The older you get, the trickier it can be to pick out the best gifts for teens—especially if you’re shopping on a time crunch (Christmas is next week!). It’s only natural; eventually the things that once defined your formative years—Tamagotchis, Jordache jeans, iPhones with home buttons—get replaced, leaving you wondering what the kids are actually into these days (okay, they actually are into Tamagotchis). Buying a gift for a teenage girl who lives on BeautyTok? A viral heatless curling headband is a great idea (it’s one of our fave gifts to give under $50). How about a present for a teen boy who’s a total sneakerhead? One word: Nike. Need something meaningful for their 16th birthday? Friendship bracelets don’t have to come only from her BFFs–just ask Taylor Swift. They make a great gift for daughters as well. From cool room decor you can get last-minute on Amazon, like bean bags and LED lights (teens are all about the aesthetic) to a PlayStation game the whole fam can enjoy, our editors went straight to the source, polling our own teens, our nieces and nephews in high school and college, and our interns, and yes, we spent a lot of hours scrolling TikTok. These are the trendy gifts all the teenagers in our lives said they actually wanted this year—almost all of which arrive in time for December 25, if you order ASAP.
The best gifts for teens, at a glance
Unique Gift for Teens: Yatvro Custom Neon Sign, $50
Best Gift Under $20: Dalattin LED Lights for Bedroom, $17
Cool Gift for Gamers: RGB Headphone Stand With Charging Ports, $17
Best Gift for Teen Guys: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette, $16
Trendiest Gift for Teen Girls: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $25
