Being a teenager is difficult enough, but trying to buy a gift for one is even more difficult: When it comes to the products they want, they can be picky and fickle. Sometimes just listening to a teen is the best way to show them you care, and other times it's a thoughtful gift to show them you see them.
We curated Christmas gifts for teens ranging from a card game to a smartwatch to a quick-drying hair towel at various price points to provide as many options as possible.
If you're still not sure what to get (and you can't ask them directly), talk to their friends. In any case, a good general rule of thumb is to make your Christmas gift returnable.
1. A tie dye kit they can use for a fun at-home activity
They can breathe new life into white clothes and spend a few hours having fun doing something creative, whether alone or with family or friends.
2. This one-step hair dryer brush
Who doesn't appreciate a luxurious one-step tool? While brushing, this popular round brush acts as a hairdryer, giving their hair volume without much finesse or time. A full review of the Revlon One-Step can be found here.
3. An Apple AirTag to keep track of their belongings
Your teen can attach this tag to their backpack, wallet, keys, or any other easily misplaced item and easily find it with the Find My app whenever they misplace it. They can use the app to have the tag play a sound until they find their keys sandwiched between couch cushions or their wallet in the pantry.
4. A board game that feels like a video game
This cooperative board game (for one to four players) is similar to Dungeons & Dragons and other cult-favorite fantasy adventure games in that it forces players to contend with monsters and mercenaries, explore a new world, and discover treasure and fame. The game unfolds in response to the tactical decisions made by the players.
5. Disposable cameras to help them stay in the moment
Disposable cameras are popular right now, thanks in part to the nostalgic aesthetic of a Polaroid and in part to their simplicity. Spending so much time immersed in technology—and resisting the urge to retake and edit photos in real time—prevents us from remaining present.
Disposable film cameras or polaroids aid in the preservation of memories without increasing screen time. They also give them adorable photos to decorate their rooms with!
6. Glossier's fan-favorite products
No-makeup makeup is popular right now, and if your teen is interested in beauty products, they might appreciate a gift from Glossier, the "natural and glowy" brand Olivia Rodrigo mentions in her Vogue beauty diary.
7. A great book
If your teen enjoys reading, books are an excellent gift. It can provide hours of entertainment at the very least and, at its best, a favorite story that follows them well into adulthood.
Plus, if you've read the book, it can lead to interesting discussions or movie adaptations to watch together. It's also a gift where money isn't really an issue; you can find a good book for $20, and spending more won't make much of a difference.
8. An eco-conscious tie-dye beanie
These unisex tie-dye beanies feature a cool plant logo and cool colors. (To date, the Parks Project is said to have contributed over $2,000,000 to help fund vital projects in national parks across the United States.)
Ribbed beanies, such as the popular Carhartt beanie, are popular right now. If that's not enough, the Parks Project also has tube socks.
9. A splashproof, portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for outdoor trips
This tough, compact speaker can accompany them anywhere. It's waterproof, has a "outdoor boost" button for listening outside, is "drop-proof," and has a battery life of 13 hours.
10. A plush toy that they can heat up
They can cuddle up with this adorable animal-shaped heating pad whenever they need some cozy comfort.
11. A portable phone charger
This handheld charger can charge your teen's smartphone or other devices such as an iPad or small laptop, allowing them to stay in touch, turn in papers on time, or simply never have to worry about a 5 percent battery life.
12. Sheet masks to go with a Netflix marathon
My 15-year-old sister is obsessed with oversized hoodies, Boba, and an endless supply of sheet masks. Grab a pack, put them on, and spend the evening with your teen's favorite candy and TV show.
13. A pair of trendy, easy-to-use AirPods
If you want to be their favorite relative of the year, this is a good place to start. AirPods are simple to use, functional, and fashionable.
14. A Boba-shaped AirPods Pro case
As previously stated, Boba is part of my 15-year-old sister's ideal trifecta. You can get a cute, fun case no matter what their interests are — Baby Yoda, gaming, Boba Fett, or anything else.
15. A Bluetooth water bottle speaker
This Bluetooth water bottle speaker provides hydration and entertainment for everyone. The water-resistant speaker is located on top, ensuring superior sound quality for 6-10 hours. It's the ideal accessory for them to bring to every hangout.
16. A slim leather wallet
This slim wallet is a subtle nod to minimalism, which many teenagers appreciate. The Bellroy Slim Sleeve wallet has space for up to eight cards and a cash pocket. It comes in a variety of colors and is made of environmentally friendly leather.
17. An eco-friendly phone case
Pela provides a wide range of biodegradable iPhone and Android cases made from plant-based polymers. Pela cases are tough enough to withstand drops, and if a phone has both a Pela case and a screen protector and still cracks, Pela will pay to have it repaired.
