Boys can be difficult to make gifts for. In the age of electronics and technology, homemade presents can seem impractical. However, these creative gifts will be appreciated by most any tween or teen boy.
Personalized Journal
Putting together a journal, notebook, or sketchbook with a cover is quick and easily customizable. Depending upon their interests and the on hand resources, carefully choose the cover. They might want a sports theme, a marital arts theme, music, or something else unique to them. Use this interest to choose a fabric for the journal cover. If unsure of their interests, a simple, black in corduroy or suede is ultra nice and can be appreciated by anyone.
Creating a journal is a simple and straightforward process. First, you measure the notebook you’ll be using, placed flat and opened. Then add half of an inch to those measurements. Then you cut three pieces of fabric this size. One will be the outer cover, one should be a thick lining of some kind (interfacing or denim work well), and the final one will be the inner cover. Next, cut two pieces of fabric for the inner flaps to hold the journal into the cover. These pieces should be the width of the other three fabrics that were cut, but the length should be only one-third. For example, if your original measurements were 6” x 9”, your inner flaps should be 6” x 3”.
Next, layer the fabrics as follows: Outer cover (right side up), then inner flaps (face down), then inner cover (face down), and lastly, the interfacing. Using a quarter inch seam allowance, sew around the edges, leaving a three inch space for turning right side out. Stitch the unfinished edge and slip the notebook in. This design can be added onto by putting a loop for a pen, extra pockets, etc. Imagination is key, here.
Duct Tape Wallet
The wonders of duct tape never cease, nor ever fail to please boys. Budding teens are just beginning to have a desire for more adult type gifts, like wallets. Duct tape is incredibly versatile and comes in a variety of colors, including camouflage. Pick a color or a couple of interesting colors to create a practical and fashionable gift in minutes. A wallet can easily be designed with as many pockets as desired. Make Ezine is a great place to get started if a little experience or guidelines are needed.
Marshmallow Shooter
Mix a device that shoots and sweets and what’s the result? Happy boys. These fun shooters can be made with a few cheap materials and require very minimal skill. You can further decorate or personalize them with paints or colored duct tape. They’re not dangerous and so much fun that parents may end up wanting one of their own. They can be made for under $5 and in less than ten minutes and produce hours of fun. Hub Pages has a directions and a few designs to start with.
Gift giving for tween and teen boys need not be a dreaded event. When giving from the heart, gifts made by hand can make even the hardest to please recipients happy.
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