Top 10 Gift Ideas Gift Ideas for Stocking Stuffers for Teenage Boys

As my children get older, I have a harder and harder time trying to finding stocking stuffers for my boys. I think part of the reason, is because I feel that I am getting them the same thing year after year. Also as they get older, their tastes change and stocking stuffers become much more expensive. It gets difficult to be creative and thrifty at the same time when selecting stocking stuffers for teenage boys.

When they were little, I was able to go to the dollar store and get a variety of small items for stocking stuffers. Things like jacks, balls, card games, small cars, bubbles and wooden airplanes were perfect for my young boys. As they got older, my kids loved gift cards as stocking stuffers because they were able to get exactly what they wanted. They were at the age where they thought credit cards were cool and they pretended they were using a credit card to make their purchases. It was kind of cute, but disturbing at the same time. They used the gift cards to purchase clothes, music, candy and weapons. Yes, weapons, like sling shots, soft pellet guns, bows and arrows, BB guns and paint ball equipment. Now they are into "man" weapons and enjoy hunting and target practicing. So again, I am left with the dilemma of what to get without spending an extraordinary amount of money and time to find the perfect stocking stuffers for my teenage boys.

I am half tempted to go the easy route and fill the stockings with a music download gift card and candy. Sure they would enjoy that, but would they remember their stocking stuffers years later? I don't think so. I want to make the holidays memorable so years down the road they can share their holiday memories with their children. Also, as they get older and want more expensive items, they will get less "packages" to unwrap. That will make their stocking stuffers all the more special.

I could go to the dollar store and get a variety of small items like tools, themed dishware, vehicle accessories, food and candy. I could also go practical and make a little basket that includes the necessities like razors and deodorant. They could leave it on the bathroom counter where it is easily accessible to remind them to actually use the items I included; like soap. This might seem like a pretty large stocking stuffer, but we have pretty big stockings. I also could go retro and get items that remind them of yesteryear like wooden airplanes and bubbles to stuff their stockings with, but I don't think I'll go that route either.

I still could go the easy route and fill the stockings with candy and a couple of gift cards from their favorite stores. They LOVE Wal-Mart gift cards as stocking stuffers because they are so versatile. They can use them in the store and get anything from clothing and music to ammo. They can also use the gift card online where there is a larger variety of items to choose from or they can use it to download music. It is pretty much their favorite gift card and their favorite stocking stuffer. They also like i-Tunes gift cards. They like i-Tunes because the songs are not edited like the majority of Wal-Mart songs and there is a larger variety.

I could go personal and get items for the stockings that are easily personalized like a watch or bracelet with a name or inscription. Little picture frames are very inexpensive and can easily be personalized. My teenage boys like the little magnetic frames that they can put in their school lockers. Additional stocking stuffers in this category would be pens or pencils, stationary, diaries, CD cases and personalized or handmade Christmas ordainments. My kids have got a Christmas ornament every year since they were born in their stocking. They love getting a new one and placing it on the tree. It has become a family tradition and when they have families of their own, I will give them ornaments to continue the tradition with their family. I imagine there will always be a Christmas ornament in my future grandchildren's stockings.

I could go with a practical joke or gag gift theme and get coal for their stocking stuffers. But that is messy and I don't really want to see tears on Christmas morning. There is also the snowman poop and reindeer food I could put in my teenage boys stockings, but I really don't think that they would appreciate that. I could go goofy using items that they could have fun with like a hand buzzer or a fake snake. They definitely would have fun with those items, but I don't think their sister would appreciate that idea at all. I'll keep thinking about stocking stuffers for my teenage boys.

I could also go with a group of items that have a similar Theme. Themed items make great stocking stuffers for teenage boys. If your teenage boys are into hunting like mine are, choose items in the hunting department. Stocking stuffers can be anything from wildlife t-shirts to ammo depending on the size of your stocking. Small items that are available in the hunting department include survival stuff like snake bite kits and waterproof matches to floating key chains and pocket knifes. There are also rain ponchos and survival blankets, food bars and small flash lights. There are even windup radios that do not require batteries. There is also a ton of camping items that would make perfect stocking stuffers. The mind boggles at the unlimited ideas you could choose for a teenage boy who is in to fishing. Other themes include a favorite movie, car racing, art supplies or tools. One year, we used a movie theme for stocking stuffers and got each child their favorite DVD, microwave popcorn, a bottle of root beer, movie tickets and of course, lots of candy. They adored it and are still talking about their cool stocking stuffers.

So, what will I be using for my teenage sons stocking stuffers this year? Sorry, but I can't tell you, they might read this. Just remember to enjoy your search. Sometimes the best ideas come from just walking around. When you see a particular item, the light bulb goes on and there it is; your idea or theme for your teenage sons stocking stuffers. Have fun!