The best gifts for teens: 45 present ideas – chosen by teenagers themselves

When it comes to shopping for the teenagers in your life, it helps to consult an expert. So who better to advise than teenagers themselves?

We asked students in years 10 and 11 at the Maelor School in Wrexham, Wales; year 9 at Nunnery Wood High School in Worcester; and sixth formers at Derby College in Derbyshire to share their (reasonable) wishlists.

Here are 40-plus gift suggestions (or should that be requests?) from the people best qualified to tell you what teens really want.

***

The best gifts for teens

***

Cold cases

The Naturals Complete Box Set by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

_{£35.96 at the Guardian Bookshop
£22.99 at Amazon}

I first heard about these books through TikTok and I’ve been wanting to read them for a while. They’ve really captured my attention with the blurb and the covers. Heather, 17

***

Cuddle up

Kids’ faux fur blanket

_{£24 at John Lewis
£11.97 at Amazon}

They’re very pretty and comforting. My friend has one in her bedroom, and when we watched a scary film we hid under it! Ellie, 13

***

Get a grip

Gain the Edge grip socks

_{£9.99 at Gain the Edge
£16.99 at Amazon}

I’d like these grip socks because I play rugby and get blisters on my feet when they rub in my boots. James, 15

***

Cool-cat trainers

Adidas Originals Campus 00s skate shoes

_{£90 at Asos
£90 at Adidas}

I love leopard-print stuff – these trainers would look amazing with most of my outfits. Lexi, 14

***

Rock out

Midas by Wunderhorse 12in album

_{£29.99 at HMV
£20.54 at Rarewaves}

It has a good sound and would be better on vinyl. Libby, 18

***

Quack quack

Jellycat Yummy Duckling plushie

_{£18 at Happy Returns}

I would really like a Jellycat Yummy Duckling soft plushie. It’s such a cute and adorable toy and probably the only toy brand acceptable for teenagers. I already have three Jellycats at home and wish to grow my collection. Annie, 14

***

Say cheese

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera

_{From £69 at John Lewis
From £67 at Amazon}

A Fuji Instax Mini camera, to take pics with my friends. Seren, 14

***

Arty types

Ugee drawing tablet S640

_{£38 at Ugee
£27.99 at Amazon}

I want a drawing tablet because I saw someone using one and it looked like a handy tool to help me get good at drawing. Joe, 15

***

Game on

EA Sports FC25 – FC points 1,050

_{£8.99 at Xbox
£8.99 at PlayStation}

The latest Fifa is out and my team is not very good. With more points, I could buy a player pack that would help with my team. Josef, 15

***

Poster boys

Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund magnetic metal poster

_{From £39 at Displate}

I have supported Manchester United since I was little and they are some of my favourite players. I heard about these metal posters on TikTok and think a magnetic poster would look nicer than a normal one. Josef, 15

***

Smart kit

Wrexham 24/25 away shirt

_{From £20 at Wrexham AFC}

I would like the Wrexham black shirt. It looks good and it would be nice to go to the matches in the away shirt. Elliot, 14

***

Money, money, money

It will help me pay for wants and needs. Ellie, 19

***

Heaven scent

Ted Baker Rose and Orchid body spray

_{£5.33 at Boots}

I tested it out and it smelled amazing. Nuha, 17

***

Cool buds

Beats Solo buds

_{£79.99 at Beats by Dre
£79 at Amazon}

I’ve seen Beats headphones on TikTok and they have a good vibe. Libby, 18

***

Happy feet

Ugg women’s classic ultra mini boot

_{£145 at Ugg
£145 at Office}

They look really nice, come in different colours and go with any outfit. Everyone was wearing them last winter and I would like a pair. And I’m always cold! Lucy, 13

***

Swiftie stickers

Taylor Swift-inspired stickers, 50-pack,

_{£3.99 at Amazon}

They’re the perfect decoration. I can use them on my guitar and record player. Charlotte, 14
For more Taylor Swift-inspired gifts, see our Swifties gift guide

***

Pretty in pink

Ariana pink taffeta blouse

_{£49 at Damson Madder
£95 at Revolve}

I need new clothes and want something that looks nice. Poppy, 13

***

Vincent van Lego

The Starry Night Lego set

_{£149.99 at Lego
£144.99 at John Lewis}

Lego is one of my favourite things to create, and I love art and the Starry Night painting. I heard about this piece on TikTok while scrolling one night and now I have my heart set on it. Lois, 15

***

All heart

Aqua opal heart necklace

_{From £49 at Laura Gravestock}

My clothing style has changed and I would like jewellery that matches my clothes now. Paige, 17

