Christmas Gifts for Teens

[tarheel618]

We usually have thread around this time with ideas for teens:

Need some suggestions: I have a DD age 14 and DD age 11 oldest has a phone and mini iPad, youngest has iPod and iPad

I need suggestions for Christmas: Planning on getting the youngest a Poloraid Camera and Oldest Apple TV and cashing in CC rewards for a few gift cards. I don't have any other ideas.

So ideas???

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

We were going to buy DS 13 a Raspberry Pi, but he bought it himself with his birthday money. So, now, he's getting a desktop computer.
We have 3 extra monitors (DH's work upgraded to 25", and he snagged 4 19" monitors for free), and a computer tower already; and DH can build a nice gaming computer for about $1000.

At that age, I loved getting jewelry and makeup and stuff for my room. GCs to go out with my friends (places at the mall were always popular).

 

[HeatherC]

Last year I bought my teens season passes to Six Flags when they had a one day sale. Are there any local places you could do something like that? Or show tickets, etc..

 

[TwoMisfits]

Of my tween/teens, I have 2 gamer girls who play video games, collectible card games, and roleplaying games, so I have an easier job. Both of mine are getting the PS4 to share, the 2 new 3ds Pokemon games (each gets one), and then my oldest is getting new Yu Gi Oh game cards and a game mat while my younger is getting a Pokemon stuffie and probably a Hatchimal (since the PS4 is more for the older).

I will say my older, even though she wears no makeup and is un girly girl, has enjoyed getting a monthly makeup sample pack this year (gift from her aunt last year) - she says she has it all saved for when she wants to wear makeup, so that could be a good gift. I'll say the stuff in the monthly pouches was nicer stuff than I expected for an obviously teen gift.

 

[TJA]

- Disney Dooney bag and/or Disney Vera bag.

- I need to look into the wireless ear buds? I've heard my DD's mention them.

- Pink clothing and Under Armour clothing.

- Start up Pandora bracelets.

- Monthly magazine subscriptions?

- Last year I did a Boodle Box monthly box for one DD and an IBeautiful box for my other DD. Big hits!

(I'll be back to add more and to keep checking this thread for more ideas!)

 

[tarheel618]

Anyone who has done the makeup boxes- do you have a recommendation? What was the cost?

 

[kawc1945]

Good timing. I was just wondering if there was a thread about this today. I want to start shopping so I have it all done and can enjoy December!

 

[mjkacmom]

Anyone who has done the makeup boxes- do you have a recommendation? What was the cost?

I got dd15 a subscription to ipsy for her birthday, and she loves it

 

[Taylor'sMom]

My DD is 13. This is going to be a tough year. There aren't any "big" (expensive) things she wants. In the past there has always been an electronic device she wanted (iPad, etc) or a larger item like a futon. So far, I only have a few things...

- She loves The Little Mermaid and is always wrapped up in a blanket so I purchased a mermaid tail blanket for her. There are tons on Amazon, I think I paid about $20.
- Comfy patterned leggings

- I think I will also get her a hanging jewelry organizer and a handful of inexpensive jewelry to fill it. Likely all wrapped separately so it becomes an activity as she opens (or for later in the day).
- Tsum Tsums... she has just discovered these and would like to start a collection. The mini plush size. Seem like $5 is a typical cost for one??? Anyone have recommendations on where to find good deals for them? Her fave characters are from The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, if it matters... but I think I'll get some basics (Mickey and Minnie) too.

 

[McKelly]

Definitely subscribing to this - I never know what to buy the teens!!!

 

[DreamIsaWish]

- Tsum Tsums... she has just discovered these and would like to start a collection. The mini plush size. Seem like $5 is a typical cost for one??? Anyone have recommendations on where to find good deals for them? Her fave characters are from The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, if it matters... but I think I'll get some basics (Mickey and Minnie) too.

Our Walmart had some of them marked down (I don't think the shelf tag reflected the price but upon scanning they were maybe $3). Star Wars and Marvel were full price but a bunch of the others were less. I got Nemo and Dory. Sometimes Target has them on sale, so keep an eye there. I don't think they end up in the circular but every few weeks I see an unadvertised sale on the shelf tags over there.

