Ok. I am a volunteer coach at our local athletic club. I train kids (ages 7-14) in long jump and triple jump. Standard, after school activity. Strictly amateur, no money involved.
I have had a couple of 15/16 year old girls help me out this year as assistant coaches. Definitely needed, because on a good day, I will get 15-20 kids. They even ran a couple of sessions when I was absent. They do a lot of keeping the kids in line, keeping things moving etc.
End of season is coming up, and I would like to get them each a small thank-you present. (Probably $15-25). Here’s the considerations:
I know both girls very well - I have coached them for years - that’s how they graduated to being assistant coaches. We laugh, do the friendly insults, stir each other up a bit. I do not see them outside the athletics spectrum. I have known their parents for years, as well - and they know me, and, I think, are pretty comfortable with me.
I am a 55-year old male, and they are 15-year old girls. Obviously, I don’t want to appear - let’s use the word - creepy. And I’m not a relative.
I also don’t want to just buy them a gift voucher for the local shopping mall. I want something that shows I am genuinely grateful for their assistance. I like coaching - it’s an activity I really enjoy - without the assistant coaches, it would be far more hassle.
You said you don’t want a gift voucher, but I’d recommend gift cards from Amazon or similar. By far the safest, and they will appreciate it more than something you think is meaningful.
I agree with that. I have a 14 year old daughter and even I got her gift cards as her main Christmas present this year. It wasn’t because I was too lazy to pick out a present, it is because she really LOVES to shop these days even if she doesn’t end up buying much. She has had hours of fun (for her) with those gift cards so far and still hasn’t used them all. An Amazon or iTunes gift card is the safest bet. If you want something more targeted, Forever 21 is targeted towards girls that age, very popular with that set and fairly inexpensive.
Yes, teenagers appreciate a gift card and the chance to spend it how they like. If you want to give something specific, the tee shirt idea is a cool one!
I’d go with the shirt as well. A sweatshirt/hoodie might be easier if you don’t want to have to guess at their size since that’s more forgiving. Get it personalized with their name/Assistant Coach and the school name/mascot etc.
I think that’s probably the best bet, OTOH, two shirts/sweatshirts, both different might be expensive.
When I was 15, I was an assistant to a religious school teacher with a class of younger kids. At the end of the year, she gave me a mug with my name on it as a thank you gift. That was in 1978, and I still have that mug, although I don’t use it very often anymore.
I like the idea of a mug, or something else that will last, because unlike a T-shirt or a gift card it will be a reminder of the experience for a long time. I’m not sure if I can guarantee 39 years, though.
I like this idea best, the gift cards to a clothing store are still too personal, the hoodies or tshirts kind of show your ownership, a mug filled with candy/coffee/tea is generic enough but shows a kind thought.
Gift card to the local mall? I’m not sure if they are available, but my 15 year old loves the mall. I don’t know that a teen would appreciate an AMEX gift card, but a card to use at any store in the mall would be a hit.
There are a lot of stores on etsy that will make you a custom tumbler or sports bottle (type in “custom tumbler” or “custom sports bottle” in the search). Most of them can probably do a track & field motif. This is in the same vein as the mug, but more appropriate for the age and interests!
Tervis mugs go a loooong way and it’s the kind of thing that gets used more and more as time goes on. Finding one with the school colors/logo/mascot is a big plus.
Do you know where they want to go to college? I know 15/16 is a bit early for that, but if they have their hearts set on something (or can nab a scholarship) you can always get them their future school.
I think gift cards are what the kids would appreciate the most, I know it’s what my teenaged daughter, nieces and nephews want all the time. An additional thought; what about a card to their parents with a nice note on how helpful they have been and how much you appreciate their kids help and so on? I know as a parent, I always enjoy hearing from other adults that I did a good job parenting which usually turns into me doing something special for my kid too… Kind of a win-win for the girls.
Do they have iphones? I-tunes gift cards will let them buy music of their choice.
And I don’t know about them specifically but I don’t know many teen girls who don’t drink Starbucks frapaccinos non-stop. A Starbucks gift card is nice.
Thanks, guys. I like the customised mug/sports bottle idea and will check out some local suppliers.
Perhaps I should have said that both girls have part-time jobs, and so have all the money they need for little bits of bling, music etc. That’s why I was a bit leery of the gift cards. I’m trying to think of something a bit different to their norms. Otherwise, yep, I agree it’s a good stand-by (and may wind up the way I go, anyway).
Aren’t mall gift cards just AMEX cards with the mall’s logo(Or the logo of the mall’s parent company) on them? I know that’s what my local mall(Owned by GGP) does.
