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The ultimate gift guide for hard-to-impress teens

BestReviews illustration / The ultimate gift guide for hard-to-impress teens

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Trendy and classic themes for teens

Between quickly revolving trends and discovering new hobbies, teens have acquired a reputation for being hard to please during the holidays. In reality, the hunt to find the perfect gift for the teen on your list can be a super-fun experience.

From video games that help them bond with friends to a custom neon sign that will elevate their bedroom, the options are endless. Plus, you might even find you and your teen have similar interests, like the popular Lululemon belt bag.


Best teen clothes

PF Flyers Unisex Center High-Top Sneaker $60 at Amazon Versatile and trendy.

Teens of any gender and style preference will love these basic, timeless sneakers. They come in several colors and will bring both trendiness and comfort to just about any outfit. The price is budget-friendly, so if they rough them up, it won’t hurt quite as much as the super expensive sneaks.

Under Armour Boys’ Logo Short Sleeve Tee Shirt $16 at Amazon A must-have shirt for the athletic teen.

If you have any teens in your life, then you know athletic wear is where it’s at. I have two teen kids and it’s so rare I see them in anything other than branded sports t-shirts and sweatpants, so this tshirt is already in my Amazon cart for them. It’s budget-friendly and available in tons of colors. 

rosyclo Cloud Slippers $23.98 at Amazon Trendy and comfortable – a winning combo.

If you have a teen who has begged for Yeezys but you couldn’t stomach the price tag, you’ll want to check these cloud slippers out. They’re soft, lightweight, comfortable, and best of all, washable. They also come in tons of colors, so feel free to grab multiple pairs. At that price, it’s an easy choice.

Editors’ Favorite Big Blanket Co Hideout Hoodie $129 at Big Blanket Co. Get lost in comfort at home, at your BFFs, wherever.

Your teen will basically live in this all winter. It’s perfect for hanging out around the house, taking an early morning walk with the dogs or moving from one friend’s house to the next. When you can wrestle it away from your teen, this blanket hoodie is machine-washable and designed with wrinkle-free material. As a bonus, it will save you from constantly having to turn down the thermostat. 

Grey Bandit Martha Sweater in Taupe $65 at Grey Bandit Cute and functional for daily wear.

Even if your teen says not to buy them clothes, they’ll make an exception for this cute, trendy Martha sweater. Whether they’re into neutrals or prefer a pop of color, this comfortable sweater comes in six options, including taupe, green and pink. It comes in sizes x-small through xxx-large for inclusivity; with wide balloon sleeves and side slits, this sweater is made for everyone.

CusPrinting ‘It’s Me. Hi! I’m The Problem’ Hoodie $19 at Etsy Iconic hoodie for all the die-hard Swifties or casual listeners.

If you’ve ever wondered why your teen always has AirPods in their ears, it’s probably because they’re listening to the latest and greatest from the iconic Taylor Swift. There’s no better way to show your love and appreciation to an artist than by donning the words of their hit song, and getting your teen this retro hoodie is also the best way to impress them this Christmas.

 

French Knot Meadow Clasp Pouch $45 at French Knot Keep the change — literally.

Fast fashion is out, and trending in its place are high-quality pieces you can keep for life, like this gorgeous pouch. Not only is each one hand-felted with wool by artisans in Nepal, it’s also intricately embroidered for the charm and quality you expect. And this clasp pouch is big enough to hold more than change, including your credit card or favorite lipstick.

Best room décor for teens

Philips Hue LightStrip $89 at Amazon Light up their room.

When it comes to top tier teen room decor, the vibes brought on by strip lights. This set is compatible with systems like Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Nest, Samsung SmartThings, Yale, Razer, IFTTT and Logitech.

Urban Outfitters Cherry Wire Wall Mirror $39 at Urban Outfitters No bedroom is complete without a cherry on top.

Your teen’s bedroom is supposed to be an oasis, and this mirror is the cherry on top to finish off their dream space. The dual mirrors are not only cute, they’re also perfect for checking your makeup before running out the door or recording a new TikTok with your friend. The leafy stem and wire design add a whimsical touch so it becomes a feature piece on any wall.

Five Below Word Patch Teddy Pillow $5.55 at Five Below Add personality and color to your dream space.

Help your teen redecorate their room and make it their own space with these adorable word patch throw pillows. Since they’re budget-friendly, you don’t have to choose between “ugh,” “bye” or “hi” and can get the entire collection. The pink, grey and white theme looks chic on a bed, couch or chair and adds some personality. 