 

[MomToOne]

DD16 is getting:
- New cell phone (sounds like you have those covered though)
- Tripod for her camera
- Microphone for Youtube Videos
- Dumbbell set
- Cowboy boots
- A couple of Bath and Body Works candles
- Body pillow and cover
- A couple of interior design books - she is thinking this is what she wants to study in college, I figured I'd give her a couple of books on it so she can see what is really involved. I think it's a really good fit for her strengths, but I want her to realize that it's not all going out and buying throw pillows LOL Yeah, I'm "that" Mom I do think she'll enjoy looking through them though - and I got used ones for cheap so no big deal if she doesn't.
- Facial Sauna
- Doony crossbody purse - well, maybe. I keep thinking I might actually keep the one I got for myself instead - is that awful of me??

And then the typical stuff:
- A couple of pairs of pajamas
- Slippers
- Calendar

Because of travel, we do the under the tree gifts the weekend before Christmas, and the only thing DD gets on Christmas Day from "Santa Mom" is her stocking. So I put some more expensive items in there that might also be ideas for your kids under the tree:
- A set of lenses for her cell phone camera (fish eye, macro, etc) - they look like they'd be fun to play with, and make "Instagram Worthy" photos with
- Blue tooth earbuds - I got her larger blue tooth headphones last year and while initially they got sort of a "oh - ok" reaction, they've been used more than just about any gift she got, and she'd now tell you she can't live without them. These things are great as kids start to develop their own musical tastes that you find you don't share A bluetooth speaker is also a good choice.
- Makeup
- More Bath and Body Works stuff - lotion and shower gel

By the mid-teens, I think you have to know the kid to really figure out gifts for them. But I would sometimes go "Oh yeah!" when I read other people's lists and discovered an item that would work for DD - so ignore these if they don't help, but I hope they do!

 

[MomToOne]

Anyone who has done the makeup boxes- do you have a recommendation? What was the cost?

My sister decided to get just about every flippin' one on the market for DD and herself the last few months. They compare the boxes and talk about which one they like better for hours on end - my sister considered it a "bonding activity".

The ones DD likes the best are the simple Target boxes, and Boxycharm. She really doesn't like Birch Box (and it's packaged horribly - most of the time at least one of the items in it is broken when it gets here). Ipsy she likes some months, not others. I forget all the names of all the others they've tried - none of those other ones were huge hits

Her main complaint is that a lot of the items in the boxes are hair products, or facial products like moisturizers and serums, and she wants more makeup and a wider variety in the type of makeup included. The makeup that is included is often either lip gloss/lipstick or eyeliner. She has so many of those now it's a bit ridiculous.

I personally don't think any of the boxes are worth the money. Of the 4-6 items in them, DD likes maybe 1 on average, 2 in a good box. But I don't know that DD and my sister share that opinion.

 

[Hikergirl]

My ds13 is pretty easy to shop for. He is getting all things related to basketball this year. I got him his favorite player's jersey, and some basketball themed things for his room. His big gift will be a pair of Jordan's. He also wants Beats headphones.
My ds16 is the hardest one to shop for. He is a gamer but has everything he needs for that. He doesn't play sports or watch sports so that kind of stuff is out. He just started target shooting with my dh so maybe his own rifle. Not sure though. He wants hoodies, that is pretty much it. I may just end up giving him cash or Steam cards.
My dd18 wants cash for a trip she is saving up for. I got her some stuff for her room (artwork and an aromatherapy diffuser), a Disney D&B wristlet. She is done except for stocking stuffers.

 

[tarheel618]

DD16 is getting:
- New cell phone (sounds like you have those covered though)
- Tripod for her camera
- Microphone for Youtube Videos
- Dumbbell set
- Cowboy boots
- A couple of Bath and Body Works candles
- Body pillow and cover
- A couple of interior design books - she is thinking this is what she wants to study in college, I figured I'd give her a couple of books on it so she can see what is really involved. I think it's a really good fit for her strengths, but I want her to realize that it's not all going out and buying throw pillows LOL Yeah, I'm "that" Mom I do think she'll enjoy looking through them though - and I got used ones for cheap so no big deal if she doesn't.
- Facial Sauna
- Doony crossbody purse - well, maybe. I keep thinking I might actually keep the one I got for myself instead - is that awful of me??

