I’ll admit. Teens are difficult to shop for. Especially the “emo” type teens I happen to have to shop for.
Thankfully, anything music or art related seems to evoke at least a mumbled “thanks,” as opposed to, say, a quizzical frown or even no response at all. My go-to gift for the artsy teen in my life is London-based, Indian-born Nina Chakrabarti‘s genius fashion doodling book “My Wonderful World of Fashion.”
Essentially a “Nylon” magazine-esque coloring book for the grownup fashion lover, Chakrabarti’s book offers fun and cheeky illustrations of vintage fashions, jewelry, leggings, even denim jackets, upon which you are free to embellish and color to your heart’s content. Chakrabarti’s an illustration grad from the famed Central Saint Martin’s College and The Royal College of Art, London, so you know her stuff is going to be good.
“My Wonderful World of Fashion” (Laurence King Publishers 2009), $19.95, www.amazon.com.A moody fragrance worthy of the overdramatic “The world’s gonna end” teen is Benefit’s My Place or Yours Gina Exclusive Crescent Row fragrance set. With notes of spicy pink pepper, exotic patchouli and warm tonka bean, this special holiday set comes in chic packaging that’ll please even the most jaded of youths.
Benefit’s My Place or Yours Gina Exclusive Crescent Row fragrance set, $46, www.BenefitCosmetics.com. Special deal: Enter promo code TWENTY15 to get 20% off! Today only!For that too-cool-to-care kid who comes to every family function with ear buds permanently implanted into his head, give him these retro headphones by Skull Candy. At least that way, when he ignores you, you’ll know it’s because he’s actually listening to music.
From top: Skull Candy “Icon 2″ gold/brown headphones, $29.95, “Icon 2″ gray houndstooth headphones, $29.95, and “Icon 2″ Paul Frank Scurvy headphones, $31.95, www.skullcandy.com.
As for myself, I’m always a sucker for anything that reminds me of junior high. And these Flud watches bring me back to the days of mixed tapes, long summers watching Martha Quinn on MTV, and disheveled Madonna wanna-be ‘dos. Give your teen a taste of your youth — anything from the ’80s has über cachet right now, even if that moody adolescent won’t admit it.
From left: Flud “Tableturns” watch, $70, and “Boombox” watch, www.fludwatches.com.
If all else fails, go eco-chic. You can’t go wrong, especially with these Freak-O-Bags by Thailand-based Kamibashi. These reuseable totes come wrapped in goofy, cutesy shapes that’ll make even the most jaded teen crack a smile (OK, well, maybe a smirk).
Kamibashi “Freak-O-Bags,” $15 each, www.Kamibashi.com.
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