As I was working on our Christmas Gift Guide there was something I wanted to share with you. Shopping for teenagers can be hard. Really hard. For me its harder than usual.

Charlie’s Birthday is December 16th so not only do David and I have to shop for Christmas we also have to shop for Birthday Gift. This means we have to spend twice as much money which sometime we don’t have.

If your children are like Charlie they may have a wish list filled with video games, electronics, clothes, and whatever the newest thing happens to be this year.

And I’m never going to say that video games shouldn’t be a Christmas gift. In our family, electronics are a part of everyday life, and Charlie uses his electronics for gaming, photography, streaming, technology, and plenty of other things. I’m perfectly fine with that.

But sometimes I want to look beyond the obvious. Because when I think about Christmas gifts for Charlie, I don’t just think about what he wants to unwrap on Christmas morning. I think about what he will remember years from now.

I like giving meaningful gifts that can last a lifetime. That doesn’t always mean the gift itself lasts forever. Sometimes it’s the memory attached to it that lasts.

Charlie has a collection of figurines and coffee cups that probably wouldn’t show up on a traditional list of Christmas gifts for teenage boys. But each one means something to him or to our family.

Some remind us of a place we’ve been. Some remind us of something he loved. Some simply made us think of him. We have even bought T-shirts that may never get worn and posters that may never get hung on the wall. And that’s okay.

Because sometimes it isn’t about whether the teenager uses the gift every day. Sometimes it is about knowing that somebody thought about them when they chose it.

So when I’m shopping for a teenager who seems to have everything, I start thinking about the things they actually use, the things they love, the things they need, and the little things that might make them smile.

With Charlie and Suzzane sometimes the best gifts were the things they use up

I’ll give you a very Charlie and Suzzane example. A bottle of ranch. Yes, ranch dressing. There was a time when ketchup would have been the answer.

Now it might be ranch, sour cream, coffee, snacks, or something else he happens to be going through at the moment. And honestly, teenagers eat. An eat and eat.

Favorite snacks, candy, coffee, drink mixes, protein snacks, gum, their favorite condiments and other things they constantly use can make surprisingly good stocking stuffers or small Christmas gifts.

They may not sound exciting when you say them out loud, but imagine giving a teenager a basket filled with their favorite things. That’s personal. And it doesn’t create another object that needs to find a permanent home.

I have joked that with all the ranch I’ve bought for my kids over the years, I should probably own stock in the ranch companies. And coffee, creamer and sugar aren’t far behind. Those may not be traditional Christmas gifts, but they are things our family actually uses. Don’t forget the batteries.

Charlie has his own little coffee nook, and he’s been talking about getting a coffee maker that can make both hot coffee and iced coffee. I’m a hot-coffee girl myself, but Charlie loves his iced coffee. So apparently we need a coffee maker that can keep everybody happy.

And let me tell you something else about having a coffee drinker in the house: we are constantly running out of coffee, creamer and sugar. At this point, I might as well own stock in the coffee companies.

That’s actually another reason I like the idea of a teen snack bar or coffee nook. You can stock it with the things your teenager really enjoys. As well as there friends.

Maybe they love coffee. Maybe they drink iced coffee. Maybe they prefer hot chocolate or tea. Maybe they need protein shakes after working out. Maybe their snack of choice is popcorn, chips, candy or something as simple as their favorite crackers.

The point isn’t to create a fancy coffee bar worthy of Pinterest. It’s to create a little place that feels like them. And you don’t need a huge piece of furniture to do it.

Charlie lives in a townhome just like the rest of us, so we have to think about how much stuff we bring into the house. A small cart, shelf, basket or little table can become a teenager’s own snack and drink station without taking over the entire room.

Charlie even has a microwave outside his door. So yes, teenagers can have their own little setup without us turning the house into a dormitory. Sometimes a little snack bar is a better gift than another giant box sitting in their room.

Charlie has also gotten more interested in working out, which has made me think differently about fitness gifts. We don’t have unlimited room in a townhome, so I’m not looking to turn our home into a gym.

