Each year, we buy Christmas gifts in the hope we have made the right decision. Sometimes, our gift flies. Sometimes, it flails. If you are buying Christmas gifts for teens, flailing becomes more likely. With that in mind, I hope this guide brings you help in buying the right Christmas gift for a teen.

If not, I hope it is fun enough -- and real enough -- for you to enjoy.

Way back when I was a just entering my teen years, I asked for a hand-held Mattel electronic football game. The game was red LED and 9-volt battery intensive, and murder on one's thumbs. "All" the boys I knew had one. I requested the game for Christmas. What did I get? My dad insisted my Christmas gift be an electronic chess set, and he would not hear differently from my mom.

I understand. He was trying to steer me in one intellectual direction, and afraid I would go another. Alas, I resented it, and never really got into playing chess.

The funny fact is I love games. I am very competitive. I even won $25,000 playing poker on cable in 2006. Still, I will not play chess, though I could probably learn to become very good at that game of games.

It is important to allow teens to find their own way. Keep them from harm, avoid spoiling them, and then get out of their way. If you want them to have a chess set, get that in addition to the latest Wii, XBox, or whatever. If you can only afford one, tend toward your teen's request. Both of you will be glad you did.

Your teen is now a teen -- not a tween.  Be it literature, movies, or video games, they do not need the complete series of anything for Christmas -- especially sci-fi or fantasy.  Avoid such a purchase, and you will be doing your teen a huge social favor.  Get them a piece of the series -- one or two titles -- and then marry that with something from another genre -- or medium and social set, altogether.  The goal is to rear a well-rounded teen.

No matter your means, no teen needs a new car for Christmas. The human brain is still growing when your child is a teen. Your teen -- and all the other ones -- does not have the mental chops to make the best driving decisions.

If you must get them a car, make it a safe one, with not too much engine. You do not owe them a tricked out ride. You owe them their safety. We have all known teens who were harmed in auto accidents, due to their own errors. It is a needless thing.

Some alternative modes of transportation to cars that you might consider include a very nice mountain bike -- go all out, drop $1000, if you have it -- electric scooters, or a pair of rugged, well-made shoes -- my favorite brand is Keen (a top Christmas gift for all ages).

For now, it is the Jonas Brothers. In another couple years, it will be another set of too-good-too-be-true goody-goodies (and their management) selling your teens unattainable dreams. Purity rings stink of desperation and denial. Be straight with your teens. Talk to them. They just might be able to make a good choice without the manipulation of the likes of a father-daughter promise dance.  Ew! This does not a good Christmas gift make.

Not that any decent person would give this as a Christmas gift, but in case you are considering not being decent (which begs the question of why you are reading this), go with sitting down with your teen and listening. They need you. If they are acting out, it's your attention they want -- not some gift, not the ear of a professional. If you schedule your child time with a therapist, make sure it is of the family variety. Go to the session with your teen.

Be there. Listen. You will be more likely to have merrier and merrier Christmases to come.

Take the above as you will. It is one man's take on what teens do not need for Christmas. May your Christmas shopping be merry.