Teens don't always tell their parents exactly what they want, which can make finding the perfect present a struggle. Rather than wrapping up a pair of socks or something basic, find a cool, thoughtful gift your teen will squeal in excitement over.
Teens like to stay up-to-date with the latest trends but you don't have to settle on practical gifts this year. Shop TODAY put together your go-to gift guide for the 17-year-old in your life — including many editor-approved gift ideas. Browse this guide to take the stress out of shopping and find a gift they're sure to love.
Clothing and accessory gifts for 17-year-olds
This dainty cowboy stud is adorable for your favorite teen with multiple piercings who wants to add Western flair to their earring stack. Former associate editor Sierra Hoeger has loved mixing and matching it with other earrings, saying “it’s the perfect fit for my seconds — yet still noticeable enough that I earn compliments on them.”
Combine style and comfort with this Henley shirt. The three-button closure allows them to adjust it to fit their needs. It’s also available in a variety of colors, so you can choose their favorite shade. Want to gift a full outfit? Pair this with a classic pair of sweats!
Chic sunnies don’t have to cost you! Just take it from associate market editor Audrey Ekman who’s been rocking this trending style this summer.
“I have a small/narrow face and find that most frames look huge on me, but these are perfect,” she notes. “The vintage-inspired, ‘90s shape is so flattering and they go with everything.”
Long, thick and luscious locks, while nice, oftentimes get in the way. Pull them back with these XL claw clips that promise to keep strands from falling in your face.
Fuzzy slippers are a timeless gift — and for good reason! These slippers are perfect for any 17-year-old who enjoys lounging around the house.
Deputy managing editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil gifted these to a bunch of friends a couple of years ago, and she still wears the matching pair she bought for herself. “They’re so cozy, affordable and right on trend,” she says.
“Don’t come for my ankle socks,” says former deals editor Rebecca Brown. “Yes, we know 17-year-olds prefer crew socks, but when it comes to working out and running, you need to wear what’s best for your feet, and for me, that’s the Tri-Block from Bombas. They never (ever!) lose structure after countless trips inside my washer and dryer, and they’re always just so comfortable.”
We know some people joke about receiving socks as a gift, but these socks are award-winning and gift-worthy for a reason. The everyday socks impressed testers in our Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards as well with their seamless toe, arch support and cushioned footbed.
Now they have a no-fuss place to store their library and reward cards. The small accessory is perfect for the teen who likes to travel light.
This wristlet is made out of PU leather, and features nine card slots along with a zippered pouch, perfect for storing spare change.
A reliable hoodie is essential for every teen’s closet. This pullover hoodie was designed with fleece for added comfort and warmth and also comes in 25 different colors to pick from.
For the teen who loves jewelry, show them how special they are with this personalized ring. The piece comes in gold, rose gold or silver for an elegant finish and can be customized with their initials in a variety of fonts.
Your 17-year-old will need a jacket to keep them warm on those chilly summer nights, and editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson always gets compliments on this pick. “I got my normal size but it’s oversized enough that I can still wear a hoodie underneath. It has a little weight to it so in the spring, I wear it alone but I can also wear it in the fall,” she says.
Tech gifts for 17-year-olds
Eliminate the need for pesky wires with this charging pad that they can use to charge anything from their phone to their AirPods. At less than $15, it's an affordable solution for the teen who's always losing (or breaking) their chargers.
Whether it’s to their jam session in the shower or a day in the park, every teenager would love to take their music with them. Out of several portable Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested for our Ranked series, this option delivered on rich sound and long-lasting battery life for its price range.
Stewart-Jackson tested PopSocket’s newest slimmest iteration ahead of its launch and instantly fell in love.
“My favorite part is the rotating stand that you can pull out so you can watch anything you like on your phone in any rotation,” she says. “I wouldn’t leave the house without this on my phone during the [Knicks] Finals because I knew I could prop my phone up anywhere with ease to watch a game.”
Give your teen the ability to stream their favorite shows from the comfort of their bedroom. This media player gives them the option to download apps and enjoy their favorite movies and television shows in 4K.
Being a teenager can be incredibly overwhelming. Noise-cancelling headphones like these that performed the best out of several Bluetooth earbuds we’ve tested allow them to shut off the rest of the world.
Beauty gifts for 17-year-olds
Make their beauty tutorials efficient with this lighted makeup mirror. It features three different dimmable lighting modes so they can be sure their look works from every angle in every light.
Rare Beauty’s soft pinch liquid blush is constantly selling out both in stores and online, but we can’t blame the hype. The vegan and cruelty-free blush has a radiant finish and can last months thanks to its high pigmentation.
If they're guilty of having puffy eyes due to staying up too late on their phone or doing homework, these patches promise to help soothe the issue. This formula contains bio-cellulose as its key ingredient and also uses caffeine to wake the eyes up, niacinamide to combat dark circles and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin.
Rhode's the word when it comes to teens across the country, so we know they'd be thrilled to receive this gift set with their Pocket Blush and Peptide Lip Treatments.
Every makeup guru needs a quality set of makeup brushes in their arsenal. Fortunately, e.l.f.'s got them covered this season with a robust set of 17 different tools for precise application for their eyeshadow, foundation and other steps of their beauty routine.
Commerce writer Danielle Murphy tested several bestselling blow-dry brushes over several weeks and found this T3 model to be nearly perfect in every regard.
