A girl with a strong will, big dreams, and a close social circle. A girl who is likely still in school, has a part-time job, and can enjoy the little things in life. A girl who is almost having a birthday, marking the start of her 18th year and thus turning 17. A girl with wishes, and wishes you are not sure if they are really suitable for her.
In this blog, you’ll read about the best gifts you can buy for a 17-year-old girl, including all relevant information that comes with it.
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Developmental Stage of a 17-Year-Old Girl
At the wonderful age of 17, a young lady is still undergoing a few developments. While she may no longer be growing in height and will keep her physical fitness in check, the fun isn’t over yet. Mental capacities reach new heights, and knowledge is absorbed like a sponge. The line between reality and dreams may still blur occasionally, but hey, dreaming is allowed, right?
Physically, the 17-year-old will blossom into a healthy and active individual. Her energy is contagious, and her enthusiasm is unfathomable. She enjoys sports or prefers not to engage in them at all. This, of course, depends on her own level of comfort with her body. This period is further marked as an exciting phase of self-discovery and growth, where she shapes her own identity. The future is approached with determination and a heart full of passion. How realistic that future vision is, we’ll leave aside for now. As parents or guardians, don’t forget to provide some guiding advice here. Because although the almost-seventeen-year-old considers herself very mature, she absolutely is not. The world may be at her feet, but her feet are not at all the happiness of the world.
Finally, an empathetic and involved attitude will characterize her. Friends are more important than ever, and there’s a good chance that love will also be discovered. Secretly, openly, or with some nerves, bodies are explored and touched. This is something you as parents may not want to think about, but it is definitely happening. Inform your daughter well about possible dangers and try not to make it too awkward. Everything will be fine eventually, is the thought we work on.
Don’ts (Types of Gifts You Shouldn’t Buy for a 17-Year-Old Girl)
More than one type of gift is not suitable for a 17-year-old girl. For example: since the girl is not outgrown yet, it is not a good idea to give alcoholic drinks as a gift to a 17-year-old. She might want it, but trust us, the brain is far from fully developed. Furthermore, it’s best to avoid expensive and extravagant gifts. Gifts that are too pricey or extravagant can be awkward for both the giver and the receiver. The giver might find it too over the top, while the receiver could feel singled out, especially since peers are less likely to receive similar gifts.
What is a Suitable Budget for This Age?
The best way to set a nice budget is to think about it yourself. After all, we can’t look into your wallet. Consider the following amounts as a guideline, not as advice.
- Parents/Guardians: £50.00 to …
A beautiful piece of jewelry, a nice personal gift. You name it, and it will be good. Besides, your almost-seventeen-year-old girl will likely provide a wish list of desired gifts herself. - Immediate Family (uncles, aunts, grandparents): £20.00 to £50.00
Just ask what she wants, then you know for sure the gift will be appreciated, especially if you’re not familiar with her interests. Your presence will be appreciated in any case. - Neighbors/ acquaintances: £10.00
Not too much, not too little, more as a gesture and nice as a contribution to something she’s saving for. A personal gift will also be appreciated. - Friends: £15.00
A best friend might set a higher budget, but fifteen pounds is very realistic. You might have to work a few hours for it, but it’s definitely worth it for the girl.
Further Tips
Still not sure about your idea? Maybe these additional tips will help. Then definitely check out the top 20 gifts to choose from. Consider giving a subscription to something. If she’s become enthusiastic about the gym, you can make sure she can go there for half a year. Another tip is not to look too far from home. So, keep it personal and don’t suddenly come up with your own ideas for options. She probably has given a wish list, so stick to that for selecting your final gift.
1. Wireless Earbuds
Are wireless earbuds really much better than regular ones? Well, wireless earbuds have some advantages over regular ones, but it depends on personal preferences. The biggest advantage is that wireless earbuds offer more freedom of movement since there are no cables in the way. They are handy for activities like sports or being on the go. However, many people still prefer wired earbuds. The reasons include better sound quality and not needing to charge them. It’s important to consider what best suits her needs and lifestyle. But, if we were to guess, she would choose wireless.
2. Makeup Sets
Makeup sets often contain a variety of makeup products like eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, and nail polish, all packed in a convenient set. These sets are ideal for girls who enjoy experimenting with different looks and styles, giving them the chance to express their own creativity. Considering your 17-year-old might be developing her identity, it’s a great incentive to really start trying. While the 17-year-old might have a good idea of who she is, group pressure might prevent her from showing it. Provide a stable home environment where she feels safe to express herself. A message from us to her: you got this!
