I am blessed to have not one, but TREE teens and tweens living under my roof, and I’ll admit that finding the perfect holiday gift ideas for teens and tweens is a bit of a challenge to this middle-aged momma. But I’ve scoured the internet, and these are the best ideas I’ve come up with.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Teens & Tweens
The items included in this gift guide are items I have received for review, items we own that I think are good ideas and even a few that I might be gifting this year! Everything on this list is something I wholeheartedly endorse. I hope you find it helpful!!
For Girls
Keyprop ($12): This is the world’s smallest smart phone tri-pod, perfect for getting that perfect selfie! This would make a fabulous stocking stuffer for teens or even the adults in your life that enjoy using their smartphone for pictures.
EcoTools MiniEssentials Kit ($7.75): This little makeup brush kit is great for on-the-go touchups. Your tween can easily shade, finish and define with these three mini brushes. The set includes a powder brush, eye shading brush and angled liner brush. In its cute holiday-themed packaging, it makes a perfect stocking stuffer!
Clarisonic Mia 3 ($199): This is an awesome gift for a teen girl (or guy, but most won’t use it — trust me, I’ve tried with my own) who is concerned about keeping a clear complexion. Clarisonic’s patented sonic technology gently removes the impurities traditional cleaning methods leave behind, cleansing six times better than your hands alone. In just 60 seconds, its sonic action removes impurities from pores so that creams, serums, and moisturizers are more effective. And with regular daily use you’ll notice a reduction in dry patches, oily areas, and blemishes.
Philosophy Have A Cherry Christmas Set ($10): This Christmas themed shower gel and lip gloss by the iconic brand, Philosophy, is a festive and popular gift for the girly girl in your life.
LockerLooks Locker Design System (various prices): Your teen or tween will have a blast transforming her school locker into a high-fashion destination with fun and funky wallpaper, accessories, shag carpet, chandelier and more. The folks at LockerLooks sent me some of their products to sample. I have a daughter going to middle school next year, and I know she is going to LOVE these. I can’t wait to show her.
Doodle Crate by Kiwi Crate: If you love Kiwi Crate for little kids, you will LOVE Doodle Crate for big kids. Doodle Crate is a craft subscription services for kids ages 9-16! These make awesome gifts because not only do kids love getting mail, they get everything they need to complete a project from start to finish in one little kit.
P.S. They also have a Tinker Crate that allows kids to explore science, engineering, and technology. And for a limited time, get 60% off your first month with the code MERRYSUB!!!!
Toddy Gear Tech Packs ($14.99): Your teen will love the coziness of this Flannel Pajamas tech pack! These Toddy Gear Tech Packs are a smart and stylish way to clean and polish today’s high-resolution touch screens and high-tech gear. Plus, they’re super cute too boot!
Marked Private Safe Social Networking for Kids: Party invitations just went digital! Marked Private combines cool physical wristbands with an exciting online social media experience, designed especially for tweens and teens. Think Evite for kids. A unique wrist band is connected to a protected and clever online site rich in functionality so kids as young as 7 can plan and safely interact with friends using the ultimate invitation. Now kids have their very own online party page to create their invitation, RSVP, see who’s coming, share photos and video, chat and more before, during and after their party. Marked Private Invite Bandz are the unrivaled invitation and party planning tool in one.
Fingerless Texting Gloves ($16): My 12-year-old daughter is obsessed with texting gloves.
Sugar Lulu Jewelry, Games & Stickers (various): With a mantra of “live life beautiful, live life smart, love life always, follow your heart,” this new tween-centric lifestyle brand gives girl power to girls who are 8 to 12 years old with trendy jewelry, games, stickers and pinups. My girls are over the moon for this stuff! They’re especially into sticker trading… brings back memories, doesn’t it!!??
Stella & Dot Girls Jewelry (various): Sometimes adult jewelry is just too old for our daughters, so Stella & Dot offers a kids’ line that is super cute and perfect for younger girls.
Boys
Ozobot ($49): This tiny customizable robot comes to life when you create mazes, tracks and playgrounds on paper, game boards and digital screens. Playing with this tiny bot introduces kids to simple (or complex) coding, expands their imaginations and encourages life skills such as deductive reasoning.
Soccer Ball Carrying Case ($19): This is the perfect gift for your soccer player. The sturdy backpack with large main compartment and breathable side cargo pockets and rubber mesh front ball pocket fits a size 5 ball. There is an inner iPod pocket with convenient headphone cable access and looped zipper pulls for easy access. Padded straps make this back pack ultra comfortable and easy to carry.
