What To Get The Teenager In Your Life This Christmas – A Shopping Guide

KA_Hyannis Mall_Sephora stocking stuffer sign_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_64_120715

What’s better than Christmas? I love Christmas, but what I don’t love about Christmas is presents. To be more specific, I hate getting gifts that I don’t like. It’s not that I’m selfish and ungrateful, it’s just awkward and I’m terrible at hiding my emotions.

We’ve all had it happen to us, that moment when your mom, dad, or whomever hands you a present with this goofy grin on their face that says “Oh you’re gonna love this one!” Then boom, you open it: It’s the ugliest sweater you’ve ever seen and you can tell this isn’t a joke by the way your mom looks at you with a glimmer of hope in her eyes as if to say “I’ve finally done it, I finally got something that isn’t on their list that they actually like.”

You pretend to like it, only your mom knows you all too well, and an awkward silence settles over the room. Then it happens all over again at Christmas dinner as the relatives you see once a year attempt to guess the things you like, only to realize they are not as hip as they thought.

No one likes to give bad gifts, so in order to avoid those awkward situations I am here to save the day with a complete guide on how to make the teenager in your life smile – for real – this Christmas.

 

Stocking stuffers

Now listen up, parents, everyone likes candy on Christmas morning, so if you find yourself wondering what to put in your child’s stocking, candy is a yes. But if you’re wondering how to spice it up this year, here are some great options:KA_Hyannis Mall_perfume body spray sephora_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_63_120715

  • Body sprays — Cute girly pocket-sized body sprays are always available at Victoria’s Secret. For both boys and girls. try Hollister and American Eagle.
  • Mini Candles — Bath & Body works sells little candles that would fit perfectly in any stocking.
  • Poo Pourri – So this stocking stuffer might be a little on the gross side, but will at least be good for a laugh. If you haven’t already seen the ridiculous commercials running on TV, Poo Pourri is essentially a mist you spray around the toilet that keeps the restroom from smelling bad. It’s marketed towards girls but it’s perfect for guys to keep in their backpacks as well.
  • Lip Gloss/Chapstick — a pretty self-explanatory classic, however the chapstick I’ve been loving this year is a Rose Salve from Bath & Body Works.
  • Sephora Samples – Need I say anymore?KA_Hyannis Mall_Sephora Lipgloss_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_66_120715
  • Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray — This stuff is definitely on the pricey side but I can’t go a day without it. If you have a makeup lover in your life, this is the perfect spray for them.
  • Gum – -I know this sounds a little plain but nothing makes high schoolers happier than a full pack of gum, so I suggest you grab a couple packs, or maybe a bulk pack from BJ’s and stuff those stockings.
  • Colored Pencils/Watercolor Pencils — The perfect stocking stuffer for the artiste in your life.
  • Gift Cards — I know adults don’t like giving gift cards because they think they are boring but trust me, almost everyone I know, myself included, prefers a gift card. Gift cards are great for stocking stuffers, or just plop one right between the branches of your tree. Don’t know where your teen shops? Panera, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or a gift card to the movies are all good bets.KA_Hyannis Mall_sephora nail polish_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_69_120715
  • Nail Polish — I only have a few nail polish colors and I tire of them pretty quickly but I look forward to getting a new one every year at the bottom of my stocking! Some of my favorite brands are Essie, Butter London and Christian Louboutin (which you can find at Sephora).
  • Phone Chargers — I am terrible at charging my phone which is why I love having a backup battery. All you gotta do is remember to bring a charging cord with you. But for those kids who will probably forget to charge their portable backup battery after using it once, aka me, Lifeproof now makes a charging phone case which is pretty much idiot-proof.

 

