There are only three days of Christmas shopping left. But if you haven't found the perfect gift for your teenager, you should check out these popular choices.
A survey conducted by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association found that for today's teens technology, fashion and gift certificates top their holiday wish lists.
1.Cellphones These trendy gadgets have consistently topped the list of gifts for teens over the past few years.
But cellphones are no longer just for keeping in touch with friends. They now come complete with integrated cameras, games, Internet access and the ability to play music. Even if your teen has a cellphone, it may be time for an upgrade.
Nathan Shepherd from Roger's Wireless in Woodgrove Centre recommends LG's Chocolate cellphone. "It's the trendy thing to have this year," he says.
2. Cellphone paraphernalia What good is a cellphone without all the accessories to give it that added appeal? A ring with some bling will top any teen's most wanted list.
Cellphone accessories range from nonsensical charms, stickers, crystals and designer cases to functional in-car chargers and hands-free devices.
3.iPods Over 12% of RAMA survey respondents said they are hoping to receive an iPod this Christmas. The digital music player, launched in 2001, comes in a variety of colours and styles, complete with its own accessories.
If your teenager already has an iPod and isn't looking for an upgrade, an iTunes gift card could keep him or her supplied with tunes.
4.Gift certificates Although they aren't as pretty wrapped up in Christmas paper, 14.5% of respondents to the RAMA survey wanted to find gift certificates under the tree.
"It's tricky when someone gives you something and you don't really like it," says 16-year-old Denise Jobin. "With a gift card you can get something you really want."
Erin Roe, 16, is also hoping for gift certificates this Christmas. "It's like they are giving you money and a shopping trip," she says.
5.Nintendo Wii If you're looking strictly at Internet searches, the Nintendo Wii is the trendiest gift this Christmas. When it was launched last month, Nintendo predicted that they would sell four million consoles by the year's end.
Thankfully for you it's much cheaper than other game consoles - roughly two thirds of the cost of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and half the price of a PlayStation 3.
6.Laptops A useful yet trendy gift, the laptop is perfect for a practical teenager. And fortunately, laptops have come down in price over the past year. A basic model now retails for around $600.
With those kinds of savings you could even pitch in for a webcam or computer games to keep your son occupied.
7.Designer purses As the 'man purse' hasn't caught on, this is only an option for the young lady in your life.
Ranging from $1,000 Louis Vuitton models (those brown bags with the entwined L and V that everyone seems to be carrying) to funky thrift store finds for $10, a unique purse will complete your daughter's new ensemble.
8.Beauty accessories Unlike purses, beauty products are no longer just for girls. Male cosmetics are the fastest growing sector of the beauty business.
For girls make-up and bath accessories are always popular. For boys cologne, aftershave or skin treatments make good gifts.
9. Clothing Everyone needs clothes, especially your trendy teen.
"I want new clothes for Christmas," says 13-year-old Nanaimo resident Russell Miller. "I really need some."
Clothing was chosen by 22% of RAMA respondents as their top gift choice. And with the variety of styles of t-shirts, shoes, jeans and hoodies, there are lots of options to choose from.
10. And if all else fails there's money
"I'd love to get money for Christmas," says 14-year-old Nanaimo resident Evan Kurtz. "I'd spend it on video games and clothes."
So don't kid yourself: You may hope your budding scholar will be stashing the cash away for his future tuition bills, but it's more likely he'll be spending it on the above items.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BY THE NUMBERS
- $36.8 billion -- The amount of money 91原创 shoppers spent in December 2005.
- $845 -- The average amount each 91原创 consumer spent in December 2005.
- 82% -- The proportion of 80 large retailers that offered gift cards during the 2005 Christmas season up from 68% in 2004.
- 1,802 -- The total number of employees in doll, toy and game manufacturing in Canada in 2004, a decline of 19% from 2003.
- $368.2 million -- The total revenue of the doll, toy and game manufacturing industry in Canada in 2004, down nearly $25 million from 2003.
- 50 million -- The approximate number of orders placed online in Canada in 2005.
- $7.9 billion -- The value of goods and services ordered over the Internet for personal or household consumption in Canada in 2005.
- $73.9 million -- The value of farm cash receipts for Christmas trees in Canada in 2005.
- 2,387,649 -- The number of Christmas trees exported from Canada in 2005.
- $7.9 billion -- The record-high donations to charities claimed by 91原创 taxfilers in 2005.
- 22 million -- The number of 91原创s who made a financial donation to a charitable or other non-profit organization in 2004.
- 12 million -- The approximate number of 91原创s who did some volunteering through a group or organization.
- One-fifth -- The proportion of annual revenue generated by toy and hobby stores during December 2005.
-- Statistics Canada
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
"I want lots of clothes. All my clothes are out of style."
-- ALYSHA FERGUSON, 16, Nanaimo
"I'd like a MP3 cellphone and Uggs."
-- Kathy Butterfield, 13, Victoria
"A digital camera, a cellphone, a Billabong sweater or gift certificates and a whole bunch of other stuff."
-- Allee Huska, 14, Nanoose
"I'd like a snowboard."
-- Kris Rice, 18, Nanaimo
"I'd just like my two front teeth."
-- Daryl Knapp, 19, Nanaimo