They'll hate you forever.

Before you venture into a CD shop to buy the latest chart hits, remember the average teenager would have downloaded that "50cent" album on their PC or would have been given a copy by their school friends, months ago. If they like something, the last thing they'll want is their parents getting involved with their tastes.

Teenagers today are much more technically sophisticated than their parents and know where they can get that free download or burnt copy. A burnt copy from a friend is much more personal to them anyway.

The much safer present is a DVD which along as being slightly more expensive, can be enjoyed with their friends without any embarrassment and as long as you ask them beforehand what type of films they like. You won't go far wrong with the latest "Scary Movie" or films of this ilk with most teens.

I know this seems obvious, but as an owner of a CD shop. I get asked all the time by parents what is the best CD to buy for their teenage son or daughter.

Buying CDs for those in their 20s+ is ok, as they will appreciate the gesture more and also enjoy the artwork without taking it as a personal attack on their taste.

Christmas time is when this happens most, when you get parent after parent struggling to find that last minute stocking filler for their offspring and you can tell that they are struggling. If you find yourself in this position and you really have to buy them a CD. The best thing to choose is a compilation. I would recommend the latest "Now" compilations as these contain a sprinkling of tracks from all sorts of genre showing your teenager that you don't have a clue about what they like to listen to. This reinforces that generation gap that is so important with music and is the least embarrassing option to go down.

I know by saying this that not all teenagers are the same and I only speak from my experience, so buying your teenager that is into Gothic music the latest "Now" would be a big mistake and some wouldn't mind a CD as a gift at all.

If you want to be really popular just buy them a bumper pack of blank discs and wrap a ribbon around it. Enjoy your shopping.