18. A comfortable and sustainable Patagonia pullover they'll wear all the time
A Patagonia sweater is an excellent gift for teens who are concerned about the environment. Since 1993, the company has been converting plastic bottles into polyester for its clothing, and it still does so today.
Its Snap-T pullover is the cozy adventurer's unofficial uniform. It and the Better Sweater are long-time favorites, and both are cozy classics that they'll undoubtedly come to rely on heavily during the colder months.
Not convinced by the Patagonia option? They might also like the Acadia Recycled Polar Trail Fleece from the eco-conscious Parks Project.
19. A gift card for stylish new glasses
Teens are notoriously picky, so a gift card is always a safe bet. We recommend Warby Parker for new glasses or sunglasses because of its versatility, size flexibility, and free at-home try-on program.
20. An Amazon Echo Dot for hands-free calls, alarms, music,
The Amazon Echo Dot is the most popular Amazon device for a reason: it's small and has all of Alexa's features (weather updates, recipes, music, and news) without the bulk.
21. A smartphone-sized travel photo printer
With Zero Ink technology, this tiny, compact device prints photos with sticker backing on ZINK film. It connects to devices via Bluetooth, and multiple devices can connect at the same time (personalized LED lights indicate who is printing at any given time).
22. String lights with clips for photos
The photo clip string lights combine warm light and Polaroids to create the archetypal teen room seen in Netflix movies and old Taylor Swift music videos (or other memorabilia).
23. A trendy Champion sweatshirt
Champions have recently experienced a resurgence. This is a good option if you want to get them something they'll wear all the time.
24. A great video game
If they love video games, any other gift may pale in comparison to a brand-new one. "Hades," "NBA 2K22," and "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD" are all worth a look.
25. A vinyl record membership
Nothing beats adding to a record collection or hearing a new album for the first time. Each month, your recipient can select from three different types of tracks and will also receive extra goodies in each package. As part of the three-month gift membership, they'll also receive one bonus record.
26. A gentle facial cleansing device that removes 98.5 percent of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin.
FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 3 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch-points, and it removes 98.5 percent of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin. It's also completely waterproof and has a battery life of several months per charge.
This new generation also provides a variety of massages to tighten the skin for a more youthful appearance. A full review of the previous generation Luna 2 from a female and a male reporter can be found here.
27. Put-together but comfortable lounge pants
MeUndies is a well-known Los Angeles startup that produces some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, on the other hand, are a true hidden gem, ideal for lounging around on weekend mornings or heading to the dining hall when they get to college (yep, they'll last that long) while still looking chic.
28. A membership in a well-known book club that sends them great hardcovers every month.
If your teen enjoys reading, Book of the Month is a fantastic gift. It's a book club that's been around since 1926 and is credited with discovering some of the world's most beloved books (like "Gone with the Wind" and "Catcher in the Rye" to name a couple).
If you give them a subscription, they'll get a hardcover book once a month. A panel of experts and celebrity judges choose the books.
If they prefer audiobooks or e-reading to hardcovers these days, consider a Scribd gift subscription (full review here).
29. An Apple Watch that combines their smartphone with a fitness tracker
Consider getting your teen a smartwatch if you have a little extra money to spend. The Apple Watch SE combines a smartphone, a fitness tracker, and a music player. They can customize the watch, just like their phone, to show their favorite apps, including social media.
30. A cute iPhone case
This amusing iPhone case is unique and funny, and most of their friends are unlikely to have the same one.
31. Reusable straws
Give teens this pack of reusable silicone drinking straws to help them do their part in keeping single-use plastics out of trash cans, landfills, and the ocean. They come in a variety of colors and include a few cleaning brushes.
32. A set of velvet retro-inspired scrunchies
As many scrunchies as you can carry is another trendy gift. This pack includes 12 options in a variety of colors that will complement almost any outfit or mood.
33. A multicolor mini cinema light box
These trendy light boxes are inspired by movie marquees and include 100 letters and symbols for personal messages. This one also has color-changing LED lights for even more personalization.
34. Fun and useful PopSockets for their phone's back
In recent years, PopSockets have become their own cultural phenomenon, and they're surprisingly useful. Get one for your teen's phone or tablet, and depending on their age, it may be the gift they're most excited about. It doesn't hurt that you can design your own and get free domestic shipping on orders over $20.
35. A waterproof e-reader with a no-glare screen
The Kindle Paperwhite is Amazon's thinnest and lightest model. It also has double the storage, a built-in light that adjusts to accommodate reading indoors or outdoors, and it's waterproof, so you can read anywhere, including the beach or the bath. Furthermore, a single charge of the battery lasts weeks rather than hours.
