We Asked For Your Toughest Gifting Questions. Here Are Our Responses.

Welcome to the T List, a newsletter from the editors of T Magazine. For our holiday gift guide this year, we asked readers to send us questions about the hardest-to-please people on their list. Below, our editors answer some of the most intriguing queries we received. We’ll send a second batch of ideas next week. Sign up here to find us in your inbox every Wednesday, along with monthly travel and beauty guides and the latest stories from our print issues.And you can always reach us at tmagazine@nytimes.com.

To Encourage a Teenager Discovering His Style

From left: Sperry Bahama II sneakers, $70, sperry.com; Noah tricolor bandanna, $24, noahny.com; Found Goji red jersey, $100, found.store; Barney Cools Valance short, $79, barneycools.com.Credit…Courtesy of the brands

“My teenage nephew just turned 13 and lives in a remote town in Australia. He’s newly interested in clothes and he’s got a pretty clear idea of the style he’s into: Ralph Lauren polos, athleisure wear. It feels like a good time to encourage his style. But I’m having a hard time finding anything for this age group that’s not plain basics, or eBay (where sizing is a gamble but the vintage styles are great). Can you suggest cool brands for my favorite teen?” — Stella, Sydney, Australia; budget: $20 to $100

Teenagers are tricky to shop for; sizing is a moving goal post, and it can be tough to find affordable pieces with character that don’t sacrifice quality. For a young fan of Ralph Lauren, consider a cotton jersey with nostalgic embroidery from the Americana-inspired label Found. Closer to home, the Australian streetwear brand Barney Cools offers relatively inexpensive men’s staples like this pair of shorts featuring cargo pockets that extend past the hem of each leg; a drawstring waist should provide a bit of longevity for a growing boy. Accessories could also be a fun way to encourage your nephew’s sense of style and eliminate sizing stress. The American men’s wear brand Noah’s tricolor paisley-printed bandanna would add a pop of color to any outfit (and could offer protection from the sun). For a classic maritime touch, Sperry’s hybrid boat shoe-sneakers can be worn anywhere without forfeiting a traditional dockside look. — Jameson Montgomery

To Brighten the Home of an Already Colorful Relative

“I need a gift for my niece who’s over 60 but identifies as much younger. She’s very definite in her tastes and interested in home décor. She likes quirky knickknacks that have sentimental value, especially images of insects, bees and spiders. Her houseplants are small and when they show signs of aging, she throws them out and starts over. She’s also interested in colorful cushions, outdoor exercise and cooking Key lime pie. She’s hard to shop for because she has a small house and the shelves and walls are almost filled up.” — Karen, Bay Area, Calif.; budget: $30 to $50

First, your niece sounds like a woman after my own heart — I, too, love Key lime pie and colorful cushions. For the latter, I often turn to Etsy, which is where I found these kilim pillow covers in various colors from Bahe Kilim, an Istanbul-based company that sources vintage covers in many sizes. These enamel splatter trays by Crow Canyon are the perfect size for a classic Key lime pie and will help keep the pie chilly when it’s out of the fridge. To accompany the tray, or as a stand-alone gift, you could also go for this Sabre Paris cake server in the classic bistro style or the more playful one with stripes. For the outdoors, I love the lightness and versatility of the Arc’teryx Mantis 1 waist pack but if your niece is into longer distance hikes, I would suggest the Gregory Nano 16, which she might like in the bright teal or yellow. — Carla Valdivia Nakatani