My oldest is nearly 14, and somewhere along the way her Christmas list stopped looking anything like her sisters’. The slime and stuffies are gone. Now it’s books for her Kindle, heatless curlers, her favorite Alo skirt in another color, and candles. (Spoiler: she is not getting a lit candle in her bedroom. 😅)
Shopping for a teen is its own thing. They know exactly what they like, they can spot a “mom pick” from a mile away, and half of what’s trending will be over by February. So this list of Christmas gifts for teens is mostly the stuff that actually gets used at our house: tech like AirPods and a Kindle, cozy UGG socks, Summer Fridays lip balm, the Owala that goes everywhere with them, plus a few experiences and gift cards so they get to choose for themselves.
Yes, I love that the 90s and early 2000s are back. But I’d rather spend my money on something she’s still reaching for in June. And if you’re shopping for a birthday instead, everything here works for that, too.
Still shopping for younger kids? My tween gift ideas and tween stocking stuffers have you covered.
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Tech | Room Decor | Clothes & Accessories | Teen Girls | Sporty | Games & Books | Experiences & Gift Cards | FAQ
Teen Gift Guide Tips: What to Focus On
Kids this age are usually done playing with dolls, stuffies, and other toys that tweens still gravitate toward. If your kids are 13 or older, here are some teen gift guide tips to help you figure out what to get them for Christmas.
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Independence: Teenagers want more control over their lives. Think about the gifts that allow them to make their own decisions and give them more privacy.
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Individuality: Teens are figuring out who they are and exploring their identity. Think about the gifts that allow them to express their sense of style, encourage their interests, and give them a creative outlet.
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Practical: Teenagers are more interested in clothes, self-care, and other gifts they’ll actually use. Think about their everyday experiences and the gifts that will speak to their growing maturity.
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Electronics & Gadgets for Teens
Tech gifts are always going to be a popular gift with teenagers. Personally, I go for the tried-and-true favorites over anything super new and trendy.
Apple AirPods: The tech accessory that most teens want! The newest version just came out this fall with noise cancellation, and you don’t even need an iPhone to use them (any Bluetooth device will work).
Kindle: My teen is a voracious reader, and her Kindle is hands down one of her favorite gadgets. It holds hundreds of books, fits in any bag, and is easy on the eyes for late-night reading. Need ideas to load it up? My list of book series for middle school girls is full of her favorites.
Portable Charger: I have this one and love it. It’s legit the most compact portable charger I’ve ever seen, so it slips right into a pocket, backpack, or sports bag. No more “my phone is about to die” texts. 🙌
JBL Go 5 Portable Speaker: A fun way for teens to share music and podcasts with their friends. It’s palm-sized, waterproof, and dustproof, and it now has built-in lighting. Bonus: two of them can be paired together for stereo sound.
Apple AirTag: An easy way for your teen to keep track of keys, backpacks, and sports bags. The new version is louder and easier to find from farther away. Also makes a great stocking stuffer!
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer: Any teen with a smartphone will love this gift. They can instantly print and personalize photos of them and their friends, plus the peel-and-stick back makes it easy to decorate lockers, notebooks, and more.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13: Teens love having real prints of their photos. The newest Instax adds a self-timer, so they can finally be in the group pic too.
Ali Pro Tip: Think about what they’re into (music, photography, gaming, or sports) and zero in on that. And if you want to keep screen time in check, tech that gets them doing something offline, like printing photos or playing music with friends, is a great middle ground.
Other ideas:
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Make sure your gift aligns with your family’s values as well as your teen’s age and maturity level
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If you want more screen-free ideas, consider tech gifts and gadgets with smart features instead
Cozy Room Decor for Teens
Teenagers love to hang out in their room! These Christmas gifts for teens will help them make it a fun and cozy space that’s all their own.
Cozy comfort
Lola Blanket: These blankets are huge with teen girls right now. They’re the kind of ultra-soft, oversized blanket she’ll want to curl up with every single night.
