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It’s a tough call and one you can never be sure you nailed correctly – getting a gift for a teenager. Growing up has significantly changed since you went through the transformation bursts typical for the early days of youth. And when you did it, there was no internet, no smartphones, and no peer pressure based on social media.

So what do teenagers want to receive as a gift? You can never know unless you can make an educated guess because you are aware of their passion. Take it into account, but by no means gear yourself to follow it blindly since there are red flags in teenager gifts too. For example, if they want to get a pet, though it might sound like a great idea to gift them one, there is a possibility they will lose interest fast. And, the care for the little creature will likely be entrusted to adults. Here are a couple of cool holiday gift ideas that we’re pretty sure teenagers will love.

Scale Model Cars

scale car model comparation

source: bigscalecars.com

Type

Getting hobby car models for a teenager is one of the safest bets you can make. Provided you have an idea which model of car would have the greatest appeal to them. There is a great variety you can choose from: some like model race car kits, others want nothing but off-road trucks. And there is the bunch into recreating historical plastic model cars, most of which are no longer seen on the roads.

Scale

Possibly the most important consideration when you are getting a model car kit for someone else. The most typical scale are: 1:12; 1:18; 1:25; 1:35; 1:64 and these ratios will determine the size of your model. Kids tend to go for the biggest available model, however, keep in mind that the unit will not be used at all times and dedicated storage space is a requirement. The 1:25 is one of the most popular since it’s big enough to show a satisfactory level of detail.

Details

replica scale car model

source: rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Today, hobby car models are designed and feel more and more lifelike. Maybe you are after a specific manufacturer (like Ferrari, Mercedes, Ford) or you want the model to replicate a distinctive feature (like a removable rear top). You might be surprised to find out that good scale car models recreate real vehicles in great detail and this is one of the main reasons teenagers will welcome such a gift.

Australian Model Cars

This is a unique way to appreciate a car that holds special meaning to the country, region, or city. It can serve to establish rapport between generations since kids can have the exact model their grandpa used to drive. Those sort of connections are what extending gifts to someone is all about.

And for the bunch that is seriously into car racing sports – they can have a model commemorating a specific race that was part of a championship (both domestic and international). Not a lot of sports allow you to have a pocket size replica built in great detail on your shelf.

Scooter

pro trick scooter model

source: myproscooter.com

Motor Skills

As it was briefly mentioned above, kids grow up in leaps. This is especially the case in the tween and teen periods where they can experience an increase in height within a month. Some kids take this naturally and can accommodate the change almost instantly. Others need some time to develop body confidence and consider themselves ‘freaks’ because suddenly their arms and feet are longer. The classic kick scooter works great in making such transitions smooth. The kid can become more comfortable with their bodies without even noticing. And the scooter is remarkable in this regard because unlike most physical sports, it takes the focus away from the increasingly self-conscious psyche of a teenager.

Exercise

Speaking of sports, we have a serious issue on our hands. Performing physical activities, completing outdoor adventures, and playing sports were never more accessible to the youth, yet they spend staggering amounts of time in front of a screen. Be it their mobile phone, a laptop, or a PC; be they studying, entertaining, or socializing, most of the time they find handheld gadgets worthy of their attention. Old fashioned scooters can serve to shift their focus and introduce them to cool ways to be active (they’ll never term it ‘cool’ though, just so you know). The physical benefits of riding scooters are self-evident.

Mechanical

When it comes to cool aspects of riding a scooter, what can beat doing tricks on a half-pipe? It’s one of the reasons pro trick scooters were designed in the first place. Elaborate routines and stunts are guaranteed to make a teen stop whatever they are doing at the moment. While that is strikingly obvious, what is less apparent is the accompanying learning curve connected with such performance. What’s the best way to learn anything? Yes, play, and it works at any age. So when they stretch their hand to take their pro trick scooter, it’s only a matter of time before they want to take every piece of it apart. It’s ok, we are talking about mechanical maintenance and upgrade of their scooter. It gears them toward earning basic mechanical skills which can set the course for the rest of their professional (or recreational) lives.

E-skateboards

electric-skateboard off road

source: de.wikipedia.org

Electric

Gifting an e board to a teen works along the same lines. Unlike their old fashioned equivalents, electric micro-mobility gear has many electrical components. And they are all connected in one efficient system. So owning e-skateboards can be the gateway into developing an interest in electrical engineering. E boards have batteries, motors, wheels and they are set up to move by the push of a button. If that’s not fascinating in itself, making sure the e-skateboard is well maintained will teach the kid some new skills.