There are plenty of smaller things a teenager can use around the house, including resistance bands, workout gloves, a jump rope, a water bottle, an exercise mat, workout towels and other accessories that don’t require a giant piece of equipment.

And sometimes the best fitness gift isn’t equipment at all. Maybe it’s a gift card for new athletic shoes. Maybe it’s a new hoodie. Maybe it’s something they can take with them when they work out.

And if your teenager enjoys video games, there are also ways to get them moving while they’re playing. Something like a Wii or another movement-based gaming option can turn screen time into something a little more active. Again, I’m not against electronics. I’m just looking for ways to think outside the usual gift box.

If your teenager drives, don’t laugh when I say a gas card. Gas money can be a wonderful gift. Around our family, that could mean a gift card for QT, RaceTrac, Walmart, Sam’s Club or another place we already shop.

And I especially like gift cards that can do more than one thing. A Walmart or Sam’s Club gift card isn’t limited to gasoline. They can buy groceries, snacks, personal-care items, household necessities and plenty of other things they may actually need. Sometimes giving a teenager something practical is giving them something they genuinely appreciate.

Don’t forget the clothes because teenagers grow. Teenagers spill things. Teenagers wear things out. Fashion styles change. And somehow they always need clothes.

Pants, shirts, hoodies, jackets, socks and underwear may not seem like the most exciting Christmas gifts, but they’re useful. And OMG, don’t forget the shoes.

Shoes are one of those things that can make a great Christmas gift because they are something teenagers actually need, especially when they’re active. You can still make it personal by choosing a style, color or brand that fits their personality.

Hair Care, Bath Supplies is another category that gets overlooked because it doesn’t look exciting sitting underneath the Christmas tree. But teenagers use shampoo. They use body wash. They use deodorant. They use hair products.

They need shaving supplies and skincare products and all those little personal-care things that disappear much faster than we realize. Put some of their favorites together in a basket or stocking, and suddenly something practical can feel like a thoughtful gift.

Charlie may not be like other teenagers because he likes a clean room and he needs items to keep it clean so he will stop taking mine. As you can see this subject is especially personal to our family because Charlie hates dust, dirt and clutter.

Clorox wipes are not exactly what most people picture when they think about Christmas morning, but if your teenager is particular about keeping their room clean, why not give them things they will actually use?

Cleaning wipes, microfiber cloths, organizers, storage baskets, a small trash can, laundry supplies or other room-care items can all be useful. And I think there’s something to be said for giving teenagers things that help them take ownership of their space.

One of the things I love about Charlie’s room is that we’ve made it feel like his space. He has his own Icebox inside his room and one outside his room as well.

He has his own coffee nook. There’s a microwave outside his door. He has his snack area. It has become a little place where he can grab something to eat, make a drink and have the things he enjoys close by.

And that gave me another idea for teenagers who seem impossible to shop for: create a little snack or drink station for them. It doesn’t have to be elaborate.

Maybe it’s a small cart, a shelf, a basket or a little table with their favorite snacks and drinks. You could add a coffee mug, reusable cup, favorite coffee, hot chocolate, tea, bottled drinks, popcorn, candy, protein snacks or whatever your teenager reaches for all the time.

If they have room for it, a small microwave can make their space even more useful. If they don’t, you can still create a little snack corner without taking up much room.

And this is especially important when you live in a smaller home like we do. We live in a townhome, so I have to think about the size of everything we bring into the house.

I don’t want to buy a huge piece of furniture just because it looks good in a Christmas gift guide. I want something that fits our home and fits Charlie and can be used in multiple ways.

Once a teenager starts driving, their car becomes another place where little gifts can make a difference. Car-cleaning supplies, organizers, charging cables, phone accessories, reusable water bottles, emergency supplies and other small car necessities can make great gifts.

And, of course, there’s always gas. Sometimes the teenager who says they don’t need anything suddenly gets very excited about a gas card. Especially if they can also use the card for snacks and a drink.

