Even Teenage Kids are In Need This Christmas Season by Bekah Novitzke
Donating toys to Christmas charities like Toys for Tots and Santa Anonymous is a great way to highlight the true meaning of the season. While shopping for gifts, be sure you don’t overlook the teens! My father recently asked me to go shopping for gifts to donate to one of his customers, a local chapter of Catholic Charities. He found out that they drop toys off at local shelters for the children who live there. They were in desperate need of toys and gifts for children ages 12 and up. I love to donate toys at Christmas, but I confess that I often simply overlook the teenagers.
This year, the gift donation experience was different for me… and it was pretty great! With my $100 budget I was able to shop at Target and Old Navy and purchase $285 in gifts for $115 (I went a bit over budget but for a good cause =). I saved about 65% and was able to purchase 31 items, from stocking stuffers to board games. I used sale items, coupons, BOGO offers, and clearance items to accomplish this.
A Few Highlights:
- Men’s Argyle Sweaters on clearance for $6.48 (reg. $29.50) at Old Navy
- BOGO Men’s Cold Weather Accessories at Old Navy
- Mens Flip Flops 2/$5 at Old Navy
- Hello Kitty Lip Gloss, Initial Key Chains, and other stocking stuffers on clearance at Old Navy
- Xhilaration fuzzy socks (2-pks), and fuzzy slippers just $2.50 on clearance (reg. $5)
- Teen guys Super Hero boxers for $5 each at Target
- Teen girls pajama pants on clearance for $7.48 (reg. $14.99) at Target
- Scrabble and Jenga on sale at Target with printable coupons
Stocking Stuffer Ideas:
- lip gloss
- hair accessories
- sun glasses
- change purses/money clips
- wallet
- key chains
- colorful fuzzy socks
- card games
- nail polish
Teen Gift Ideas:
- pajama pants
- slippers
- winter weather accessories
- board games
- 3D puzzles
- comic books
- comic strip books (Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, etc.)
- graphic novels
- hats/baseball caps
- sports memorabilia (local teams recommended)
- sports tees, jackets, jerseys
- basketball, football, etc
- licensed tees: Hello Kitty, Spider Man, Batman, Star Wars, etc
- backpacks, purses, messenger bags
- bestselling young adult books
- classic novels (ex: Jane Austen)
- lotions/body spray (Bath and Body Works)
- journal
- throw blankets
- art kit/art supplies
- craft kits
If you have older kids or teens, take them shopping with you so they can pick out accessories and other items that they think kids their age might like. The experience will teach them to give back as well as make the decision making process easier for you.
About the Author: Bekah is a blogger at Mommysavers and Targetsavers. She lives with her husband and two girls in Pennsylvania.
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