Stuff Tweens Want for Christmas: Gift Ideas They’ll Actually Use

Tweens are in that tricky transition between kids and teens. They’ve outgrown most toys, but they’re not quite ready for all teen gifts. The problem is that most people either buy something too young (a toy they’ve outgrown) or too old (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 stuff tweens want for Christmas, what to skip, and how to choose.

Stuff tweens want for Christmas covers the gifts that appeal to tweens (ages 9 to 12) 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 old, or too generic.

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

Stuff Tweens Want for Christmas by Category

Tech and Gadgets

Tech and gadgets are the gifts that a tween uses every day. They’re the items that are cool and useful.

Good picks:

• 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 tweens. It’s the category where you can’t go wrong if you know what they play.

Good picks:

• 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 Roblox gift card (if they play Roblox)
• A Minecraft gift card (if they play Minecraft)

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 ESRB rating)

Fashion and Sneakers

Fashion and sneakers are the gifts that a tween cares about. They’re the items that help them express their style.

Good picks:

• 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)

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 a tween remembers.

Good picks:

• 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)

Books and Learning

Books and learning gifts are the gifts for the tween who likes to read or learn. They’re the gifts that are fun and educational.

Good picks:

• A good book (a book they’ve mentioned, or a book in a genre they read)
• A good graphic novel (for the reader who likes comics)
• A good non-fiction book (for the curious reader)
• A good set of art supplies (for the artist)
• A good set of science supplies (for the scientist)
• A good educational game (for the learner)
• A good set of building sets (for the builder, if they still enjoy them)

What to skip:

• A book that’s too young (they’ll be bored)
• A book that’s too old (they’ll be overwhelmed)
• A book that’s too academic (it feels like work)

Outdoor and Sports

Outdoor and sports gifts are the gifts for the tween who likes to be active. They’re the gifts that match their hobbies.

Good picks:

• A good basketball, football, or soccer ball (for the athlete)
• A good set of golf balls or a golf accessory (for the golfer)
• A good fishing rod or a fishing accessory (for the fisherman)
• A good skateboard or a scooter (for the skater)
• A good set of weights or a fitness accessory (for the lifter)
• A good water bottle (Hydro Flask, Yeti, or Nalgene)
• A good bike or a bike accessory (for the cyclist)

What to skip:

• Sports gear they already have
• Gear that’s too specialized (they won’t use it)
• Gear that’s too cheap (it won’t last)

Gift Cards

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

Good picks:

• 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)
• A Roblox or Minecraft gift card (if they play those games)

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 tween with a specific interest. They’re the gifts that match their passion.

Good picks:

• 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 building sets (for the builder, if they still enjoy them)
• A good set of craft supplies (for the crafter)

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 Tween

Ask them what they want. Unlike younger kids, a tween will often tell you what they want if you ask. Ask for a wishlist.

Think about what they talk about. Do they talk about a game? A band? A sport? A book? 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.

Give a range of price points. Include items at $10, $25, $50, and $100. This gives people options.

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 tween 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. A tween doesn’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 do tweens want for Christmas? Tweens want tech (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), books and learning (a good book, art supplies), outdoor and sports gear (a basketball, a skateboard), gift cards (to a store, gaming platform, or restaurant), and hobby items (art supplies, music gear). Choose quality over quantity.

What are the best Christmas gifts for tweens? 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 tween 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 tween for Christmas? $25 to $50 for a friend’s child 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 tween? Ask them what they want. 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). Give a range of price points ($10, $25, $50, $100). Don’t buy something too young.

What are good stocking stuffers for tweens? 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 does a tween want for Christmas when they say they don’t know? A tween who says they don’t know usually wants 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 Tweens.” https://www.today.com/shop/gifts-tweens
• Good Housekeeping. “Gifts for Tweens.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g2601/gifts-for-tweens/
• New York Times Wirecutter. “Gifts for Tweens.” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/gifts-for-tweens/