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Best Christmas gifts for teens: present ideas they’ll actually get excited about
Yasmine specialises in shopping advice and finding the best deals during sales events like Black Friday, helping readers get great value for their money.
Buying Christmas gifts for a teenager can be challenging, and you don't want your present to be met with a disappointed eyeroll. But finding a gift they'll actually get excited about is easier than you think.
Whether they're deep in their studies, a gamer, a music lover or a film buff, this list of the best Christmas gifts for teens will give you plenty of ideas at a range of budgets.
Best gifts for teens under £20
Starface World Hydro-Stars
Starface World Hydro Stars are a great, inexpensive gift for teens. This new and unique approach to skincare embraces imperfections, transforming them into a fun facial accessory.
We like: Cute and colourful approach to skincare
Watch out for: Better for the occasional pimple than everyday use
These colourful star-shaped blemish patches have been a hit with teens on TikTok, and they'd make a great stocking filler.
When you get a spot, cover it up and decorate it instead of feeling ashamed.
Starface claims the patches will absorb fluid, reduce redness, and shield the spots from outside bacteria. It'll also be less tempting to pick at them with one of these over the top. You get 32 patches in a pack, and they come in a cute refillable compact box with a mirror. Put it on overnight or wear it proudly out and about. It's a whole new approach to skincare.
You can buy the Starface World Hydro-Stars from Boots and Amazon or compare prices below:
Tickets to a women’s football game
A lot cheaper than going to the men's game, and you'll have a brilliant time. Pick your match carefully and you will get to see your favourite Lionesses.
We like: Soak up the stellar atmosphere
Watch out for: Only buy tickets from reliable sources to avoid scams
A day out at a football match is an excellent gift for sporty teenagers – give them tickets to take their friends, or go with them to enjoy some quality time.
Choosing a women’s game over the men’s often means you can visit top-tier clubs without needing a membership, and the tickets are generally cheaper, too.
Many high-profile women's matches take place at the team's famous stadiums (like the Emirates and Old Trafford), so you will still get the full experience.
Buy junior tickets from club websites including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs.
Victoria’s Secret Body Mists
Body sprays are a great lighter alternative to perfumes, and feel more teen-appropriate. The scents lean towards fruity or flowery, and some have a subtle shimmer in them too. It may be worth bulk buying if you have multiple teens to buy for - the brand usually has them at £20 for one, £30 for two or £40 for four.
We like: Plenty of choice
Watch out for: Pick the right scent for the person
Victoria's Secret body mists make an affordable and easy festive gift for teens.
These lightweight fragrances are well suited to everyday wear, and they come in a wide variety of scents from ‘Electric Mango’ to ‘Cool and Bright’. Most of the fragrances have a matching body lotion you could add on, or pick up Victoria's Secret pyjamas or accessories to bulk out the gift.
You can buy Victoria's Secret Body Mists from the Victoria's Secret online store or compare prices below:
A gift card
I've bought numerous of these over the years for my two nephews. You can get them for Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch, or specific games such as Minecraft or Roblox. I've even bought sports passes for them to stream their favourite teams play (including NFL basketball).
We like: Budget-friendly and better for picky teens
Watch out for: It’s less thoughtful, and they’ll know how much you spent
If you’re not sure what to buy, but you know roughly what brands they're interested in, a gift card is a safe option. The best part? You can pick exactly how much you want to spend.
You could get one to go towards games for their Nintendo Switch or PC, help them replenish their favourite beauty products from Boots or make in-app purchases on their smartphone from TikTok Shop.
Buy entertainment and gaming gift cards from Asda or Amazon, or pick up a Boots gift card for skincare and beauty products.
Best gifts for teens under £50
Sol de Janeiro skincare sets
My nieces are obsessed with this trending skincare company, which creates cruelty-free, Brazilian-inspired beauty products. They loved the gift sets as it has a range of options to try - including the viral Bum Bum cream.
We like: Cult-favourite skincare
Watch out for: Sets often come with minis rather than full-sized products
Sol de Janeiro’s body creams and fragrances are popular among teenage social media users, especially on TikTok.
Gifting one of its skincare sets allows the recipient to try out a few different products. Some sets come with a selection of moisturisers, and others include a perfume mist, body wash and body cream. They’re also travel-friendly and come in chic packaging.
Compare prices on the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set below:
Samsung 25W wireless battery pack
A power bank is a practical, thoughtful gift for anyone who’s always out and about or glued to their gadgets. A good model should be lightweight, easy to carry, and able to charge devices fast.
We like: Charges devices on the go
We don’t like: Not the most exciting gift
Teenagers spend a lot of time on their devices, so a portable charger will come in handy whether they’re out for the day or away on a school trip.
A power bank will keep their tech topped up and full of juice, no matter how much gaming, messaging, or social media scrolling they do. Plus, it will provide reassurance for parents that their kids are always reachable.
