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If you know a teen, you probably think that all they want is gift cards. True that gift cards let them buy what they want but this year, but the best gifts for teens aren’t just gift cards. This year stop and listen to figure out what your teen is always talking about. What shows are they binging on? What their friends talking about? What are the things they are never without?
Chances are there’s something far more creative than a gift card you can think to get them that will show them that you’re really paying attention to them and their needs. Because that’s what our teens really want- love, acceptance, and to know that you’re paying attention.
My list of Best Gifts for Teens is just the tip of the iceberg. There are things on my list that are sure to appeal to a teen you know or at least get your creative juices thinking about what would really thrill them this season. After all, gifting them with that they’ll love but aren’t expecting is a sure way to show them how much you truly care and are really paying attention.
Best Gifts for Teens
Kodak Printomatic ($69.99)
Today’s generation may rely on their phones for a majority of their photo needs but if you’re like my almost 14 year old daughter, Emily, there’s still something very cool about taking and printing photos. Kodak Printomatic is an affordably priced 10 mega-pixel print camera that combines the nostalgia of analog photography with Zero-Ink Printing Technology that lets today’s digital generation hold memories as soon as they’re made. No computer connection or WiFi is needed because 2×3” photos print directly from the camera body. And there’s no need to worry about missing a special moment while waiting for a photo to print because the camera’s speed allows you to shoot a new photo while printing your previous shot! Photos print on Kodak Zink Photo Paper that is water resistant, tear resistant, and backed with adhesive so prints can be added to photo walls immediately. Oh, and another bonus? No ink cartridges or toners needed! Hooray! Kodak Printomatic comes in yellow or gray. For ages 13+
Powerup 3.0 Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane ($49.99)
Teens who love to tinker, build, and are always attached to their phones will appreciate the grown up version of paper airplanes. Powerup Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane allows them to take their creativity to the next level with the world’s first remote controlled paper airplane conversion kit. Using Bluetooth technology, teens can use the included template paper to ensure easy folding and then attach the Smart Module that is controlled by tilting the smartphone or tablet right or left for maneuvering and ascend or descend using the throttle lever. For ages 14+
Bluetooth Wireless Earmuffs ($24.99)
It’s a common sight to see teens with white cords dangling from their ears or with over-the-ear headphones plugged in to a phone tucked in a pocket but this holiday season let your teen go wireless while keeping their ears warm thanks to a pair of Bluetooth Wireless Earmuffs! Teens can queue up their playlist when the leave the house, tuck their phone in their pocket, don their headphones, and still be stylish while listening to their favorite music. For ages 13+
DIY Star Wars AT-AT Cable Organizer & Card Case ($39.99)
Help them keep their devices charged and cables organized with this DIY At-At cord organizer. Just hide a power strip inside, plug in your cords, and feed them through the AT-AT’s sides to contain the mess so their room might look just a bit neater. For ages 11+
Secret Decoder Ring ($17)
Just when you think you’ve mastered texting acronyms, this gift will take deciphering IG DMs, Snapchat messages, and texts to the next level. The Secret Decoder Ring lets teens keep things between themselves and their BFF by writing cryptic notes in a cipher that won’t make much sense to the casual observer. For ages 11+
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones ($299.99)
I am a believer that you can never go wrong with Beats headphones as a gift. They’re definitely a splurge but you’ll win major points from any teen that unwraps these this holiday season. Besides being stylish and available in a rainbow of colors and gorgeous metallics, they deliver 40 hours of playback time through fine-tuned acoustics that maximize clarity, breadth and balance so they can make their way through their entire playlist or hours of Spotify. If you’re looking for some unique ones, T-Mobile has exclusive ones featuring Line Friends! For ages 13+
Light Box Arts ($25)
What if you could take a favorite Insta and turn it into room décor? Light Box Arts allows you to do just that thanks to their sturdy, MDF LED back-lit cube that has the ability to insert and change out artwork to fit any aesthetic. Choose from over 200+ unique or personalize it with a photo of your own. The lightbox plus art is $25 and additional art is only $12, making it an affordable way for your teen to switch up their room décor. For ages 12+
Case-Mate Waterfall Case for iPhone X ($39.99)
