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Shopping for a teenager? We cracked the code on tech, beauty and books they'll love — starting at $8

Say goodbye to the eye rolls!
Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images
/ Source: TODAY

Whether you’re trying to find gifts for 13-year-olds or stocking stuffers for 17-year-olds, shopping for teenagers can be tricky. If you’re lucky, they’ll share their wish lists, or you could check out viral TikTok gift trends for a clue. 

That said, teens are notoriously hard to impress which means it’s important to be thoughtful about your selections when it comes to gifts for teenage girls and teenage guys. And yes, gift cards are always an easy way out, but why not show how savvy you are by opting for one of these great gifts instead?

From tech to beauty and grooming, we know you’ll find a winner in this list of not-so-boring stuff — it’s all made just for them! There’s no doubt you’ll slay the holiday season with these amazing gifts for teenagers.

Bestsellers | Tech | Clothing, jewelry and accessories | Home | Beauty & grooming | Books | Games | Unique gifts

Bestselling gifts for teens

The Screaming Goat


This miniature goat figurine is a great for teens of all ages. The toy actually screams like a goat (cue the laughter!) and comes with a little book full of fun facts.

Codenames


People can't stop raving about Codenames! The social card game with over 29,000 verified ratings on Amazon is all about working together and is a great way to incorporate teamwork into your teen's life.

Blue Speed Racer Boomerang


This easy-to-use boomerang is perfect for everyone from age 10 to 70. It even comes with a handy 24-page manual on how to throw a boomerang.

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Shift

Since making its rounds on teens’ TikTok For You Pages across the country, Tarte’s color-shifting gloss has amassed more than 164 million views under the hashtag #maracujajuicylip on TikTok. The bestselling lip product is available in 18 different shades that adjust according to the pH level of your lips. 

Rubik’s Connected Cube


A techy take on an old classic. If your teen is into games of skill, wits and speed, this is the gift for them. Your teen can use the accompanying mobile app to keep track of solving stats and speed of play.

Best tech gifts for teens

elago Charging Hub


Organization meets cute and collective charge with this three-in-one winner from Amazon. Your teen can keep their iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods close together and fully charged with this one-stop power shop.

Apple AirTag


Gift this to help your teen keep track of their keys, phone and other essentials that they have a bad habit of losing.

heyday Ring Light with Tripod


Good lighting is crucial for your teen’s next virtual hangout, but it’s also essential for their upcoming selfie sesh. This ring light features a tripod, adjustable color temperature and LED-quality brightness.

JBL Quantum 100 Surround Sound Gaming Headset

You may think your teens video game is on silent, but really you are just experiencing the blessing of this surround-sound gaming headset. It’s compatible with a variety of gaming devices and features a detachable microphone.

Power A Nano Xbox Gaming Controller


Because sometimes even their gaming controllers need an update, too! Smaller than most controllers, this model also features advanced buttons, perfect for the gamer in your life. Several female reviewers also noted that they appreciate the smaller controller because it's easier to play with compared to other controllers.

Crosley Tribute Bluetooth Speaker


A Bluetooth speaker that pays tribute to the Crosley brand and offers a vintage feel, teens can listen to their favorite curated playlists, or the radio with AM/FM features included.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera


Any teen obsessed with Instagram will also be obsessed with this camera that prints out Polaroid-style photos.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 Small Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom speaker wows listeners with its 14 hours of battery life and durability — we’re talking waterproof, dust-proof  and sink-proof. Your teen will be able to take this colorful speaker anywhere, so they can listen to their favorite tunes all the time. 

Therabody Mini Theragun


For the teen who is always on-the-go, make sure they pack some muscle relief in their bag, whether they use it on the bus ride home from away games and tournaments, or use after a long gym session.

Best clothing, jewelry & accessory gifts for teens

Forever 21 Fleece Zip-Up Hoodie

What teen doesn't love an oversized hoodie? This chic zip-up fleece from Forever 21 is available in three fun colors and sizes XS-XL for your desired fit. This stylish hoodie features a drawstring hood, split kangaroo pocket and long sleeves, so perfect for the winter months.

Monogram Necklace


Both fashion-forward and understated, this initial necklace is great for the budding style icon.

Vx Vonxury Casual Daypack for Teens

It's no secret teens have a lot to carry. Help make their lives easier with this lightweight backpack that is ideal for trekking to school. Satisfied Amazon reviewers speak to the daypack's durability, appearance and large size.

Patagonia Mini Hip Fanny Pack

While it’s no Lululemon Everyday Bag, it’s easy to see that fanny packs are popular right now, and this similar option from Patagonia can sit at the waist or be slung over the shoulder for easy access to essentials. Reviewers love it because it is “light, comfy and durable.”

