Lifestyle: 10 gifts the teens want for Christmas - Worcester Mag

I asked 35 Worcester teens about their ultimate holiday wish lists. The prompt went something like: “Imagine if you found out Billie Eilish was your long lost cousin and she wanted to buy you a present. What would you ask for?” Some of the results were surprisingly reasonable; others left me in a Zoomer haze.

AirPods

Estimated price tag: $159 for Apple AirPods or $249 for Apple AirPods Pro.

Before I received a pair of AirPods, I viewed the wireless headphones as nothing but a status symbol. All it took was one run with my spaceage earbuds to help me understand the liberation of coming untethered. AirPods are stored in a cute little charging capsule, covers for which are also a coveted gift this season.

Anime & Manga

Estimated price tag: Most Manga paperbacks will set you back less than $10. A library card is free.

Anime are Japanese-style animated TV shows or movies while manga are Japanese-style comic books or graphic novels. This year, School Library Journal recommends Akiko Higashimura’s "Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey," an artist’s memoir about a sword-wielding sensei.

Canada Goose Jacket

Estimated price tag: The best selling Rossclair Parka is normally priced at $995.

Canada Goose Jackets found fame and fortune beyond arctic woodsmen when CEO Dani Reiss began distributing them to celebrities during the early twenty-tens. Kate Upton famously wore a Canada Goose Chilliwack Bomber ($895) on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2013 and the lifestyle implications were lasting. The coats are still widely viewed as an ostentatious flex; however, this holiday season, department stores are marking down their prices. The company offers a lifetime warranty, but there’s no guarantee they’ll stay in style for much longer.

Curved TV

Estimated price tag: At Best Buy, the Samsung 55” Curved TV is $479.99.

What makes a curved TV better than a flatscreen? Our peripheral vision. A curved monitor plays into the round shape of the human eye to provide an immersive visual that pops.

Fortnite V-Bucks

Estimated price tag: $25 for 2800 V-Bucks.

I kind of thought Fortnite was over. Apparently, I was wrong because V-Bucks made multiple appearances in my survey results. V-Bucks are the in-game currency used for purchasing outfits, pickaxes and “Emotes” (emotional animations that include both dancing and taunting one’s competitors.) V-Bucks don’t give you a competitive advantage, although there is an intimidation factor to be gained by dressing for success.

Fuzzy Socks

Estimated price tag: Under $10.

One response read simply: “Boys want fuzzy socks. Girls want money.” I’m still working through the psychological subtext of this bold claim. Regardless, fuzzy socks are never a bad idea for anyone on your shopping list.

iPhone11

Estimated price tag: Starting at $699 for 64 GB. (With a trade in, your investment drops to a hearty $399.)

The new iPhone offers an ultra wide camera lens, impressive battery life, a liquid retina display and water resistance. Just don’t go deeper than 2 meters or you’ll find yourself back in queue at the Verizon Store.

Peridot Gemstones

Estimated price tag: Raw peridot rings are available on Etsy for less than $50.

Crystals have become increasingly popular in recent years. Early civilizations believed that peridot could drive out the forces of darkness, sorcery and evil. This eye-catching olive-green gem is the birthstone for August babies.

PS4

Estimated price tag: Consoles retail for $249.99.

PlayStation 4 can be used for gaming and streaming. The system is slimmer than past iterations, making it a posh companion for your new curved TV. Thanks, cousin Billie!

Time with Friends and Family

Estimated Price Tag: Free.

A surprising number of the teens shared heartfelt responses about wanting nothing more this holiday season than quality time with their friends and family. I think they might be onto something.