What Are Teens Wanting for Christmas? Gift Ideas for Every Type of Teen

Teens are one of the hardest groups to shop for. They have specific tastes, they outgrow things quickly, and they often just want money or gift cards. The problem is that most people either buy something too young (a toy they’ve outgrown) or too generic (a gift card with no thought). The right gift is one that matches their interests, that’s age-appropriate, and that they’ll actually use. This guide covers what teens are wanting for Christmas, what to skip, and how to choose.

What are teens wanting for Christmas covers the gifts that appeal to teenagers aged 13 to 19 during the holiday season, including tech, gaming, fashion, experiences, and hobby items. The best gifts are age-appropriate, match their interests, and are things they’ll actually use. The worst are too young, too generic, or too niche.

The right Christmas gift for a teen is one that feels cool and useful. Here’s what they want, what to skip, and how to choose.

What Teens Are Wanting for Christmas by Category

Tech and Gadgets

Tech and gadgets are the gifts that teens use every day. They’re the items that are cool and useful.

What teens want:

• A good pair of wireless earbuds (AirPods, Galaxy Buds, or a quality alternative)
• A portable charger or power bank (Anker, or a quality brand)
• A small Bluetooth speaker (JBL, or a quality brand)
• A good phone case (in a style they like)
• A tablet (iPad, or a quality alternative)
• A good pair of headphones (over-ear, for music or gaming)
• A Bluetooth tracker (Tile, AirTag)
• A good charging cable (a quality braided cable)
• A smartwatch or a fitness tracker (if they’re active)
• A good phone tripod (for photos or videos)

What to skip:

• Tech they won’t use
• Tech that’s too complicated
• Tech that’s too similar to what they already have

Gaming

Gaming is the most common interest for teens. It’s the category where you can’t go wrong if you know what they play.

What teens want:

• A new video game (for their console or PC, check what they play)
• A gaming accessory (a controller, a headset, a gaming mouse, or a keyboard)
• A gaming gift card (Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, or Nintendo eShop)
• A gaming subscription (Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus)
• A gaming chair (if they don’t have one)
• A good monitor (if they game on PC)
• A VR headset (for the immersive gamer)

What to skip:

• A game they already have
• A game for the wrong console
• A gaming accessory they already have
• A game that’s too mature (check the rating)

Fashion and Sneakers

Fashion and sneakers are the gifts that teens care about. They’re the items that help them express their style.

What teens want:

• A good pair of sneakers (in their size, in a style they like)
• A quality hoodie or sweatshirt (in a color they wear)
• A good graphic tee (in a style they like)
• A quality beanie or hat (in a color they wear)
• A good pair of socks (a quality brand, or a fun set)
• A quality backpack (for school, in a style they like)
• A good wallet or card holder (in a style they like)
• A good pair of sunglasses (in a style they like)
• A quality jacket (in a style they like)

What to skip:

• Clothing in the wrong size (check their size first)
• A style they don’t wear (check their closet)
• Cheap, fast-fashion items (choose quality)
• Clothing that’s too young or too old for their age

Experiences

Experiences are the gifts that create memories. They’re the gifts that don’t add clutter and that teens remember.

What teens want:

• Tickets to a concert (a band they like)
• Tickets to a game (their favorite team)
• A gift card to a movie theater
• A gift card to a restaurant they like
• A day at an amusement park
• A go-karting or ax-throwing session
• An escape room (with friends)
• A subscription (a streaming service, a gaming subscription, or a snack box)

What to skip:

• An experience that’s too far away (they won’t go)
• An experience that requires a lot of planning (they won’t do it)
• An experience that’s too young (they’ll feel embarrassed)

Beauty and Self-Care (For Teen Girls)

Beauty and self-care gifts are the gifts that teen girls enjoy. They’re the items that help them feel good.

What teen girls want:

• A quality lip balm or a lip gloss (from a brand they use)
• A good set of skincare products (from a brand they use)
• A quality hair care product (from a brand they use)
• A good set of nail polish (in colors they like)
• A quality makeup item (from a brand they use)
• A good set of bath and body products (bath bombs, body scrub)
• A quality perfume or a body mist (in a scent they like)

What to skip:

• Skincare for a skin type they don’t have
• A scent they don’t like
• Anti-aging products (they don’t need them)
• Anything that’s too mature

Food and Drink

Food and drink are the gifts that teens enjoy and that don’t add clutter. They get used up and they’re gone.

What teens want:

• A box of premium snacks (chips, candy, jerky)
• A gift card to a fast food restaurant or a coffee shop
• A box of energy drinks or a quality soda
• A set of hot sauce (if they like spicy food)
• A good bag of coffee (if they drink coffee)
• A subscription box (a monthly snack box)

What to skip:

• Food they don’t like
• Food that will expire before they eat it
• Too much food (a giant basket they can’t finish)

Gift Cards

Gift cards are the gifts that give teens choice. They’re the gifts that let them buy what they want.