Baublebar Custom Woven Friendship Bracelet


If they made the friendship bracelets and attended the most coveted concert of the summer, gift them with this one that will help serve as memory. Customize it with their name, nickname or other word that has meaning to them. Available in eight different patterns and colors, from stripes to criss cross, they can adjust and take off this bracelet as little or as often as they like.

Summersalt The Plush Velour Hoodie

If your teen is in their cozy era, this velour hoodie should be at the top of their wishlist. Shop TODAY production coordinator Bella Druckman says the sweater is irresistibly soft and silky smooth for a put-together-yet-cozy look that’s perfect for the person who is always cold.

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials


Birkenstocks are back, baby! These are the same reliable and comfy sandal you know, but now available in a variety of colors and materials. Good for the beach, a concert or a visit to the local spa, your teen will wear these sandals everywhere!

Vans Classic Slip-On Sneaker

These trendy and classic unisex slip-ons are a wardrobe staple for all teens. Added bonus: They’re extremely comfortable!

Freestyle Watches Shark Classic


With a variety of patterns, colors and designs to choose from, pick the watch that matches their aesthetic best. "Comfortable," "practical" and "stylish," reviewers also love this watch because it makes a "great addition" to their accessory collection.

Best home gifts for teens

Etsy Daisy Mason Jar Cup


Who says their to-go cup has to be boring? Choose between the color of the flowers and an added engraving on the lid for a more customized gift, which reviewers love because it's "so pretty."

Burrito Blanket

He or she will love being wrapped up like a burrito in this fun blanket.

Mini Arcade Air Hockey Table


For snow days or times when they feel like forfeiting screen time, teens can grab a sibling or a friend and be occupied for hours with this air hockey table.

Ban.do Mod Floral Vase/Pencil Cup

Teenage years can be tough, but pretty home decor makes them better. This handpainted ceramic doubles as a vase and a pencil cup for less than $30.

Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler

Unless they are in living under a rock, your teen has probably heard of the Stanley tumbler. Your youngster will stay hydrated all day long, whether they just had basketball practice or worked up a thirst during gym class. Also, this trendy cup is rated nearly five stars based on over 4,400 reviews on the brand's website.

Portable Indoor/Outdoor Hammock


Everyday can feel like a vacation with this portable, foldable hammock. Simply set up in either an indoor or outdoor space, lean back and relax! Reviewed as "sturdy," this hammock will hold up in any space you decide to put it in.

Luca Cotton Weighted Blanket


Another suggestion from my teenage cousin Anna, she not only swears to the level of comfiness of this blanket but also insists it’s beneficial for her sleep.

Best beauty and grooming gifts for teens

EcoTools Makeup Brush Set

If your teen loves experimenting with different eye shadows and blushes, this 6-piece makeup brush set is definitely the ideal gift for Christmas or Hanukkah. Each set comes with foundation brush, blurring brush, define crease brush, liner brush, blush brush and one storage tray. This product is rated five stars based on over 16,000 Amazon reviews, so it's safe to say your teenager will thank you.

Florence by Mills Jelly Lip Mask


Take the term "beauty sleep" literal with this lip mask that you simply apply before you snooze and wake up with hydrated, moisturized lips. "Perfect for dry, chapped lips," said one reviewer, adding "I was hooked."

Satin Heatless Curling Set


For the teen who hates mornings but still wants to achieve hair goals, gift them this satin heatless curling set that they can put in and wear overnight.

Peach and Lily Beary Merry Lip Balm Set

The holidays just got sweeter with these adorable lip balms from Peach and Lily. This colorful set includes three unique scents and is designed for dry, normal, oily and combination skin types. These cute lip balms will make the perfect stocking stuffer for your teen this holiday season.

Kylie Cosmetics Detox Face Mask

If your teenager loves having sleepovers with friends, this gift will surely come in handy. Who doesn't love a good detox mask session with their girlfriends? Formulated to purify pores and rejuvenate skin, this charcoal and sea silt mask will become your teen's new best friend.

Squigs Beauty Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil

With slicked buns and ponytails taking the world by storm, Squigs Beauty’s hair oil is a great gift for teens with an eye for fashion and a taste for healthy hair. The clean beauty oil is formulated to strengthen your hair and support your scalp, according to the brand. Plus, who can resist the absolutely adorable pastel packaging? 

Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush


Getting that perfect blowout at home can be quite the challenge, but with this Revlon Hot Air Brush, your teen can achieve sleek, voluminous hair in less than 12 minutes, according to one Shop TODAY writer!

This tool was also a winner in Shop Today's Beauty Awards, earning the title of best blow dry brush in the styling category.

Best books for teens

"Better than the Movies," by Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter's young adult romance novel will capture your teen's heart with its realistic, clever dialogue and lovable characters. The novel follows romance film buff Liz Buxbaum as she grapples with her obsession with happy endings and her frustration with the boy next door.

