While I made the rounds with four different friends, we kept an eye out for gifts for teens not just because we had our own shopping to do, but because that particular cohort is particularly tough to please, especially if the buyer happens to be the parent. But the fun part was we found cool stuff for teens in the least likely places…
CHURCH STREET SURPLUS
327 Church at Canal
For those of you who remember Antique Boutique, where I spent many a afternoon in my teen years, this is the local version. (I wish I still had that navy blue letterman jacket…)
Men’s tuxedo shirt, for the next formal: $49
Studded high-waisted velvet pants: $55
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STELLA
138 Reade | Greenwich & West Broadway | by appointment
As the mothers of two teen girls, we went right for these elephant ring holders: $28 for the gold one, $35 for the steel. (And elephants are a symbol of loyalty.)
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BALLOON SALOON
133 W. Broadway
For your disco queen, LED disco rainbow string lights: $27
Dessert, after Takahachi: candy sushi, $20
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HiO
37 Lispenard at Church
Monkey light, for kids who love to hang. $450.
Hawkers glasses, in clear with rose lenses. Trust us. $55.
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EVERAFTER
349 Greenwich
Designers Remix beanie – it looks like your regular beanie, but trust us, it’s not: $75
“I am smiling” mask chain, made just for your snarky teen: $15
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PATRON OF THE NEW
151 Franklin
Palm Angel phone case, again, trust us or google it yourself: $160
Off White plaid bomber jacket, because it actually is cool, even to us: $1870
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ONDA BEAUTY
117 W. Broadway
Because teens are so fun in the mornings, body wash in Wakey Wakey flavor: $20.
A tub of sheer lip gloss – get it in soft coral. $24.
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JASON SCOTT
This place is filled with teen staples, but I went for the roomy boxers, which are really PJ bottoms: $35
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KINGS
5 Hudson
Since teens these days seem to be all about the self-care, a hair mask from Davines: $38
Frozen Two bandaids, even though they say they don’t like it anymore. $5.29
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ROSE BOX
186 Franklin | Greenwich and Hudson
The single rose box can be monogrammed in glitter letters. $89.
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PAPER SOURCE
211 W. Broadway (inside Maman)
Because they all seem to love the ‘90s, Friends trivia game: $10
Bounce Battle looks suspiciously like a drinking game, but don’t ask, don’t tell. $25.
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TRIBECA PAINT
217 W. Broadway
There’s the teen staple, the black light, or better — the disco rotating light bulb, $15
And since they really are still just kids:
BABESTA
56 Warren and Brookfield Place
For the nerds (you’re laughing, but I already gifted this to my 16-year-old nephew and it was a hit): paper rocket models, $23.
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MY LITTLE SUNSHINE
145 Hudson
We listed this for kids, but really, the teens are the ones who wear their hearts on their sleeves and their politics on their heads: Feminist knit crown, $52.50.
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MORE GIFT GUIDES:
For the Home I
For the Home II
For Kids!
For Kids II
Baubles!
Threads!
Threads II