Need Christmas gift idea for older teens/young adults--something long lasting

[Ottakee]

Each year we try to get the kids something with long term value. I am running out of ideas.

 

In the past we have done:

Portable DVD players (2 of the 3 $50 ones are still going strong after 7 years)

MP3 players (now kids have ipads)

adult quality sleeping bags

carry on size rolling suitcases (last year's gift)

 

Any other ideas?

[Chris in VA]

What are their interests?

[mom2bee]

Personal growth type books that they can read and benefit from for years to come.

[Ottakee]

The girls love their horses and ipads. My son is into his video games, mountain biking (he has a great quality bike but the girls don't ) and his ipad.

 

They will all likely be with us long term due to their special needs.

[Angie in VA]

Lurking, and may I ask, what brand of portable dvd players did you buy? That's great they're going strong this long. 

 

 

[Ottakee]

I will have to have one of the kids dig one up to see. It was an off brand---one of those door buster after Thanksgiving day sale ones at Walmart.

[Lara in Colo]

Since they have nice sleeping bags, how about a nice air pad?  Not an air mattress, but a pad that self-fills with air and is very comfy, light weight and compact.

[Spryte]

Since they have nice sleeping bags, how about a nice air pad?  Not an air mattress, but a pad that self-fills with air and is very comfy, light weight and compact.

 

Thermarest makes a nice one.

[J-rap]

A nice winter jacket or sweater... not an "every day"one, but a high quality one for more special occasions that will last years?  A nice leather purse for daughters?  A heated mattress pad for their beds (that one was a hit with our children!  JCPenney often has good sales on these).  A magazine subscription?  A special class that you normally would not feel comfortable spending money on:  for example, we have a folk art school nearby that teaches things like silver making, Norwegian knife making, etc. 

[AMJ]

Since they have nice sleeping bags, how about a nice air pad?  Not an air mattress, but a pad that self-fills with air and is very comfy, light weight and compact.

 

If you have the money for it look into Paco pads and similar.  These are built for whitewater rafting camping trips, and are super durable and quite cushy.  I have a friend who is a USFS archaeologist.  She broke down and bought a Paco pad after she trashed out 3 other pads in less than 3 months.  She says it's the best pad she ever had -- she can sleep on any lumpy surface with no discomfort and without rupturing the pad, which is a very real problem in SE Utah.

[KarenNC]

Good quality headphones for use with the ipads? I believe they have a headphone jack. Nice stand cover, or keyboard to go with?

[Ottakee]

Good ideas. Keep them coming. We don't have a budget yet but likely in the $50-100 range for each child.

 

A friend suggested a GPS for geocaching. That might be more of a family gift though.

[AK_Mom4]

Leatherman Multitools for the win!

[jenn-]

Spam reported

[TechWife]

What about a camera? 

[Tap]

We have done:

 

Sorry, most of these are over the $50 mark but they may give you an idea

 

High quality Leatherman tool

Suitcase, filter water bottle, and travel supplies

Craftsman tool set in a tool box and a few loose tools like a hammer etc

Artist quality Airbrush and supplies for ds who paints models.  

Quality room stereo/ipod/cd player. 

Music Instrument

Sheet music

Laptops, tablets

High quality coat for the teens when they have stopped growing.  (North Face brand)

Boots for dd

Quality back pack 

School sweatshirts

Camping supplies (emergency shovel, lantern, emergency kit)

Rifle

Camera

Theater tickets