How awful is it when you:
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
Mancards I 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.
iBangles This is possibly the coolest way to listen to music.
Kubit2Me Is a great party activity for teen and tween girls or sisters.
MiJa Mom-Daughter Jewelry Mija is a darling company that designs jewelry for Mom and daughter- bangles, necklaces…pretty cute.
If you liked this article get more Radical Parenting in our new book: Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I’m Grounded?
Orb Watches It’s not so cool to wear a watch anymore, but these are very cool designs.
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