Category Archives: Gift Guide

Great Gifts for Teen Guys

With four sons between the ages of 7 and 17, my house is a living laboratory of the modern American young man. With the holidays looming, people ask me often what might make a great gift for their favorite nephew/cousin/brother/godson. Of course, I have a teen daughter too and she loves a lot of this stuff too.

Lego, anything Doctor Who-related, and any kind of ball are always safe bets for the tween and younger teen. But what if you want or need some more ideas for your older teen? Here’s a list of great gifts for teen guys that should please nearly any boy (and some of the girls ) on your list, but most especially the ones that are also asking for Axe or car keys this Christmas.

Great Gifts for Teen Guys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

For Boys in Motion

FORZA Soccer Goal 12×6
If you have a sports-loving kid, this is certain to put a smile on his face. We have already worn out one of these so this is topping my boys’ lists this year for sure. Great Gift Ideas for Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Kan Jam Game Set

This was a huge hit at the beach last summer. My 17yo son put this at the top of his list this year.

spin_prod_1108855812

ESPN Films 30 for 30: Complete Season 1
Watching these great sports films has become a mother/son bonding thing each week. Quality sports entertainment perfect for your sports-loving boy.

Great Gifts for Teen Boys and Men--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Youth Bow And Arrow Set-Air Storm Firetek Bow

Sure to secure your place as mom of the year with this one. These are the most fun, safe bow and arrow sets out there and they have LED lights so you can play at night. I almost cannot stand the awesome. Younger teen boys kind of lose their mind over this stuff.Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Nerf CS-18 N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike

Nerf guns are a neighborhood staple and these are the best ones. Period. Reliable and quick, your favorite guy should dominate his next Nerf battle with this one. The 17yo said this would still be a winner.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

ProSource Heavy-Duty Easy Gym Doorway Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar

Big boys need an outlet. Short of installing a gym in your basement, this should do the trick.

Great Gifts For Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Great Games

The Settlers of Catan
We love games to lure sulky teens back to the family fold. This is one of our favorites. Easy to learn, fairly quick (most games are done in a little over an hour) but interesting enough to survive a week long beach trip without getting boring. This is a game you will come back to time and again. A favorite for all of my kids—boys and girl alike!Great Gifts for Teen and Tween Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms
Pandemic Board Game
Another great choice for family game night. My boys (and girl) love watching the disease hot spots pop up and I love how we assume different roles as disease-fighting specialists all working together to put out the hot spots. If the disease spreads, we all lose. If we contain the outbreak, we all win. Family fun and peace in one box. Fa-la-la-la-la.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Munchkin Deluxe

Tween boys lose their ever-loving minds over this game. At a price point under $30, it’s a great gift choice and with a gazillion add-on card packs, it’s a gift idea that you can recycle for his birthday as well. Keep this in mind for the younger set. It’s a winner.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Classic Parcheesi Board Game

All of the teens and tweens love this classic game. But you have to get the version with the animals. Nothing like having the camels and the water buffalo duke it out in the end. Trust us on this one.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Farkle Classic Dice Game

With a price point below $10, this one could be a great stocking stuffer or perfect for a gift exchange. We play this all summer long and during snow days. Super-fast and fun.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Tech Any Boy Would Love

Motorola MH230TPR Rechargeable Two Way Radio 3 Pack, FRS/GMRS

We gave these to the boys last Christmas, and they were a run-away hit. There are other two way radios of course, but these work up to 5 miles apart. My kids use them constantly.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Zoomer Zuppies Interactive Puppy – Spot
Boys and their dogs are not easily parted. If you are not ready to commit to the fuzzy, furry type, this one will certainly win you high fives on Christmas Day. Boys and tech are always a win! For younger teens, this is topping their list this Christmas.
Great Gift Ideas for Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms
JAM Classic Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Blueberry) HX-P230BL
All of my kids LOVE their music, and this speaker is topping my 11yo’s list. Right now, he uses the computer to blast his tunes to help him through his chores. This will make his sound portable and shareable. A hit for all teens!

Great Gift Ideas for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Just for Fun

Star Wars Command Millennium Falcon Set

A lot of boys love Star Wars and these command sets combine the appeal of army men with the classic movie. Any of the sets would be a winner, but we are partial to the Millennium Falcon. All boys love a toy, even big ones.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Nike Elite Basketball Crew

I don’t know why boys love these socks. They just do. Great Stocking Stuffers!

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Pony Logo Baseball Hat Cap

All of the senior boys I know have this on their list. Don’t question. Just surprise him with your awesomeness. Anything Ralph Lauren is good apparently.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Quadcopter

If your boy loves the radio-controlled genre of fun, this one is the MacDaddy of fun. It’s a remote-controlled helicopter with a camera. You will be getting high fives and hugs all season long.
Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Discovery Kids Night Vision Spy Goggles

Spy stuff is always a winner for the younger teen/tween set.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Teen Boys Play Video Games

FIFA 15 – Xbox 360

Yeah, we’re soccer dorks. This is my boys’ favorite game. Thanks, Grandma!

