The Complete Holiday Gift Guide for Teenagers

Teenagers can be some of the most difficult people to please when choosing the right gifts for the holidays, even if they are your friends. Avoid awkward presents or cliché gifts by sticking to the following suggestions. Buying the perfect present this season will no longer be an intimidating task.

Winter wear

’Tis the season to be bundling up, but when it comes down to buying clothes, avoid the itchy wool sweaters. Think of the person you’re giving the gift to, because your style may be very different from your friend’s. Think—what would this person wear?

With the weather becoming evermore crisp, a nice jacket and beanie for your guy friend will do just the trick—boys can’t get enough of the hoodies. As for the girls, there is no going wrong with buying a cute scarf and gloves to fight off the cold. A knit infinity scarf and convertible glove-to-mittens will add to a gal’s winter wardrobe.

If you don’t mind exceeding your budget by a few dollars, buy your friend—boy or girl—a pair of Toms Shoes. For every pair purchased, the company donates a pair of shoes to someone in need. It’s the giving season, no?

Try these:

• Zip-up Hoodies at Tilly’s, 2 for $40
• Beanies, Zumiez has a collection of buy 1, get 1 50 % off
• Gloves at Target, $10
• Scarf at Old Navy, $15
• Toms Shoes, $45-80

Fireside Reading

If the weather is keeping people inside, a nice book will be good company by the fireplace. Find a book that caters to each teen’s personal taste—there doesn’t even have to be a lot of words. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1” will be on the shelves by Dec. 6, worth a look for the incredible art alone. On the other hand, Christopher Paolini’s newest book, “Inheritance,” has a rather extensive number of words, and is currently available to complete the bestselling Inheritance cycle. Most books like Paolini’s and Gordon-Levitt’s are great for any teenager. 

Try these:

• Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1 at Amazon.com, $10
• Inheritance at Barnes and Noble $16

Virtual Gametime

For the gaming gurus, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been a big hit. If your pal doesn’t already have this gaming must, pick them up a copy, but make sure you have your money saved—video games can get fairly pricey. If they do have the game, another alternative for your bud is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Sometimes your gal-pal won’t be in the mood for roughin’ it with guns, so try Just Dance 3: Best Buy Exclusive Katy Perry Edition, which is available for pre-order and will hit shelves on Dec. 6.

Try this:

• Video Games at Best Buy, $15-60

Movie Mayhem

The holiday sales have always been a huge helper for holiday shoppers, especially in the DVD and Blu-ray departments. Choose a movie you saw together, a great way to remember the laughs or scares you had in the theater. Snag the Harry Potter movies before they disappear from shelves and are archived into the Warner Bros. vault at the end of the year.

Try this:

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Dvd, Walmart $14

Quirky Thing-a-mabobs

Who said that gifts need to be practical? The true holiday spirit isn’t necessarily to celebrate the gifts, but to appreciate the loved ones around you. Try getting your best girl friend a silly gift like fake mustaches to take pictures with later, or your best guy friend the Fuzzy Wuzzy Kitty Bank! They don’t really make sense, but that is the point. Odd presents that make people laugh will help spread the holiday cheer!

Try these:

• Notable Mustaches – Set of 6 at Urban Outfitters, $8
• Fuzzy Wuzzy Kitty Bank at Urban Outfitters, $24