3. Handbag
“A green-red outfit absolutely cannot be paired with an orange handbag. I’m not a traffic light!” It could easily be something your 17-year-old would say. Moreover, you know very well what she means with this comment. She needs more bags to match each outfit. Since her clothing allowance for the month is already spent, you suggest buying one for her birthday. Fine, but make sure it’s a nice one. What is “nice” is relative, of course, but we’ve done our best to create an overview below of bags generally considered nice. At least, we think so; if she disagrees, she can blame our editorial team, haha.
4. LED Candles
Of course, the almost 17-year-old girl is almost 17 and almost an adult, but the 100% responsibility and non-clumsiness are not there yet. Instead of real candles, it might be a good idea to give her LED candles. It doesn’t matter if she accidentally knocks them over while doing her makeup, or if she leaves them on for hours without looking at them again. Such actions with a real candle could be more, well, dangerous. So, here we present LED candles. LED candles under the guise of ‘safe and cozy for the teenage room’. These look super nice nowadays, and if you get a good one, it doesn’t even look fake. Check out the overview below. These are gems of LED candles, if we do say so ourselves.
5. Smart Watch
Do you recognize the situation where you hear a message coming in but have no idea where you left your phone? A situation where you’re waiting for a reply from your crush and want to see what he (or she) sent as soon as possible? Then you don’t respond for half an hour because he took 20 minutes and you don’t want to be ‘too quick’? Well, a solution for losing your phone at such moments is to solve it with a smart watch. You can see exactly what comes in on your phone. If you need to respond immediately, just press the ‘play sound on phone’ button and you’ll find your phone in no time. We only see advantages to this gift, don’t you?
6. Makeup Mirror
We’re not kidding when we say your makeup can look terrible because you applied it in the wrong light. Since daylight isn’t always available everywhere, some people have come up with a solution. A solution? What then? Well, what about a makeup mirror with lights around it? Always the right light and never a blotchy face out the door. By the way, some 17-year-olds have a different understanding of a makeup mirror. They might mean a small, round mirror with one normal side and one magnifying side. Before you buy this gift, it’s important to know which mirror is actually desired. It saves an awkward moment on her birthday, we think.
7. Smartphone
After years of using the same smartphone, it might be time for a new one this birthday. She can finally scroll endlessly on TikTok without it freezing and shutting down. It’s a great gift for a wonderful girl who worked hard for it. A girl who has shown she takes good care of her belongings and understands their value. If a phone doesn’t meet her wishes, you can always arrange something else. She could pay ten percent herself or give up her ‘right’ to an expensive gift next year. These are just a few ideas you might agree with, but do what you feel good about as the giver.
8. Power Bank
It’s important to get a power bank that is compatible with her phone and of good quality to prevent damage. Make sure she regularly charges it and stores it safely to optimize its lifespan. These are two important points to consider if you’re thinking of buying a power bank for her birthday. And yes, she probably knows how to use it. It’s not too hard, as long as you choose the right one. Some power banks come with attached cables, while others require you to connect them yourself. If it’s attached, make sure it has the right output. An iPhone has a different charging port than an Android phone.
9. Bluetooth Speaker
A Bluetooth speaker is a portable speaker that connects to your smartphone, tablet, or other device via Bluetooth technology, allowing you to play music wirelessly. You charge it once in a while and then enjoy your favorite music for hours. It also has a practical function. If your laptop’s sound is terrible, you can connect the speaker for better sound. Anyway, the 17-year-old will probably use it to play the latest hits during a game night with friends or while getting ready for a night out. She could enjoy this gift for years, making it a worthwhile investment.
10. Ring Light
A ring light for a 17-year-old girl will function as her own personal spotlight – perfect for selfies and TikTok videos. Sounds like a perfect gift, but it’s not quite. Such a bright light can highlight even the smallest blemish on her face. If this makes your 17-year-old insecure, we recommend putting the ring light away for now. Or, and this is perhaps a fun idea, also get a makeup mirror. She can perfectly do her makeup and shine in front of the camera. Just make sure she knows she looks best in her ‘natural’ state and has nothing to be ashamed of.