Buzz
If you're shopping for a teen this holiday season, the pressure to find something they'll truly love is real. Sure, you could ask them directly, but anyone who's spent time with teenagers knows that clear communication isn't always their strongest skill (and sometimes it never quite develops).
To assist you in your quest for the perfect gift, we reached out to the followers of the HuffPost Parenting Facebook page to find out what teens are asking for this holiday season and which gifts have been hits in the past. Like teens themselves, the responses cover a wide range—from video game controllers to vegetarian cookbooks. There's something for every teen, and even a few ideas perfect for family enjoyment, a rare win when it comes to teens.
We hope you find the ideal gift for every teen on your list. And if any of these options catch your eye for yourself, we’ll keep that secret.
1.Experiential Gifts
StubHub is a great platform to find all kinds of fun events in your area. You can even surprise your teen with a gift card, allowing them to pick their own adventure.
Explore StubHub for tickets or grab a gift card starting at $25.
2.Fragrances
3.Spotify Premium and a portable Bluetooth speaker
4.Nike apparel, such as a sweatshirt or shorts
5.A six-pack of Nike socks
6.Xbox accessories
7.DoorDash gift cards
Here's a sneaky gift that looks like it's for your teen, but it’s also a treat for you: Sabrina Soros Kareha recommended DoorDash gift cards.
"This way, if they can’t drive or it’s too late, they can still grab something when they’re craving it," she explained.
On a chilly winter evening when you’re about to go to bed, you won’t have to do dishes, drive, or hear complaints about "there’s nothing to eat in the house"—and your teen can get nachos instead. A win-win situation.
Get a digital gift card from DoorDash for $25+.
8.Trendy earrings
Parent Lisa Katzenberger shared that her 13-year-old daughter is asking for earrings. As someone with many ear piercings, I personally love the brand Rowan. They offer stylish, hypoallergenic earrings that are affordable and free from nickel, brass, or zinc. From my own experience, I can wear them for weeks, even while showering, sleeping, or working out, without irritation or tarnishing.
The smaller studs and hoops are perfect for multiple piercings and match with any look. I never take mine off, wearing them from yoga sessions to elegant dinners.
Purchase them from Rowan for $35+ (available in two colors).
9.Sets of coffee flavor syrups
10.Authentic matcha with an electric frother
Nguyen shared that she successfully gifted her teen both real matcha and a frother to whip up the popular green tea drink and create frothy beverages. Golde is a BIPOC-owned family business that creates superfood-infused products, like their flavorful matcha blends. This set includes Japanese-made matcha and a rechargeable frother.
Promising review: "I’ve been drinking Golde matcha for some time now, and it’s hands down the best matcha I’ve made at home." —Karen S.
Buy the set from Golde for $50.
11.Boba cups with oversized straws
If your teen enjoys bubble tea or tapioca pearls, they'll appreciate this glass tumbler, which features a wider straw perfect for boba, just like Nguyen’s. Available on Etsy, this tumbler can even be personalized. We also found a leakproof, insulated version on Amazon with tons of 5-star reviews.
Promising review: "Incredibly fast shipping and amazing customer service! The product is adorable and was securely wrapped, and despite being glass, not a single piece broke!" —Samantha
Purchase from Flora Customs Shop on Etsy for $16.
12.Various styles of Uggs
Jessi Cremers mentioned her teen requested Ugg slippers, while Desiree Fletcher said her teen specifically wanted the mini Uggs. Either way, these warm and trendy winter shoes are a popular choice, often sold out in stores. However, Nordstrom offers a good selection of sizes and colors.
Promising review: "I've always loved Uggs, and these are no different. They're incredibly cozy and comfortable. Plus, I love the soles." —Love2shop08
Buy them from Nordstrom starting at $119+ (slippers available in sizes 5—8 and five colors; boots available in sizes 5—12 and five colors).
13.Cozy pajama pants
Carrie Mergens and LaTisha Osborne Spice mentioned that their teens love receiving comfortable pajama pants for the holidays. While novelty pairs are always fun, we particularly enjoy these cotton jogger-style pants from Target, available up to size 5XL.
Promising review: "I bought these for my boyfriend and ended up getting a pair for myself too. They fit perfectly and are thicker than expected. Very warm, good quality, and they even have pockets!" —Mila
Available at Target for $20 (comes in five sizes, four men's groups, and four colors).
14.Compact kitchen appliances
15.Compact mini fridge
16.Vegetarian cookbook
17.Kindle Paperwhite
18.Large Lego sets
