You're subscribed!
33 Gifts for Teens That They'll Actually Like
Some people say that teens are difficult to shop for, but we beg to differ. Grab any one of these gifts, and we guarantee you'll get plenty of smiles and "thank-yous" from your kid.
Observable fact: Teens today actually have great taste. They enjoy campy TV shows like Riverdale as much as classic throwbacks like The Office and Golden Girls, they love self-empowerment anthems from Lizzo and Billie Eilish, and they dress so well that the entire internet wonders if they even go through an awkward phase anymore. (The jury's still out on that one.)
Needless to say, we think they're pretty fun to shop for. If you've been searching high and low for a present that will please your teen, breathe a sigh of relief because we have 33. Keep reading to see our best gift ideas for teens in 2022.
Trust us: Your teen wants a chunky beanie hat for Christmas. Slip this ribbed cap into their stocking for instant smiles and endless selfies. You can choose from nine trendy hues, like bright lime and plum, and even let your teen know that the accessory is made from recycled materials.
In this world, it's all about Harry Styles. Delight your teen with this unisex t-shirt inspired by his latest album, "Harry's House." They'll love the floral design and how Harry's likeness pops against the neutral background. It's available in just about every size, style and color you can think of.
Ice rollers are all over TikTok right now, so this little tool should be a big hit with your beauty lover. They can leave the cryo roller in the fridge or freezer overnight and use it to massage and soothe their skin first thing in the morning.
If they're already talking about the Super Mario Bros. Movie, then there's a good chance that your teen would love this mushroom table lamp. The light is the perfect size for their desk, dresser or nightstand, and it emits a warm glow once plugged in.
The only thing better than cozy slippers? Cozy slippers that speak to the early 2000s, of course. Put your teen in a positive Y2K kind of mood with these smiley face slides from Free People. They'll love the ultra-soft lining and bouclé finish almost as much as the punchy graphic.
If you're wondering what teens are reading these days, it's Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn. The action-packed sequel to Legendborn picks up right where the first book left off and follows Bree Matthews and friends on a dangerous quest to save her love interest, Nick. Expect epic sword fights, ancestral magic, love triangles and plot twists aplenty.
Yep, checkerboard is still trending. Give your teen a stylish way to protect their tech with this retro-cool checkerboard laptop sleeve. The puffy case is made from recycled materials and includes a hoop-and-look closure.
It's no secret that Instax Mini film can be expensive. Keep your teen's camera full for the next month or so with this 40-count variety pack. Inside the box, they'll find four pre-loaded cartridges of classic white, rainbow, pink lemonade and monochrome film.
If they're a serious sneakerhead, then surprise them with a light-up shelf to display their collection. The sleek unit mounts right onto the wall, and it comes with a remote control so they can switch between seven colors.
ICYMI: Cozy is cool these days. Treat your teen to the ultimate lounging experience at home with this oversized fleece hoodie blanket. The body is crafted from cloud-like sherpa and comes in 21 different colors. It's so comfortable, they'll probably want to wear it to school too.
Win over the avid gamer on your list with a copy of NBA 2K23. The ultra-realistic video game allows players to choose their own squad, partake in Michael Jordan challenges and perfect their moves. Needless to say, it'll hold their attention for hours.
They'll have no problem keeping track of their AirPods with this "Wonky Face" case. The retro-psychedelic case is made from silicone, and it holds AirPods Pro and AirPods Gen 3. It also includes a small side loop, so they can attach it to their backpack.
If your teen is officially a college student, then they could probably use a personal coffee maker for their dorm room. We recommend the Keurig K-Mini, which is compact enough to sit on their desk and makes a fresh cup in seconds. It also comes in six brilliant hues, like Oasis and Evergreen.
Turn any drive into a quick game of Carpool Karaoke with this wireless microphone. The device includes a built-in phone holder so passengers can select a song (BREAK MY SOUL by Beyoncé, anyone?) and belt the lyrics on their way to and from school.
Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? If they flew through the first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty and are dying to know what happens next, then hand your teen the books by Jenny Han. The bestselling series will keep them on their toes and might just change how they see the Fisher boys!
For the guy with a pretty minimal skincare routine, we suggest The Winter Survival Tube Gift Set. This canister has everything he needs to beat the bitter-cold months, including Standard Issue Face Lotion and Bloody Knuckles Hand Repair Balm.
Encourage your teen to get to know themselves more with this guided journal that's been all over the internet. Inside, they'll find 160 pages filled with intriguing writing prompts, questions and thought experiments. And yep! The journal comes in four different patterns.
What's old is new again, which means that your kid would probably, not-so-secretly like a record player. Take the hint and start them off with this Victrola Eastwood turntable. The tan trim makes the piece look vintage, but it actually boasts Bluetooth compatibility and custom-tuned stereo speakers. Be sure to pair the gift with one of their favorite albums.
Show your Machine Gun Kelly-obsessed teen that you've been paying attention, and gift them a bottle of nail polish from his line UNDN LAQR. The formula is completely vegan and cruelty-free, and it's available in 34 bold hues. If you're not sure where to start, snag the shade "Party Favor," which perfectly matches MGK's album "Mainstream Sellout."
Keep your teen warm, whether he's in the classroom or hanging out with friends, by gifting him this sherpa-lined trucker jacket. The stylish design has a casual, oversized fit and comes in both classic denim and black. He can pair it with a range of tees and button-downs.
Claw hair clips are back and more popular than ever. (Thanks, TikTok.) Help your teen accessorize for school or trips to the mall with this six-piece set from Amazon. The soft neutral hues of the set will pair perfectly with any outfit they put together.
If your teen is on TikTok or Instagram, then they definitely know about Dude With Sign. Start their day with a hilarious protest or off-the-cuff observation, courtesy of this 2023 wall calendar. The design covers 18 months and includes long vertical grids for keeping track of homework and after-school activities.
What's better than a bean bag chair or hammock, you ask? An inflatable lounger that your teen can use anywhere — no air pump required. But here is what really separates the Wekapo from the rest: It comes with a pillow-shaped headrest and it's available in 16 unique colors and patterns.
Sure, they might have LED strip lights in their bedroom, but do they have their own personal sunset? If not, swoop in with this trendy tabletop light from Urban Outfitters. The warm projector rotates a full 180 degrees and creates one vibey setting.
Heatless curls? Glazed doughnut nails? Yes, please. If your teen is on top of the latest makeup trends, then they'd probably (read: greatly) appreciate Glossier's Beauty Bag. The pink cosmetic case is large enough to fit their entire collection, and it's padded to prevent items from breaking.
Who could resist, right? Pull inspiration from their favorite social media platform and present your teen with this novelty cookbook. Each page features a wildly popular recipe from a TikTok creator, like Sweet Chile-Smashed Sprouts by @ballehurns and Rose-Matcha Olive Oil Cake by @lahbco.
If they don't have a Nintendo Switch yet, chances are it's on their wish list. The Switch Lite is a new version of the Nintendo Switch system that's optimized for personal, handheld play. With a built-in +Control Pad and a sleek, unibody design, it's amazing for on-the-go gaming. And, given that the device will keep them busy for hours on end, we insist that it's worth the price tag.
Add an effortlessly cool, boho touch to their bedroom with this dried floral garland. The piece is anchored by a wooden dowel and draped with real wildflowers and twine. Something tells us that they'll absolutely want to take it to college.
Now, this is what we call a one-of-a-kind gift. Your teen is pretty much guaranteed to laugh (okay, cringe) when they open these custom face socks. For maximum embarrassment, choose an old yearbook photo or decorate the socks with pictures of their adoring parents.
Pause their usual scrolling and promote some parent-teen bonding with this basketball bean bag toss game. The base is made from a Dibond ACM panel, and it comes with mounting hardware, a dry-erase marker and six polyester bean bags.
