Top Stocking Stuffers for Tween Boys

Shopping for tweens can be hard, especially at Christmas. As a parent, you still want to give your child a stocking, but you don't want your tween to think that it's "lame". Avoid this by using one or more of the following tween boy stocking stuffers.

• Gift cards - Whether it's an iPod card for use in downloading songs or a Blockbuster card to rent games, your tween will be thrilled.

• Video game - Bought your son a Nintendo Wii for Christmas? Stick a Wii video game in his stocking. This works even if your kid already has a gaming system. Try NCAA Football 2010 if he likes football or Mario Party 8 for a variety of fun games to play.

• Candy - No matter how old your child gets, he still needs his sweet tooth fix. You may not want to buy the Sponge Bob Krabby Patties anymore, but put a lot of whatever your tween does like in the stocking.

• Movie - Think back to summer and the movies your tween begged you to take him to see at the theater. Find out if the movie is out yet and if it is, buy it. If your tween went nuts over X-Men Origins: Wolverine, then make sure it is in his stocking when he checks it on Christmas Day.

• Guitar Hero handheld game - The handheld version of the popular Guitar Hero series is sure to be a hit with your tween. The game has 10 songs your child can rock out to in the back seat of the car and is guaranteed fun.

• Comet Ball - These balls are a lot of fun to play with, especially for tween boys. The Comet Ball bounces a lot higher than the average bouncy ball - up to 75 feet. You might want to buy a backup, though, in case the first one ends up in the gutter before lunch.

• Tech deck kit - Even if your tween hasn't shown any interest in skateboarding, buy him a starter Tech Deck Kit. These little finger skate boards are fun to do tricks with, as well as decorate with different stickers and wheels (but don't say 'decorate' to your kid).

• Money - If there was ever a gift you couldn't go wrong with, it's money. Put a few bucks in the stocking and take your tween to Wal-Mart and let him pick out something from the after-Christmas sales.