A new phone needs a new stylish case and your teen will love the snowglobe effect of the Waterfall case that will truly protect her phone. Case-Mate is one of my favorite brands of cases and the waterfall case provides a whole lot of sparkle and glitter for the holidays and throughout the year. For ages 13+
Tile Sport and Tile Style ($59.99 for 2, one of each Sport & Style)
For teens that have a hard time keeping track of their stuff, Tile can help them locate their belongings at school, in the house, and even lost under a pile of clothes in their room. Tile is a square Bluetooth tracker that can be attached to just about anything to ensure that when you lose your stuff, you get it back. Install the app, stick or attach your Tile to something you just can’t live without and if it’s within the 200 foot Bluetooth range, it will play a loud tune until the items is found. To find your phone, simply double tap the button on your tile and your phone will begin to ring, even if it’s set on silent. If the item you’re looking for is outside the range, the Tile app remembers when and where you left it behind and you can activate your very own search party to find it thanks to the million of users in the Tile community who will help you find your things fast. For ages 13+
She Believed She Could Laptop Case ($38)
Protect her laptop with positivity thanks to the She Believed She Could laptop case from Uncommon Goods that celebrates the power of perseverance in an artistic way. For ages 13+
Casio fx-CG50 Color Graphic Calculator ($79.99 from Amazon)
Some of the best gifts are the ones teens will use every day and those who love math and science and need a graphic calculator for school, the Casio fx-CG50 is one of the best one money can buy. This graphic calculator features a high resolution LCD display with over 65,000 colors, natural textbook display, picture plot technology, 3D graphic capability, build in conic sections, and more! While you may not have wanted this as a gift when you were in high school, this will be an appreciated gift for a teen who is taking advanced math and science classes and will be taking the AP, SAT I/II, PSAT, NMSQT, and ACT in the near future. Fx-CG50 is permitted for all major exams and approved for AP, SAT I/II, PSAT, NMSQT, and the ACT! Just be sure that if you get this as a gift, you also have your teen affix a Mabel’s Label to it so it can be returned to your teen when left behind.
Wolverine Ultimate Xbox Controller ($159.99)
Since gaming is more fun with friends, add the Razer Wolverine Ultimate Chroma to your controller arsenal for advanced gaming. It features interchangeable thumbsticks and two interchangeable D-Pads, the ability to swap between optimized thumbstick heights and shapes, and the power to quickly change between a tilting or individual D-Pad button layout. It also has extra buttons and lighting effects to wow fellow gamer friends. For ages 13+
Thresher Ultimate Wireless Gaming Headset ($249.99)
is the ultimate gaming headset for Xbox One and PlayStation4. Delivering wireless Dolby 7.1 surround sound for the most immersive audio experience possible on console, the headset focuses on sound quality, comfort and wireless reliability. For ages 13+
Emoji Ring ($33)
Instead of waring your heart on your sleeve, wear your favorite emoji on your finger. From poop to pizza to heart eyes, Firebox has favorite emojis in silver and gold for your finger. For ages 13+
Side Initial Necklace ($58)
Laverne wore her L on her sweater but the more modern way to wear an intial is on a necklace layered with others. I love this style from Isabella Grace that integrates the initial into the chain, rather than as a charm that hangs down and gets tangled with other necklaces. Available in sterling silver, 18K gold, or rose gold over sterling silver. For ages 13+
GloLens ($24)
Up your selfie game and take the best Instas thanks to GloLens. This smartphone accessory features 12 LED bulbs to enhance every scene and comes with a carrying case and USB charging cable. Available in rose gold, gold or silver. For ages 13+
Splash Tunes Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($19.95)
Empower your teen to maintain their hygiene while singing favorite tunes in the shower thanks to Spash Tunes Shower Speaker. This waterproof shower speaker features Bluetooth so it can wirelessly connect to your teen’s phone and play songs from their favorite playlist. It’s also highly portable so it can go anywhere your teen wants to listen to their favorite tunes. Available in blue, black, green, red, or yellow. For ages 11+
2017 Holiday Gift Guides
Age Appropriate Gift Guides:
Specialty Gift Guides:
- Top Tech Toys of the Year
- STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
- Best Subscription Boxes
- Gadget Lovers
- Frequent Fliers
- 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back
- Gifts for Teachers (from the perspective of a former teacher, with input from current teachers)
Samples were received to facilitate this post and affiliate links are included. No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.