This Samsung 25W wireless battery pack can charge up to three devices at once: two through USB-C ports on the side, and one through wireless charging.
Read about the Samsung wireless battery pack and more of the best power banks or compare prices below:
A plush keyring
Jellycat toys have taken the world by storm and I can't say I'm surprised. With new character launches every month, these collectibles are the ideal gift.
We like: Cute bag accessory
Watch out for: Not everyone's style
Labubu bag charms have been a hot topic in 2025, but they've also been hard to come by. Jellycat sells a collection of equally cute alternatives that will be a hit with teens.
A couple of charms can transform an otherwise plain handbag or backpack into a stylish staple to carry your everyday essentials.
There are loads of keyrings and characters to choose from, including croissants, pretzels and cherries, all with adorable little faces on them, as well as mini teddy bears and more.
You can buy a Jellycat plush keyring at Urban Outfitters or compare prices on a marshmallow chain below:
Popcorn maker
For teenagers, popcorn makers serve as a fun centrepiece for movie nights with family and social gatherings with friends, providing an easy and enjoyable way to build familiarity with cooking, as well as helping to boost confidence and foster independence.
We like: It quickly makes a healthy snack
We don’t like: Will the novelty fade?
Popcorn is a healthy and delicious snack, perfect for film nights or an after-school treat.
Popping the kernels yourself is cheaper than buying ready-made popcorn in a bag. A popcorn maker takes away the hassle of using a saucepan and oil.
Giles & Posner’s Mini Popcorn Maker is stylish, compact and practical. It won't take up too much room in the kitchen cupboard. It has a serving bowl built in with a 20cm hot plate and a non-stick coating for speedy cleaning.
Take a look at more of the best popcorn makers or compare prices on the Giles & Posner mini popcorn maker below:
Best gifts for teens under £100
Instax Mini 12 instant camera
An instant camera is a lot of fun. You can snap photos and print them on vintage-style photo paper within a matter of minutes. These spontaneous, unedited memories are perfect for sharing with friends, hanging on a photo garland, or storing in the back of a clear phone case.
We like: Instantly capture and print memories
Watch out for: No digital copy of the photos
Instant cameras shoot and print snaps there and then. Press the shutter button and a retro glossy photo with a border should be ready in less than two minutes.
Instead of losing shots to an endless smartphone camera roll, teens can add their pictures to a photo album or hang them on the wall. There are no retakes without wasting valuable film, so they'll have to choose the moment wisely.
The Instax Mini 12 is an affordable camera with a pastel design, a selfie mirror on the front and a strap to carry it around. The film is sold separately and comes in lots of styles, from simple white borders to pretty heart designs.
Compare prices on the Instax Mini 12 below:
- Don't forget to pick up some film to go with the camera: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021843
Adidas Spezials
You can never go wrong with cool trainers for teenagers - and while hardly cheap, Spezials are certainly more affordable than some. They also seem pretty hard-wearing for suede. My 16-year-old has worn them daily since her birthday (8 months ago) and they still look pretty new. Now her sister wants them too…
We like: Fashionable footwear
Watch out for: Check their shoe size first
Walk around any popular teen hangout spot, and you’ll see a sea of Adidas Spezial trainers.
Adidas’s old-school lace-up trainers look cool and promise modern comfort. Because there are so many colours to choose from, it won’t matter if they already own another pair.
You can find options starting from around £50. The price varies by style.
Visit the Adidas online store for more styles or compare prices on the navy blue Adidas Spezials below:
- Help them protect their new kicks with Crep Protect shoe protector spray: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021787
Sensio Home mini fridge
A nice addition to any gaming or home office setup. I've also paired mine with a cheap smart plug so it's not running 24/7 (it's configured to turn on in the morning when I start work and goes off at 5pm).
We like: Super-convenient snack storage
Watch out for: They’ll never need to leave their room again
A mini fridge will be game-changing for a teenager's room.
First, it’s convenient because they can store drinks and snacks nearby (and it will clear up space in their parents’ fridge). Second, they can have their own stash without worrying about a hungry and opportunistic younger sibling. But it won't just be useful for snack storage. Skincare connoisseurs could use it to store their serums and face masks.
The SensioHome 10L mini fridge is a good size for a bedroom or office, and the sleek black design means it won't be too much of an eyesore either.
Compare prices on the Sensio Home mini fridge below:
Best big-ticket gifts for teens
Xbox Elite Series 2 or PS5 DualSense Edge controllers
These are so handy for games, and well worth the money. I love being able to remap the buttons – all I need to do to get perfect dodges in Elden Ring is squeeze my left hand rather than awkwardly moving my thumb around.