Technical Thinking

Having a radio-controlled device is bound to make you learn a thing or two about sending wireless signal. And not just that. A teen with an e board has to adopt a way to keep on top of the capabilities of their gadget. For example, they have to manage power banks if they want to continue using the board till their intended destination. On that note, their consumption of the power in the batteries should be in line with the calculating range. All of these ways of thinking come naturally and are not forced on them. If they dig it, it will be useful for them later in life.

Balance

Nothing speaks a lesson in balance like a good e-skateboard does. This aspect of skating remains unchanged, even if you don’t kick your skate with your leg to move forward. It’s good for their core muscles, it’s good for learning how traffic works and it’s good for nurturing good decision making and fast reaction to outside stimuli. They can benefit in all these regards while commuting to their high school.

As consumers, we dispose of tones of packaging materials each year, including plastic, paper, glass, tin and more. But they don’t simply disappear into thin air. Small steps are the key to living a more sustainable life and making a positive difference in protecting our environment. It’s important to realise that as long as it’s collected and disposed of properly, plastic packaging can be a green option.

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Over the years, sneakers have become the most universal type of footwear everyone has in their closet. Still, as universal as they may be, it’s easy to make the mistake of buying an inadequate pair that might turn out to be not only a waste of money but also a cause of foot related issues. In order to avoid all that, you need to consider the following aspects.

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mens_outerwear

Being improperly dressed and being cold while hitting the slopes is a sure way to make your experience less enjoyable. Your first line of defense from the cold weather is your outerwear, which is why it is of the essence to choose quality pieces that will protect you from the elements without restricting your movement. However, choosing the best from the best can be tricky, as there are quite a few factors to consider when shopping online or from your local brick-and-mortar store. For that very reason, here are some of the most important things to consider when buying mens outwear.

Breathability

First things first, you’ll need to find a jacket and pants that have good breathability rating as you are going to sweat even if it’s cold outside, due to the nature of this sport. Quality mens outerwear for snowboarding is MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) tested, which means that the amount of moisture that can escape your jacket or pants in a 24 hour period is predetermined. If you are casually sliding down the slopes, then breathability of about 5,000 to 10,000 grams will do the trick, but if you are someone who likes to go a bit more extreme then you should aim for a rating closer to the 15,00 mark or above.

Waterproof Rating

While a breathability rating shows how much moisture can escape the jacket or pants, a waterproof rating shows just how much moisture can the jacket or pants keep out. Here the rating is measured in mm with the lowest recommended rating being 5,000 – you can go lower than that but it’s not a good idea. The same rating applies here – the range between 5,000mm and 10,000mm is suitable for the regular snowboarder, while the adrenaline junkies should look for 15,000 and above. Remember that the price increases together with the rating.

Durability

While waterproof and breathability ratings protect against the cold and keep you dry, what will actually make these properties last longer is the material of the clothing. Durable mens outerwear is made of tightly woven polyester or nylon, which offer the highest form of performance even in the most extreme of conditions. You should also check for the type of seams in order to get the best protection possible. The durability and quality of the waterproofing rating are reinforced with fully taped seams as they are made using waterproof materials both on the inside and outside. A jacket or pants with critically taped seams typically have this material only on the most vulnerable spots.

work_pants

Whether you’re a professional chef, a construction worker, or anything in between, the pants you wear to work can be a huge difference maker in how your day goes, and how safe you are in the workplace. The importance of pants for work men is greatly underrated. Unlike standard pants, work pants are made of high-quality, heavy-duty materials that provide more protection. Work pants are typically made from a blend of polyester, cotton, and denim, and they usually feature double stitching and strong pockets that are also reliable to ensure they don’t rip easily.

When it comes to pants for work men can pick from a wide range of styles. But the entire point of work paints isn’t style, but comfort and safety. However, that’s not to say that a pair can’t be comfortable, stylish and offer optimum safety for your workplace. By wearing the right pair of pants, you can reduce the odds of injury to your knees and legs from workplace hazards. Some of the most common workplace risks that work pants can protect you against are the following.

Lacerations & Cuts

Lacerations and cuts are the most common injuries that can easily be prevented by wearing work pants. As aforementioned, work pants are made from heavy-duty materials that make it tough for sharp objects to pierce the skin. These injuries are extremely common in construction environments, as there’s an abundance of sharp objects such as blades, splinters, nails, etc. For that reason, you seldom see construction workers that wear cargo work pants instead of long pants.