Casofu Burritos Tortilla Throw Blanket $20 at Amazon Roll yourself up in this delicious throw blanket.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert at rolling up the perfect burrito to properly cuddle with this fleece throw blanket. The design is double-sided, so you’ll always tuck into the right side for the night. Plus, it’s machine-washable, so you can keep your it like new for years to come.

YSMNDE Custom Neon Signs $60 at Amazon Light up your world.

A personalized sign always impresses, whether it’s for your teen’s bedroom, birthday party or, really, any situation. Each eye-catching light-up sign is handcrafted and safe to use in any room. Plus, it’s designed to save energy and be environmentally friendly. 

Lite-Brite Wall Art POP Wow $69 at Amazon Use your imagination to create and display.

A child’s toy becomes a reality with this largest Lite-Brite ever made. Instead of the bulky, low-tech products from the ’50s, this pop art lets your teen build a design and display it. You can follow the included design or use your imagination to create your own with over 6,000 mini-sized pegs in a ton of fun colors. Power it with batteries or the micro-USB port.

Editors’ Favorite CPLA Moon Lamp $20 at Amazon Go to sleep every night under the glow of the moon.

With 3D printing technology, this light displays a realistic moon shape that makes you feel like you’re falling asleep under the glow of the moon. Use it as a night light to chase away the dark or change to one of the five colors to set the mood in a room. Thanks to the low-voltage USB charging and energy-efficient LED light bulb, the lamp stays cool to the touch, no matter how long you use it.

LECLSTAR Photo Clip String Lights $15 at Amazon Create a wall of your favorite memories.

Transform any room or event with this portable string light set that not only comes with 100 LED lights, but also includes 50 clear clips you can adjust over and over to create the perfect photo wall. Your teen can put it up in their room or take it with them to showcase memories at a graduation party or night away with friends. Or simply use it to light their room at night.

Best teen beauty products

CUTIEWORLD Skincare Fridge With Dimmable LED Light Mirror $41.56 at Amazon Because every beauty fan needs a skincare fridge.

A beauty fridge is all the rage with teen makeup and skincare junkies, so wow your beauty-obsessed teen with this extremely cute skincare fridge. It’s big enough to hold some of their most treasured products at a price that won’t break the bank.

Kintion Pocket Mirror $13.49 at Amazon Cute, compact and ready for touch-ups.

If your teen loves doing makeup on the fly, they’ll appreciate this pocket mirror with magnification and light. It’s super compact, making it perfect for stashing in a backpack, Lulu bag or locker.

Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Top Five Value Set $45 at Sephora Gift your teens this trendy hand sanitizer.

Touchland is the ultra trendy hand sanitizer mist that every teen wants in their Lulu Belt Bag, and this set of five will keep their hands clean for at least a few months. There are five different scents in the set, sure to please the difficult-to-impress teen.

Editors’ Favorite M2U NYC Makeup Essential Set $52 at M2U NYC A complete makeup set for the natural beauty lover.

Upgrade your teen’s daily makeup routine or help them start fresh with this convenient set. The included six staples include an eyeshadow primer, rosy eyeshadow palette, jelly highlighter, mascara, blush and matte liquid lipstick. As a bonus, all pieces are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free for a guilt-free gift. The color palette is ideal for a neutral look that can be dressed up or down.

Truly Beauty TikTok Routine Skincare Set $139 at Truly Beauty Indulgent TikTok-worthy skin care faves that are worth it.

You’ve probably seen these colorful bottles on your social media feed and for good reason. Not only are they absolutely gorgeous to look at, they truly work to give you radiant skin. This complete six-step set takes out the guesswork and delivers the ultimate routine that comes with firming retinol, brightening ingredients, acne-targeting hydrocolloid and much more.

Best of the best UBeesize 10″ Selfie Ring Light $36 at Amazon Novices will appreciate this comprehensive, yet budget-friendly ring light kit. In our tests, we liked that it offers both warm and cool tones.

Ready or not, technology and social media are the future. Whether your teen wants to get TikTok famous, record dance videos with friends or needs better lighting to get ready each day, this ring light will give them the perfect lighting. In addition to warm, cool white and daylight colors, it features 10 brightness levels for each color. Find the perfect angle with the adjustable tripod with tilt and swivel options.

Best video games for teens

Warner Bros. Hogwarts Legacy $70 at Amazon The wizarding world awaits you.

Teens enamored with all things “Harry Potter” will love this exciting video game where they can freely roam popular areas, including Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade and more. Or learn how to become a witch or wizard by learning spells, brewing potions and tending to magical beasts along your journey. And don’t forget about getting sorted into your house.

