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Trendy Gift Ideas for Teens You Might Not Have Thought of Before

Are you struggling to find a gift for the teenager in your life? Are you tired of resorting to the same old gift ideas everyone else gives? Fear not! Here are 32 unique gift ideas that your teen will love. From practical to creative, I’ve have got you covered.

A teen girl is sitting on the floor with a gifts in front of her.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

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As a parent, grandparent, or family member, it is understandable that you want to give the teen in your life a gift they will love and cherish. I hope these best tips and suggestions point you on the right track.

How To Choose?

An important thing to consider when choosing a gift for a teen is their age and maturity level. While some gift ideas, like DIY kits or tech gifts, may be appropriate for older teens, they may not be suitable for younger teens

The gift ideas listed below are a great starting point, but it is important to consider their interests and hobbies. By researching and paying attention to what they like, you can create a unique gift they will truly appreciate.

Self-Care Items

Self-care is essential for everyone, including teenagers. The right self-care items can help teens de-stress, relax, and feel good about themselves. 

Top self-care picks for teens of all ages:

  • Essential Oil Diffuser: An essential oil diffuser creates a relaxing atmosphere every teen will enjoy.
  • Weighted Blanket: A weighted blanket is a blanket filled with glass beads or plastic pellets and is designed to provide comfort and relaxation through gentle pressure.
  • Face Masks: Treat your teen to a spa day at home with face masks. Brands like Lush, Origins, and GlamGlow offer various options for different skin types.
  • Exercise Mat: An exercise mat is a practical and helpful gift for the teen who loves home workouts or wants to try them out.
A family is opening a present on the floor.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Tech Gifts

“Teens are addicted to their electronic devices so any upgrades or accessories to their smartphone, smartwatch, or wireless earphones are always welcome. If you aren’t sure what to get them, an Amazon gift card is the way to go.”

Lisa MarcAurelle of Little Bit Recipes
  • Wireless Headphones: Wireless headphones allow freedom of movement and can improve sound quality.
  • Sanitizer and Charger: A cell phone sanitizer and charger box will ensure that devices never run out of battery and get cleaned off from gunk that accumulates over time.
  • Bluetooth Speaker: A Bluetooth speaker provides entertainment with the convenience of wireless portability.
  • Fitness Tracker: Help your teen stay on top of their health and fitness goals with a fitness tracker.

Entertainment

Teens love to be entertained, and these gifts will provide hours of fun:

  • Board Games: Board games are a great way to bring friends and family together for good old-fashioned fun. Consider popular games like Settlers of Catan, Codenames, or Exploding Kittens.

“My two teens love Settlers of Catan because it offers a different playing experience every time, and with plenty of expansion packs, there’s always something new to try.”

Jenn Allen of Cook What You Love
  • Streaming Service Subscription: A subscription to a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ is a gift that keeps on giving. With a streaming service gift card, your teen can enjoy their favorite shows and movies all year long.
  • Polaroid Camera: Instant cameras are making a comeback, and the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 and Polaroid Now are trendy options, allowing them to capture memories.

Gaming Gifts

Gaming is a very popular hobby for teens. These gift ideas will surely keep them smiling from ear to ear, especially if they’re into gaming:

  • Console: Gaming consoles can be expensive but if you have a budget, this makes a great gift for gamers no matter what the occasion is. With this, they have a lot of game genres to choose from.
  • Games for their Console: If they already have a gaming console, why not expand their gaming library with new titles? These days, you have tons of titles from various genres to choose from.
  • Gift Cards: A subscription to their favorite gaming service is also one of the perfect presents that they will enjoy. These can be in-game currencies like Robux for Roblox or V-bucks for Fortnite.
  • Collector’s Item: If they’re into a certain gaming character or title, a collector’s item is a great choice that they will treasure for years and can even add more personality to their room. This can be Funko Pop, t-shirts with a print of their favorite character, or figures.
  • Gaming Accessories: Do they already have a gaming console? Why not give them gaming accessories? This will enhance their gaming experience.
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Fashion Accessories

Teens love to express their style through fashion, and these trendy accessories are sure to elevate any outfit:

  • Scrunchies: The 90’s hair accessory is back and better than ever. A pack of colorful scrunchies is a fun and practical gift.
  • Chunky Jewelry: Oversized and chunky jewelry is a popular trend right now. Consider getting them a statement necklace or a pair of bold earrings.
  • Crossbody Bag: A bag is a versatile accessory that can hold all their essentials while keeping their hands free. The Herschel Nova Mini and Fjallraven Kanken are popular options.

