Stocking Stuffers for Your Teen

So you survived Black Friday and helped some of Fort Worth’s fine entrepreneurs on Small Business Saturday. (You did support Fort Worth’s entrepreneurs on Small Business Saturday, right? RIGHT???) Now comes Cyber Monday, and it’s a perfect time to get some stocking stuffers for the teen in your life.

There are few things more difficult than buying for teenagers, amirite? The Wall of Sighs and Eyerolls is meant to keep you, you annoying adult, out of their lives. And while it’s actually a good thing that they don’t want to be our buddies (they’re right on track, developmentally speaking), it makes giving them anything that they might actually want difficult. However, with a little friendly eavesdropping and some imagination, you can be the holiday hero!

I’m a complete nerd, and my kiddos are nerd larvae. My younger loves all things anime and Studio Ghibli. My older is in four different D&D campaigns and loves Moomin. Armed with this knowledge, I was able to find stocking stuffers under $10 each that they will actually like.

Save the World from Disposables

How about a couple of new face masks? Etsy is chock full of great face masks in all sorts of patterns and styles. My kids prefer the “origami” style, as it allows them to breathe more easily. I love that they can wear fun masks that can be washed and won’t clog up landfills.

Funky Footwear

Why not get some great socks? My little larvae express their individuality with crazy socks, and there are some great ones out there! (Plus, you can get rid of some of those teen socks which never get completely stink-free.)

Glam and Glorious

If you’ve got a makeup aficionado like my younger one, both Sephora and Ulta have some great stocking stuffers. Eyeshadow palettes, nail decals, and fragrances from brands like Clinique, O.P.I., and more. And don’t forget the store brands. You can find all sorts of deals!

Tech Gifts

Every teen I know is glued to their smartphones. How about some charging cables/blocks? Or a charging cord organizer? A charging block would keep your wall outlet free! Trust me, there are all sorts of inexpensive tech gifts out there!

And finally…

Just for Sillies

When my sister lived in Seattle, one of my kids’ favorite places to visit was the original Archie McPhee store on NW Market St. Fortunately, they have a great online store chock full of all sorts of crazy things like kale-flavored candy canes, meerkat finger puppets, or an Emily Dickenson air freshener. I mean, who doesn’t need an Emily Dickenson air freshener?

So there you have it. With a little bit of creativity and a splash of Google Fu, you can fill your teens’ stockings with things that might make them crack a smile! Maybe.

(Oh, and if any of you tell my children these ideas, so help me, I will hunt you down!)