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Mario Kart 8

One of the best video games to come out this year, this game that appeals to everyone would be a great gift.

mario

Madden NFL 15

Every version of this game is pretty great, but this year’s upgrade does not disappoint.

Madden_15_Cover

Hope these ideas help you make your favorite teen guy’s Christmas extra-special this year. Of course, there might be some crossover potential for some of the girls on your list too!

-Erin

Mens Wood Watches

 

 

Looking for gift ideas for the teen girls in your life? Look no further than here!

 

Valentine Fabulous Gifts for Teen Girls

 

Looking for even MORE ideas? 

 

Check out this year’s great super-sized list!
Holiday gift guide for teens and tweens | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms
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Fabulous Gifts For Teen Girls

Fabulous Gifts for Teen Girls

We’re not much for the Black Friday hoopla, but we can get down with Cyber Monday. How can you beat shopping in your pajamas or while you’re at work–on break of course <ahem>. So we’re making lists and checking them twice and hoping we can get some steals and deals for our teen girls. Even if these gifts don’t go on sale, there is a price range for everyone. All 16 gifts have been Daughters of the Sisterhood approved, so behold . . .

Our Sweet Sixteen Gift Guide

Conair 1875 Watt Thermal Shine Styler

Conair 1875 Watt Full Size 4-in-1 Hair Dryer

This is the best dryer EVER. Seriously. Erin almost stole it from Ellen while they were on vacation together. Good thing Ellen’s daughter Coco (15) does not let it out of her sight. It dries thick hair fast–like Ellen’s thick main of hair in under 20 minutes–and the smoothing attachment is a miracle. No more hand numbing contortions with a brush AND a dryer. The results are so good, it minimizes your flat iron time if it doesn’t eliminate it altogether. Best part? It’s way under $25!

 

SEPHORA Makeup Academy Palette 2013 Blockbuster Limited Edition Set

Sephora Makeup Academy Palette

This might not be a steal, but it will get you squeals of delight and isn’t that what gift giving is all about? Plus, if you need that special shadow for that one special outfit, it’ll be as close as a trip down the hall.

 

Divergent Trilogy Box Set
Divergent Series Complete Box Set

If your teen hasn’t discovered this series yet, get this set in your shopping cart right now! Set in a futuristic dystopia where society is divided into five factions that each represent a different virtue, teenagers have to decide if they want to stay in their faction or switch to another – for the rest of their lives. According to Ellen’s girls, this series is a real page turner. The movie for the first book came out in March of 2014. We are firm believers in reading the book before the movie. Firm. Believers. So hurry up and get into this series before the rest of the movies drop.

And if you like Divergent, The Maze Runner is another great option . . .

Fabulous Gifts for Teen Girls - Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms
The Maze Runner (Book 1)
The Maze Runner DVD or Blu-ray
The Maze Runner Dylan O’Brien Poster

Fans of dystopian literature will love The Maze Runner. (Confession: Ellen enjoyed the series immensely, too.) Please, please, please start with the book before moving onto the DVD. While the movie is exciting and pretty great, the book is full of rich detail that could not be crammed into the film. But speaking of details, the main character played by Dylan O’Brien is pretty easy on the eyes. This poster is topping Ellen’s daughter’s wish lists since they were fans before The Maze Runner even came out because of his role on MTV’s Teen Wolf.

 

JKase® 3-in-1 Camera Lens Kit Wide Angle Lens + Macro Lens + 180° Fish Eye Lens for iPhone 5
Universal 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit for Smart phones (including iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, HTC, Motorola and More), Tablets, iPad, and Laptops
We know that is a lot of words for a link, but to simplify–IT IS PURE AWESOME. If your teen is lucky enough to have a smartphone, then you know it’s a prized possession. Be a hero by making it even better with lenses that zoom, take wide angles, and produce cool fish eye effects. And it’s under $20! Best part? You might even be able to surprise her because she doesn’t even know she wants it.

 

Sodastream Jet Starter Kit
SodaStream Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker Starter Kit

We’re not sure if the SodaStream is practical, but it sure is fun and that’s what gift giving is all about in our families. And Ellen’s family can attest that it’s also tasty. Ellen is not a big soda drinker, but even she is a fan of the mywater flavor essence (althooooooough, the root beer is pretty good). One great convenience is that the SodaStream doesn’t need any batteries or electricity to operate. It’s powered solely by the compressed gas carbonator that comes in the starter kit. Pretty cool.