Electronic Arts Madden NFL 24 $35 at Amazon Your NFL career is only one touch away.

With advanced technology and AI enhancements, Madden NFL 24 is better than ever before. Experience smoother player action and anatomically correct player skeletons that are more responsive to your control. In this game, you’ll have full control by selecting your position and body type to customize your NFL superstar.

2K NBA 2K24 $70 at Amazon Dribble, dunk and play with the best basketball legends of all time.

Past, present and future, the greatest players of all time are part of this groundbreaking video game. New technology means better graphics and realistic movements, and you can personalize your style while chasing greatness or participating in side quests. Or grab your buddies and enjoy crossplay together, thanks to new-generation consoles.

Roblox Digital Gift Card for 2,200 $25 at Amazon Give them the gift of Robux.

If you have or love a teen, you know all about Roblox. While the online gaming platform offers plenty for free, there are tons of items and perks you can purchase with the almighty Robux. Gift a Roblox-loving teen a Roblox gift card and you’ll be their favorite this year, I promise. You can purchase them in amounts between $10-$500, so this is a great gift for any budget.

Best tech gifts for teens

Avid AP-1000 AVIGA™ Gaming Headset $59.99 at Amazon Comfortable to wear and budget-friendly.

Unless you want to hear the dulcet tones of your teen’s friends screaming while they play video games together, a good set of gaming headphones is a must for the whole family’s sake. This set has a noise-cancelling mic with swivel to mute function and comfortable plush for the ears making them easy to wear for long periods. 

GTPlayer Gaming Chair $89.99 at Amazon For the gamer in your life.

A good gaming chair is must for the gamer on your list. This one offers a footrest and lumbar support, which is crucial for your teen’s long Roblox and Fortnite sessions. It comes in several colors and even has a massage function for the lumbar area. They definitely didn’t make them like this when we were kids!

Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit $849 at Amazon For your budding influencer.

It’s a bit of an investment, but if your teen has big influencer dreams, this Content Creator Kit will be a very exciting gift. It includes an RF mount camera and allows for taking video and photos. It comes with several accessories for your budding influencer to make all kinds of content.

Wacom One by Wacom $599.95 at Amazon Wow them with this high-tech drawing pad. 20% OFF

A very high-tech drawing pad is a show-stopper gift for the creative tween who loves making art. The 13.3-inch full HD laminated touchscreen is truly state-of-the-art and is sure to wow your kiddo this holiday season.

Testers’ Favorite Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) $190 at Amazon The second-generation AirPods Pro boasts better noise cancellation and battery life than its predecessor.

There are a ton of reasons why Apple earbuds are among the most popular choices for both teens and adults. In addition to being compatible with an iPhone, they also feature active noise cancellation to focus on homework and transparency mode to hear what’s happening around you. We know teens are adventurous, so these sweat- and water-resistant earbuds are the perfect fit.

Samsung The Freestyle FHD HDR Smart Portable Projector $498 at Amazon The picture, sound quality and smart features are spot on.

It’s never been easier to set up an indoor or outdoor home theater, thanks to this smart portable projector. With auto-leveling and auto-focus, it completely manages the setup to find your perfect picture. It also comes with a cradle stand that rotates nearly 180 degrees, so you can take it with you on the go and position it from floor to ceiling.

Testers’ Favorite Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $190 at Amazon The Signature Edition of the Kindle Paperwhite includes some helpful features such as a longer battery life, and the ability to be charged wirelessly.

Reading is a universal hobby parents can support, and a Kindle makes it a breeze to do that wherever you go. With the new USB-C charger, the battery can last up to 10 weeks on a single charge, and this device is compatible with a wireless charger. The Paperwhite also includes auto-adjusting front light, a flush-front design and a glare-free display that reads like real paper. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera $80 at Amazon Compact, cute and convenient.

Thanks to this instant camera, capturing memories has never been easier. With automatic exposure and a twist lens, you can quickly take a picture as the moment is happening. This model also comes with a built-in selfie mirror and close-up mode with parallax correction, so you’re always framed perfectly in each shot.

Best of the best GoPro HERO11 Black Mini $300 at GoPro Conveniently capture every adventure with this lighter design.

Whether you’re capturing a local event or heading out on an epic adventure, this GoPro is up to the task. It’s smaller and lighter than previous models, making it more comfortable to wear with dual mounting fingers for body or helmet mounting. Plus, the tough outer shell ensures it’ll last through each activity and experience.