36. Cool backpacks from a popular startup with a charitable mission
State bags are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatile, laid-back aesthetic and distinctively bright nylon colorways. They're also known as #GiveBackPack(s), because for every State bag purchased, a backpack filled with essential tools for success is hand-delivered to a local child in need. Two of the company's best-selling models are the Lorimer and Bedford.
37. A three-month subscription of beauty products
Teens are typically among the most interested in the latest and greatest beauty or grooming products — but may not have the financial means to try all of the full-sized versions. Birchbox sends out samples of new and beloved products once a month, allowing subscribers to try out new products and discover products they may want to purchase in full size in the future. (It's also fun to receive a recurring gift.)
38. Personalized Nikes
Nike produces excellent products, but it's nice to reap the benefits of a high-quality shoe without sacrificing what makes something unique. You can personalize a pair of Nikes for them or give them a gift card so they can get creative and create something unique on their own.
39. A great Alexa-enabled speaker they can control by voice
The new Sonos One smart speaker fills any room with clear, rich sound, and they can play and control their music with Alexa without ever lifting a finger. A full review can be found here.
40. A cult-favorite hair towel that reduces damage and cuts drying time by 50%
Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels claim to cut drying time in half — a claim we're happy to report holds true. Because of the proprietary fabric, wet hair is less damaged while drying. This and a silk pillowcase are thoughtful gifts they'll actually use if they've ever complained about frizzy hair.
41. A Disney+ subscription for access to classic movies and more
Disney Plus is the brand-new Disney-focused streaming service. Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox are among the companies represented on the platform. You can give them a year of access for $80, which will benefit their entire family.
If you'd rather try before you buy, you can sign up for a free week long trial of Disney Plus.
42. A suitcase with an ejectable battery that can charge their devices on the go
Away, a travel startup, makes a great carry-on with an ejectable battery that can charge devices on the go, 360-degree wheels, and a lightweight design that travels well. In other words, it alleviates a lot of the stress associated with travel and may make family vacations far more enjoyable and stress-free.
43. Durable sunglasses that look good
Who better to make a pair of durable, performance-based sunglasses than the company known for innovating the ski goggle? The Lowdown2 has a bio-based frame, ChromaPop lens technology for high contrast and vibrant colors, and an anti-reflective smudge-resistant coating.
Furthermore, the brand provides peace of mind by providing free shipping, 30-day returns, and a lifetime warranty.
44. Comfortable, high-quality sheets that come in lots of colors and patterns
We believe Brooklinen makes the best high-end sheets at the best price on the market, and the majority of the Insider Reviews team sleeps on Brooklinen. It's ideal for lazy Saturday mornings or when sleeping in is encouraged.
The Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle is available in 15 different colors and patterns ranging from classic to fun, and you can mix and match them to suit their tastes. If you want to give them more freedom, get a gift card (delivered digitally).
45. Fidget balls
These tiny magnet balls, made of rare earth magnets, can be molded into an infinite number of shapes and designs. Speks balls are ideal for teens to keep with them for those unpredictable moments of nervousness that characterize adolescence.
46. A pack of smart plugs so they can control devices from a distance
A smart plug allows them to control devices from a distance, whether they're wondering if they turned off their hot iron or simply don't want to get up to turn off the TV. Any smart device can be used to connect to them.
47. A Time-Turner clock that actually spins time turner clock: Mr. Potter
This Time-Turner clock may not be able to transport them back in time or allow them to be in two places at once, but it will help them stay on track with their schedule. It even has a functional hourglass on the back for timing study breaks.
48. A toothbrush with a timer
Dental hygiene isn't usually at the top of a teen's priority list, which is why a rechargeable toothbrush with a timer makes an excellent gift. This rechargeable brush removes 300 percent more plaque from the gum line than traditional brushing and alerts users after two minutes.
49. Compact hand sanitizer spray: Touchland
It's in their car, house, and pocket these days, but many hand sanitizers smell like household cleaner. Touchland is available in scents such as Vanilla Cinnamon and Forrest Berry, or you can go unscented.
The 67 percent alcohol in the compact sanitizer kills germs while also hydrating the skin with soothing aloe vera and essential oils.
50. A lottery card that donates to charities
When you give this lottery ticket as a gift, you are actually giving the gift of charity. When you "win big," you win a charitable prize, which is donated to a nonprofit in one of four categories: clean water, solar light, nutritious meals, or literacy tools. LottoLove and its partners have impacted lives in over 70 countries to date.
