Awesome Christmas Gifts for Teens and Tweens

Christmas shopping for Teens and Tweens is hard and a lot of parents don't know exactly what to get. Here are some suggestions, both expensive and inexpensive, that your tween/teen will absolutely love, separated into convenient sections.

Electronics:

Nintendo Wii:

Description: This is THE game system to have this year. The Wii is a must-have for gamers because it brings the video games to life, or more so than the other video games. Instead of just using a controller and hitting buttons, you actually act out the actions to make the characters do what you'd like. It's much more interactive and a wonderful experience.

Where it is found: It's very hard to get recently, and oftentimes requires you to run around and look all over for it. Stores are all sold out of it this time of year. My best suggestion would be to ask your local store (such as Kmart, WalMart, Game Stop, etc) when their next shipment of them will come in. Most times they can tell you, and then you just come in that day and wait in line...and even then it's not guaranteed. It's a bit of a hassle, but it's well worth it. You could also buy it online at a variety of sites, but then you have to pay shipping and handling. You can find them online here if you're interested in that option.

Price: $249 - $399

Xbox 360:

Description: With internet capabilities and a good memory, this system is a complete upgrade from the regular Xbox. The graphics are much better and the games are much more enjoyable. Anyone who enjoyed the Xbox will definitely enjoy this as well. If you're planning on buying this for a gamer in your family, though, I recommend getting the pro rather than the arcade. The main difference is that the pro has more memory (which means you can save more games on it) and it's internet compatible, which the arcade is not.

Where it is found: It can be found at just about any game stores such as Game Stop, or at regular stores like Kmart and Walmart, and also online. I would not recommend buying this system used, though, because oftentimes if it's used it won't come with a hard drive or a memory card and the hard drive is what allows it to hook up to the internet. Whatever money you might save buying used, you'll usually spend more than that buying the hard drive.

Price: Arcade: $199; Pro: $299; Elite: $399

I-pod Nano:

Description: These little things are wonderful gifts for music lovers (which most teens/tweens are). The 8GB Nanos will hold just about any song your teen/tween could ever possibly even THINK about listening to (it holds about 2,000 songs) and they are organized in convenient, easy to use folders. The quality of sound of I-pods are really good, and they are especially convenient for listening to music when you're on the go.

Where it is found: These are pretty common. Any department stores like Kmart and WalMart should have them, as well as being able to find them online.

Price: $149 - $248

Digital Camera:

Description: A lot of people, especially girls, when they reach their teen/tween years begin wanting to record their fun times with their friends, etc. A camera is the perfect (a rather practical) gift for this. The perfect camera, however, differs from person to person. If they just want it to take pictures of them and their friends, a simple low Megapixel (MP) and low zoom (generally around 3x) is a fine camera. If they actually want to get into photography, or further their photography, however, more MP and more zoom is pretty handy. I would not recommend buying these online, though. Better to be able to go check them out in the store, handle them, and see what you think when you can actually hold them/see how they work.

Where it is found: Cameras can pretty much be found anywhere. Department stores are guaranteed to have them. Rite-Aid even has them. It's just a matter of finding the one you're looking for.

Price: $99.00 (3x zoom, 7 MP Kodak at Kmart) - $2,999 (professional 12 MP Nikon at WalMart)

CDs:

Description: CDs are always a big hit with teen/tweens. The right cd, however, will change with their taste, of course, because not all teens are the same. Here is a list of suggestions of bands of all genres that are popular now: Rihanna, Daddy Yankee, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Hannah Montana, Linkin Park, Kanye West, Akon, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Metallica, Ne-Yo, 50 Cent, Enya, Jonas Brothers, Pussycat Dolls, Katy Perry, Green Day, and James Blunt.

Where it is found: At most department stores, but some department stores are doing away with their CD selection (such as Kmart, or at least the local one here anyway). WalMart still has CDs, though, or you could go to FYE.

Price: Usually around $10 - $20 depending on the artist and how long ago it was released.

Gift Cards for Her:

((This section is done with girls in mind, though I suppose it might work for guys, too))

Deb:

Description: Not sure whether Deb are nation-wide, but back home there was one nearby and they had the BEST clothes for girls, regardless of your style. There was a wide selection and you were always guaranteed to find something that you like.

Where it is found: Gift cards can be bought at Deb stores. To find a store near you, click here.

Peebles:

Description: These stores have a wonderful selection of clothes. While being kind of pricy, they have wonderful sales that make things not only affordable, but a good bargain, too. They have a lot of the name-brand clothes that some of my friends are into and a lot of people I know absolutely LOVE shopping there.

Where it is found: Gift cards can be purchased at Peebles stores. To find a store near you, click here.

Rue 21:

Description: These have a lot of clothes specifically geared towards teens/tweens, which makes them especially important on this list. They're not JUST for teens/tweens, but a large portion of their selection seems to be, even though adults seem to like them to. Trust me when I say they have just about something for everyone. My sister and I couldn't have more opposite tastes, yet we both absolutely ADORE shopping here and we love getting these gift cards for Christmas.

Where it is found: Gift cards can be purchased at Rue 21 stores. To find a store near you, click here.

Games for Him:

Fable II:

Console: Xbox 360

Description: This is a must-have for gamers, especially those that are into the roleplaying games. If your teen/tween enjoyed the first Fable, they will like this one almost guaranteed (I've only seen a couple unsatisfied players so far). The game is so much better and a lot more fun to play than the first. My boyfriend enjoyed the first, but he is completely hooked with this one and was extremely excited to get it.

Where it is found: Most department stores, such as Kmart and Walmart, should have it, as well as game stores like Game Stop.

Price: $60

Mario Kart:

Console: Nintendo Wii

Description: Complete with a steering wheel to make the experience more authentic, Mario Kart takes you from your living room to a fun racing environment against friends, family, or people online. The wheel makes the experience different from other racing games and it's a big hit amongst my friends and I (including the older ones, too).

Where it is found: Most department stores and game stores like Game Stop.

Price: $50

Rock Band:

Console: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Description: This is a great multi-player game, and is especially wonderful for parties. This is something that all teens/tweens seem to really enjoy and it's something that just about everyone can get into. The game consists of a singer, drummer, and guitarist playing a song together. I know that the seniors at my high school always played this in their free time.

Where it is found: Most department stores and game stores like Game Stop.

Price: around $100