SIDVAR Wireless Charging Bluetooth Speaker $40 at Amazon All-in-one phone holder, Bluetooth speaker, night light and wireless charging station.

Even though it’s small, this speaker is mighty. Not only does it hold your phone while playing your video or favorite song through the Bluetooth speaker, it also features seven colorful lights and charges your phone while in use. Use the speaker to control the volume, answer calls or skip songs.

More of the best teen gifts

Testers’ Favorite lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L $38 at Lululemon This bag is durable and comfortable and sure to be loved by teens and moms alike.

Quickly go from one place to the next with this versatile belt bag large enough to carry a phone, keys, wallet and more. With water-repellent fabric, your teen can wear it while running or out in inclement weather and keep your belongings protected. Plus, it will (hopefully) help them keep track of their stuff, so you don’t have to help them look anymore.

PILLOWPIA the french market bag no.2 $18 at PILLOWPIA Sustainable bag for impromptu shopping trips.

Since it’s lightweight and compact, this eco-friendly market bag is ideal for keeping in the car or the gym to quickly carry anything you need. Versatility is the main star, with the ability to go from the gym to the beach and everywhere in between. Plus, it’s organic and vegan.

UGG Tasman LTA $73 at Amazon A jacket-like exterior makes this a great go-to slip-on shoe for teens who have to brave frigid school bus stops.

The original UGG outdoor slipper is upgraded to include lightweight puff uppers with a versatile recycled material that will keep your feet warm while staying breathable. This timeless design is reminiscent of the brand’s quality products and perfect for a teen who is always on the go. The inside is lined with a blend of wool and plant-based lyocell, while the exterior is designed to grip and cushion.

LapGear Home Office Pro Lap Desk $38 at Amazon Keep your lap desk with you at home or when you travel.

Even if they don’t have a dedicated desk, this portable lap desk helps your teen get their work done and keeps you comfortable. The mouse pad is smooth, their phone can sit in the built-in slot to keep it upright for quick conversations and the cushioned wrist rest provides much needed support. And with a cushion on the underside, their lap will always stay cool.

Best of the best Owala FreeSip Water Bottle $24 at Amazon This reusable bottle has a straw for easy drinking and keeps water cold with insulation; impressed in our user testing.

Water bottles are all the rage with teens these days, and this well-known brand is a top choice, thanks in part to its ability to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Users can drink from its patented wide spout or the built-in straw for convenient sipping. Plus, the lid keeps the spout clean and the carry loop doubles as a lock.

RobertoGoldDiamond Personalized Unique Name Necklace $48 at Etsy This unique necklace will wow your teen.

Have your teen’s name turned into a stylized logo on a delicate chain thanks to this Etsy shop’s genius design. It’s available in silver, gold or rose gold and in multiple lengths. You can bet your teen won’t already own a necklace like this or see anything similar in stores.

twofivethreedesignco Rizz Candle $21.66 at Etsy This trendy slang on a candle will make your teen giggle.

If you haven’t been hearing about “rizz” all year, do you even really know any teens? Turn the slang word of 2024 into a fun candle that comes in multiple scents and will have your teen giggling as they light it up and enjoy the scent.

Callisto Teens The Super Easy Teen Cookbook: 75 Simple Step-by-Step Recipes $8.86 at Amazon Teach your teen to cook.

Let your teen learn to cook with 75 easy step-by-step recipes. Foster independance and maybe give yourself a night off from cooking dinner, because all of these recipes are uncomplicated and should not require any adult help.

STRUMBA Kalimba WHT/NAT $27.95 at Amazon Let them make music with this unique instrument.

This thumb piano is so unique and will definitely pique your musically-inclined teen’s interest. Crafted with solid beechwood, its tones are warm and pleasant, so it won’t drive you nuts to hear around the house. 

Vibes High Fidelity Concert Earplugs $28.95 at Amazon Protect their ears at concerts with these sleek plugs. 15% OFF

If you know a concert-obsessed teen, check out these high fidelity ear plugs that blend in pretty nicely so they won’t show too much. They will also come in handy if your teen needs help tuning out noise to focus or if they have sensory needs.

Spin Master Rubik’s Cubers Hello Kitty $16.99 at Barnes and Noble For the Hello Kitty fan.

Hello Kitty and Rubik’s Cube collab on this adorable toy that also works as the classic block puzzle. If your teen loves Hello Kitty, this is a super unique gift they’ll love to play with and display. 

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Bre Richey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.