Vans Authentic Black Sole Shoes ($45): My 15-year-old son loves his Vans. These comfortable shoes come with a gray canvas upper and a Vans logo loop on the side.
XBOX One ($399): The XBOX ONE is the latest and greatest in gaming consoles. It has the best exclusive games, the most advanced multiplayer on Xbox Live with Smart Match to find new challengers, and unique entertainment experiences. Opening this on Christmas morning is sure to make any teen’s holiday extra special!
Boys can be hard to buy for. When in doubt, gift cards to Amazon.com or Game Stop are always a hit in my house!
Boys or Girls
SingStand 2 Home Karaoke System ($59): If your kids are anything like mine, they love to pretend they’re rockstars. My daughter loves the microphone my husband set up for her. She and her friends play for hours, singing and dancing to their favorite pop songs. This all-in-one karaoke system connects with your MP3 player or tablet so you can sing along to custom playlists. The SingStand 2 also integrates a stereo speaker and a microphone, offering everything you need for a full karaoke experience. And with its instrument input, the system can even connect to a guitar or keyboard for easy musical accompaniment.
Kindle Paperwhite ($99): Many kids have smartphones and tablets, and sure, they can read on those. But I am a HUGE fan of reading on a Kindle — both personally and for my kids. There are times when I want to remove all devices from my kids’ possession, either as a discipline or simply to give them a needed break. Having a Kindle allows them to read without the distractions of social media and email. Plus, it is much better for their eyes because the Kindle Paperwhite reads like paper with no glare.
Fulcrum LED Book Light: A necessity for anyone with a Kindle, this all-purpose book light provides a clear, bright spotlight for reading in the dark. The sturdy clip attaches to the side of the Kindle and the flexible gooseneck allows light to be directed where you need it. The LED bulb requires 3 AAA batteries, which are sold separately.
Razor Ripstik ($37): My kids love their Ripstik. In fact, all the kids in the neighborhood have them now because they all wanted one after they used ours. I plan to order another one for this Christmas so my kids stop fighting over the one we have. Shhhh… let’s hope they don’t read my blog.
Sonic Bomb Loud Plus Vibrating Alarm Clock ($32): If your child has a hard time waking up in the mornings, give him or her the Sonic Bomb Loud Plus Vibrating Alarm Clock for Christmas. The Sonic Bomb, AKA The Bomb, is for anyone at any age who thinks they might not wake up in the morning. At 113db, this dual alarm is sure to rattle your windows and force your eyes open. And if that doesn’t put your feet on the floor, the pulsating alert lights and Super Shaker bed vibrating unit will. However if the room mate needs a little more shut eye, switch off the sound and wake to the powerful bed shaker and let the roomies crash a little longer.
Clocky Alarm Clock On Wheels ($29): If a sonic boom isn’t enough, perhaps a clock that runs away will lure them out of bed?? This is hysterical. When the alarm sounds, Clocky leaps from the nightstand and runs away. They do have the option to hit snooze once or set Clocky to run right when the alarm sounds.
BassBoomz 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($29): This is an AMAZING Groupon deal, you guys!!! Usually priced upwards of $50, you can get the BassBoomz 2.9 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $29 for a limited time. Ready for use right out of the box, this wireless speaker streams tunes from a laptop, phone, or MP3 player. The speaker’s palm-sized frame belies its impressive audio quality and volume, which rivals that of a morning zoo radio team. The durable metallic design features an accordion-like middle that expands when you want to hear music or compresses for travel.
Universal Multi-device USB Desktop Charger/Charging Station ($49): This is the perfect docking station if you have numerous gadgets. With its compact, space-saving design and a Velcro cable-tidying system, this multi-USB charging station enables you to keep 4 devices topped up simultaneously.
Beats Solo 2.0 On-Ear Headphones ($160): Beats’ most popular headphone has been redesigned from the inside out. With updated and improved acoustics, the Solo2 lets them feel their music with a wider range of sound and enhanced clarity. Streamlined, lightweight and durable, this compact headphone is more comfortable than ever. This a pricey gift, for sure, but it is definitely a coveted gift item among teens this holiday season! They come in a variety of colors for girls and boys.
This post is part of my 2014 Holiday Gift Guide series!
All gift guide posts are accessible by clicking on the holiday gift guide graphic below, or over there on the sidebar.