BaubleBar Custom Ombre Name Blanket: Anything personalized is always a hit, and this ombre name blanket makes it feel extra special. It’s a cozy gift that doubles as room decor.
Cozy Socks: Every teen needs a good pair (or five) for lounging around the house. These UGG socks are super soft and warm, and Barefoot Dreams socks are another favorite.
Lighting & decor
Candle Warmer Lamp: My teen is obsessed with candles right now, but there’s no way I’m letting her have a lit candle in her room. 😅 This candle warmer is the perfect compromise. It warms the candle from the top down, so there’s no open flame, the candle lasts longer, and it doubles as a pretty little lamp.
Candles: Pair the warmer with a candle that smells amazing. A few we love are the Quince Bois de Santal candle and this one from NEST.
LED Strip Lights: Teens will love customizing the colors to match whatever mood they’re in. And the lights can sync up to music, too.
Other ideas:
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Think about what will help them enjoy their room more. Do they want more control over how it looks, or do they need a comfy space that helps them decompress from school, sports, and other demands?
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Ask them if there’s anything they would change about their room to help you explore potential gift options
Clothes, Shoes, & Accessories for Teens
It can be tricky to shop for teens who are still figuring out their style and may want to follow trends. Right now, anything comfy and casual is still a big hit. But if you’re not sure, just ask! My girls are always happy to make me a list or add things to my cart. 😂
Shoes & bags
On Cloud Sneakers: These comfy and casual shoes come in lots of fun colorways.
The North Face Borealis Backpack: The perfect size backpack for teens. My daughter has this backpack in another color, and it has held up really well.
Mini Crossbody: My teen loves this bag. It fits her phone, debit card, and lip gloss!
Cozy loungewear
Parke Sweatshirt: The sweatshirt teen girls are obsessed with right now. It’s soft, cozy, and has that elevated-casual look they love.
Pink Palm Puff Sweatshirt: Fun, colorful, and totally her vibe. These are the kind of sweatshirt she’ll want to wear with everything, and they’ll have her excited for warmer weather!
Alo Skirt: One of my teen’s absolute favorites. It’s sporty, cute, and easy to throw on with a sweatshirt or tee. Living in Houston, she pretty much wears it year-round.
Shopping for a younger teen? My gift guide for 13-year-old girls has even more of what my daughter and her friends are wearing right now (hello, Alo socks and Sambas).
Jewelry worth investing in
Custom Initial Birthstone Bracelet: A fun twist on the classic initial or birthstone necklace. Personalize it with her initial and the birthstone color of your choice for a gift that feels just for her, without the big investment.
Custom Acrylic Nameplate Necklace: My girls love having their name on everything, and this necklace gives the classic nameplate a fun, modern twist.
Pearl Stud Earrings: Pearls are a classic she can wear with everything, and this pair is an easy way to test-drive the look before investing in a real set.
Diamond Necklace: The splurge-worthy, milestone gift. It’s simple enough to wear with sweatshirts and dressy enough for special occasions, which is exactly why it never comes off.
Ali Pro Tip: I’m all for investing in nicer jewelry as your teen gets older. For her 13th birthday, my daughter got her first diamond necklace (okay, technically a diamond chip 😂). She wears it every single day, and I know it’s something she’ll cherish for years. My one piece of advice? Before you invest, start with something more affordable to see if your teen actually likes wearing jewelry. If it becomes part of her everyday look, you’ll know it’s worth the upgrade.
Other ideas:
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See what they gravitate toward when you take them shopping or browse online
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Ask them if they feel like anything is missing from their closet. What’s one thing they would add?
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When in doubt, get them a gift card to their favorite store so they can pick out their own clothes and accessories
Christmas Gifts for Teen Girls
With three girls in my house, I’ve learned that teen girls love gifts that feel a little grown-up: skincare, makeup, cozy self-care, and anything that lets them show off their style. The best Christmas gifts for teen girls are the things she’ll use every day, like a favorite lip product, a body mist that smells amazing, or hair tools that make getting ready easier.
