The Best Stocking Stuffers for Teens 2009

As Christmas looms closer and closer, it's about time to start thinking about all the gifts you need to buy. If you're like me then the teenagers on your list are already stressing you. With interests that can change like the weather, even shopping for stocking stuffers can be hard to figure out. Here to help you get your shopping under control are the top 10 stocking stuffers for teenagers.

1. Bookstore gift cards are a great option that parents, teachers, and girls all can appreciate. Both Barnes & Noble and Borders offer a wide variety of book themed designs. Or consider supporting a local book store which may offer a more eclectic selection of new and local authors. IndieBound.org has a store locator to help you find independent book stores in your area.

2. Magazine subscriptions also make for great gifts especially to encourage reading in teenagers who don't love books. Get personal and look for unique titles that speak to your teens interests. Have a snowboard fanatic? Instead of Sports Illustrated try Snowboarder. Got a teenager that loves couture? Vogue is great but be sure you consider other, less popular magazines, like Women's Wear Daily ,to take their interest to the next level.

3. Table Topics are small decks of cards with questions to inspire conversation. They offer an ever-growing number of categories including Family Gatherings, Teen, and Travel decks. Great for getting more than one-word conversations from your teenager.

4. Help them store their files and music with a nod to nostalgia with the mix tape USB. Looks like an old school cassette tape, complete with handwritten label. Just the kind of thing your boyfriend in high school would give you with all your favorite love songs. Now your teen can use it to store files for school and maybe a favorite playlist of their own.

5. Band shirts- no not for the school band, for their favorite rock band (or hip-hop artist or whatever kind of music their into). It seems that graphic tees are the staple of every teen wardrobe so feed the need and pick up a cool vintage tee from their favorite artists. Available everywhere from Target to Old Navy to specialty stores, you are sure to find something they'll love. Having trouble? Try Old Glory which organizes their tees by musical genre.

6. As first love begins to bloom grooming becomes a big deal for teenage boys and girls. Pick up a quality skincare kit and introduce your teen to something besides soap and water to keep them looking fresh. Don't let stubble obscure that handsome face; try some quality shaving products like the Art of Shaving starter kit, available at Sephora and Nordstrom. Teen girls will appreciate their first set of make-up brushes or a quality manicure set just in time for New Year's parties.

7. Upgrades for their room can be inexpensive and well-appreciated. A poster of a favorite band or better yet help them really personalize their walls with a Jimi Hendrix quote from Wonderful Graffiti. IKEA has some fun and inexpensive wall décor that can add a personal touch to any room. Retro alarm clocks and funky storage boxes can be useful and fun for girls and boys.

8. Music is life! iTunes and other music store gift cards are always a welcome gift for this age group. If you're teenager doesn't have an iPod then it might be time to give in with the new shuffle coming in at $79. But if not, they can still make use of any of the online music stores by burning a CD.

9. Following up on the music theme, mini speakers and cute headphones are perfect stocking stuffers. While quality headphones or speakers can set up back $100 or more, you can still get great sound from inexpensive and fun alternatives. Check out FredFlare.com for a mini iPod speaker made from an old Lego or their cute panda bear headphones (available in other cute animals like ladybugs too!).

10. Stationery may seem more popular with girls than boys but both genders can find it a useful and personal gift. The perfect way to motivate them to write those post-Christmas thank-you's or keep in touch as they head off to college. There are many excellent online shops including ErinCondren.com and TinyPrints.com that offer great options for boys and girls. Support stage IV breast cancer patients with DesignHerGals.com which offers cute, personalized stationery and other paper products featuring your girl in an outfit that you designed. And for an economical option, popular online business printer VistaPrint offers a wide range of personal stationery at rock bottom prices.