Those ‘tween years – in between being a child and being a teenager – aren’t easy to buy for! They feel far too grown up for all the “babyish” kids’ toys, but they’re not exactly at ‘streetwear store voucher and concert ticket’ age, either. Hmmm. We’ve put together a few gift ideas for the tween queen in your life (and some boys options too).
From top left:
• An awesome backpack by a top-quality, on-trend brand will have them feeling stylish at school. This orange polkadot one is great for girls, and Wocolate have a whole host more – in designs that boys and girls will love.
• Gaining more independence means pocket money and buying special treats for yourself. This Oh Deer money box is the perfect saving spot. Created by Seedling and available online from Collected.
• Going to High School means more homework, more extra-curricular events – a 2014 calendar above their desk will help them keep organised, and these colourful ones from Fancy definitely have the cool factor.
• No matter how grown up you think you are, you’re never too old for your own big jar of lollies! Candi + Co is an indie NZ brand making these awesome re-usable jars, with brightly coloured, animal-topped jar lids. When the lollies are all nommed, the jar can be used to keep jewellery, pens and pencils or keepsakes in. There’s all kinds of animals, from ponies and butterflies to dinosaurs and tigers.
• An endemicworld Mini Art Print would make a cool little gift for Christmas. Small and framed, they’ll look awesome on their bedroom wall, or sitting on their desk or bedside table. There’s loads of mini print designs to choose from (boys, girls, unisex) – but we think this one is Owldorable!
• If the kids are getting older, you might like to update the family’s Santa stockings, to these super funky chevron ones. A different colour for each person, perhaps? Available online at Collected.
• Surf and beach loving kids will love this Endless Summer art print by NZ designer Greg Straight. Available in a couple of colourways to suit their bedroom decor, including this on-trend neon print.
• Show me a tween girl who doesn’t love stationery and… well, I won’t believe it. If they’re going to stick posters and things all over their walls, do it with washi tape. It peels away easily so it doesn’t damage walls, and it can be used for loads of other crafty projects like DIY wall decals, creating designs on school book covers, wrapping pencils and pens, etc. This multi-pack from Wocolate is a good buy.
• NZ illustrator Beck Wheeler has these great art print sets, one for boys and one for girls (girls’ pictured), They’d really brighten up a room!
