Popular Gift Ideas for Teens

The Kindle Fire Tablet is Amazon's newest tablet PC which was unveiled in September 2011. It will be available in the US market on November 15, 2011. The Kindle Fire is a 7 inch multi-touch display with a 1024 x 600 screen resolution. It has a dual core 1 GHz processor with 8 GB of internal memory and 512 MB of RAM. The Amazon Kindle Fire runs on a customized Google Android operating system. Unlike the iPad 2, the Kindle Fire doesn't have cameras or 3G connectivity. However, the Kindle Fire costs $199 as opposed to the iPad 2 which costs $499. Here is a detailed Kindle Fire Review and a comparison to Apple's iPad 2.

Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet

Nintendo's Wii gaming console is one of the most popular interactive gaming systems in the market and is a cool gift for teens this Christmas. The Wii console uses innovative motion control technology to deliver a unique and fun interaction with the whole family. Included in the gaming system is the game console including the stand, Wii remote controller with remote jack, nunchuk controller, motionplus accessory, power cord, standard composite cable and instruction manual. Part of the package is Wii Sports which includes 5 game: tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing. The console comes with 512 MB of internal flash memory, SD card slot for memory expansion and 2 USB ports.

Wii with Wii Sports Resort

The CDG Player by Singing Machine is a portable Karaoke machine which makes for a great holiday gift for teenage boys and girls. It comes with two microphone jacks, one wired microphone, RCA cables, AC adapter, and includes a sampler disc. The CDG (Compact Disc plus Graphics) technology displays song lyrics as the song is being sung. It has a video output which easily connects to a TV in order to display the lyrics. Both the microphones have volume that can be controlled individually. The Singing Machine Karaoke player also has a cool built-in disco light effect.

Singing Machine SML-383
Portable Karaoke Machine

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Console with Kinect is another popular holiday gift. It's great for kids and adults alike, so it makes a great gift for the whole family. With Kinect, no controller is required and it keeps everyone active and off the couch. The Kinect sensor is able to mirror your body movements essentially making you the controller. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (b/g/n networks) allows streaming of HD movies, TV, as well as download games from Xbox LIVE. The Xbox 360 also comes with a wireless controller which has a range of approximately 30 feet and requires 2 AA batteries. Also included is the Kinect Adventures game.

Xbox 360 4GB Console
with Kinect

The Speakal iCrystal Stereo is a cool-looking docking station for the iPod with a 6 watt output. It is compatible with the iPod mini, iPod Nano, iPod classic, iPod touch as well as the iPhone. Other devices like the iPod Shuffle can be connected to it as well via the 3.5-mm input connector. The Speakal iCrystal Stereo has touch-activated controls which makes it easy to operate. Also included is a remote control and AC adapter. It comes in three colors, black, white and red.

Speakal iCrystal Stereo
Docking Station
with Two Speakers
for iPod

Ucreate Music from Mattel is a unique digital music-making system which turns kids into music producers. This innovative music interface allows music lovers to express themselves in song and create their own music masterpieces. With Ucreate Music, kids can record samples, create remixes, as well as share their creations and interact with others through the myucreate.com website. The Ucreate Music system requires 4 AA batteries which are included in the package.

Ucreate Music

Sony's PSP 3000, released in August 2011, is a hot gift for teenage boys. This cool new PSP gaming system includes a built-in microphone which allows you to use Skype functionality without a headset. It has an enhanced anti-reflective 4.3 inch LED screen allowing you to use it in bright places and outdoors. The PSP 3000 is versatile and enables you to listen to music, share photos as well as access the internet through the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. It includes two games: Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed: Shift. Also included is a 2GB removable Memory Stick Duo.

Limited Edition PSP Sports Entertainment Pack

The Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750 is a great gift for teens who love to explore the world of electronics and want to have some fun with educational DIY projects. With over 750 experiments to explore, starting with the basics of electronics to the more advanced projects, teens will have fun learning how electronics work. Some of the learning projects included in the Snap Circuit Extreme are sound activated switch, solar alarm, lie detector, adjustable light controller, rechargeable battery, am radio, and many others. The electronic projects are safe and do not require soldering because it uses snap circuits, hence the name, Snap Circuits.

The Snap Circuits Extreme is organized in such a way that the projects are listed based on complexity. This is a great way for kids to learn the basics and progress as they learn more complex and interesting projects with easy-to-understand instructions. It has received the National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval and has won awards for Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products and Dr Toy Best Educational Products.

Snap Circuits Extreme
Model SC-750

The Spy Video Car, from Spy Gear, is more than just a remote-controlled car. It captures video in real-time as it travels displaying the video on the LCD screen located on the controller. This Spy Video Car also comes with infrared night-vision technology thereby allowing kids to use it in the dark. The transmitter is powerful enough to transmit video onto the LCD screen even if there is a wall blocking it. The Spy Video Car requires 10 AA batteries not included with the purchase.

Spy Gear
Spy Video Car VX-6

The Daisy Rock is an electric guitar set and makes for a unique gift for teenage girls who are learning how to play the guitar. It includes an electric guitar (atomic pink), a 10-watt amplifier, an electronic tuner, a guitar strap, Daisy Rock Humbucker picks, a string winder, a polish cloth, a padded storage bag, and an instructional DVD, especially designed for girls. The Daisy Rock is manufactured from lightweight material with a slim neck which makes it easier to play.

Daisy Rock Debutante Atomic
Pink Electric Guitar Pack

The SHANY Sophisticated Collection makeup kit is a great gift set for girls in their teens. This makeup kit is a premium quality with ingredients approved by the FDA. SHANY Sophisticated Collection includes 48 eye-shadows, 4 pressed powders, 6 lip colors, 2 lipsticks, 2 lip glosses, 2 eye pencils, one eyeliner, one mascara, and 2 glitter gels. Also included in this makeup kit are applicators and brushes.

SHANY Sophisticated Collection
Mega Color Workshop
Premium Quality

The iLive Boombox is an iPod docking station is a cool gift for teen girls who enjoy listening to music. The iLive Boombox has a digital clock with a blue backlit LCD display and also has an AM / FM radio. This cool-looking boombox plays and charges all types of iPods with 30-pin dock connectors. The dimensions of the unit are 5.5 x 9.5 x 4 inches (W x L x H) and it weighs approximately 4 pounds.

iLive Boombox
with iPod Docking Station

Amazon.com
$10, $25, $50
Gift Cards

Gift Cards can be a great alternative to gifts, especially if you have a difficult time deciding on a gift for a friend or family member.

The good thing about gift cards is that they don't expire and you can assign a dollar limit to them.

At Amazon.com you can get a variety of gift cards even from other retailers like Home Depot, Kohl's, Subway, AMC Theaters, iTunes, and many more.

You can send Amazon gift cards via email, print them from your printer, send them by mail or even via Facebook.

There are some limitations to gift cards, so be sure to check the terms and conditions.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.
Updated: May 30, 2012