Still trying to figure out a gift idea for that entrepreneurial or tech-creative teen in your household? Here are my suggestions for gifts that will keep on giving the whole year through and will surely be an asset to any teen's start up endeavor.
1.
'Mobile' gift card so they can download productivity apps Productivity apps for smartphones are becoming increasingly popular because they can be quickly downloaded, are a fraction of the cost of most packaged software programs and generally can accomplish similar objectives.
While many of the applications are free, several ones such as invoicing software usually have a nominal fee between $5 and $10.
2.
Handheld video camera or digital camera with video capabilities Portable video cameras such as the Flip Camera or Kodak Zi8 HD video camera are great for teens who want to make quick promo videos or produce interviews with people in their industry at in person networking events.
The benefit of these one touch video cameras is they have easy to use integrated editing software and an attached USB that is 'plug and play' for easy upload to their favorite video sharing sites i.
e.
YouTube.
3.
One year business publication or trade magazine subscription Business publications such as Inc, Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, your local Business Journal or even Wired Magazine are all great resources for helping your child get a broader and more global perspective in trends that are happening in business, technology and innovation.
4.
Business identity package A business identity package is essential, yet one of the most expensive things for young entrepreneurs starting a business.
A complete business identity kit will likely run a few hundred dollars but it would be something that can really help actualize the idea of starting a business, give your teen a professional image and tremendously validate your support for what they are doing.
The things I would recommend would be a logo design, business card design and the first run printed for them, website domain registration and website hosting for a year.
Choose a web site hosting company with a built in site builder and encourage your teen to design their own site, integrate social media tools and learn how to promote their business online.
Logo Nerds designs great logos and business cards for under $50 and WIX.
com offers great templates for $4.
95/month hosting.
5.
A class in pottery, robotics or comic book design Creative online tools and software are good, especially for pre teens and can teach some of transferrable design skills.
But a great exercise in rapid prototyping (how to take an idea from the abstract world to the physical one) is to encourage an 'old school hobby'.
Whether it is building a shortwave radio, a robot, a model boat or producing a comic book - hands on creative projects still rule in the development area.
No matter how you slice it, a keyboard and LCD are not tools for teaching any young person skills that will help them learn how to interact with their environment or understand the universe around them.
A great website that teaches you how to make all kinds of things is: blog.
makezine.
com.
1.
'Mobile' gift card so they can download productivity apps Productivity apps for smartphones are becoming increasingly popular because they can be quickly downloaded, are a fraction of the cost of most packaged software programs and generally can accomplish similar objectives.
While many of the applications are free, several ones such as invoicing software usually have a nominal fee between $5 and $10.
2.
Handheld video camera or digital camera with video capabilities Portable video cameras such as the Flip Camera or Kodak Zi8 HD video camera are great for teens who want to make quick promo videos or produce interviews with people in their industry at in person networking events.
The benefit of these one touch video cameras is they have easy to use integrated editing software and an attached USB that is 'plug and play' for easy upload to their favorite video sharing sites i.
e.
YouTube.
3.
One year business publication or trade magazine subscription Business publications such as Inc, Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, your local Business Journal or even Wired Magazine are all great resources for helping your child get a broader and more global perspective in trends that are happening in business, technology and innovation.
4.
Business identity package A business identity package is essential, yet one of the most expensive things for young entrepreneurs starting a business.
A complete business identity kit will likely run a few hundred dollars but it would be something that can really help actualize the idea of starting a business, give your teen a professional image and tremendously validate your support for what they are doing.
The things I would recommend would be a logo design, business card design and the first run printed for them, website domain registration and website hosting for a year.
Choose a web site hosting company with a built in site builder and encourage your teen to design their own site, integrate social media tools and learn how to promote their business online.
Logo Nerds designs great logos and business cards for under $50 and WIX.
com offers great templates for $4.
95/month hosting.
5.
A class in pottery, robotics or comic book design Creative online tools and software are good, especially for pre teens and can teach some of transferrable design skills.
But a great exercise in rapid prototyping (how to take an idea from the abstract world to the physical one) is to encourage an 'old school hobby'.
Whether it is building a shortwave radio, a robot, a model boat or producing a comic book - hands on creative projects still rule in the development area.
No matter how you slice it, a keyboard and LCD are not tools for teaching any young person skills that will help them learn how to interact with their environment or understand the universe around them.
A great website that teaches you how to make all kinds of things is: blog.
makezine.
com.