We like: Customisable button layouts
Watch out for: Make sure you get the right controller for their console
Serious gamers will be chuffed with this set of new controllers. They feature programmable buttons so you can create your own layouts, and you can switch between custom profiles for different games.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 works with Xbox, has a rubberised grip, interchangeable components, 40 hours of battery life and more. The PlayStation DualSense Edge works with a PS5, has replaceable stick modules, adaptive triggers, a built-in microphone and more. Both options work on PC.
Compare prices on the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller below:
Compare prices on the PS5 DualSense Edge Controller below:
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Headphones are about style as much as substance - and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 delivers on both fronts. However, they also cost around £170. You can get cheaper alternatives, such as the JBL Wave Beam 2, if the Apple brand isn't a necessity.'
We like: Stylish noise-cancelling earbuds
We don’t like: Pricey
Teens would be very lucky to receive a pair of the Apple AirPods Pro 2. They're stylish true wireless earbuds that come housed in a pocket-friendly charging case, but they don't come cheap.
These earphones should block out most distractions from the outside world thanks to built-in noise cancellation. They also feature spatial audio, designed to immerse the listener in the song by placing the sound all around them as if it were playing live.
To make the gift extra special, get the case personalised with an engraving of their name. This is free when you buy them through the Apple online store, although they do tend to cost more than elsewhere when bought directly.
Read about more of the best wireless earbuds or compare prices on the AirPods Pro 2 below:
- If these are too expensive for your budget, consider buying the JBL Wave Beam 2 instead: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50020363
A new laptop
The right laptop can make a big difference to their GCSE or A Levels - pick one that's too slow, and it will eat into revision time. Do them a favour and get a good model that will last.
We like: They’ll use it for work and play
We don’t like: Some cheap laptops may run too slowly for some users
If they don't already have one, a new laptop is sure to go down well on Christmas morning. Teens will be able to use it to do homework, cultivate new digital skills, stream TV shows and films, play online games and so on.
A mid-range option worth considering is the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i. It uses a solid processor for speed, has a full HD touchscreen for crystal-clear quality and comes with Windows 11, which has lots of handy productivity tools. This PC can also be transformed into a tablet when you fold the screen over using the 360-degree hinge.
Read about the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i and more of the best student laptops or compare prices below:
A USB microphone for gaming and content
A good-quality microphone is an essential piece of kit for any keen gamer or streamer. If you don't want the microphone sitting in front of you all the time, you might want to invest in a microphone arm for your setup – that way, you can keep your desk space clear and uncluttered.
We like: Great for streaming, gaming and creating
Watch out for: Unnecessary extra accessory for occasional gamers
A new USB microphone makes a great gift for keen gamers and aspiring creators.
It will give them clearer communication with teammates during online gaming sessions, they’ll be able to create professional-sounding content for YouTube, TikTok and Twitch, and musicians will appreciate the higher-quality audio recordings of their vocals or instruments. Many of these devices are easy to set up thanks to plug-and-play USB connectivity.
The RØDE NT-USB microphone is a premium pick claimed to produce professional studio quality. The HyperX QuadCast is more affordable and can often be found at Amazon for less than £70.
Compare prices on the RØDE NT-USB Microphone below:
- The HyperX QuadCast is a more affordable alternative: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021812
JBL Flip 7
Having a speaker that sounds just as good on the beach as in a bedroom is a cracking gift. The Flip 7 is small, light and durable, so you don’t have to worry about it getting wet either. It comes in seven colours, so you can match it to the lucky recipient’s tastes. Plus, you can always borrow it if you ask nicely.
We like: Portable party speaker
We don’t like: Other speakers have better battery life
If the teenager you're shopping for loves listening to music, buy them a portable speaker. It's a gift they'll use time and time again, in their room, in the garden and at the park with friends.
You can find battery-powered Bluetooth speakers at all sorts of budgets and in all kinds of styles.
JBL’s Flip 7 is a rugged, waterproof speaker small enough to fit in a backpack. JBL says it'll give you up to 16 hours of music per charge, and it comes in a range of fun colours, including pink, red, white and even a trendy camo print.
Read about the JBL Flip 7 and more of the best portable speakers or compare prices below:
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler and Hair Dryer
If your teen's hair-styling tools are on their last legs, this would make a lovely gift. You can dry and style with one tool and it comes with a sleek storage case to keep all the attachments together.
We like: Bundled with lots of attachments
We don’t like: It's not particularly travel-friendly
Teens often make do with cheap hair tools, so why not treat them to an upgrade?
This Shark 5-in-1 air styler and hairdryer promises to curl, straighten, volumise, smooth and define hair without using extreme heat. You can use it to dry hair, too.
It comes with lots of attachments, like a paddle brush, oval brush, curlers, diffuser and styling concentrator. Once you’re done, it can all be tidied away into the storage case, which also comes included in the box.
Read more about the best hotbrushes or compare prices on the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler and Hair Dryer below:
Looking for more festive gift ideas? Take a look at our other guides: