Top Ten Gift Ideas for High School Seniors

Are you struggling to come up with ideas for gifts for your high school senior? Items ranging from winter coats all the way to buying used cars will help you breeze through your holiday shopping for high school students of all kinds. The following is a top ten list of gift ideas for your high school seniors this holiday season:

#10) Winter Coat. For this winter's holiday season, a trendy winter coat may be just what your high school senior is looking for as a gift. With the proper care during your selection process, the right coat could be one of those rare gifts that are a long-term item. LL Bean catalogs, American Eagle stores, and North Face outfitters are all great places to pick up a coat that is sure to keep your senior warm while staying fashionable. Prices at these retailers are typically from $80 for cheaper designs and up to $300 for North Face coats.

#9) College Apparel. The high schooler you'll be buying for is likely heading off to a college or university soon, so apparel from their college or university-to-be will make a terrific gift. T-shirts and hats are a cheap gift solution for picking up some college apparel. Most T-shirts and hats price out around $15 to $20 at the campus bookstores or through online retailers. Eastbay is a great online retailer for most college apparel, but for in-store purchases athletic retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods is the ideal place to get your college gear.

#8) Laptop. For any college bound high school senior, the perfect gift for their future studies is a laptop computer. Grabbing the future college student a new laptop this Christmas will give them a chance to adjust to using it before they arrive on campus. Check with any school they may be attending to find out if specific brands of laptops are required for their incoming students. If specific brands are required, be sure to comply and ask plenty of questions. If all laptops are free-game, then the best place to find a laptop that fits all the student's needs is Dell. Dell computers are completely customizable and generally affordable. Depending on the options you select, prices range from $600 all the way up to $2000. Selecting options wisely can save a ton of money in this case, but be sure to pay a little extra for an extended warranty.

#7) PDA. For students who have busy schedules and lots of assignments and tasks to keep up with, a personal digital assistant or handheld computer is the perfect gift to fit their up-tempo lifestyle. The best model for a current high school student and future college student is sure to be any Palm. Palm has the best available models for a medium to low cost budget. The easiest way to select and purchase one is by checking out the PDA section of your local Best Buy. Prices for simple palms with scheduling capabilities range from $100 to $400.

#6) Tennis Shoes. For the on-the-go active student athlete, the best present may just be a brand new pair of tennis shoes. Most active teenagers prefer New Balance and Nike shoes. The best places to buy your senior a pair of shoes are Shoe Carnival, Sports Authority, and Finish Line. Prices for a quality pair of tennis shoes that are sure to last range from $55 to $115.

#5) Car CD Player. For high schoolers who love music, a car CD player may be the ideal gift. Buying a CD player is relatively simple; just remember to pay a little extra to insure that you get it installed properly. Also, satellite radio usually comes along with the players for a small fee and it's a good idea to cash in on this added bonus. Pioneer and Sony usually have the best models for young adults. Pioneer and Sony players generally range from $200 to $600 depending on your preference.

#4) Mp3 Player. If a CD player doesn't fit into your gift selection an Mp3 player just may delight your high school senior during the holidays. The best model for young users is likely to be the Ipod Nano. The Nano is a compact model that still holds enough songs for their enjoyment. Ipod Nano players are usually priced from $199.

#3) Camera. With the memories that are sure to come during the end of the senior year of high school and the beginning of college, a camera would make a great gift for your senior. Compact models are generally well received by young adults. The best of these for your senior is probably Olympus or Canon. Prices for these cameras can range from $100 up to $400.

#2) Spring Break Trip. For the senior who loves to travel, picking up the tab for a Spring Break trip would be a great gift. Seniors usually pick the hot spots such as beaches, mountains, and overseas. Ask your student what he/she plans to do and with luck this could be a great way to pay for their trip as a holiday gift.

#1) Car. For a high school senior the ultimate gift during their last year of grade school is a vehicle. If your student needs a car, the best option is to search for a used car from an accredited auto dealer. The best place to start your search is Car Max Used Cars. Also, doing your research online beforehand is highly recommended. Be sure to cross-check your interests with the car values offered up by the Kelly Blue Book. With a great used car, you are sure to score points with your student this holiday season.