Skincare & body care
Sol de Janeiro Body Mist: Any scent from Sol de Janeiro will be a hit. It’s the body mist teen girls are obsessed with right now, and it smells amazing.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer: Still all the rage with teens, and they really do smell so good.
Travel Shower Set: My girls love these travel shower sets. They’re perfect for sleepovers and trips, and they make a great stocking stuffer, too.
DIY Skincare Starter Kit: Fill a cute makeup bag with the basics: a gentle CeraVe face wash, a lightweight moisturizer (we love classic Vanicream, but tweens and teens go wild for Bubble), and a daily EltaMD sunscreen. Teens don’t need anything fancy, just a simple routine they’ll actually stick with. For my full breakdown of what my girls use (and why), check out the skin care section of my gift guide for 13-year-old girls.
Tower 28 Skincare Minis: My girls love these minis. It’s a fun way to try a few new products without committing to the full size.
Makeup
Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Gloss Jelly: Everyone’s favorite lip gloss right now, and for good reason. It’s glossy without being sticky, and it comes in so many fun shades.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm: My girls are obsessed with this lip balm. It’s super hydrating, comes in yummy flavors, and is the kind of little luxury teen girls love to keep in their bag.
Colorscience Face Shield: If your daughter is just starting to get interested in foundation, this is the one I’d start with. It’s a tinted sunscreen that’s buildable and looks flawless on skin. Teens don’t need heavy foundation, but this smooths out any little imperfections they don’t love (and she’s getting SPF at the same time).
Glossier Mini Fragrance Set: A sweet way for her to find a signature scent, with a few minis to try instead of one big bottle.
Ali Pro Tip: Not sure what she uses? Peek at her bathroom counter, or grab her a bunch of mini travel sets. It’s a great way for her to try new products without committing to the full size.
Hair
Kitsch Heatless Curlers: My daughter uses these every single day. Fair warning, they took us a hot minute to figure out, but waking up to beachy waves (with zero heat damage) makes it so worth it.
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase: A simple swap that means less frizz, fewer tangles, and less breakage. Bonus: it doesn’t sleep hot, which matters in a Houston summer.
Gift Idea: Pair the Kitsch heatless curlers with the Kitsch satin pillowcase for a cute “overnight hair” set. She goes to bed with the curlers in, wakes up with smooth, frizz-free waves, and gets a little self-care moment at the end of the day. 💗
Crown Affair Hair Towel: I know a towel sounds like a funny gift, but hear me out. I upgraded to this one last year, and my teen is constantly stealing it! It cuts down on frizz and breakage and helps her hair dry faster.
SoCozy Detangler: We’ve tried a lot of detanglers over the years, and this is still my teen’s favorite.
Shark Hair Dryer: This one is a splurge, but my daughter loves doing her hair, and a powerful dryer makes such a difference. It cuts her drying time way down, which every busy teen (and her mom) will appreciate.
OGX Heat Protectant Spray: If your daughter uses a hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron, this heat protectant spray is fantastic. It’s an easy way to protect her hair from damage.
Other ideas:
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Think about their daily routine, what they like to use, and what they talk about with their friends
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Consider the near future and how your gift will help them navigate this new stage of life
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Personalize the practical. Choose the color or design they like best, or customize a gift with their name
Sporty Gifts for Teens
Two of my daughters are swimmers and one is a gymnast, so going to practices, meets, and competitions is a huge part of our lives. Here are a few fun gifts to support teens who love sports.
Therabody Theragun Mini: I’ve had this massage gun for years, and honestly, my kids use it more than I do! It’s perfect for soothing sore muscles after long practices and workouts, and it’s small enough to toss in a sports bag.
Adjustable Dumbbell Set: For the teen who’s starting to work out more often, these adjustable dumbbells help them build strength at home. And they don’t take up much space, which is always a win.
LED Basketball Hoop Lights: A great gift for the teenager who loves basketball! These hoop lights make it easy to play outside after it’s dark.
Owala Water Bottle: My girls love this one. It’s the water bottle every teen is carrying right now, and it keeps drinks ice cold from first period through practice.
