Hottest Gifts for Teenage Grandchildren

The Buddha Board has the instant attracting power of a novelty toy, but the charm doesn't wear away. A special composition allows the user to create a painting using only water. The painting doesn't last but gradually fades away, leaving the coast clear for the next budding artist, or Buddha artist. Great for dorm rooms.

A camera that shoots real film? What a concept! It's true. The young and hip have embraced a new kind of photography, often called lomography, that uses inexpensive plastic cameras and actual film. The imperfections are part of the fun, as is waiting for your film to be developed. This new-old style of camera is not for everyone, but for some teen grandchildren, it could be the perfect gift.

The iPod Nano has returned to its roots. It's all about the music. The Nano lacks video capabilities, but its smaller size and its sexy little touch screen will win teenagers' hearts. There's a clip for easy wearing, and it can even be worn on a strap as a watch, with 18 clock face designs to choose from. All this, and the battery power should last up to 24 hours.

I must admit that I'm not a football fan and lack the expertise to judge this latest version of the Madden video franchise. What I do know is that most of my family and friends who are sports lovers are mad for it. Also, it's available for most major gaming systems. I also know that it is visually stunning, and players say that the animation is significantly improved.

Your teen grandchild will get all the attention when she sports these black cat headphones. They're soft on the ears and compatible with most devices. If your granddaughter wants something a little less edgy, she might enjoy plain crocheted headphones in a variety of colors from the same maker, or a set that boasts a perky bow.

Cupcakes aren't just for eating. They are also for wearing. This quirky clothing company is riding a wave of popularity, and the new Nickelodeon series can only help. Giving a Johnny Cupcakes tee to a grandchild will definitely up your cool quotient.

My teen-aged granddaughter loves her footie pajamas. If she is feeling tired or down, she wears them around the house. She says it feels as if she never got out of bed. These are available in fleece or flannel in a variety of cool prints. Some even have drop seats!

When my granddaughter lost her purse, she wasn't worried about her money or her license. She just grieved for her Betsey Johnson bag. The Betseyville Be Mine Again line utilize hearts but with an urban edge so the look's not so sweet.

With the popularity of YouTube, almost every teen fantasizes about making a viral video. The Flip Mino is a fairly inexpensive, easy way to scratch that itch. Sleek enough to fit into any pocket, the Mino is customizable with a variety of looks. For a little more money, you can buy a Mino that shoots in HD and has 4 GB of internal memory instead of 2 GB.

If your teen is a Christopher Paolini fan, this hardcover boxed set is a surefire hit, as it includes the recently released fourth book in the series, Inheritance, just released on Nov. 8. If your teen hasn't sampled Paolini but has a taste for fantasy, the boxed set is worth a try. Some teens will prefer the ebook or audiobook version, so check before you opt for the old-school format.

The phone that revolutionized the whole concept of cell phones is still a smoking hot gift. The hefty price tag means that it won't be in many grandparents' budgets. If you can afford it, it's a great help in staying connected with teens.

You know how it is with gift cards. Some people love them; some hate them. Teenagers tend to love them. The Visa gift card wins their hearts because it can be used almost anywhere, even when shopping online or by phone. (Does anyone shop by phone any more?)