What teens want:

• A gift card to a store they shop at (Amazon, Target, or a clothing store)
• A gaming gift card (Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, or Nintendo eShop)
• A gift card to a restaurant or a coffee shop
• A Visa or Mastercard gift card (for maximum flexibility)

What to skip:

• A gift card to a store they don’t shop at
• A gift card with a small amount (it’s not useful)
• A gift card that expires quickly

Hobby Items

Hobby items are the gifts for the teen with a specific interest. They’re the gifts that match their passion.

What teens want:

• A good set of art supplies (for the artist)
• A good set of music gear (for the musician)
• A good set of sports gear (for the athlete)
• A good camera (for the photographer)
• A good set of books (for the reader)
• A good set of car accessories (for the car enthusiast)

What to skip:

• A hobby gift for a hobby they don’t have
• A hobby item that’s too cheap (it looks cheap)
• A hobby item that’s too advanced (they won’t use it)

How to Choose a Christmas Gift for a Teen

Think about what they talk about. Do they talk about a game? A band? A sport? A car? Choose a gift that matches their interests.

Think about what they complain about. Do they complain about their earbuds? Their phone case? Their backpack? An upgrade is the answer.

Think about what they value. Do they value gaming? Sports? Music? Fashion? Choose a gift that aligns with what they value.

Ask them. Unlike adults, teens will often tell you what they want if you ask. Ask for a wishlist.

Choose quality over quantity. One $50 item they love beats five $10 items they’ll toss.

Don’t buy something too young. A toy or a game that’s for younger kids will be rejected. Choose age-appropriate gifts.

What to Skip Entirely

Toys for younger kids. A teen has outgrown action figures, building blocks, and children’s games. Choose age-appropriate gifts.

Generic gifts. A tie, a pair of socks, a mug, or a calendar is a generic gift that feels like an afterthought. Choose something personal.

Gifts that feel like work. A self-help book, a study guide, or a productivity tool can feel like a hint, not a gift. Skip them.

Clutter. Teens don’t need more stuff. Choose experiences, consumables, or upgrades.

Gag gifts. A novelty gift is funny for 10 seconds and then it’s trash. Skip it.

Gifts that are too cheap. A $5 gift feels like an afterthought. Choose a gift that shows you put thought into it.

FAQ

What are teens wanting for Christmas? Teens want tech and gadgets (wireless earbuds, a portable charger, a Bluetooth speaker), gaming items (a new game, a gaming accessory, a gaming gift card), fashion (sneakers, a hoodie, a beanie), experiences (concert tickets, a game, a movie), beauty and self-care (for teen girls: lip gloss, skincare, nail polish), food and drink (premium snacks, a gift card to a restaurant), gift cards (to a store, gaming platform, or restaurant), and hobby items (art supplies, music gear, sports gear). Choose quality over quantity.

What are the best Christmas gifts for teens? The best gifts are a new video game, a good pair of wireless earbuds, a quality hoodie, a good pair of sneakers, a gaming gift card, a portable charger, a Bluetooth speaker, concert tickets, a gift card to a store they shop at, and a box of premium snacks. Choose one quality item they’ll love.

What should I avoid buying a teen for Christmas? Avoid toys for younger kids (they’ve outgrown them), generic gifts (ties, socks, mugs), gifts that feel like work (self-help books, study guides), clutter (more stuff they don’t need), gag gifts, and gifts that are too cheap. Choose something cool and useful.

How much should I spend on a teen for Christmas? $25 to $50 for a friend’s teen or a nephew, $50 to $100 for a close family member. Choose a thoughtful gift, not an expensive one. A $50 video game or a $40 pair of earbuds is better than a $100 generic gift.

How do I choose a Christmas gift for a teen? Think about what they talk about (a game, a band, a sport), what they complain about (their earbuds, their phone case), what they value (gaming, sports, music, fashion), and ask them for a wishlist. Choose quality over quantity. Don’t buy something too young.

What are good stocking stuffers for teens? Good stocking stuffers include a good charging cable, a small portable charger, a good chocolate, a bag of premium snacks, a good pair of socks, a good pen, a quality lip balm, a $10 gift card, and a good pair of earbuds. These are all under $25.

What do teens want for Christmas when they say they don’t know? Teens who say they don’t know usually want a gift card (to a store, gaming platform, or restaurant), a new video game, a good pair of wireless earbuds, a quality hoodie, or a pair of sneakers. Choose a gift card for maximum flexibility, or a specific item if you know their interests.

References

• Today. “Gifts for Teens.” https://www.today.com/shop/gifts-teens
• Good Housekeeping. “Gifts for Teens.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g2601/gifts-for-teens/
• New York Times Wirecutter. “Gifts for Teens.” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/gifts-for-teens/