Gifts For Under The Tree

  • Solar Bank — This gift is perfect for the teenager that likes to spend all day at the beach. This charging bank is solar powered. Simply lay it in the sun for a few hours and have portable power to carry around with you all day wherever your adventures may take you.
  • Netflix Subscription — Everyone likes Netflix, I’m pretty sure that’s a fact. Maybe you’re sick of your niece or nephew using your account and messing up what episode of “Orange is the New Black” you’re watching next. Maybe you’re just sick of them using your account period. Get them Netflix, I guarantee they will not be disappointed.
  • iPhone 6s – Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is at the top of every Apple fanatic’s list.
  • Mini-Fridge – I think every teen wants a mini fridge in their bedroom. plus if you get them one now, they can take it to college.
  • Uggs – Teenage girls may be made fun of incessantly for wearing these babies but don’t knock ’em till you try ’em. Believe me they are extremely warm and comfy. They come in all sorts of styles and if Tom Brady can rock Uggs then anyone can.KA_Hyannis Mall_candles yankee_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_71_120715
  • Candles – I love candles. I go through candles like crazy, probably one big one a week. I love how they smell, how they look, I love everything about them. My favorite brands are Woodwick and Ribbonwick. I love to just light a couple of candles, grab my textbooks and start studying, its a great way to make homework a little more bearable.
  • Polaroid Instax Mini 8 – Feeling nostalgic? Good, because these little cameras are quite popular right now. You can get the revamped version of the classic Polaroid camera at an array of retailers.
  • Monthly Beauty Service — Every heard of the Ipsy Bag or BirchBox? These companies offer a monthly service where they send you a package containing personalized beauty samples. Ipsy is geared towards women and offers makeup, while BirchBox is more personalized and offers beauty/hygiene products to both men and women.
  • Concert Tickets — If you know what type of music the teenager in your life listens too then feel free to buy them a concert ticket to an upcoming show. If the tickets are relatively cheap, buy two so they can take a friend.
  • Bluetooth Speaker — Get the music lover in your life the gift they never knew they wanted, a bluetooth wireless speaker. I’ve had my fair share of bluetooth speakers and I love them. I take mine to the beach with me in the summer, I take it to the park and, because I don’t have a CD player, I bring it with me for long car rides. My favorite ones are the Jawbone Jambox, the UE Boom and pretty much anyone that Bose makes.KA_Hyannis Mall_Sephora Gift Sign_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_65_120715
  • Makeup Brushes — Makeup brushes are expensive, and I mean really expensive, especially for a broke student. Going to Sephora and picking up some universal designer brushes would be a great gift considering they are probably a luxury that your teen simply can’t afford.
  • Apple TV – A great gift for any TV or music lover. Apple TV combines the best of the internet, video streaming services, and TV together into one convenient hub. You can use Apple TV to play videogames, watch Netflix, listen to music, purchase movies and songs from the iTunes store, and watch On Demand shows. It’s a low one-time cost and is great for the whole family.
  • Sneakerhead.com – Have a sneakerhead in your life? Ever notice your son/daughter/niece/nephew/cousin always has a new pair of sneakers? Are they always trying to look fresh and won’t shut up about the new Jordans? Go to sneakerhead.com and they’ll tell you what’s hot.KA_Hyannis Mall_Perfume Body Spray Cologne_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_56_120715
  • FitBit/Jawbone Activity Tracker/Apple Watch — Do you have a fitness junkie in your life? An athlete? Maybe someone who just wants to know if they’re getting a good night’s sleep? There is an array of fitness/sleep trackers on the market now. The FitBit keeps track of your heart rate, steps taken, tell you the time and can be synced to your phone. The Jawbone Activity Tracker does the same thing with a sleeker designs and a large variety of colors. The Apple watch, while it is geared towards active individuals, functions more like a regular mobile device. It has a large display screen, is far more expensive, offers Apple pay, the ability to take phone calls and send texts, and lets you listen to music.
  • Hunter Rain Boots – I wish I could tell you that any old pair of rain boots would do but unfortunately that’s not the case. Hunter rain boots are the only rain boots teens are wearing and understandably so. They may be pricey but you’re paying for quality.
  • Tires/Gas Money — If the teen in your life has a car, going with a practical gift this year might be the wise route to take. See if they need new tires, offer to pay for an oil change, buy them some new windshield wipers or get a gift card from a gas station.
  • Spotify For The Year – Pandora may have been the music streaming website of choice a couple of years ago, but now it’s all about Spotify. Spotify allows you to make your own playlist, has pre-made playlists available based on genre, artist, or mood/activity, and it lets you listen to individual artists. You can go to their website and either choose to pay monthly or purchase the whole year at once.KA_Hyannis Mall_Macbook Pro_Teen Teenage Gift Christmas Article_72_120715
  • MacBook – Chances are if you know someone in high school then they need a laptop, especially seniors going away to college. I have an iPad, which is okay, but I need a laptop to write papers and I know I would be ecstatic if someone got me this for Christmas. Maybe gather a couple of relatives, friends or family members and buy it together as a group gift?
  • Coloring Books — I know what you’re thinking, a coloring book? Well yes, they now make coloring books for grown ups and they are filled with black-and-white detailed drawings. These coloring books are incredibly trendy and can help relieve stress and anxiety. The most popular artists are Johanna Basford, Millie Marotta and the Adult Coloring Book Artists.

OK, that’s all I’ve got – so get shopping!

By Kaitlyn Holzworth

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