Where to Find Unique Holiday Gifts for Teenagers in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville offers a plethora of antique and curiosity shops for treasure seekers and souvenir hunters. However, shopping for teens can be a little trickier. Where can you find memorable gifts for the young adults on your holiday list? Here are several locations you might try, along with several gift ideas you might find at each spot.

Beach Boulevard Flea and Farmers' Market
11041 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville

If you are an adventurous shopper, seeking a unique item for a choosy teen, you just might find it at the flea market. How about a license plate frame promoting his favorite sports team or pop star? Why not pick a tee-shirt adorned with her most-loved television character? From carousels to crystals, this giant market has it all.

Open seven days a week, this bargain-hunters' extravaganza offers more than 800 vendors, selling everything a shopper might imagine and much more. Covered, enclosed booths are stocked to overflowing with books, CDs, clothing, electronics, games, knick-knacks, jewelry, souvenirs, sunglasses, and even live animals.

Regency Square Mall
9501 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville

For generations, teens have loved hanging out at the mall. Does anyone wonder why, after considering the extensive variety of fashion and merchandise choices that are offered?

If you are searching for thoughtful gift ideas for adolescents, the Regency Square Mall is a super place to begin. This sizable shopping center offers such teen-friendly stores as Aeropostale, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Russe, Claire's Accessories, Express, Finish Line, Foot Locker, Forever 21, FYE, Gap, Hot Topic, Limited, Old Navy, Pac-Sun, Victoria's Secret and many more. Browse through the various shops, and you may find pre-holiday sale pricing on stylish jean jackets, trendy backpacks, popular polo shirts, do-it-yourself spa products and other teen delights.

Holiday hours will run from Thanksgiving through Christmas, with stores open Monday through Friday (10 am to 9 pm), Saturday (7 am to 10 pm) and Sunday (11 am to 7 pm).

You can also purchase GGP Gift Cards at the mall's Customer Service Center. These cards are accepted at all of the mall's stores, and also at the 200-plus General Growth Properties malls throughout the United States. Be advised that GGP tacks a $2 service fee on each card purchase.

St. John's Town Center
4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville

The St. John's Town Center offers another diverse assortment of boutiques and shops, with many marketing merchandise specifically for teens. Favorite youth-oriented stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Claire's Accessories, Dick's Sporting Goods, Express, Gap, Guess, Hollister, J. Crew, Juicy Couture, MovieStop, Old Navy, PetSmart, Pier 1 Imports, Pottery Barn, Puma, Sunglass Hut, and more. You might stumble upon a rack of attitude tees, up-to-the-minute denim jeans, cozy pajamas or even radical room decorations. A movie poster might be just the ticket for one teen, while a super pair of sunglasses might suit another. Stroll the concourse, and do a little window-shopping to see what grabs you.

The mall is open Monday through Saturday (10 am to 9 pm) and Sunday (11 am to 6 pm).

Still stumped? Why not purchase a St. Johns Town Center Gift Card? These are redeemable at all stores in the complex, as well as any affiliated Simon Mall worldwide. (The nearby Orange Park Mall is one example.)

Trek Bicycle Store
240 South Third Street, Jacksonville Beach

What teenager wouldn't love a new set of wheels? Trek, Lemond, Cervello and Serotta are keywords with active teens. Stop at the Trek Bicycle Store (in the Merchant's Walk mall) for bikes and accessories. If Santa is feeling particularly generous, he might even design a custom bike for a favorite adolescent, choosing from a variety of component options.

Active-wear, biking helmets, bicycle art, safety equipment, cycle accessories and much more will tantalize the teens on your shopping list this year. You can even apply for a Trek credit card with extended payment options, no annual fees, special insider values and Lance Armstrong pictured on the front.

With two store locations (Jacksonville Beach and Mandarin), American Bicycle Company is open Monday through Friday (10 am to 6 pm) and Saturday (9 am to 6 pm). The store is closed on Sundays.

Skater/Surfer Shops

Jacksonville boasts several super shops for wave-catching teens. Skate Bomb (13091 Branch Vine Drive North, Jacksonville), Surf & Skate Surf Shop (239 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach) and Waves Surf Shop (1712 3rd Street North, Jacksonville Beach) all offer adequate assortments of active-wear, equipment and accessories for surfing and skating enthusiasts. From blades to wheels, from sandals to shorts, and from boards to big tees, these shops have the full array. Hours vary by store.

St. Augustine Premium Outlets
2700 State Road 16, St Augustine

If you know your favorite teen's sizes and preferred designer names, you can simply head for the factory outlets and score some super bargains! About a half-hour's drive southeast from Jacksonville, this discount center offers nearly 100 name-brand factory outlet stores. These include Adidas, Danskin, Disney, Fossil, Gap, Guess, J. Crew, Rockport, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Stores are open Monday through Saturday (9 am to 9 pm) and Sunday (10 am to 6 pm).