Budget Christmas Shopping for Teens in Tampa, Florida

Christmas shopping for teens can be quite a challenge in these tough financial times. What do you get for your teen that doesn't require you to take out a loan or overextend your credit cards? Take a ride down Dale Mabry. Tucked away in a little corner is a boutique known as Plato's Closet. When you walk in to the cinnamon scented boutique, everything is neatly organized. You will find Hollister, American Eagle, Billabong and many well known brands of jeans for a fraction of the cost you would pay at any of the malls in the area. Many are priced at $18-20, compared to $50 and up. They sell new and gently used clothing. You can bring in your clothing and, unlike consignment shops, you will get money for the clothes on the spot.

Guys don't feel left out! There are racks and racks of guys' jeans, shirts, and sweatshirts. Lucky and American Eagle jeans sell for $18-20. Dress shirts that they may only wear once to Aunt Mabel's wedding sell for $6.

The address is 13124 North Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa, FL 33618. The store is open Monday through Friday, from 10-8, Saturday, from 10-7 and Sunday from 12-6.

After Plato's Closet, hop in your car and drive north on Dale Mabry to Michaels at 14829 North Dale Mabry. Christmas shopping for your artistic teen is a breeze in this place! You can find All In One Jewelry making kits for $16.99, that contain everything you need to make jewelry, even the tools, and a wide assortment of beads and pendants.

If your teen likes t-shirts, then why not give them what they need to create their own? Michaels has iron on transfers from Transformation Design for $4.99 for 3 sheets. Your teen can print out a design on their inkjet printer and then iron it on a t-shirt. Yes, Michaels even sells the t-shirts for $3.99.

Next stop - Game Stop, located at 15217 North Dale Mabry Highway. Christmas shopping on a budget is not a problem here. You will find an assortment of games for every type of system, from Playstation to Wii. These pre-owned games sell for as little as $9.99 for well known games such as Dance Dance Revolution. Each game comes with a 7 day full refund or exchange if you take the game home and decide you don't like it.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10-9 and Sunday from 12-6. You can bring in the games that your teen no longer plays and get cash for them or in store credit. Trade in the old games for something new!