unique gift idea of a fun sock subscription to Foot Cardigan. With the option of 6 and 12-month plans, it’s possible to surprise her feet with one or two new pairs every few weeks.
28) Gift of Glam
For the makeup maven, a subscription to Ipsy lets her try fresh new products and brushes every month.
29) Converse
A pair of classic converse make for a great gift. The Chuck Taylor All Star comes in various colors and styles.
Help her keep track of those precious first keys with a Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker. They are water-resistant and come with a 1-year replaceable battery.
Use code GN25 for 25% off any order of $75 or more through 12/31/22. This is in addition to the “Holiday Sale” of up to 50% off that is happening now.
Practical meets adorable and they live happily ever after in this just-the-right-size tote. Plus, it comes in a variety of eye-catching color combinations.
A contribution to a 529 College Savings Plan is a gift that will truly keep on giving. If post-high school education is on her horizon, adding to this tax-advantaged savings account is a thoughtful, generous gesture. This is a great idea for family and friends who don’t know what gift to get. Look no further!
You Might Also Want to Read: Uncommon Gifts from Uncommon Goods
Melissa Milsten lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, their four teenagers and Ruby the dog (who is sometimes the best behaved member of the family). Her background is in publishing and marketing. When she isn’t working or parenting, you might spot her on a yoga mat or lacing up a pair of sneakers. You can read more about her here
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A less pricy but more complicated option is a hanging chair.
