It’s been said before and I will say it again, I LOVE all holidays. BUT – nothing holds a more special place in my heart than CHRISTMAS!!! I am a Christmas fanatic. Not the put up the tree before Halloween fanatic, but the patiently waiting puppy at the back door kind of fanatic. After Remembrance Day, my tail is wagging and I’m salivating for the go-ahead to start the holiday preparations. Everything about the holiday gets me excited. I love the baking, the shopping, the wrapping, finding that PERFECT present and waiting with bated breath for the lucky recipient to open it. When the kids were younger, I could barely contain my excitement on Christmas Eve. I could hardly wait to see their faces when they opened their gifts. My philosophy on the Christmas gift came from my mom and is two-fold. First, find something you know they will love, that is NOT on their list and second, get that one thing they REALLY REALLY want but don’t think you will ever buy! 🙂
Don’t we ALL have that Christmas present story? The one where you searched high and low for the “toy of the year” or that special something your child wanted, that you just COULD NOT find. The story that has you out on Christmas Eve until the stores close. I’ve got my story, stay tuned…
Well – let me tell you – now that our kids are older, I long for THAT day once again. If you have teenage boys, you feel my pain. For the past few years I have found that finding that perfect gift, stuffing the stocking and finding unique fun items that they are not expecting is harder and harder. BUT – I have managed to find a few items – some unique, some just really sought after – that can help you scratch the “teenage boy” gifts off your list. Here is Mojo and Moxie’s top 10 for TEEN BOYS!
- Microwave Popcorn Popper – $19.85
This is just a super cool gift for either a teenage friend, a secret Santa gift, or a stocking stuffer. Available at Uncommon Goods – one of my fav online retailers. This is the perfect thing for a university student, or popcorn fanatic! This replaces the “microwave popcorn bag” and looks good too!
2. Apple Air Pods – $219
ok – I know that picking something from the Apple store is not exactly the most unique, but seriously – you can’t go wrong with these. I don’t know a teen that would turn their nose up at these super slick, workout friendly ear phones.
Find them here
3. CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY – $34.99
NOT suitable for under 18 – this is a party game that your university student can play in the dorm. Probably not something you want to be within earshot of, but you will certainly be the cool mom if you put this in their stocking.
From the creators: Using deep, dark humor, the Cards Against Humanity Card Game will turn any dull game night into a relentless evening of nonstop laughter. Designed exclusively for twisted adults, this edgy card game pushes boundaries and guarantees fun.
Find Cards Against Humanity here
4. SPIKEBALL – $79.99 for the most popular version from Amazon.ca
Ok – let me tell you – if you have not at least heard of this game, you NEED to get this for your teen. A fun, active team game – it hits all the demographics. I bought this for my 11 year old nephew and my own kids (14, 17, and 18) were super impressed with me – AND, I think a little jealous. All the rage on university campus’s and equally popular at lunch recess, you cannot go wrong with this fun game. Featured on Shark Tank, and playable in any weather – get this game. You will not be disappointed!
BUY IT NOW HERE
5. Friends Hoodie – $64.00 from Urban Outfitters
It seems to be the current trend – thanks to Netflix – for our offspring to hit up the shows we watched as young adults. Friends was certainly “my show” when I was in my 20’s, and I couldn’t believe that ALL of my kids binge watched all 10 seasons. And hey, you can never go wrong with a hoodie these days, right?
Find this cool “retro” hoodie here
6. Bike Lights (set of two) – $25.15
Practical and cool, these little bike lights will keep your university student safe and “lit” riding to and from the library (or the bar!) Fun for the stocking and something you really want them to have when they are riding their bikes after dark.
Find these bike lights here
7. The Bro Code – by Matt Kuhn $7.49
From the creator: Everyone’s life is governed by an internal code of conduct. Some call it morality. Others call it religion. But Bros in the know call this holy grail The Bro Code. Historically a spoken tradition passed from one generation to the next, the official code of conduct for Bros appears here in its published form for the first time ever. By upholding the tenets of this sacred and legendary document, any dude can learn to achieve Bro-dom.
Since I don’t really understand the above, and both my boys are super obsessed with, “How I Met Your Mother,” I figure it will be in the stocking for them this year… teen humour…and its a book, RIGHT??
Find the Bro Code here
8. Anything from Supreme New York
Prices range from around $100 USD and up! If you have a teen boy, most likely they know and love the Supreme brand. Hard to get your hands on – a hoodie, jacket, hat or plaid shirt from Supreme should be a hit in your house if you manage to get one in your cart!
9. The Retro Ball Cap from ’47 Clean Up – $29.95 http://www.47brand.ca
You MAY not have a Flames fan in your house, but if you have a teen interested in sports, they are always looking for the perfect hat to tout their team. These hats have my son and husband’s stamp of approval. Totally cool, and great fitting. This will be a hat that doesn’t get thrown in the closet and left there…
Find all team hats here
10. UGG NEUMEL WATERPROOF BOOT – $225
As your teens age, they need a boot that isn’t for playing in the snow, but is trendy and cool, looks good with jeans and doesn’t LOOK too warm. We all know being warm is SO uncool. BUT comfy and warm, without anyone knowing – well, that is pretty cool! I dare say these are even “date worthy!”
So back to the Christmas Eve story…
Three days before Christmas, when my oldest son was about 4 years old, I was ALL ready for Christmas. My baking was done, my gifts were wrapped and Santa was ready with gifts on his sleigh. And then it happened. He started talking about a Bob the Builder “shaving kit” that he just wanted SO badly. At the age of four, none of the gifts we were buying were expensive, but a Bob the Builder shaving kit (you know, a fake razor, shaving “foam” that was shower gel – all wrapped up in a Bob the Builder cardboard box) was a $8 trinket from the drug store that I could easily add to his treasures. So, I casually travelled to a few drug stores to make his dreams come true. Well, this casual foray gradually got more and more heated as I looked. And as I looked and didn’t find, our son continued to go ON and ON about this shaving kit. It became the ONLY thing he talked about and it became my OBSESSION. I travelled to neighbouring towns, I scoured every drug store desperate for this item. I am loathe to shop on Christmas Eve, but there I was, with 15 people coming for Christmas Eve celebrations, at 3 in the afternoon hunting down this shaving kit.
Well, I found it and it was like a scene from the movies. Last store…last stop…EUREKA!!
He probably doesn’t remember opening the Bob the Builder shaving kit. But I will never forget the look on his face. These are the mom moments I love!
Here’s to that Eureka Mom moment! Happy Shopping everyone!
xx
C
Must say your mom was always the best gift finder. Lets put you gals to work. As you know I have two girls in their late 20’s. Not living around them I never know what they need or want, or what is trending that they might want. Do you have any ideas for my awesome girls. For Stocking or gift?
I’m on it – let me think about it – and I will get back to you!! You DO have awesome girls!! xoxoxox