 

Would You Rather
Would You Rather? Board Game – Classic Version
We are huge fans of board games here at The Sisterhood. We play them at family gatherings, on  random cold Saturday nights, and even on New Year’s Eve. This game is a favorite of all ages on those occasions, but it made the teen gift list because it is also a big hit at slumber parties. Maybe if you pull out this game at the beginning of the evening, you can avoid your own sleepover disasters. We’re rooting for you!

Clue
Clue
When we have a little more time, and some quiet, Clue is always a favorite. The intrigue gets us every time.

And if you have A LOT of time . . .

Risk
Risk Game
Because who doesn’t want to rule the world?

 

Mini Donut Maker and Cookbook
Mini Donuts Cookbook
Sunbeam Mini Donut Maker

Ellen’s family has such a fun time with this gadget.You can make a huge batch in no time because the donuts bake so quickly. The cookbook is really worthwhile, too. Ellen’s daughter recommends the Red Velvet recipe on page 49 (and so do Ellen’s hips as a matter of fact). One other tip: wooden chopsticks are great for lifting the donuts out.

 

Innergie PocketCell Portable Battery Pack

Innergie PocketCell – Portable Battery Pack and Charger with USB Magic Cable Trio
This is the gift of power for your teen and the gift of peace of mind for you. Never fear a dead phone again–works for a variety of phones with the same Magic Cable (it has different adapters that you can flip around). Ellen can attest the battery pack holds it charge for quite a while just waiting to rescue you.

 

Soft Chevron Sheer Infinity Scarf
Soft Chevron Sheer Infinity Scarf
Infinity scarves are hot and this one is sizzling with its chevron print. It comes in a multitude of colors so you can give them to all of the teens in your life without them complaining about being “matchies.”

 

Fuzzy Socks
Fuzzy Winter Socks – Set 3
Girls love fuzzy socks. The end.

 

Remington Pearl Digital Tapered Ceramic Curling Wand

Remington Pearl Digital Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand
If your girl has long hair, this is THE curling iron that gives those trendy soft spiral curls. And this one won’t break the bank. Don’t be frightened off by the lack of clip: think no weird crimps at the bottoms of your curls. THAT is so 1988. But don’t fear third degree burns either because this one comes with a protective glove to protect your girl’s fingers.

 

The North Face Half Dome Women's Hoodie

The North Face Women’s Half Dome Hoodie

Teen girls love The North Face like they are embarking on a daily trek to Mount Everest instead of just traipsing into Chemistry class. This hoodie is one of the more economical ways to gift it. When you click and your size selection you will see that most of them are Prime eligible.

 

Anchor Bracelet
Sterling Silver Rhodium Plated Anchor Bracelet
Anchors are “in,” but this bracelet is sweet enough to survive the trend. It’s not too pricey either, so cry, “Anchors away!” and add it to your cart, Matey! (Please tell us you read that last part in a pirate voice. Please.)

 

One Direction Duct Tape and Calendar

One Direction 2015 Calendar
One Direction Duct Tape
One Direction is still going strong and since you can’t invite the lads over for dinner at least they can be with you all year long with this calendar. And in case you didn’t know, duct tape is B-I-G, so One Direction duct tape? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

Okay and one more for good measure . . .

boot socks
Crochet Lace Trim & Buttons Knit Boot Socks Black
Cold weather is all about the boots and adorable socks peeking up above them is the trendy way to go. Their feet will be extra warm in these. Now if we could only convince them wearing coats was a “thing.”

 

And just one more . . .

fit bitFitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband
Got an athlete who also likes tech? This helpful little tool tracks steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. It also monitors quantity and quality of sleep and might just convince your teen it is time to get off of Netflix and get some more shut-eye.

 

Well, that last one was a little pricey and this one is super cool, so one more . . .

Gift Guide for Teen Girls
Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera
Shake it like a Polaroid picture! We know, this camera is by Fuji, but it gets better reviews than the instant photo camera by Polaroid, and that is what is important, all super fun retro hip hop songs aside. Your girl will love the novelty of seeing a photo print out instantly and you will love the nostalgia. The credit card sized prints are vintage-y and kitschy enough to appeal to anyone’s inner hipster.

Watches Made From Wood

Need some gift suggestions for the teen boys in your life? We have those right here!

Great Gifts for Teen Guys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Need even more ideas? Check out this great super-size guide!

Holiday gift guide for teens and tweens | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Hope these lists give you some help, but we aren’t done. If you’re not an Amazon kind of person, Ellen has one more suggestion. How about adopting a kitten? One size fits all. (How fast are you scrolling back to the top now?)

Merry Christmas Pebbles

There is more to teens than shopping. Read our other parenting articles about teens here.

-Ellen and Erin

This post contains affiliate links. Except for the kitten. That is Pebbles and Ellen is keeping her. We’re sure you can find your own kitten.

 

 

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