Best Teen Gift Ideas for Minimalists

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As my daughter Katie has gotten older, this whole Instagram world has grown up with her. She wants a more minimal lifestyle and room, minimal decor, and to streamline all aspects of her life. She'll be going to college next fall and wants to be prepared for dorm life. Sound familiar to the conversations in your home? If your teen is watching the YouTube videos of his favorite travel vloggers, watching every move of minimalist fashion influencers on Instagram, or she's talking about down-sizing, this holiday season might be really challenging in terms of gifts. What gifts will they actually want AND use AND are fun to give? You don't want another gift to go in the yard sale pile after two months! The most amazing gift has to be useful, stylish, and compliment this nomadic, elegant life they are crafting for themselves. Tall order, right? Well, I got you covered this holiday season with my minimalist, nomadic gift guide for the best teen gift ideas. Whether they are in high school or college, these gifts hit the big three: they're stylish, they're INCREDIBLY useful, and they travel well.

HP Sprocket Photo Printer

This summer when Katie saw HP's new Sprocket, she wanted it. We got a sneak peek at the prototype so this fall, when I got HP Sprocket in hand and started using it on our trip to Jamaica, she was already designing her plan to snag it from me! Sleek, compact, and a fast way to print 2×3″ photos anywhere with your phone or tablet, HP Sprocket is perfect for anyone who is loving the minimalist nomadic life.

Printing photos with Sprocket while eating breakfast on the beach in Jamaica

The 2×3″ prints are on sticky-backed paper, which can be left as-is for a photo print feel or used as stickers. Within the HP Sprocket app, you can add emoji, words, borders and more to customize your images. Because Sprocket connects via Bluetooth® , everyone can print to a single Sprocket from their phone or tablet at any event. Take photos or pull images from your social media accounts like Instagram and print them on the spot with Sprocket. Imagine all the kids at prom or the big game printing the photos as they take them!

We used Sprocket to print photos to put on Christmas cards to friends and family this year

For best results, use Original HP ZINK® sticky-backed photo Paper: it’s specially designed to ensure you get bright, glossy photos with vibrant colors every time you print. Just peel off the back of your prints and your photos become instant stickers.

There's a little slot on top of Sprocket to add a charm or a wrist strap 

How to print: Connect the Sprocket Photo Printer to your mobile device via Bluetooth®. Download the free and easy-to-use HP Sprocket App and enjoy fun portable printing.

HP Sprocket and HP ZINK Sticky-backed Photo Paper are available for purchase at the following retailers:

• hp.com: HP Sprocket Printer 
• hp.com: HP ZINK Sticky-backed Photo Paper
• Amazon: HP Sprocket Printer
• Amazon: HP ZINK Sticky-backed Photo Paper
• Best Buy: HP Sprocket Printer
• Best Buy: HP ZINK Sticky-backed Photo Paper

Bubble wrap calendar

For that person who's life is fulfilled when they pop bubble wrap, here's 365 times they can pop a bubble and feel like they really actually accomplished something: 2017 Bubble Wrap Calendar – A Poster Sized Wall Calendar with a Bubble to Pop Everyday

(click on the image to make it bigger) … I'm gonna get this for Katie next year… when she moves out. Cuz bubble wrap popping is like kryptonite to moms trying to get stuff done. Also, a great gift for the niece or nephew… sibling revenge is sweet!

HP 15 Notebook Laptop

Every year we hear, “I want a new laptop”. If you've shopped for laptops, they can be really pricey and all over the place in price too. How do you know if you are getting a “fast” laptop with lots of storage for a great deal? That's why I am super excited that QVC is offering the new HP 15 Notebook Laptop for the lowest price of the season on Saturday, November 26^th. Not only is the price parent-friendly, your teen will LOVE how HP has partnered with QVC to offer two exclusive colors; minty green and soft lilac.

Score a killer deal on a powered-up HP laptop during QVC’s Best Black Friday™ Sale weekend! The HP 15 Notebook comes with Windows 10 Home, 2TB hard drive, high-definition display, AMD Radeon R5 graphics, HP TrueVision HD Camera, DTS Studio sound and much more.

Seriously, if you don't get this amazing deal for your teen, get it for yourself! Santa Mom needs presents too! *wink wink*

FABRIQ Portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa

Remember when we had boom boxes? Yeah, the kids these, not so much wanting those any more. But they do still love music so when I saw the cuddly and adorbs FABRIQ portable speaker, I knew Katie would die to have one. You can just pop this thing in your pocket and listen to music via your Bluetooth or wi-fi connected device anywhere. The FABRIQ comes in 3 fabric choices: earl grey is my favorite but I think that red plaid one will be a hot commodity too!

FABRIQ also works with Amazon Alexa so it's kind of like Echo in that regard and for only $50 to boot. Get yours now:

• FABRIQ Portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa
• FABRIQ Portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa
• FABRIQ Portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Smart Speaker With Amazon Alexa

Keurig K250 White

Keurig already made coffee even easier and then they had to go and make it cuter! I first saw one of these new Keurig K250's on Instagram – it was blue and adorbs and I wanted it. More importantly, Katie wanted it! Seal of approval from a 17-year-old: DONE. If your teen is headed off to college or they just got their first place, this single brew Keurig is a perfect statement piece and way for them to make coffee at home. And you know, Keurig also can make other drinks like lemonade, tea, and hot chocolate.

I suggest getting the white finish (Keurig K250 2.0 Brewing System, White) for your very chic and fabulous teen but here are the other colors available as well:

• Keurig 119443 K250 Coffee Maker, Peacock Blue
• Keurig K250 2.0 Brewing System, Strawberry
• Keurig K250 PLUS 2.0, Brewing System Single Serve Plus Coffee Maker, PLUM GRAY (Newest Color, Very Rare)
• Keurig K250 2.0 Brewing System, Sandy Pearl
• Keurig K250 2.0 Brewing System, Black

Sassy socks

They may not have a lot of room in their life for clutter but they will express their style wherever they can. Like on their socks! Give the gift of snark and warmth with sassy socks from Blue Q, like these Blue Q “Runnin' the World and Stuff” Womens Ankle Socks.

Here are a few more we thought were noteworthy:

Who's the hardest person on your list to shop for during the holidays? Let me know in the comments which of the gift ideas above you're thinking would be a gift-giving home-run this holiday season!