“By the time this tool had my hair completely dried and styled (which was barely any time at all), it felt incredibly soft and full of volume,” she summarizes. “Some tools smooth my hair too much, making me lose my natural thickness. This was able to tame and smooth all my hair without diminishing its best features.”
Gamer gifts for 17-year-olds
A fun game is perfect for the one who loves hosting game nights. This scavenger hunt-inspired game requires the use of your phone as you compete to complete all the tasks before everyone else.
Whether they’re on the go or are done gaming for the day, give your teen something they can store their tech in. This carrying case was designed to take on the go and features multiple pockets and storage for chargers and a Nintendo Switch (or Switch 2 if they're especially lucky!).
Gamers typically enjoy chatting with their friends as they play. This headset was made to cancel out background noise, so your 17-year-old can focus on their game. It was also made to be compatible with most gaming systems.
Is your 17-year-old obsessed with gaming? They may love this rocker-style chair, which aims to provide comfort for long periods of time while they game. It's also made of faux leather and polyurethane foam for added comfort.
Gifts for 17-year-old foodies
If they're constantly inspired by what's popping up on their daily scrolls, encourage them to create recipes from TikTok's creators themselves, from breakfast croissants to salt and vinegar chips.
There's enough to satisfy both sweet and savory appetites, and each recipe includes a QR code at the bottom of the page that leads you to follow along with the original videos.
If you haven't tuned in to the great water bottle debate, the 17-year-old you're shopping for definitely has. One of the contenders for best water bottle on the market, the Owala FreeSip has double insulation and a spout that transitions between a straw holder and a wide-mouth opening.
This option was the best water bottle for travel, according to our Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards.
Chances are, you’ve got a matcha-obsessed teen living under your roof. By gifting them this all-in-one kit, they’ll be able to enjoy this refreshing tea every single day and save some money on their usual cafe runs.
With all the extra time they'll have on their hands during summer break, the teen you're shopping for will be in search of ways to fill the time. Give the gift of knowledge and experience with this mochi ice cream kit. It includes ingredients for the sweet treat along with the tools to master the cooking process.
Every teen loves a good snack. Send them some encouraging treats from wherever you are with this set of 25 bite-sized cupcakes. It comes with flavors like red velvet, birthday cake, cookies and cream and more.
Home gifts for 17-year-olds
Creating monochromatic wall collages is a TikTok trend that's stuck around. This kit comes with everything they need to achieve their desired aesthetic. Options are available in blue, pink, black and white, neutral and boho styles.
LED lights are the finishing touches to thoughtfully curating a space. Not only are they easy to install, but they also sync with any music or rhythm in the room. They come with a remote to determine the different colors and it even controls dimming settings as well.
Every teen should have a customizable piece of decor! This felt letter board comes with 374 letters to create a variety of sayings, no matter if you're celebrating accomplishments or jotting down reminders.
If they loved Legos growing up, they’ll appreciate this new version of Legos that creates a beautiful flower. It makes for a beautiful decor piece and is something they can do on their own or as a family.
Sports gifts for 17-year-olds
Turn mealtime into a sport with an interactive mug. Whether they’re tossing marshmallows into the basket or shooting hoops with their cereal, your teen will definitely appreciate this cute find.
In collaboration with Guy Fieri, MLB tees get a new look with designs highlighting the distinct meal that each different stadium is known for. For example, Chicago Cubs fans get to boast a Chicago-style hot dog in the style pictured above.
If you've got a yoga-obsessed teen, this is the perfect gift to give them on any occasion. Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy says, "The Lululemon yoga mat is the best athletic investment I've ever made. The 5mm is the perfect amount of cushioning, so I don't feel like I'm on a hard floor, but it also doesn't feel too squishy either."
After a grueling practice, your teen will be running home to get their hands on this product. With easy reach to your legs, back, shoulders and more, this gift will keep them in-shape and feeling good — even on harder days.
Practical gifts for 17-year-olds
Just because the teen you’re shopping for might have their license doesn’t mean that they know how to keep their car clean. This practical gift picks up dust, debris, crumbs and pet hair to keep the car spotless.
Shopping for a teen who loves skin care? This practical (and adorable!) spa headband will keep their hair out of their face while they complete their skin care routine.
It's covered entirely with velvet fabric, ensuring the bottom of their ears won't be a sore spot, as is normally the case with headbands.
Another tried-and-true practical gift for teens, this AirPod cleaning pen is easy to use and effective. Commerce writer Emma Stessman noticed one of her earbuds wasn't as loud as the other one (or as clear as it used to be). "After I scraped all of [the filth] out using the sharp tip, I realized that I didn’t have to turn the volume up as much to listen to music — and the sound was so much crisper,” she says.
Adding personalization to your phone is definitely “in.” This super unique iPhone case, which mimics a water-ripple effect, is shown here in a cool metallic shade and is also available in array of colors so you can choose their favorite.
A tote bag made just for you! One of our favorite Gifts We Love winners from 2025 was this tote bag kit that incorporates several embroidery projects in one perfect package. We particularly adored the the NYC-themed one, but there are also flower, cocktail, veggie, world map and craft tool themes to choose from on the brand’s site.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for the tween, teen and young adult on your list including 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 13-year-olds, 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds, 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds and 21-year-olds.