DIY Kits

A DIY kit can be a fun and engaging gift for the creative teen. Some ideas are:

  • Paint-by-Number Kit: A paint-by-number kit can provide a sense of accomplishment and creativity.
  • Candle-Making Kit: A candle-making kit can be a fun and unique way to create customized scents and candles.
  • Embroidery Kit: An embroidery kit can be a calming and meditative activity resulting in a beautiful art piece.
Two young teens hugging each other with gifts in hand.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Trendy Gift Ideas for Teen Boys

Teenage boys can be tough to shop for, but you can make their day with the right gift. Whether they are into music, fashion, or sports, there is something on this list that every teen boy will love. Here are some top picks for teenage boys:

  • Wireless Gaming Headset: A wireless gaming headset is a must-have for the gamer in your life. The SteelSeries and HyperX are both popular options.
  • Smartwatch: A smartwatch can tell time, track fitness, send notifications, and control music. The Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch are great options.
  • Skateboard: Help them show off their skills with a trendy skateboard. Brands like Baker, Element, and Santa Cruz offer a variety of styles.
  • Portable Bluetooth Speaker: For the music lover, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a great gift. The JBL full-size or portable mini are options offering excellent sound quality.
  • Hoodie: A trendy hoodie is a wardrobe staple for any teen boy. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Champion offer a variety of styles and colors to choose from.
  • Sneakers: A fresh pair of sneakers is a must-have for any teen boy’s shoe collection. Popular brands like Nike, Adidas, and Vans offer a variety of styles to choose from.

Experiences

Experiences make great gifts because they create memories that will last a lifetime. Some teen-friendly experiences are:

  • Concert Tickets: For music lovers, tickets to see their favorite artist in concert will be a hit.
  • Escape Room: An escape room experience can be a fun and exciting gift for a teen who loves puzzles and challenges.
  • Cooking Class: For teens who love cooking or want to learn, a cooking class can be a great way to expand their skills. They can learn how to make crepes, pancakes, dalgona pudding, and much more.

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a fantastic gift idea for teens of all ages. Arriving in the mail every month, they are a fun surprise. There are plenty of options to choose from. 

  • Birchbox: For teens who love beauty products, Birchbox delivers five personalized samples monthly.
  • Book of the Month Club: This book subscription box delivers a new hardcover book each month for the avid reader.
  • The Sill Plant Subscription: For the teen who loves plants, The Sill offers a monthly subscription box that delivers a new plant and pot each month.
  • Universal Yums: Universal Yums is a monthly subscription box that mails snacks and treats from different countries.
  • TeeBlox: TeeBlox box delivers a graphic t-shirt and other monthly goodies based on the teen’s interests, such as anime or gaming.

Gifts Supporting Their Dreams

Another great idea for a unique gift for a teen is to consider their future goals and aspirations. If they are interested in a particular career path or hobby, consider getting them a gift that supports those interests. 

For example, consider getting a professional-grade camera or enrolling them in a photography course if they want to become a photographer. Or, if they love music, consider getting them a high-quality instrument or a lesson package.

If you still do not know what to buy, ask the teen what they would like. While it may take away the surprise factor, it ensures you get them something they genuinely want and will use.

A man is holding a gift box in front of a teen girl in a santa claus hat.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

FAQs

When is the best time to give a gift?

I’m sure you’re inspired now after so many great ideas. Birthdays and Christmas are the big gift-giving times of the year for girls and boys, with Valentine’s Day in third place. If you see something and want to share it right away without waiting for a specific holiday, go for it! Our teenagers need to know people in their lives support them, and sharing a thoughtful gift is one way to do that.

What if I don’t know what gift to buy for a teen?

If you’re not sure what to buy for a teen, try connecting with them. Doing so lets you get to know their interests which will help you narrow down your options. You can also be blunt and ask them directly about their needs and wants.

What if the teen has multiple interests?

It’s common for teens to have multiple interests as they explore the world around them more. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for teens with various hobbies and likes, I suggest that you go for gift items that combine or cater to a variety of their interests. If they’re both tech-savvy and are into fashion, for example, a smartwatch with a replaceable strap would be a great present.

Gifts Don’t Have To Be Expensive

In addition to the gift itself, consider adding a personal touch such as a handwritten note or card. Let the teen know how much they mean to you.

Keep in mind that sometimes the best gifts are the ones that show that you care. A heartfelt conversation or spending quality time together can mean more to a teen than any physical gift. 

These small gestures can make a significant impact and show that you care.

Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.

Fran

Friday 22nd of December 2023

The escape room idea is golden! Thanks, I was really stuck :)

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