Burns

Did you know that most skin burns happen as a result of the clothing melting and burning the skin, and not the open flames itself? There are fire redundant work pants that can help you prevent that, and if you’re working in a workplace where there’s a fair chance of getting burned, you should definitely look for pants that have this property.

Muscle and Knee Pain

If your workday involves spending a lot of time kneeling, you’re probably putting a ton of pressures on your knee joints and leg muscles without realising. And while you may not be feeling the effects of that yet, trust me, you will in a couple of years. Electricians and plumbers are some of the most affected people by kneeling, which is why they should wear pants that have built-in knee pad pockets. Some people opt for knee pads, but those can be inconvenient and cumbersome.

As winter is already at our doorstep, it is time for us Australians to style up our wardrobe and start the transition to the auttumn/winter’18 style season. While the list of trends for this year is endless, from wide-leg trousers to Cuban-collar shirts, there is one that particulraly stands out when it comes to outwear. Introducing – western style coats and jackets.

cowboy-style-jackets

Guaranteed to take you through the coldest seasons of the year, western outwear has been creeping into our trend list for the third season in a row now. Originally taking their spot under the spotlightin the 1970s, western coats and jackets are timeless. They have been revolutionized throughout the years – they have been manfactured in different fabrics, designs and linings – all with the sole purpose of creating the perfect outwear pieces for the style-conscious males.

Want to go for the modernised suede look? No problem – there are western coats and jackets for that. Or maybe denim is more like your thing? Yup, no problem either. Let’s take a look at both of these styles.

Western Denim Outwear

Thank goodness, double denim is back again in the style game. From catwalk to Insta bloggers, it is safe to say that western denim jackets are the safest way to mix and match and thus experiment with the textures and colours you want to wear. Although layering denim is not always the most comfortable option, that’s a small price to pay for the modern, chic and well-put together touch that it gives to your entire outfit. From autumn scenic walks to the much anticipated date night, western denim jackets and coats are the statement pieces that every man needs to have in his closet.

Western Suede Outwear

Popular in neutral and monochromatic tones, suede western coats and jackets are the perfect and more chic step-up from leather. Although it is not the ideal choice for rainy weather, it will certianly make your outfit look more put-together and modern. My ideal combination has to be a simple black t-shirt, black slim jeans and a suede jacket. If the weather gets colder, just wear a black hoodie underneath. As for the colours, neutral, earth tones are the most popular choice among the coolest bloggers due to the fact that they are subtle, yet obviously stylish. If you go for these tones, make sure to keep your outfit simple so that the main foucs falls on the suede fabric.

Mens Comfy Shoes
Most men are simple creatures when it comes to clothing and developing one’s own style, however, let’s not confuse simple with indifferent. There are a lot of nuances that go into how a person presents themselves and the choice of shoes plays a very important role. In the light of that fact, there are three rules of thumb you must adhere to if you want to make sure you have your shoes on point. These three rules relate to occasions, quality and maintenance.

Wear the Right Shoes for the Right Occasion

Since simplicity and comfort go hand in hand, there are a lot of men that consider casual shoes appropriate even for occasions that require a tidbit more sophistication. I know, it is tempting not to try to sneak these sneaker-like shoes (when it comes to comfort) into an occasion when they are simply not enough (elegance wise), but sometimes there’s only so much these mens comfy shoes can do. Stylish, lightweight mens comfy shoes made of leather with lace up fatsening, on the other hand, are the match made in heaven for those of you who seek comfort even at the expence of elegance. And here’s the catch – you won’t have to sacrifice elegance.

Invest in Quality

Mens Comfy Shoes
Another common mistake people make is skimping on quality in order to save a few bucks. Now, I understand that not every man can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on shoes, however, in order to wear a pair you can rely on, you need to be willing to invest a bit more. In the long run, it’s better to buy the more expensive version upfront then to buy a new cheaper pair every year.

Take Care of Your Shoes

There is no point investing in good quality shoes if you are not going to take care of them. Always make sure that your shoes are dry when storing them away and make sure you have two pairs in order to switch between them when one pair is drying out. Depending on the material they are made of, it will determine the type of maintenance that is required for them, so make sure you do your homework on proper maintenance for the type you own. For instance, leather shoes are easiest to maintain as they only require a good wipe down.

In the earliest days of skateboarding, when it still wasn’t such a popular activity, nobody really paid much attention to things other than the skateboard they rode. However, as the trend grew, the accessories and apparel available for skateboarders grew simultaneously, as a lot of brands picked up on the trend and decided that skateboarders need something unique, something they’d call their own. And thus came to be the skateboard shoes as we know them today.

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