a) Give someone a gift you spent forever picking out and you know they do not really like it.
b) Get a gift you do not really like.
All year I am on the lookout for cool gifts for teens. I keep one big document and enter items my teen interns mention or like. I decided to post these a little early this year and maybe do a Part II as we get closer. (If you want to submit a gift idea to me, send the link to me).
Best Gifts for Teen Boys and Girls
Orb Watches It’s not so cool to wear a watch anymore, but these are very cool designs.
Solar Computer Backpack Does your teen have a ton of electronics? This might help keep everything charged (I kinda want one).
Nuddle Ok, this seems a little silly, but it is actually a really great idea and teens will love it while they study.
iTrain This is a great way to encourage your kids to be active and a new way to workout. These are workout programs for your kid’s MP3 or iPod.
Carbon Offset “The basic idea of a carbon offset is to figure out your personal contribution level to the global warming problem. This contribution is called a “carbon footprint.” Your purchase funds reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets help you take personal responsibility for the environmental consequences of your activities.” I think more and more teens are going green and this is a great way to encourage that trend.
The Something Store Ahh I love this idea. if you really do not know what to get the teen in your life, this is a good option: “We will send you something, an item selected randomly among many things from our inventory, for $10 (free shipping in the US) and you will find out what your something is when you receive it.” I have known people who have gotten a bag of mints and people who have gotten an Xbox…it is a fun game Christmas morning.
Goosie Cards Cool personalized cards that are very cute (can also secretly encourage them to write thank you cards after the holidays!)
Happy Socks:This Swedish hosiery company makes us want to never wear plain black socks again. Offering a literal rainbow of color palettes and patterns, the socks seem like the kind of thing you may see an accidentally stylish 6-year-old wearing, but there’s no reason we can’t treat our feet too. With a few pairs of these, we plan on rocking open toed shoes ’til the first snow hits.
Chalkboard Wallies If your teen has been begging you for a room makeover, this can hold them off a few more months…this spray paint can be put on walls to create chalkboards. This can give them lots to do and make their room very cool.
Best Gifts for Teen Boys
MancardsI love these cool cards that are very manly/teen boy.
Dart Board: Soft-Tip Dart Game Notice the soft tips, darts can be a great thing for kids to do offline and the soft tips will not poke someone’s eye out.
Gator Razor – Shaver Boys can always use a cool/funky/first time shaver or razor. I know my boyfriend was psyched when he got one that cleaned itself (but its so loud in the morning ugh.)
NHL Stanley Cup Air Hockey Game We always wanted one of these in my house. If you have boys, and you have the room, this can be a great gift.
Best Gifts for Teen Girls
Earringbuds Your kid always wearing earbuds? At least they can look like jewelry now.
Mobigrip is an adhesive disc with an elastic finger loop that attaches easily to all cell phones (as well as digital cameras and portable gaming devices) to keep portable electronics securely connected to their users, eliminating dropped and broken devices. (good for teens)
Hey Vanessa,
My young teens seem to want anything electronic, iTrain seems very cool.
Do you think the itouch is a good gift for young teenagers? Seems to be very popular, I’m just concerned that there are no parental controls on the iTouch.
Yes, that is a problem. I think it is a great gift but the problem with the phones is many of the high tech ones do not have it. I think you might be able to disable browsing if you need.
[...] gift or Hanukkah gift for your teen. Some of our Top Gifts 2008 are still awesome and our post Best Unique Gifts for Teens and Tweens has some great ideas as well! All of our interns and teen reviewers selected and awarded our Teen [...]
Orb Watches It’s not so cool to wear a watch anymore, but these are very cool designs.
Hey Vanessa,
My young teens seem to want anything electronic, iTrain seems very cool.
Do you think the itouch is a good gift for young teenagers? Seems to be very popular, I’m just concerned that there are no parental controls on the iTouch.
Hi Chaq
Yes, that is a problem. I think it is a great gift but the problem with the phones is many of the high tech ones do not have it. I think you might be able to disable browsing if you need.
Vanessa