Gift Ideas for Mid-Teens

[Rozzie]

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Ah, yes. I know what you mean. My boy was WAY past those by the teenage years. He was given some at about that age. Frankly, they didn't get played much. They were more popular when he was a lot younger. Some teens might still like these, though.

 

[Blackbird]

Teens..??

Deodorant and condoms?

 

[annaraven]

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[therealsilkiechick]

in our area a child over the age of 12 is not permited to get toys for tots, they r to old. i have never heard of that before. i think they should help till they r 15 but i've never heard or known of them to help anyone over 12 before. private churches sometimes do if they r helping younger siblings but most orgs won't over 12 for some reason. here t for t is birth to 12.

if u give gifts such as clothes, scarves, hats, gloves they go on a free for all table people can take anything they can use. lot of times people will not even bother looking at the table because they r there for toys mostly so it is skipped over alot. i'd be afraid some of the things mentioned people would be fighting over like gift cards and certificates. i don't think they r allowed to give those here so they may use them to buy more toys to put out but not sure. i know how crazy people get here with bikes and some of the popular toys. at toys for tots u shop for ur children and pick the stuff out for them with a helper.

i'd suggest going by what my teens and preteens asked for like axe or tag gift sets, mp3 player, cd player, books, perfume, jewlrey, ds games, playstation 2 games(if their parents don't have them they have other stuff to choose from but these r 2 most common cheaper systems kids have to keep the games cheaper), hunting clothes and accessories, makeup, cds, purses, paintball or airsoft stuff, anything twilight, posters, remote control helicopters/airplanes. cell phones(maybe like a $20 trac phone) new release dvd's and cd's, fishing stuff, crafting supplies. for a younger teen zhu zhu pets and kung zhu hapsters(i have 4 kids who want them this year all different ages). that's all i can think of off top of my head but maybe that will help some.

 

[calicokat]

I think our Firemen's Cheer Fund only helps to age 12 too.

My mid-teen niece has requested Starbucks gift cards for Christmas so that's another idea if they take cards. Craft kits for girls are good too - crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch, etc.

I'm not so good with boy ideas - I've been blessed (although they are expensive as pointed out, so maybe not so blessed, LOL) with DS 17 who always wanted Legos! Although, they've discontinued Bionicles and that was what he really liked, so we are in uncharted waters this year!

 

[Rozzie]

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Bet you could find plenty on eBay...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Ah, yes. I know what you mean. My boy was WAY past those by the teenage years. He was given some at about that age. Frankly, they didn't get played much. They were more popular when he was a lot younger. Some teens might still like these, though.

I'm sure they will..espically if they have to get toys from this type of a program.
Usually these are kids that will appreciate anything they are given because they dont have much and wont have much to open on Christmas.

 

[Rozzie]

Another option is to find out if the program will accept food treats as donation -- things like the big tins of popcorn, boxes of candy, microwave popcorn, etc. These are great fun for teens to get at Christmas. Unlikely they'll go to waste, either, or go unused!

Another good gift for teenage boys would be a small tool set, a book or two of directions on how to make things with those tools, and perhaps a small gift card (if allowed by the program) to get wood or other needed materials for the project(s) of his choice. If you have a city bus system, then you might tuck in a bus pass or two so that he could get to the store to get the supplies. The kinds of things I'm thinking about here: hand saw, hammer, screwdrivers, a pack of a variety of nails, wood glue, perhaps a hand plane, a level...all depends on how much you want to spend! I've known lots of teenage boys who like getting tools for Christmas.

A wood burning set & a few wood plaques or other items to woodburn is also nice for a young teen.

A monstrous water gun is another fun item for teenage boys...though not of much use in December.

Young teenage boys might still enjoy a sled, if you are in a cold area. Or, perhaps a snowboard...

Editing to add:
You might also consider "experience" gifts, if the program is able to accept these.

For example, a year's zoo pass & some bus passes to get there, if it's an urban area. Or, a year's pass to a local water park / amusement park & bus passes to get there.
Or, whatever fun local things you have that a young teen might enjoy.

Basketballs and other sports equipments, skateboards, etc. are also good gifts. Bike helmets, even a bike if you are interested in spending that much.