Can't-Miss Gifts For Hard-To-Please Teens

Men.Style.com's Tyler Thoreson Shares Ideas

(CBS)  Teenagers are notoriously hard to shop for.

But The Early Show's Holiday Gift Guide is undeterred.

On Wednesday, it sought out Men.Style.com Executive Editor Tyler Thoreson, who came up with surefire gift ideas for items costing less than $100 -- as well as a couple of splurges.

The following descriptions were prepared with information provided by the manufacturers.

FOR TEEN GIRLS

Sparkling Sage bracelets $48
http://www.sparkling-sage.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=113
These bangle bracelets have a colorful, rubberized coating. They're "feminine with an edge," as Thoreson put it. This is a brand from Los Angeles that's really up-and-coming.

Daisy perfume $55 for 1.7 oz
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P191858&categoryId=B70
Anything from Marc Jacobs is a hit with teen girls -- it doesn't matter what he does, girls want it. If you want to place a bet on any brand being a hit, Thoreson says, this is it. The perfume is an affordable way to give your teen Marc Jacobs.

J.Crew sweaters -- Alpaca Cardigan $88
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod89824251&catId=cat260168
AND
Gap sweater $39.50, Striped Wide Neck Sweater
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=8998&pid=480419
J.Crew and Gap both offer quality materials at reasonable price points. Sweaters represent two big trends: Cardigans and horizontal stripes are both big this season.

Wellies $54
http://www.aigleboots.com/product.php?p=Sailing
Parents remember when Ugg boots were big; now every girl wants a pair of rain boots. How fabulous: a gift that's practical AND something a teenager wants to wear! You can buy these practically anywhere and at any price point. The pair on the show was made in France, and Thoreson likes them because of their classic, old-world detailing.

FOR TEEN BOYS

Sneakers
PF Flyers $70
http://www.pfflyers.com/mens/waver.php
AND
Classic Vans $40
http://shop.vans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_10001_10147_10101_302951_-1#
When buying for a teenage boy, Thoreson said, you can never go wrong with a pair of sneakers. Sneaker styles now are all about "reissue," retro looks. Suede is a popular material, and the styling in general is subtle, not as flashy as in the past. Gray is a big color in footwear this season.

Club Monaco sunglasses $89.99
(no related URL available)
It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 50, you can always use another pair of sunglasses! Club Monaco is a cool brand and it's accessible. The aviator shape of these glasses is still big for fall, and it looks good on a lot of different people/face shapes.

Radiohead box set $71.99
http://www.amazon.com/Radiohead/dp/B000YAPJHA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197918384&sr=8-1
Thoreson has been a fan of the band for 12 years, but it blows him away that 14-, 15-, and 16-year-old kids are into them now, too. He says any teen guy is going to have downloaded some songs, but many don't own the cases or some of the older stuff. This is a good price for five albums.

Seinheiser Headphones $31.86
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-457-Traditional-Headphones/dp/B00006I5RA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197918475&sr=8-1
This one is kind of a gift to parents, too: Make sure nobody but your teen listens to his music when you buy him a pair of quality headphones! Thoreson has seen a return to over-the-ear styles, which can get really pricy, really fast. This top brand offers a quality pair at a surprisingly low price.

UNISEX / SPLURGE GIFTS

Helio Ocean cell phone $199.00 (with two-year contract)
http://www.helio.com/page?p=devices_ocean_static
If you're going to buy your teen a cell phone, this is the one to choose. It's just really cool, Thoreson says. The keyboard slides out, which makes it good for texting and e-mailing. It also comes with a network, which allows you to track your friends' locations at all times with GPS.

Rock Band (video game) $150
This is selling out everywhere, and it's hot, hot, hot! The best thing about it is that you can play it with other people -- it's a video game that actually inspires social interaction! Up to four people can play the drums, bass, guitar and sing vocals, to a variety of rock songs. It can be played on Xbox 360, Playstation 1 and Playstation 2.

[b_gaddy]

I would also like to know what the weatherman was playing with. I could not understand the name.

[cel2494]

what is the name of the hacky sack game that the weatherman was playing

[willdiane]

where do you buy the myatchi? no info on the internet.

[algernoff]

I also need to know what the hacky sack type toy is called and where to get it..........

[adaniels6]

Please tell me the name of the game the teens were playing with that was like a hacky sack. Thanks.

[jgrentner]

It is worth a call to your local toy store to see if they carry myachi! In the NY, Las Vegas, and Chicago areas your local FAO Schwartz will have a great selection. You can even meet a myachi master at the NYC Store. You can get myachis and all the myachi gear at www.myachi.com.

[alisonh7]

The game is called myachi. Website is myachi.com.

[raedmonds]

I also need the name of the hacky sack and where to purchase one.

[teresat84]

I also would like more info on this item that is like the hacky sack

[jkeillor2]

I too would like the name of the game and how to spell it.

[viv0314]

PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFO ON THE HACKYSACK TYPE GAME, MIYACKI ??? How to spell it, where to get it, etc.
Thanks!

[p010203]

what is the name of the hackysack and where do you buy it.

[pghmaji]

I would like to know the name of the item you showed where the kids could use it like a hackysack. Also where you buy it. Thanks.

[cccindy2006]

Please tell me the name of the game that the weather man was playing with...same msg as above. It was compared to a hackyshak but not, and it is not a miyabi...I just don''t know how to spell it. And where do you purchase it from?

[crljblck]

Could you please tell me the game that the weather man was playing with on Weds. show. There were teens playing them with their hands.