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Teenagers, duuude.
They can be hard to buy for. Especially in the middle school years. I feel you, middle school parents.
I.Feel.You.
But my 16-year-old is really pretty easy to buy for because she loves Christmas.
Like, LOVES Christmas.
In September, she will come up to me and say, “I think I am going to listen to Christmas music starting today.”
Sounds like a plan, my love.
My Anna is one of the lights of my life but the teen years have kicked our ASS.
If I could give one piece of advice to parents who haven’t had a teenager yet, it would be to go with the flow.
Ride that flow long and hard and do not let go. Well, only long enough to drink a glass of something really strong and really anesthetic.
It makes the toddler/potty training/ MINE MINE MINE phase look like a walk in the park.
Here are some ideas for teens that won’t get a shrug or an eye roll or a look of disgust.
Until you tell them that it is the Lord Jesus’ birthday and they should be happy with what they have lest they burn in hell and Dolly Parton didn’t get her little red shoes because she chipped in for her mama’s weddin’ ring and now YOU ARE CRYING.
What? Just riding the flow…
Because kids lose things like shoes, socks, and iPads.
Because separately brushing AND straightening your hair is so 2015.
One word: zits.
USB cords
Anna, God love her, loses USB cords like some lose socks or money. Put this in their stocking and never hear, “MOM, OMG I CAN’T FIND/BROKE/LOST/ATE MY PHONE CHARGER” again.
Well until her birthday.
Now, this is just cool.
Look out, 1993 is in style again. I wish I were kidding. I also wish I had saved my crushed velvet bodysuit and shoe boots.
And a Netflix gift card. Because of Pretty Little Liars, Grey’s Anatomy, and of course Gilmore Girls.
Good luck and I got you. I GOT YOU.
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A Grace Full Life 
“Go with the flow…” Great advice….hard to do at times…but yeah…I get it. AND this non drinker just may start drinking. š
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Wine, YOU NEED WINE. š
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Very cool ideas. Keep flowing. š
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Thanks friend. š
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Oh my – it’s like you read my MIND!!! I have a new teenager and she is KILLING me with her “I don’t know” Christmas list. I was half tempted to load her up with gift cards until I saw your list. Now I have a better starting point.
We do four gifts per kid (want/need/wear/read). You may have helped me fill in a couple of those blanks. Thanks ever so much! š
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I made the mistake of giving Anna ALL gift cards a few years ago and I thought she would love it.
It turned out that she wanted actual gifts to open; things she could use then and there.
She also didn’t drive then, so I had to make several trips to the mall that Christmas break.
Lesson learned. š
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That bedside lamp is pretty cool!
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I know, right??
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Oh. My. Gosh. Ordered the kindle fire on a whim for a surprise for the girl who has not made a list, then worried I made a mistake- but no worries now…IT IS KARI APPROVED!!!!! Now I just wish I had seen that beside light sooner! Hmmmmm, is there room on the sleigh (or in the piggy bank) ?
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Actually, I will save that lamp for when I don’t know what fun things to get for her birthday. Can you remind me of that in April? Thanks! You DO always have our backs!
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Right? Of course, that’s what I’m here for.
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YOU MAKE ME LAUGH.
If you have Amazon Prime…….just sayin’….;)
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LOL Kari, these gifts are the best idea ever. Our Talea is also 16 and I must say so far we’ve been pretty lucky, but every now and again she’ll pull one of those teenager stunts that leaves me thinking what the fudge just happened. I think I’ll take your advice and go with the flow and just buy her lots of chargers. Oh and a zit machine š
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Yes CHARGERS FOR DAYS. Also, one I forgot: a gift card for gas. GASOLINE.
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On my third teenage girl and I am proud to say we are still alive! (Some may be missing a previously rolling eye… or two. ) Thanks for the ideas!
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I am so glad to know there is life after teenagers! Thank you for that. š
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My fourth child is turning 18 in a few days. But you know Kari that is not the end of teenagehood. No, it just keeps on going into the early 20s. So hold onto your hat. I was looking at this list and have to say you are spot on. The chokers that my husband hates to very much have made a comeback big time. I would also add earplugs to the list. In my house, they lose them more than the chargers.
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OMG NOOOOOOO.
Yes to the earplugs!!!
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I keep seeing things about that hair straightening brush! I want to believe that it would work but I just can’t get myself to buy one to find out. Also I’m not sure who I’m kidding – I’m no where near 16 anymore AND I have no time for straightening my hair.
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I feel like this is good for any age. Especially in the morning when you are getting ready and need to get rid of one less step.
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These are awesome- I want some of them for myself!
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Me too! Might have to steal, I mean borrow some of them. š
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You. are. awesome! Love this gift guide–and really why are those terrible chokers back in? I mean, did we not learn our lesson the first time around? Thank you for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
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Right?? Who needs to be gagged on date night??
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Go with the flow is good advice and so true. I also have a 16 year old and right now is in what I like to call the “teenage angst” phase. Maybe one of these nifty gifts will bring some Christmas cheer-choker is on her list, must be leather. Have a happy Christmas!
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I feel like Christmas Day is the one day the angst is gone. Here’s hoping the teen years treat you well!
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I am having such a hard time buying for my boys this year; they have zero ideas for me either. So far I can’t say the teen years have been hard or angst full but I’m thinking all that could change with the arrival of driver’s licenses and girlfriends..
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This is the first year my youngest isnāt asking for toys and itās breaking my heart. ā¤ļø
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Good ideas! OMG, I can’t tell you how many electronic cords and chargers I’ve bought over the years for my hubby and grandbabies. I finally think I found a solution. OtterBox now sells them and although a bit pricey they’ve lasted the longest of any. Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 6 for All Things Christmas. Shared.
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Since the writing of this post, Iāve bought a ridiculous amount of chargers. š
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