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!)

The post Stocking Stuffers for Your Teen first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

There are Amazon affiliate links used throughout this post. If you prefer to search for the item yourself, please do! The main purpose of this blog post is to inspire to you to find the perfect gift for those that aren’t even expecting them.

1. First up! Solid bar shampoo and conditioner. I’ve personally tried these 2 exact products and they are quite effective. I doubted I could get a good sudsy shampoo, or a conditioner that would smooth and detangle my long wavy hair. The hundreds of product reviews were not wrong. This stuff is amazing, and perfect for travel when you don’t want to pollute the earth with tiny plastic hotel shampoo and conditioner bottles. This is your go-to stocking stuffer!! Aspen Kay Shampoo Bar

Aspen Kay Conditioner Bar

2. Next is another product that we loved so much we started making our own. This brand that we purchased lasted longer and looks cuter than the DIY ones we made so I am recommending them here. I love carrying these in my purse to have when I need to wrap up something from a restaurant that the kids couldn’t finish but will likely beg for 5 minutes after we leave the restaurant. Bee’s Wrap

3. I just bought these metal straws for the kids because I had a variety of metal and silicone straws and they would argue over who got the most precious one. It was a battle that morning smoothie time wasn’t intended for. Enter brilliant mommy moment. I purchased identical metal straws. Problem solved! I liked this one because it came with a handy bristle cleaner. Set of 8 reusable stainless steel straws. 

4. This next one is actually on my Christmas list. Right now I am using old t-shirts my daughter made into shopping bags, but some of them are way too big to hold just a few produce items. Plus the weight of the t-shirt really makes a difference when checking out, so I will save those bags for bagging at the end of the shopping trip. I’m sure there are other styles out there, but these are the ones that I want (hint hint). See-Through Reusable and Washable Shopping Bags

5. While on the topic of grocery shopping, I recently saw this set-up in a gentleman’s shopping cart the other day and thought this is truly an invention worth sharing. Holy moly, where has it been all my life?! The best part about this particular one is that one of the sections is a cooler bag. While not a sexy gift, it’s incredibly handy for the family that needs to simplify grocery trips. No need to buy multiple reusable bags, keep these in your car and they go from trunk to shopping cart to kitchen — just don’t forget to put them back in your car….or minivan (let’s be honest). Set of 4 Lotus Trolley Bags

6. Since your environmentalist or minimalist friend appreciates experiences over things, it’s likely they like to have dinner parties to create memories. Clearly this gift is more broad and is perfect for anyone who loves entertaining, just got a new home, or is a foodie and probably has items to knock out a 5-star charcuterie at a moments notice. The Bamboo Cheese Board with Slide-Out Door might be something you want to add to your own wish list!

7. Do you know where you chocolate comes from? No really? Once I read the packaging to this socially-conscious chocolate company, I was hooked in the best kind of way. Their mission is 100% slave-free chocolate. Sadly, slavery and child-labor is still a thing in parts of the world. Eating and gifting Tony’s Chocoloney this year and even just being aware of what is happening in the world with the food you eat is one step closer to helping them with their mission.

8. If you or your spouse is like my husband, you grind your coffee by hand every morning, brew to perfection the perfect cup in your French press or pour over contraption. Buuuut…if it weren’t for my husband, I might just be a tea-only drinker, because I’m admittedly lazy/slow to wake up in the morning. Enter the Nespresso line of products. It’s brain-dead simple, and the best part about it is you mail back all those aluminum pods to the company where they recycle them. My mom and brother are avid fans of this line, so this is what they will be getting this year in their stockings. Until my husband leaves me, I’ll still be buying whole coffee beans and celebrating each morning this nice little gift I am able to receive in my marriage. (PS, this may not be how your husband shows his love, but I’m sure there is something that is unique to your spouse that he/she needs to know how much you appreciate – a little someone reminded me of that and I think it’s great advice). Nespresso 30 pack – Assorted

9. My brother and sister-in-law gave all the kids blankets last year and they absolutely loved them. They’ve used them every night since. You can find eco-friendly materials like recycled cotton, wool, or bamboo online, but this one from the U.K. can also double as a picnic blanket- PERFECT for the experience-type couples or parents who like to get out in nature for a day and tote along a meal. The Tweedmill Eco Friendly All Wool Picnic Throw/Blanket/Rug is repurposed and recycled from unused wool from manufacturing.

10. Last but not least, a gift for your art-minded friends. A book to inspire them to use organic materials for their creations. My mother-in-law, a gifted painter, saves tea bags and uses them as her canvas. After painting a little scene, she then sews the mini canvases to recycled paper and uses them as greeting cards. I love those little pieces of art, and I love this book that shares all sorts of resources you likely have around the house. The Organic Painter book.

Victoria Wise is the Tanglewood Moms founder, publishes Madeworthy magazine in Fort Worth,Texas, raises four awesome kids with her loving husband, and makes time as a board member for non-profits Lone Star Film Festival and Connected Commerce Council. Some of her accomplishments include being inaugural member of Facebook’s SMB Council (now called Leader’s Network), being a Founding Member of TCU Neeley School’s Women to the Power of 10, receiving the Great Women of Texas Award by the FW Business Press, Legacy of Women Award by SafeHaven, and having a successful sale of a previous business.

The post 10 Holiday Gifts for the Environmentalist or Minimalist first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.