L.L.Bean Duffle Bag: We love L.L.Bean! I still have (and use) mine from college, and now my girls love theirs. I can attest to how much this bag fits and that it holds up well.
Other ideas:
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Update their sports equipment, like a new ball, racket, clothes, shoes, or accessories
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Focus on recovery and self-care to make sure they’re taking care of their bodies (and their mental health!)
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Consider sports-inspired room decor, mugs, and more
Shop More Teen Gift Ideas on Amazon 👆
Games, Books, & Puzzles for Teens
Teens still like to play, it just may look different now! My daughters love to play games, read books, and do puzzles.
Nintendo Switch 2: We got the girls a Nintendo Switch a few years ago, right before the Switch 2 came out. I honestly didn’t think we’d use it much, and now we use it all the time! The girls play on their own, we have family game nights, and they have competitions when friends come over. If you don’t have one yet, it’s a great at-home activity for teens (and the whole family).
Family Games: Board games still have a spot at our house, too! Check out my post on family games for ideas that work for teens and the whole family.
Book Series: A great gift for teenagers, including reluctant readers! Here are a few of my teen’s favorites:
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Divergent by Veronica Roth
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The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (same author as The Naturals!)
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The Selection by Kiera Cass
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Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber
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The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
For even more ideas (and my notes on what’s in each one), check out my list of book series for middle school girls.
Murdle: A fun logic puzzle book where teens solve mini murder mysteries.
Galison Puzzles: My girls love puzzles, especially anything from Galison. They have so many designs to match up with your teen’s interests, too, like cities around the world, a dream destination, or their favorite season.
Ali Pro Tip: Think about whether your teen likes slow-paced solo activities or fast-paced games with family and friends. And look for fun crossovers, like a book series that’s also a movie, or a puzzle themed around their favorite story.
Other ideas:
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Consider the social aspect. Do they prefer slow-paced solo activities or fast-paced family activities?
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Think about what they like best when it comes to genres, playstyles, themes, formats, and skill level
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See if there’s a fun crossover between a book, movie, game, or puzzle
Experience Gifts & Gift Cards for Teens
Teens love experiences, especially when a friend gets to come along. At this age, they’re craving independence and time with their people, so an outing they get to plan (or a skill they’ve been dying to learn) can mean more than anything under the tree.
Experiences they’ll remember
Adventure activities: Indoor skydiving, rock climbing, or go-karting for high-energy thrills in a safe environment. One of my girls has indoor skydiving at the top of her wish list this year!
Creative classes: Cooking, pottery, or pottery painting. These are always a hit at our house.
Puppy yoga: Yes, it’s exactly as cute as it sounds 🩵. My girls absolutely love it.
Social outings: Escape rooms, laser tag, or passes to an amusement or water park, perfect for a group of friends.
Concert tickets for two: Their favorite artist’s tour stop, plus a ticket for their best friend.
Mother-daughter day: Manicures, lunch, a little shopping… anything that’s just the two of you will feel special.
Driving lessons: For older teens counting down to that license.
Gym membership or class pass: For older teens who love to work out. In many cities, you can buy a workout class pass that lets them try different classes at different studios, from spin to yoga to boxing. Just keep in mind that many gyms and ClassPass-style services have minimum ages (often 16+ or 18+) and may require a parent to sign up, so it’s worth checking the age requirements before you buy.
Ali Pro Tip: Give them something to unwrap, too. Pair concert tickets with a band tee, or a pottery class with a cute apron. They still get that Christmas-morning moment, and the experience becomes the big reveal.
Gift cards they’ll actually use
Gift cards get a bad rap, but teens genuinely love them. They get to pick exactly what they want, which is half the fun at this age.
Sephora: For the teen who loves trying new makeup & skincare.
Their favorite clothing store: My girls love gift cards to Alo and Lululemon so they can pick out their own styles.
Target: Because a Target run with her own money is a whole event.
Starbucks: Or their favorite local coffee spot, perfect for after-school hangs.