And then the typical stuff:
- A couple of pairs of pajamas
- Slippers
- Calendar

Because of travel, we do the under the tree gifts the weekend before Christmas, and the only thing DD gets on Christmas Day from "Santa Mom" is her stocking. So I put some more expensive items in there that might also be ideas for your kids under the tree:
- A set of lenses for her cell phone camera (fish eye, macro, etc) - they look like they'd be fun to play with, and make "Instagram Worthy" photos with
- Blue tooth earbuds - I got her larger blue tooth headphones last year and while initially they got sort of a "oh - ok" reaction, they've been used more than just about any gift she got, and she'd now tell you she can't live without them. These things are great as kids start to develop their own musical tastes that you find you don't share A bluetooth speaker is also a good choice.
- Makeup
- More Bath and Body Works stuff - lotion and shower gel

By the mid-teens, I think you have to know the kid to really figure out gifts for them. But I would sometimes go "Oh yeah!" when I read other people's lists and discovered an item that would work for DD - so ignore these if they don't help, but I hope they do!

She has an iPhone 5 C and has been talking about iPhone 6 plus- she has no interest in the 7 because it doesn't have an earphone jack-- I may do an upgrade and then take her 5C as my own (Im still on a 4S and don't care about having the newest phone out there)

Love the lens idea- think that would be a hit

 

[tarheel618]

My sister decided to get just about every flippin' one on the market for DD and herself the last few months. They compare the boxes and talk about which one they like better for hours on end - my sister considered it a "bonding activity".

The ones DD likes the best are the simple Target boxes, and Boxycharm. She really doesn't like Birch Box (and it's packaged horribly - most of the time at least one of the items in it is broken when it gets here). Ipsy she likes some months, not others. I forget all the names of all the others they've tried - none of those other ones were huge hits

Her main complaint is that a lot of the items in the boxes are hair products, or facial products like moisturizers and serums, and she wants more makeup and a wider variety in the type of makeup included. The makeup that is included is often either lip gloss/lipstick or eyeliner. She has so many of those now it's a bit ridiculous.

I personally don't think any of the boxes are worth the money. Of the 4-6 items in them, DD likes maybe 1 on average, 2 in a good box. But I don't know that DD and my sister share that opinion.

good to know

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Our Walmart had some of them marked down (I don't think the shelf tag reflected the price but upon scanning they were maybe $3). Star Wars and Marvel were full price but a bunch of the others were less. I got Nemo and Dory. Sometimes Target has them on sale, so keep an eye there. I don't think they end up in the circular but every few weeks I see an unadvertised sale on the shelf tags over there.

Thank you!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

My sister decided to get just about every flippin' one on the market for DD and herself the last few months. They compare the boxes and talk about which one they like better for hours on end - my sister considered it a "bonding activity".

The ones DD likes the best are the simple Target boxes, and Boxycharm. She really doesn't like Birch Box (and it's packaged horribly - most of the time at least one of the items in it is broken when it gets here). Ipsy she likes some months, not others. I forget all the names of all the others they've tried - none of those other ones were huge hits

Her main complaint is that a lot of the items in the boxes are hair products, or facial products like moisturizers and serums, and she wants more makeup and a wider variety in the type of makeup included. The makeup that is included is often either lip gloss/lipstick or eyeliner. She has so many of those now it's a bit ridiculous.

I personally don't think any of the boxes are worth the money. Of the 4-6 items in them, DD likes maybe 1 on average, 2 in a good box. But I don't know that DD and my sister share that opinion.

We bought DD an I spy subscription for Christmas last year. For $10 a month INCLUDING SHIPPING it's worth the cost.
I sunbed in October and saved the first 2 months to give her as the "gift" with an explanation of the subscription. She loves the surprise each month and getting mail. Some months she likes the bags, some aren't her favorite... but it's a. Nice bonus. She now uses all the bags to sort her makeup... one holds mascaras, one holds lips stuff, etc. And they are all in a bin, zipper-up. Of the 5 items each month, I'd say she likes 3, 1 is "ok" to try and 1 is not likely to be used. But again... for the price, I think it's a good deal.

 

[dprincessmom]

This year is hard because we have a couple of big things coming up (Europe 2018) so she is getting books that she really wants and a few little things. She has asked extended family for money or WDW gift cards (she is going in January with our Church Youth group). Two years ago she had the same request and ended up with a "shopping spree" Christmas which was her favorite.

Last year her favorite gift was book shelves (she actually had these on her list) and a room refresh (paint and linens that she picked) to transition into the teen years. DD will be 13 this year.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Thank you!

I was over at Target this afternoon and Tsum Tsums are on sale for $2.99 (I think) this week. Decent selection, but I don't recall the specifics.