Tween/Teen Christmas gifts

[Frozen Canuck]

Okay, I did manage to think of a few more:

• Each of my kids had particular snacks that they enjoyed. One year, I bought my one son the Costco-sized metal tin of Pocky sticks. Other times, I have gathered together a collection of favourite treats, including both salty and sweet snacks and also drinks. My oldest bought his younger brother a one-time subscription box filled with Japanese snack items, but you can find them for all kinds of things.
• We have given our kids luggage, character luggage tags, packing cubes, toiletry bags when they were older and started packing their own stuff for travel.
• Portable mini bluetooth speaker. We have a JBL one and bought the carry case that goes with it.
• A power bank for recharging a phone.
• I am looking at getting my 15 year-old a Shashibo as something fun to play with while he is hanging out.
• If they like tossing a football around, you can find ones with LED lights for evening play.
• A Constantine puzzle (there are many, but Amazon may be limited) or a Haniyama puzzle (these are really good quality metal puzzles)

 

[barkley]

if you have a gamer and live in an area with occasional power outages (even short blips) a backup battery to plug their system(s) into can be appreciated. for about $50 it can keep all the fruits of their gaming efforts from disappearing in the event of a loss of power. provides enough time to get that game shut down properly.

 

[LuvOrlando]

When my kids were around this age there was a Christmas when I deliberately let them pick their own style of clothes to be more "trendy" and they were both thrilled with the independence. The smiles were massive. If I remember correctly, DD went for Cheetah Girls style stuff from Justice for Girls and DS went with Rocket Power style stuff like skateboard shoes and clothing from Tillys. I guess the real gift was recognizing they were growing up in a small way but one they felt deeply. Allowing boys to pick fragrance deodorant went a really long way towards cutting the teen boy stink, bonus points ROTFL. I think DS liked Abercrombie or Hollister which goes on sale this time of year, DD liked Bath and Body.

 

[Rogue1677x]

There's an online store that I've bought stuff from called Uncommon Goods. There are some really unique things there that cover all different ages.

My daughter turned 18 this year and wanted to have a little garden on the deck outside her windowseat. I got her this really cool watering can that is an owl made out of strips of metal. She absolutely adored it. The stuff isn't cheap, but I've found the quality is great.

 

[RangerPooh]

My boys are 13 and 14 and I’m stumped. Had planned on new lacrosse pads for the 14yo, as he’s outgrown them. Unfortunately practice starts this week and the grandparents donated his old ones to the middle school team .

My ideas (ours are big into Boy Scouts and lacrossse)
-fishing gear for their tackle boxes
-a new backpacking pack as our 14yo outgrew his old one.
-headlamps… they always lose theirs
-new lacrosse stick
-tent stakes … they constantly lose these and have taken mine
-Robucks (Roblox gift card)
-PlayStation giftcard store for game purchase

 

[greeneyedchick]

I'm on this thread because i'm in the same boat. 2 of my kids want nothing. One has a list of books, jewelry. I don't have many suggestions except for 2 things that were hits in the past.

If you're looking for bigger gifts for the whole family...I did get a pool table for my boys from Academy Sports one year. They were having a great deal. I think it was $400. I got the younger teen a rebounder last year (single person indoor trampoline). He jumps on it all of the time while watching TV. I also got him a bosu ball to bounce on one year. Another thing I got was a metal detector. I thought he may enjoy it but he never uses it. Some kids might find it cool.

 

[barkley]

we got our first snow of the year last night so maybe this has me thinking of it-

if you live in a colder area then you might look at heated vests. I snagged a couple a few years back on the black Friday sales Amazon has and they are SO nice if you will be outdoors on a cold winter day.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Our girls it things to unwrap, but they like gift cards best for when they return to school they can first see what other girls are wearing and buy their own clothes.

 

[bennifer]

YDS is 15 and it's like pulling teeth to figure out things for Christmas. He's not into sports, hunting and fishing, but he does like the gym, gaming and anime. I never thought of an apple watch for him. I'll try to find out if that's something he'd like! He does like fragrances and he has expensive taste, so Armani, Versace are a few that he's hinted about. I think we'll get him a new mattress, too. I already have a hoodie for him. Last year I went rogue and bought him a 3D printer because he had talked about his friend's incessantly. He has used it officially zero times so my husband, who loves it, traded him a gaming system for it. We also like to travel, and we're going to Japan (his pick) in the summer, so that's going to be a part of his present this year, too

 

[cmbr]

I've noticed several people in this thread mentioning their teens enjoying anime, and as someone who's also enjoyed anime since I was a teen about a decade ago and has watched anime related merchandise become more readily available in the USA, I can help you guys out on that front a bit!

