Zazzle's White Tiger Skate Deck design is one of many from the Redwood City, Calif.,-based online retailer, which has developed a following by letting customers customize all sorts of stuff. Customers can create a design from scratch or choose from Zazzle's library of images.

Teenagers are tough customers for gift giving. The days of buying them cute ensembles, Hot Wheels and craft kits are so over.

But must we resort only to envelopes of cash or Favorite-Label-Retailer gift cards?

According to many teens, cash gifts are at the top of their wish lists. And they're not a bad idea: They put them in charge of weighing wants versus needs, which fosters decision-making and budgeting.

But if you're interested in giving something more specific, or more wrappable, below are some holiday gift suggestions vetted by actual teenagers.

None will break the bank. And it should be said that instead of exchanging gifts, some teens might like to help their communities. Families might want to support a child in a developing country or help a local food pantry or family shelter.

"Sit down and talk as a family about supporting a children's charity," said Alina Tugend, a consumer columnist for The New York Times.

And if the economic downturn means your family's holiday spending will be cut back, don't be afraid to talk about that with teens, Tugend said. "Some parents may find it good to say everyone gets one store-bought present, and all others have to be homemade in some way," she said.

Gifts that let teens express their identity and be creative in a cool way are good ones.• Zazzle.com, a Redwood City, Calif.,-based online retailer, has developed a following by letting kids customize all sorts of stuff. You can create a design from scratch or choose from Zazzle's library of images, and Zazzle will then print the design on sneakers, skateboards, T-shirts or other items. The Keds sneaker images, for instance, range from bold argyle prints to celebrity head shots. Zazzle also provides a platform for aspiring designers to sell their creations. (from $50)• More customizable gear is at converse.com, where a pair of Chuck Taylor low All-Star sneakers can be tricked out in one of more than a dozen patterns and colors. (about $60)• From xtremegeek.com comes a ceramic model train with sheets of graffiti and tag decals to give it that urban edge ($39.99).

• Environmentally aware teens might like the Ecosphere, a small, ecological world in a glass ball, available at Greenfeet.com. Tiny red shrimp, algae and plant life thrive in a sealed globe filled with filtered sea water. There is minimal maintenance involved. (from $57.95)• Many teens have ditched the backpack in favor of a book tote. An inexpensive alternative is the reusable tote found for 99 cents at most grocery stores. But for a fashionable, right-on-trend statement, go to bhappybags.com. Happy Bags are made of machine-washable, upholstery-weight cotton with a comfy, poly-webbed handle. Made in America, and available in many peppy prints, solids and colors. ($24)

• New cell phones or iTunes cards are traditional teen favorites, but there's more fun to share with Griffin Technology's iKaraoke microphone and processor, which plugs into the car or home stereo. The gadget removes the vocal track so users can sing over the instrumentals. ($49.95)• Girls might love PBTeen.com's heart-shaped digital photo pendant. The screen displays a slide show or a single frame. ($29.95)• Not everyone is a Photoshop wizard, so ipopmyphoto.com does the creative legwork for you by turning any jpeg photo into an image that looks like an iPod ad. ($19.95)

• Rooms can be cozied up with the Linus Blanket, from Urbanoutfitters.com. Just like the one belonging to Charlie Brown's friend, this blanket is light blue, soft and trimmed in satin. Part of sales goes to support Project Linus, which gives security blankets made by volunteers to needy kids. ($36)• New Yorker Clinton Van Gemert is making heads turn with his silk-screened hoodies. He imprints images of heads on the sweatshirt hood — pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, a playing card king, a gorilla, a Greek god, a skeleton and more. The effect is startling, which could be a hit with teens. (Headhood.com, $49.95)• PBTeen.com features a snazzy hair dryer in three colorful patterns that would make it easy to locate in the messiest room. ($69)• Uncommongoods.com offers a chic travel bag made from laminated newspapers that would be a perfect toiletry or pen/pencil kit. Each one is different. ($30)

In the Ecosphere, a sealed globe filled with filtered sea water, tiny red shrimp, algae and plant life thrive.