10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Emo Kids

You already bought them an iPod, they've got enough pairs of skinny jeans to last them until retirement, and their favourite band changes every week – it's difficult to find the perfect Christmas gift for your emo kids. We've put together a list of ten top gifts that all emo kids would be chuffed to find in their holey, mismatched, stripy stockings this Christmas:

1. Hair Colour

Whether it's the ubiquitous black or a neon flash, you want a colour that's bold as well as kind to your hair. Goth and punk devotees swear by Manic Panic for permanent, semi-permanent and temporary hair colours in creams, gels and kits. Available from Dream-Gate.

2. Cosmetics

Eyeliner, obviously – a soft and smudgeable pencil that even the boys will find easy to use. Foundation, too – to cover up teenage spots or to create a pale contrast to dark hair, but it's important not to put anything too heavy on young skin. Manic Panic again have the best range, especially their white base which gives a nice pale result without making you look like a mime.

Don't forget the nail varnish – black is easier to find on the high street now, but be sure to go for quality over price as the cheaper ones are thin and runny. Electric blue is another popular emo choice, and red is still fabulous as long as it's chipped and worn a la Courtney Love. Dream-Gate again.

3. Temporary Tattoos

Not the ones that come free in crisp packets, but something classier that suggests a thoughtful soul. Stencil Warehouse has a range of gorgeous body art stencils and inks that give a fantastically realistic result, as well as regular tattoo transfers, in chinese pictogram, tribal and symbol designs.

4. Music Vouchers

Don't even think about buying them albums or singles on CD – track downloads is where it's at. And with a download voucher, you don't have to second-guess their top tunes – iTunes for the lucky iPodders, or Tesco.com for phone/MP3 players.

5. Poetry

Not all our lyrical needs can be met by music alone. Tortured youth existed long before My Chemical Romance came along, and the poetry of Wilfred Owen and Sylvia Plath still resonates for our emotional thinkers. Modern poetry can help provide cultural signposts in a confusing world – Daisy Goodwin's 101 Poems That Will Save Your Life is a good place to start, and anything by Benjamin Zephaniah is sure to strike a chord.

6. Jewellery

Obviously, anything that draws attention to their interesting piercings is good. But don't forget chunky rings, velvet chokers and leather wristbands too. GOLD IS A NO-NO – emo kids don't care for bling! Silver or pewter only.

7. Bags

They'll be needing a bag to carry their poetry books and iPod around – or just to take to school or college. There are some great alternatives to the run-of-the-mill rucksacks and messenger bags around, such as this gorgeous skull-fringed satchel or a Nightmare Before Christmas duffel bag, both from Soho's.

8. Clever T-shirts

Skinny jeans demand t-shirts, but they don't have to be plastered with band logos. Witty slogans, thought-provoking quotes, or striking graphics demonstrate an individual sense of style that separates the genuine trend setters from the scene followers. Check out the Iron Fist range at Soho's.

9. Hi-Tops

Skinny jeans, t-shirts, hi-tops – it's practically a uniform, but there's plenty of scope for personal style to shine through. The traditional favourites, Converse, come in a range of different colours and styles, but are starting to feel a little mainstream – practically everyone's wearing them. How about these original black-and-red beauties – unusual, will go with everything in your emo's wardrobe, and great value at only £19.99.

10. Belts

To keep their skinny jeans from slipping off their skinny hips of course – or just to add interest to an otherwise all-black ensemble. Generally these should be black leather with cone or pyramid studs, but the odd neon leopard print or retro mod-style check wouldn't go amiss either. Team with wallet chains and wristbands to complete the look. Leather & Chains at Soho's.

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