If possible, see if you can find out what anime series they enjoy by either directly asking, or checking out any posters or manga they may already have. Stores like Books-A-Million now carry various anime figurines, keychains, and other related merchandise, while Hot Topic carries a surprisingly large selection of anime related t-shirts. If you happen to have a 2nd and Charles close to you, they also frequently carry anime related merchandise. Someone mentioned buying a Crunchyroll subscription and I'll point out that they also have a store with anime merchandise authentic from Japan that, as a teen, I would've been ecstatic to receive as a gift. Hope this can help someone out there!

 

[greeneyedchick]

We bought our 12 year-old a balance board and he used that thing for YEARS (all through high school). We still have it and the youngest makes use of it. This isn't the exact model, but it gives you an idea. There are two separate parts. It is not just a rocker board. https://www.amazon.com/Sportneer-Balance-Board-Adjustable-Balancing/dp/B0CJV11YQF?th=1

You could also consider board games. We LOVE one called Project L. https://www.amazon.com/Project-Strategy-Players-Playtime-Mixlore/dp/B08R7MX8MX

A game that your older son might enjoy is Box One, which was done by Neil Patrick Harris. It is for one single person, so he wouldn't need others around to play. https://www.amazon.com/Board-Game-Presented-Patrick-Harris/dp/B08QR394V6/142-9135747-9082327

All of my kids have loved to receive soft blankets in whatever style suits them.

I like to give my kids a book every year. Sometimes it is a novel or book set, other times it is a book based on an interest, like a cookbook. Graphic novels are great and there are many to choose from now.

I also try to look for different sorts of items that can still be considered "fun," like colour-changing lights strips for their room, or a Night Ize bug light, or a Leatherman (when they are old enough to be responsible for a multi-tool.

Does anyone need a new backpack? The Osprey 26 + 6 gets great reviews on Reddit "one bag."

I'm just tossing a few ideas out there that quickly came to mind. I will let you know if I think of any others.

Question on the balance board, I was going to get one for my nephews (age 14 and 12). Is this the kind of thing that they can share or woud it be better if I got each of them one?

 

[mmbrad02]

Well here is what my 14 year old is ending up with from us. This also includes stocking stuff.

Apple Watch - Older model, Walmart Black Friday sale
Owala Water Bottle
Roblox Giftcard
Spotify Giftcard
Disney Villains Lego Set
Lego Friends Set
Duck Toy
Sucker/Sour Candy Box from Sams
Sol De Janerio Hand Cream
A portable charger that also has a spot for the new watch
White Crocs (she wears these almost daily and hers are worn out)
Rack-o Game
Jellycat Stuffed animal
Rafaello and Ghiradelli candy (favorites)
2 Diary of a Wimpy Kid books (she used to read this series a long time ago, stopped, and said one day she wouldn't mind to read the new ones. I'm an advocate of encouraging reading)
Tangle Teaser Brush
Silk Pillowcase

 

[unrequited23]

Tangle Teaser Brush
Silk Pillowcase

These are life changing.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Question on the balance board, I was going to get one for my nephews (age 14 and 12). Is this the kind of thing that they can share or woud it be better if I got each of them one?

I'm so very sorry! I got busy with the holidays and haven't been on the boards at all! I'm sure you have long since made your decision, so my response doesn't really matter now, but I would say that it is something that they could share. Just figured I would take the time to belatedly respond in case anyone happens to search this topic again in the future.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

[greeneyedchick]

I'm so very sorry! I got busy with the holidays and haven't been on the boards at all! I'm sure you have long since made your decision, so my response doesn't really matter now, but I would say that it is something that they could share. Just figured I would take the time to belatedly respond in case anyone happens to search this topic again in the future.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for your reply even if it's after Christmas. I did end up ordering them 1 to share. I haven't heard if they like it or not. Happy New Year!