If your teenager has a pet, if your like us we have a dog and you may want to shop for that dog, too. Which I do because for Charlie, Bear and Sandy aren’t just a dog.

They are his children and most likely the only grandchildren I will ever have. So gifts for Bear and Sandy can become gifts for Charlie, too more times than not.

Which can included a new toy, treats, a leash, collar, blanket, personalized bowl, grooming supplies or something special for the two of them can be a thoughtful Christmas surprise. Sometimes you know a teenager loves something simply because they love it.

For a lot of people I think we’ve gotten too caught up in what a “teen boy’s room” is supposed to look like. Which is why I like to point out not every boy likes the same things.

Charlie likes Paris. He likes cherry blossoms. He likes pink. He has his ears pierced. He likes to wear dressy clothes more than jeans. He lives in hoodies more than t shirts.

His interests aren’t necessarily what you would find on a traditional teenage-boy gift guide, and that’s exactly why I think shopping for teenagers should be personal.

Room decorations don’t have to fit somebody else’s idea of what a teenager should like. A poster, blanket, pillow, wall decoration, small figurine, picture frame or other little piece of décor might be exactly right for them.

And if they never hang the poster? Well, that’s okay, too. Maybe someday they will. If not that is okay just ask Charlie who has a closet filled with posters he wanted.

Jewelry may not sound like a gift for a teenage boy but for Charlie it was Be meaningful because he wanted a Cross because of his love for the Lord. Don’t automatically skip jewelry just because you’re shopping for a teenage boy.

Charlie loves crosses, so a cross necklace, bracelet or other meaningful piece of jewelry can be a wonderful gift. Bracelets with positive messages can also be meaningful.

Earrings, rings, necklaces, chains and other accessories can be chosen around the teenager rather than around traditional ideas about what boys or girls are supposed to wear. Sometimes the little things they wear every day become the things they remember.

For a teenager who has a Bible that has been well loved, a new Bible or Bible cover can be a very meaningful Christmas gift. Charlie’s Bible is getting worn, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing.

A Bible that shows signs of being used and it tells a story. You can also add Bible tabs, highlighters, pens, a devotional, a prayer journal or a regular journal.

And journaling doesn’t have to be just about writing down prayers. Teenagers can use journals to write, draw, make plans, record memories, work through ideas or simply have a private place for their thoughts.

Even though these gifts that don’t look like traditional Teen Gifts this is really the point I want to make with this Christmas gift guide. I’m never going to tell you that you shouldn’t buy the video game.

If that’s what your teenager wants and you can afford it, buy the video game. I’m not going to tell you electronics are bad, either. Charlie uses electronics every single day, and there are plenty of positive things that come from technology when we use it wisely.

But I also don’t want every Christmas to be about whatever electronic device happens to be popular that year. I want Charlie to have things that remind him of us.

That’s why he has figurines. That’s why he has coffee cups. That’s why we’ve bought T-shirts that may never get worn. That’s why there are posters that may never make it onto his walls. That’s why a little piece of jewelry can mean more than its price tag.

And that’s why sometimes a bottle of ranch can make me laugh because I know exactly who is going to be happy when they see it. The gift doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be trendy. It doesn’t even have to be something the teenager asked for.

Sometimes the best Christmas gift is the one that makes them say, “You saw this and thought of me.” And isn’t that really what giving gifts is supposed to be about?

Creating memories. Reminding somebody that you know them. Finding something that makes them smile. Giving them something they can use. And sometimes, Lord willing, giving them something they will still have years from now and remember exactly who gave it to them and why.

That’s the kind of Christmas gift I want to give. Not necessarily the biggest gift. Not necessarily the most expensive gift. Just something meaningful. Because memories last a lifetime.

This is just the beginning of our teen Christmas gift ideas. We’ll also be putting together more specific gift guides for teen boys and teen girls, because while there are plenty of gifts that work for any teenager, sometimes it’s fun to get even more specific about their interests, hobbies, personalities and everyday lives. And that’s where the really fun Christmas shopping begins.

GreatfulMoments.com

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates