They will actually want to open these (Picture: Getty)
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Christmas is creeping up fast.
So if you haven’t started planning gifts for your loved ones, time is ticking on – and leaving it to the last minute will only result in blood, sweat and tears.
But perhaps the hardest person to buy a Christmas gift for (apart from your dad) is the tricky teen in your life – be it your offspring, niece or nephew, or simply a family friend.
Teens can be fussy and extremely particular about what they want (and when they want it), but if you’re struggling for present ideas, don’t panic.
We’ve got a whole stack of fabulous gift ideas below, catering for all kinds of interests – from gaming and tech, to skincare and fashion – and we’ve also scoured TikTok to see the trending products that have got teens talking.
So let’s get right to it…
Adidas Gazelle Indoor Trainers
Who can argue with a new pair of trainers and Adidas Gazelles are arguably one of the top shoes of the year. After all, according to Gen Z, white trainers are out, so these unisex green ones are a comfy and stylish alternative.
Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Since the pandemic hit, heatless curlers (and hacks for achieving them) have taken the world by storm. However, using a dressing gown robe now feels a little DIY (we’re not in lockdown anymore, after all). These heatless curlers are great if the teen in your life loves achieving effortlessly cool curls.
Herschel Supply Co Classic backpack in black
Whether it’s for school or personal use, you can’t really go wrong with a black backpack. This versatile Herschel bag will cater for all your everyday needs and is divided up into two compartments for easy access.
AS Oversized Sweatshirt
For those not clued-up, leisurewear (and gymwear) is the latest everyday-approved look for teens – so it’s likely the one in your life will appreciate a gift from influencer-approved brand Adanola. This oversized grey sweat is a timeless classic and the 100% organic cotton make-up means it’s as cosy as they come.
Puffy Pink Spa Headband
These playful pink hairbands are perhaps one of the most lusted-after beauty accessories of the year – courtesy of Instagram and TikTok. This one from Urban Outfitters comes in at less than a tenner, so is great for a smaller gift or stocking filler. We can’t promise it’ll make your teen get ready and quicker, though.
Sculpd Starter Kit
This pottery start kit is ideal for creative teens who love nothing more than getting stuck into artistic projects. Using the clay provided, they’re free to sculpt a vase, planter, trinket dish – or whatever they want. The possibilities are endless and there’s hours of entertainment in this quirky gift.
Squishmallows 8″ Cupcake Soft Toy
Ideal for late-night snuggles or cosy evenings in, there’s a reason Squishmallows are still so popular. If your teen collects them, this cute cupcake one from Claire’s is something a little different.
Ugg slippers
Comfort and style? What teen could argue with that? Slippers really are the gift that keeps on giving and, with Ugg now back in a big way (thanks to the growing Y2K resurgence), these won’t disappoint. After all, who can argue with a gift that makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds.
Lenco LS-50LED Black Turntable with LED Lights
Give the gift of music this Christmas with this vibrant vinyl set. This fun record player has two built-in speakers and LED light animation, for an extra special twist.
Stanley Cup
It’s likely the teen in your life might have been wanting the viral Stanley Cup for a while – thanks to its popularity on TikTok. With room for a hefty 1.18 litres, this tumbler is practical and stylish – plus this rose quartz colourway adds a sense of occasion.
Moon & star galaxy light projector
We all know teens spend a lot of time up in their rooms. So why not inject some interest into their natural habitat and transform it into a celestial paradise with this gorgeous moon and star galaxy projector.
AirUp bottle
These genius bottles are designed to flavour water – only by scent. As a result the water you’re drinking instead resembles something fruity or cola flavoured – depending on the pod of choice. And you can be rest assured your teen’s teeth are still protected. A win for adults and teens.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
A fantastic gift for the music-loving or audiobook-listening teen, these Bose headphones will go above and beyond expectations. With their noise-cancelling tech, these immersive headphones block out everything but their audio of choice: a teenager’s dream right?
Personalised Name Beaded Bracelet
Personalised beaded bracelets have been a big trend for this year and these ones from Not On the High Street come in a selection of colourways and styles. Spell out their name, nickname, or initials for a thoughtful gift that’s likely to go down a treat.
Snow Fairy Gift Set
It might seem like a cop-out but bath gift sets are a crowd-pleasing present – plus it’s something a teenager is unlikely to buy themselves. Lush’s limited edition gift set of its popular Snow Fairy line offers treats for the bath, body, and shower.
BYBI Milk Melt Vegan Oat Milk Cleanser
BYBI is having a moment in the world of skincare so anything by this brand should be a winner this Christmas. This vegan oat cleanser is a great choice – even for sensitive skin.
John Lewis 60 LED Star Lights
Fairy lights are a teen rite of passage and these adorable star-shaped ones are a twist on tradition. Plus, they’re positively festive.
Taira Green Ceramic Photo Frame
In an incredibly digital world there’s something still rather special about a physical photo frame and this playful one from Oliver Bonas is a lovely option for a teen’s bedroom.
Nintendo Joy-Con Controllers for Switch Console
No teenager gift roundup would be complete without a gaming option. These vibrant Nintendo Switch controllers are perfect for your gaming-obsessed loved one.
Bluetooth shower speaker
With suction enabling it to stick to the bathroom wall, this gift is ideal for shower sing-a-longs. It’s splash-resistant design features up to two hours of battery life, so no need to charge after every wash. Although we can’t promise water bills won’t rise because of it.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist
Transport your teen to the balmy Brazilian climbs on Christmas Day with this Sol de Janeiro perfume mist, with notes of salted caramel and sandalwood. This brand is a favourite amongst teens right now and it’s not hard to see why, considering it means you can smell like summer all-year round.
Amazon Kindle (11th Generation)
If the teen in your life is a bit of a bookworm, a Kindle could be the perfect present for them this Christmas. The 11th generation Kindle boasts a six-inch screen as well as double the storage – compared to the previous model.
Personalised name necklace
Jewellery is a lovely gift – no matter what your age. And it’s even more special if it’s personalised. These handmade Etsy necklaces come in gold or silver and in a whole host of designs – depending on preference.
Academic Year Diary
Make organisation fun with this playful Papier Academic Year Diary. Plus it gets bonus points for the personalisation options.
instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
This snap happy gift is guaranteed to go down well. The easy-to-use instant camera is a nice alternative for when they’re bored of digital pictures.
All-in-one Table Tennis Set
Table tennis is possible anywhere, anytime with this nifty present. The retractable net fits any table up to 180cm wide and 5cm thick, so is pretty versatile. The kit also comes with a carry case if your teen wants to take it to a mate’s house.
Happy Face Shock Phone Cover
You can’t really go wrong with tech accessories at Christmas and this one
is guaranteed to put a smile on your teen’s face. Skinny Dip’s Happy Phone Case is available in a whole host of different sizes, too.
Elizabeth Scarlett Evil Eye Embroidered Velvet Makeup Bag
This velvet makeup bag, designed by Elizabeth Scarlett, has a real luxurious feel to it – and the generous size means it’s ideal for travelling. Plus, the quirky evil eye design is a fun twist on plane Jane makeup bags.
Meta Quest 2 128GB All-in-One VR Headset
Fun for your teen (but also the whole family), this VR headset offers hours of endless entertainment. Travel into different universes and take on various missions, with a whole host of challenges. This impressive gift will make make-believe feel all too real.
Care Bears Rainbow Beaded Phone Strap
Combining cute with one of the must-have accessories of the year, this phone charm delivers on so many levels.
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From stylish phone accessories and gadgets, to games and toiletries – we’ve got you covered.