"The People We Meet on Vacation," by Emily Henry


Gift a fun, friends-to-lovers romance to your teen that will have them in the sun-kissed mood all year long.

"It Starts With Us," by Colleen Hoover


For fans of the popular "It Ends With Us," gift them with the highly anticipated prequel. In this novel, readers get an insight into the origins of Lily, Atlas and Ryle's relationship and love triangle. Told between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, this novel picks up where the epilogue of the first novel ends. "It was worth the wait and exceeded all expectations," said one reviewer of this book.

"Rebel: A Legend Novel," by Marie Lu


New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu released this final book in her Legend series. The suspenseful plot will keep the reader's pages turning!

"Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story)," by Daniel Nayeri


"Everything Sad Is Untrue" is a groundbreaking autobiography about a young refugee who takes a stand for how he believes the world should be.

"Every Body Looking," by Candice Iloh


This book, written by Candice Iloh, is all about a young woman leaving home for the first time to attend a historically Black college and her journey along the way.

"Dragon Hoops," by Gene Luen Yang


"Dragon Hoops" is great for sports lovers. It's about a high school basketball team trying to bring themselves to their ultimate goal: a victory at the championships.

"Cemetery Boys," by Aiden Thomas


In "Cemetery Boys," a transgender boy is determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family while he sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin to set it free.

"It," by Stephen King


For teens who enjoy the horror movie, gift them the novel that started the screams.

The Happy Planner


Start their new year off on the right foot with a 12-month planner. With the option to add sticky notes, calendar stickers, pens and other accessories, remaining organized has never been more fun.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" Trilogy by Jenny Han


If your teen binged the popular TV show adaptation, gift them with the novels that started it all. With three paperback books, your teen will be indulged in all the summer feels — and well prepared for when season three drops.

My Comic Book Kit


Zap! Pop! Once your artistic teen whips up some cool comic drawings, slip it into the mail. The print-ready artwork will be made into a professionally-bound comic book.

Best games for teens

Hasbro Gaming Clue Conspiracy Board Game

The teen you're shopping for likely puzzled over who committed a murder in the infamous Clue mansion. Now, they can play the mature version of the game, which takes place at the tropical Black Adder Resort. Divided into two teams, players will compete to decide the fate of resort manager Mr. Coral.

Tapple Board Game


Draw a category card, and try to name items in that category with letters from the alphabet. The last person who can't name anything with the letters that are left, loses. It's perfect for the teen who is a quick thinker, and loves a little competition between friends and family.

Game of Phones


If your teenager is constantly glued to their phone, gift them with a game that encourages that kind of behavior and promises to be engaging and fun as well. Game of Phones gives players prompts such as "Send a message to your parents. First reply wins," or a player dubbed as 'The Influencer' has to comment on a celebrity's social media post. "My whole family loves it, as does my teen and her friends. We had a lot of laughs and will play again," said one reviewer.

Wavelength Game


While one look with a friend might communicate all they need to know, test their mind reading abilities with this game, where players have to rank items on the same scale (hot to cold, scary to mild, etc.), and see if they ranked them in the same spot.

Kan Jam Disc Toss Game


For a more intense and difficult game of disc golf, gift them with Kan Jam, two buckets with small holes in the middle, where players try and aim a frisbee through. Earn 21 points to win, but exceed that and you have to start over. With LED options to purchase, this game can be played at bonfires, while camping, or during backyard game night. "It was easy to use and put together, and is good for kids, teens, and adults," said one reviewer.

Unique gifts for teens

Pop Tart AirPods Case


Their favorite pastry can now work to keep their earbuds safe with this Pop Tarts AirPods case! Decorated to resemble a frosted Pop Tart with sprinkles, this accessory from Claire's can clip onto their backpack, belt loop or gym bag.

100 Movies Scratch Off Poster

If they love watching classic movies, then they’ll totally enjoy this movie-themed scratch-off poster board.

Book of the Month Subscription


If they love spending their time reading, this subscription kit lets them choose a new book each month to devour. With a number of titles, genres and authors, they're sure to find familiar favorites, or try out a new genre.

Etsy Gift Card


Everyone loves a handmade gift, especially if that homemade gift is made by someone who knows what they are doing. Support small businesses and let your teen pay a visit to their favorite Etsy shop!

Bokksu and Hello Kitty And Friends Subscription Gift Box

If you're looking for a gift that your teen would never expect, this subscription box from Bokksu and Hello Kitty will certainly do the trick. Give them a taste of Japan with this curated box of over 16 delicious snacks and collectibles that can be sent as a one-time gift or as a monthly subscription.

Goldbelly Ice Cream Monthly Subscription

If your teen has a sweet tooth and loves surprises, you can’t go wrong with a monthly ice cream subscription. Each delivery will include either five to six pints of ice cream, or tons of ice cream sandwiches from some of the tastiest creameries around.