Best Christmas gifts for teens 2026, chosen by teenagers themselves

As a parent, these are the gifts they’ll love to unwrap on Christmas morning

Helen Wilson-Beevers/The Standard

With Christmas fast approaching, it’s time to get organised – and that means tackling the present-buying list. While some giftees are straightforward to shop for, teenagers can be notoriously tricky.

As a parent to two teens, I know first-hand how hard it is to keep up with the latest trends or know exactly what they’re into – yes, even if you are the coolest aunt, uncle or family friend.

This is where I come in. Equipped with my own expert shopping insight, I enlisted my teenage son and daughter, alongside their friends, to choose the presents they’d actually like to open on Christmas morning, and give their honest opinions.

Spanning tech, fashion, and fun, consider this your crib sheet for buying teens' gifts. From personalised phone cases and a mini speaker to a game, plush toy, beauty sets and more, you can expect to unwrap brands including Casetify, Glossier, Marshall, New Balance, Smeg and Lush in this guide.

From fashion finds to tech gifts, these ideas span every category

Helen Wilson-Beevers/The Standard

Our testers range in age from 13 to 19, so all the gifts on this list have been put through their paces by an actual teenager. Each item has been used, worn, played and thoroughly reviewed. Keep reading for my roundup of the best gifts for teenagers, as tried and tested by teens themselves.

Casetify custom pebble case

Casetify

This hard-wearing phone case is a practical and stylish gift, and our teenage testers are huge fans of the personalised custom pebble case. With a tactile and robust finish, it merges everyday use with classic aesthetic points. We also love the seashell case (£66, Casetify.com) for its fun graphics on a transparent background. Our teens have used Casetify phone cases for several years now, and they protect the handset while impressing their friends. Suitable for a range of phones, just be sure to check what model they have first.

You Know It!

Waterstones

A fun trivia game with question cards, a main board, player boards, tokens and chips; this is an interactive way to find out how much your teenage recipient knows about their friends and family. With betting elements, players write down both answers and predictions to keep everyone on their toes. We played this as a family with our teenagers, and there were laughs aplenty. Whether for Christmas entertainment or to just hang out together, up to six people can play at a time, so it suits families or groups of friends.

Lush intergalactic bath bomb

Lush

This celestial-themed bath bomb creates blue, pink and yellow swirls when it fizzes in water, making for a fun and relaxing wind-down (suiting any age). Infused with peppermint and grapefruit oil, it releases an invigorating scent and creates a shimmery finish. While the scent lingers in the bathroom long after use, the blue residue left in the bath easily washes away. We also like the fact that the product doesn’t arrive in plastic wrap, making it a great gift for the eco-conscious.

Beats 360 wireless over ear headphones

John Lewis

For teenage music fanatics, Beats’ newest pair of headphones brings the brand’s famous noise-cancellation technology to a customisable design. Available in white, pink, blue and black, with interchangeable knit cushions, they can switch up their look day to day. Our teenage boy tester felt very grown-up in the sleek cans – and the durable design will last him right through college, university and beyond.

Jellycat amuseables s’mores

Jellycat

This 7cm x 12cm x 7cm plush toy is a cute addition to their room, combining the signature Jellycat smiley face with a fun s’mores element. My teen has a Jellycat rabbit which she’s had since babyhood, so she’s a big fan of the brand. The super-soft toy depicts marshmallows, biscuits and dripping chocolate, and it has pride of place in my teen’s bedroom. The toy is tactile, with a different texture to the biscuit element. A popular brand among this age group, it’s sure to make a teen smile on Christmas Day.

One Hour Young Driver Experience

Red Letter Days

If you’ve got a teen on the cusp of turning 17, help them grow their confidence behind the wheel with a junior driving lesson. It can make a world of difference; our 16-year-old tester began his session nervous, but by the end he couldn’t wait to start his real lessons. Red Letter Day’s young driver experiences take place around the UK on realistic UK-style road systems with a qualified instructor.

Merit flush balm

Merit

This dome-shaped blush can be used on cheeks and lips for a quick pop of colour. Available in pink, brown, red and taupe shades, it has a natural, creamy finish and is buildable for a bolder look, too. Because of its cream blush composition, it does fade with wear, but being so easy to top up, that isn’t an issue. Infused with vitamin E, it is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, and my teen tester finds it doesn’t feel heavy or block pores, either.

Ninja Air Fryer 4.7L AF110UK

Ninja

If you’re shopping for a teenage university student, make their mealtimes a little easier with the help of Ninja’s air fryer. The compact model features a 4.7l capacity drawer for solo meals, whether they’re rustling up the uni signature of chicken and chips or being more ambitious with steak or pasta bakes.

Glassette x Papier coastal tile hardback lined notebook

Glassette x Papier

This smart A5 notebook can be personalised, making it an extra special stationery gift. We found it is robust enough to pull in and out of your bag without getting battered, and my teen tester liked the chic blue, burgundy and brown coastal tile pattern. There are different formats (and Papier patterns) available, including a larger A4 spiral-bound option. Be sure to check the lined, plain or bulleted pick you think your giftee would prefer, with these choices meaning the notebook could be used for art, studies or journalling.

Marshall Willen II portable speaker

Marshall

A lightweight, compact speaker for carrying around or keeping in a small room, this 3.96in x 3.96in gadget comes in black or cream. Our tester is a music fan and has been impressed by the audio quality, noting there were zero tinny sounds (an achievement for such a small speaker). As well as playing music, you can take hands-free calls with the Bluetooth device as it has an inbuilt microphone. With up to 17 hours’ use on a single charge, that means you don’t need to regularly check its battery. It features a handy carry handle for use on the go, and the stylish design is aesthetically pleasing, too.