Movie theater: Bonus points if you add a snack voucher.
Steam or PlayStation: For the gamers.
Want even more ideas? My experience gift ideas post has a big list of classes, memberships, outings, and trips for the whole family.
Gifts for Teens FAQs
What are the best Christmas gifts for teens under $50?
There are so many great options under $50! Think an Owala water bottle, an AirTag, a compact portable charger, Summer Fridays lip balm, Touchland hand sanitizer, cozy UGG socks, a Galison puzzle, or a gift card to their favorite store. Experience gifts like a pottery painting session or puppy yoga class often land in this range, too. For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out my gifts under $25 guide.
Are gift cards a good gift for teens?
Yes! Teens love the freedom to pick out exactly what they want. My girls always ask for gift cards to Sephora, Alo, and Lululemon. To make it feel more special, pair a gift card with something small to unwrap, like a cute water bottle or journal.
Do teens appreciate experience gifts?
Absolutely, especially when a friend gets to come along! My girls love puppy yoga, and one has indoor skydiving at the top of her wish list this year. Adventure activities, creative classes, concerts, and outings with friends all make memories they’ll talk about long after Christmas. For more ideas, check out my experience gift ideas post.
Do teens still want toys?
Kind of! Most teens have outgrown dolls and traditional toys, but they still love squishies and fidget toys. Games, puzzles, and creative kits also scratch that same itch in a more grown-up way.
What tech gifts do teens actually want?
Wireless earbuds like AirPods are at the top of almost every teen’s list. After that, it’s practical tech they’ll use every day: a compact portable charger, an AirTag for their keys and backpack, a mini speaker like the JBL Go 5, and an instant camera like the Instax Mini 13. My teen’s favorite gadget is her Kindle, since she’s a voracious reader.
What is a good teen gift to splurge on?
Anything tech-related, like AirPods, that they’ll get a lot of use out of and will last a long time. Also anything that supports a passion, hobby, or interest; it shows you believe in them and it helps them build valuable skills. I would also personally spend more money on anything they wear a lot that can impact their growing body, like shoes or a backpack.
What do older teens (16 to 18) want for Christmas?
Older teens tend to want more freedom and fewer “things.” Gift cards, concert tickets, a gym membership or class pass, driving lessons, and upgraded versions of everyday items (nicer headphones, quality jewelry, or a great backpack) are all big wins at this age.
What are some good tech gifts for teens that don’t encourage screen use?
There are plenty! From this list, a mini photo printer, wireless earbuds, a portable speaker, and LED lights are all great picks. Some other fun ideas are a fitness watch, 3D pen, robotics kit, and an e-reader.
How do I make sure my Christmas gifts for teens will be something they still like in a few months?
Focus on a practical gift they’ll use regularly that fits into their daily lives. Think about their hobbies, what they like to do after school or during the weekend, and what they talk about with you or their friends. You can also pair something easy, like cash or a gift card, with something fun and simple, like a new journal or water bottle.
Are there any trendy gifts I should be getting for my teen?
Sol de Janeiro and Glossier are two popular brands that teens love. My girls also love anything cute, comfy, and cozy, like oversized sweatshirts (Parke, Pink Palm Puff, and Alo are favorites at our house), big blankets, and dainty jewelry.
Do these gift ideas work for a teen’s birthday too?
Yes! Every idea on this list works just as well for a birthday as it does for Christmas. For a milestone birthday, check out my gift guide for 13-year-old girls, which has big-ticket ideas for turning 13.
More Ideas for Christmas
Need more gift ideas for your family? Check out all of my gift guides here.
In between shopping for Christmas gifts, make sure to have some fun too! Here are some ways we like to celebrate the holiday:
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Watch Christmas movies, from timeless classics to new favorites
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Make Christmas cookies, especially my family's personal favorite
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Read Christmas books (our list has evolved over the years)
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Do Christmas crafts and other cozy indoor activities
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Put together a December 1st box filled with holiday-themed goodies
For more inspiration, see my family's full list of Christmas traditions.
