2014 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Teens

What to get choosy teens? Surprise them with something they’ve been wanting and saving for or wow them with something new so they can be pioneers among their friends. These gifts build upon their interests and desire to constantly stay connected thanks to smart devices that allow them to instantly share to their social networks. Some of them are total splurges but they’re guaranteed to up your cool factor.

Ozobot ($49.99)— Ozobot is perfect for kids who are interested in coding but need a concrete object to understand the building blocks of the coding language. This one-inch robot moves kids from augmented reality to physical play as they use color — black, red, green and blue –to program Ozobot to follow a path forward, backwards, fast, slow, right, left and more. Ozobot’s ability to see colored lines and know the difference is truly amazing plus it works on physical surfaces like paper or digital ones like smartphones and tablets. It works with the free OzoLuck, OzoPath and OzoDraw apps in either the Google Play for Android or iTunes store for iOS devices. Since sometimes seeing is believing, check out this video to see Ozobot in action.

Cube by Polaroid ($99)— With retro styling and a nicer price tag than other action cameras on the market, Cube by Polaroid is a great choice for teens who want to capture the action wherever they may be. Waterproof cases, tripod mounts, pendant cases, suction cup mounts, and more accessories are highly affordable with most around $25 and just a couple reaching the $40-50 range.

Selfy Mini Tripod by iLuv ($19.99)— Teens can step up their selfie game thanks to the Selfy Mini Tripod that makes it easier to grab that perfect solo shot or one with friends thanks to a case with a built-in wireless camera shutter. Simply attach your phone to the case and set up the lightweight and highly portable tripod on its flexible legs to grab your perfect shot.

Ear Warmer with Built-In Bluetooth Headphones by 1 Voice ($59.99)— This week’s cold snap that hit the East Coast served as a reminder that winter is truly on it’s way. Cold weather gear that does a great job of integrating tech is always sought after by today’s plugged in generation. Whether you’re commuting to work, working outside, or digging your car out of the snow, 1 Voice Ear Warmers keep your ears warm in the cold thanks to toasty warm fleece while you listen to your favorite tunes with Bluetooth enabled ear muffs that stream high quality music from your mobile device. 1 Voice not only keeps your ears warm but also help to elminate the problem of ear buds that constantly fall out of your ears. When you come inside to warm up, simply charge them so they’ll be ready to use again.

Inspiration Lite Headphones by Monster ($229.95)— For a long time, my Bose in-ear headphones have been my go-tos for travel and everyday use but they’ve just been replaced by Monster’s Inspiration Lite headphones. This pair of folding headphones fits nicely in the enclosed pouch for tucking in my purse or bag when traveling and delivers fantastic sound whether taking a call on the in-line mic, listening to music on my mobile, or watching a movie on my tablet. The cushioning is pillow-soft on my ears that makes this on-ear style a dream to wear. Noise cancelling is a certainly a bonus too to block out external noise so I can concentrate on what’s really important. Magnetic interchangeable headbands let you customize your pair to fit you personality quickly and easily. Inspiration Lite by Monster is well worth the investment.

NXMini Camera by Samsung (starting at $377 on Amazon) — Out of all the Samsung Cameras I shoot with, I have to say that the NXMini gets the most attention. Perhaps it’s the bright white color that is eye catching or the fact that it turns on by simply flipping up the screen but what really wows people is the ability to recognize a smile or a wink to take a selfie. Yes, just flip up the screen and smile or wink and the NXMini snaps your photo, a feature that earned it the designation of “the ultimate selfie camera” by Mashable. The NXMini is always in my bag, easy to pull out and take fantastic photos discretely. It fits nicely in a clutch for a night out and comes in five fashionable colors. Looking for other cameras as gifts this holiday season? Here’s my guide to the Samsung Cameras I’m never without!

 

Bemo Social Camera by Logitech ($129.99)— Being a Vine or Instagram superstar can tax the memory of one’s mobile device. Logitech’s Bemo social camera fits in the palm of your hand and captures high quality 720p HD videos with its 8 megapixel lens in just one touch. This highly portable water-resistant device is perfectly sized to keep in your pocket so it can go with you wherever you go this holiday season. Capture the antics of ice skating with friends, new tricks on the slopes, or magical moments with loved ones throughout the holiday season then personalize and edit your videos with headlines, music, filters, and clipping tools before sharing edited videos with family, friends, and your social networks with the Bemo app.

Kano ($149.99)— Teens who code and want to take their skills to the next level will enjoy Kano, a computer and coding kit. Designed for all ages and computing experiences, Kano creates a whole new computing experience that allows technology consumers to engage in hands-on creation of the technology they love using. Kano functions much like any computer that integrates play with learning as kids build popular games and use code to compose music. I appreciate that for the price, the kit comes with everything you need to build your Kano hard drive. It includes the popular Raspberry Pi, illustrated colorful instructional storybooks that help guide kids through the process if they want to tackle building independently, DIY speaker, and keyboard. Just add your own monitor and you’re ready to use your new computer. This makes a great winter break project for DIY kids who have an interest in building computers and coding.

Clutchette Power by ChicBuds ($49.99)— Never have a dead phone when you’re carrying Clutchette Power that charges your phone in the bag. Inside the chic Clutchette there’s an ultrathin battery and built-in USB cords with room to carry your keys, lip gloss and other essentials. Metallics make it a stylish clutch perfect for carrying alone and small enough to throw into a bigger purse or bag, making it the perfect companion for the jet-setting professional to the ever-active and always on the go teen.

Belli Skincare (starting at $22 each) — There’s no better time to teach good skincare habits than from an early age. The Belli line of products is nicely packaged for a luxe look that will make your tween want to take care of her skin using Belli’s gentle products.

Eyedoll Chatter Makeup ($14.99 each)— American EyeDoll mineral eye shadow kits contain three colored eye shadows and three lusciously scented shimmers, each wearable alone, and even better mixed. Eye shadows and shimmers come packaged in a darling keepsake box that includes a brush and how-to instructions and makeup tips. Mix, blend, and then share your individual look with friends with the Eyedoll Chatter free iPhone app.