Glossier you duo

Glossier

The beauty of this eau de parfum is that it adapts to the wearer, so the pink pepper, ambrox and iris tones smell different on everyone. The refreshing, warming, powdery scent is my teenage daughter’s favourite as it is long-wearing, and the stylish pink and red Glossier bottle completes its appeal. The set includes a 50ml bottle of perfume and a travel-size 8ml option with the signature thumb-shaped indent featured on both.

In the holiday range, we also love the balm dotcom gifts (£16 each, Sephora.co.uk) in yummy seasonal flavours like toasty nuts and just baked.

Lego Hubble space telescope

Lego

Budding builders will love getting stuck into this Lego Hubble space telescope set. Designed in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the orbital observatory, the set consists of 1,252 pieces and stands more than 30cm tall once built. Ideal for display in their bedrooms or university dorms, it’s complete with a stand and information plaque.

Alohas sway leather ballet flats

Alohas

For a teenage fashion connoisseur, trending brand Alohas’s ballet flats tick all the gift boxes. The square-toed shoes have a cushioned insole and a sturdy 0.5cm heel, and after a few weeks’ wear, we noted they combine good-quality design with comfort. Available in a range of colours, including cream, brown and green, our teenage tester particularly likes the stitching detail, tie finish and the hardy sole. After wearing them to college and on evenings out, they paired the ballet flats with jeans, tights and even joggers.

Adidas originals Munich 93 crew neck sweatshirt

Adidas

This retro-inspired sweatshirt digs into the Adidas 1990s archive – and teens will appreciate the sporty, stylish feel. With its soft fleece lining, relaxed fit, and easy wearability, it’s about to become their most-reached-for weekend jumper.

Shark flexstyle ioncurl 5-in-1 air styler

Shark

This hair dryer and multi-styling tool comes with several attachments, including Coanda curlers in two different sizes, an oval brush, a styling concentrator and a frizzfighter high shine polisher. Presented in a robust and chic storage case with zip closures and internal compartments, its ion-powered airflow limits heat damage to hair.

My teen has enjoyed creating salon-worthy locks with the tool and is impressed by the blow-dry-esque bounce achieved. She found it easy to set up and use and was pleased with the curls created by the Coanda attachments as well as the lack of static or excess frizz. Plus, the innovative tool has additional features such as scalp shield mode to protect new hair growth and an airset button for a cool air boost. This is a showstopping present from a trusted technology brand that’s sure to wow a teen on Christmas morning.

New Balance active premium graphic crew socks

New Balance

Available in sizes S-XL, you can choose between black and white or navy and blank colourways. Featuring prominent New Balance branding and a fun slogan, this midweight pair of socks has cushioning on the footbed and is made from moisture-wicking fabric. Our tester has trialled them for both sports and everyday wear, noting their comfort and style, and finding they wash well too. Our teen testers are also fans of New Balance’s active premium stripe crew socks (£22, Newbalance.com), coming in a three-pack with white, grey and black options.

We The Free baby Emerson tote bag

Free People

This slouchy 20cm x 27cm x 15cm tote bag is big enough to easily fit a notebook, umbrella, make-up bag and phone in, without being at all cumbersome. It’s lightweight, includes a longer detachable cross-body strap, and has comfy padded shoulder straps. Plus, the multiple internal and external compartments are super practical. Complete with its zips, buckles and studs, it is an excellent dupe for Balenciaga’s city bag. Available in a wide range of colours, my teen’s been wearing the on-trend tan saddle shade daily. Made from a buttery-soft leather, it has a vintage-style finish that is especially popular with fashion-focused teens.

Smeg 24Bottles clima stainless steel bottle

Smeg

This 500ml stainless steel bottle keeps drinks hot or cold and has an airtight seal to prevent the risk of leaks or spillage. Available in colours including white, blue and red, the collaboration between Smeg and 24Bottles makes for a practical gift from a classic brand. Its compact shape slots easily into a bag for use on the move, and it is cleverly designed not to draw condensation to the exterior either. This luxurious bottle is a great gift for everyday use.

Biodance bio collagen hydrogel overnight face mask

Amazon

These luxurious sheet masks offer a hydrogel Korean skincare treatment for soothing and brightening skin. Suitable for all skin types, my teen noted the mask has a flexible fit and feels gentle and refreshing. Containing balancing niacinamide, rose water, and hydration-promoting oligo-hyaluronic acid, the lightweight mask can be worn overnight, too. The pack of four sheet masks are an ideal stocking filler to be used by a teenager or shared with their friends during a pamper evening.

Adidas Spezial trainers in navy

Adidas

For the teenage boy that’s near-impossible to buy for, you can’t go wrong with a pair of these Adidas trainers. The Spezial style in navy is cool but comfortable, with classic three-stripe detailing, a black gum sole and a streamlined silhouette. Approved by our 16-year-old tester, the navy trainers are a smart choice for sixth form, laid-back enough for the weekend.

Adanola ADA oversized hoodie

Adanola

Adanola is my teenage daughter’s favourite brand for loungewear, and this luxe oversized hoodie is ideal for adding style points to any outfit. The midweight hoodie has a cosy fleece lining for keeping warm in the colder months, and a chic, oversized shape. My tester has been wearing this 100 per cent cotton hoodie with the matching straight-leg sweatpants (£50, Selfridges.com). Featuring subtle branding on the back pocket, they are a classic pick for everyday style and comfort, offering the same excellent quality as the hoodie.

What are the best Christmas gifts for teenagers?

Or, for the beauty and fashion fans, our teens highly recommend Merit’s flush balm and Free People’s baby Emerson tote bag. Whatever you choose, rest assured that every single gift we’ve included has been tried and approved by teenagers.