Those of you who have been following along with the 12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas series probably began your Christmas shopping weeks ago. For others, these final days of November (especially Black Friday here in the United States) are when the inertia and adrenaline of the holiday shopping season kick into high-gear.
As I planned out my own list of Christmas gifts this year, I decided this would be the first year I would not purchase anything from a big box store. I hope to take it a step further by buying handmade whenever possible.
Buying handmade items for babies, toddlers, and young children is generally very easy. There is no shortage of lovely handmade dolls, cars, and clothing to be found. Shopping for the older children and teenagers, however, can prove to be a little more challenging.
Here are some handmade gift ideas that might work wonderfully for the teen or tween in your life:
Jewelry and Accessories
Photo by Atelier Encantado
- For young women – tile pendant necklaces, crystal name bracelets, retro-inspired wallets, or unique hair pins
- For young men – leather strap keyfob, beads and number necklace, money clip, or military-inspired charm chain
Clothing
- For young women - hand-knit hat, felted slippers, charming skirt, or cozy pajamas
- For young men - hand-knit hat, funny t-shirts, funky hoody, or a knit gnome beard
Games
Photo by shoobydooby
- handcrafted chess set
- triangle solitare
- custom photo jigsaw puzzle
- vintage playing cards (technically not handmade, but definitely not big box!)
Kits
Miscellaneous Ideas
Photo by alancleaver
- funky journal
- iPhone/iPod case
- hand held video game case (for guys or girls)
- sports salve
- gift baskets of favorite snacks, cocoa, collectibles, or magazines
- books!
Most importantly, remember to give the gift of yourself – your time, energy, and interest. The focused and intentional time spent with the tween or teen in your life is sure to create memories that will last far longer than even the most meaningful gift you choose.
Do you find shopping for older children and teenagers to be exhilarating or exhausting? What gift ideas would you add to this list?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Love these ideas!! Off now to check out all the links
These are some fantastic ideas as that is where I get stopped in my tracks sometimes.
.-= Mia Bella Candles´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
What great ideas…many people will appreciate this list! I’m going to go check out all those links! Thanks
.-= Angela Mills´s last blog ..Yes, I’m a Christian. Yes, we do Santa =-.
Thank you for the wonderful ideas. It’s not so easy to find nice presents for teens except books and computer games, so thanks for these nice ideas!
.-= Micha´s last blog ..Quittenpfefferkuchen / quince cookies =-.
I love these ideas. I used to think the teen and tweens get the short straws with handmade but now I see I just was looking in the wrong places.
.-= Melitsa´s last blog ..The alternative Play Activities Holiday Gift Guide #7 Outdoor play =-.
Some great ideas here. I’ll pass it along to my friends with older kids.
http://www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com
.-= Maryann ´s last blog ..Holiday Giveaway: Win a Target Gift Card! =-.
Great list- teens are hard to figure out, even if you are shopping at big box stores. I finally learned to knit and do beanies (in dk grey- foolproof color) for teen or even young adult boys. The kits are great ideas too- totally fun for the right person!
.-= Cara @ Health Home and Happiness´s last blog ..New to Juicing- carrot apple spinach juice =-.
Love the wooden chess set!
.-= aaronshawphd´s last blog ..Baby Animals of the Day! Baby Camel! =-.
Wonderful! This is a great alternative list to the itunes gift card, which I always end up purchasing!
.-= Tashia @ The Household Planner´s last blog ..Tell Your Loved Ones that You are Thankful for Them =-.
Itunes gift card! That’s not a bad idea – why didn’t I think of that?
.-= Emma @ Baby-log.com´s last blog ..How to buy a high chair you won’t regret buying, part 2. =-.
I’m so glad you are finding them to be helpful! I realize not every single one of them are actually handmade items, but hopefully it will spur some inspiration for something beyond “the usual” for the special young people in your lives!
.-= Megan at Simple Kids´s last blog ..What We’re Reading: Ivy + Bean and The Empty Pot =-.
Great ideas! We only have young children (no teens), but I think my wife would like a lot of these items!
.-= Dustin | Engaged Marriage´s last blog ..I am Thankful for Sexuality =-.
This year I plan on going with handmade gifts as well. I’m looking for tons of ideas so this post gave me some ideas. My intention of giving handmade gifts is because of our budget. After losing my job earlier in the year and finally finding one, I realized that handmade gifts may be the best way to go in working within our budget.
I am also looking for homemade hostess gifts. Any ideas?
Handmade gifts are such a great idea. I’m going to check out these links. Thanks!
.-= Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..Park Closes at Sunset =-.
Thanks for the suggestions! I also like:
http://www.christianhandcrafts.com/home.php
http://www.warinternational.org/store/
Thanks for the links. I found a beanie for my older son and leather chords for two crosses I already bought both sons.
.-= Tia´s last blog ..Please Be Patient with Me =-.
I love the idea of sport salve for my hockey playing, football throwing, soccer kicking nine year old.
.-= Jan (Mixing Bowl Kids)´s last blog ..Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Crisps =-.
Thank you for the sharing the list. I always prefer anything that is homemade and handmade
Not only they are special and unique too.
As for this year we have decided not to spend any money on buying gifts. I have started early to make some bath frizz, bath salts , soaps, cookies and etc to be given as gifts.
.-= spagiftbaskets´s last blog ..Over the Hill 40th Bouquet of Cookies =-.
I just discovered this blog, but wanted to throw in another idea – we have had a 16 year old exchange student with us, and I had no idea what to get. I really wanted to give something that she couldn’t get at home and other host families were getting school-spirited items, especially since school spirit is a big culture thing. Instead of purchasing a cheaply made item though, I did a handmade blanket with the school’s simpler of two logos. She loves it – I’ve even seen her take it to school on cold days. Best gift I gave this year.
Those are some great ideas! Handmade gifts are great because teens realize that the gift giver put a lot of work and hard thought into it.
.-= Britt´s last blog ..New on Gift Lens- =-.