***

Customised Converse

Custom Chuck Taylor All Star By You

_{£80 at Converse}

I would really love a pair of custom Converse, navy on one side and black on the other. I’ve wanted these ever since my cousin got hers a couple of years ago. I already have two pairs of Converse – one white, and one with a pink bottom, which I love – but I would also like a darker-coloured pair for colder, rainier seasons, so they don’t get as dirty. Maggie, 13

***

Super-cutesy animals

Aphmau mystery MeeMeows plush

_{£11.99 at Smyths}

I came across this as the producer is a popular Minecraft YouTuber that I follow. The colours and different characters make them appealing. I would like this item as I collect them and I’m trying to complete the sets. Chloe, 14

***

Get that healthy glow

Glow Hub Mini Purify and Brighten Super Serum

_{£8 for 15ml at Beauty Bay
£13 for 30ml at Look Fantastic}

Starface Hydro-Stars + Big Yellow kit

_{£11.95 at Beauty Bay
£6.74 at Amazon}

I’d love some new products to improve my skin and make it glow. Audrey, 18

***

Chic crew

Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit jumper

_{£189 at Ralph Lauren
£189 at Next}

They’re really nice, good-quality jumpers. I’ve seen people wearing them and you can wear them all year round. Lucy, 13

***

Denim dream

Embellished Miss Me jeans

_{£70.06 at Miss Me}

I like Miss Me low-rise jeans because they’re cute. I came across them on Vinted. Kim, 14

***

Pyjama drama

Victoria’s Secret pretty blossom short pyjama set

_{£55 at Victoria’s Secret}

Stripe & Stare summer garden short pyjama set

_{£85 at Stripe & Stare}

I want new pyjamas so when I go to friends’ houses for sleepovers I have a nice pair to bring. Isabella, 13

***

Pretty pumps

Bloch demi-pointe shoes

_{£52 at Bloch World}

Freed classic demi-pointe shoe

_{From £47.50 at Move Dance}

My current pair are nearly a year old and painful to wear. I worked hard to be able to get them, but I want a new pair. Scarlet, 13

***

Hair tamers

Good Squish Cowboy Spaghetti scrunchie

_{£30 at Good Squish}

Nobody’s Child floral and leopard-print scrunchie two-pack

_{£15 at Nobody’s Child}

I would like something to go with my outfits. Polly, 13

***

True blue

1988-90 Everton Umbro track jacket

_{From £98 at Vintage Football Shirts}

I’ve been a proud Blue all my life and I’ll take any opportunity to get the badge in. I also really like vintage jackets from the 90s and vintage football shirts, so this would be a great addition to my collection. Tomos, 14

***

Nail it

​​Palette Royal Peacock nail paint

_{£8 at Palette
£8 at Amazon}

Nail polish in nice colours, because you can do cool designs. Esme, 13

***

Marine dream

Pandora pink sea turtle dangle charm

_{£60 at Pandora}

I would like a new Pandora charm to add to my bracelet because I’ve only got a few. I like the pink turtle charm. Lily, 14

***

Woolly thinking

Super duper sweater beginner knitting kit

_{From £59.25 at Wool and the Gang}

Lucinda jumper knitting kit

_{From £59.99 at Wool Couture Company}

I love to crochet, so more yarn would be a welcome addition to my collection. I usually see ideas on Pinterest, then shop and make them accordingly. Heather, 17
For more needlecraft gift ideas, see our guide to the best beginner crochet kit

***

Smell like a god

Versace Eros Flame eau de parfum

_{£95 at Harvey Nichols
£95 at Boots}

It’s good to smell nice and this seems like a nice fragrance. James, 14

***

Get active

I’m starting to go to the gym and would like a membership for a year. Sebastian, 14

***

Fine fragrance

Lynx blue lavender body spray

_{£5 at Tesco
£5 at Superdrug}

I want the blue lavender Lynx because it’s the new one and I’ve never tried it. Noah, 14

***

A ‘get out of homework free’ voucher

… so I can have more free time at home. Evan, 13

***

Here come the Gazelles …

Adidas Gazelle trainers

_{£85 at Adidas
£85 at JD Sports}

I want the navy Adidas Gazelles. They’re in fashion. Ashton, 14

***

It’s mine!

Personalised Dairy Milk 360g

_{From £2.75 at Cadbury}

Personalised Tony’s Chocolonely 180g

_{From £7.13 at Tony’s Chocolonely}

I would like lots of sweets and chocolate. Lukas, 14
For more, check out our guide to personalised gifts

***

Personal touch

Personalised phone case

_{£14 at Not Another Bill}

***

Scribble it down

Hardback notebook

_{£22 at Papier}

With thanks to the Guardian Foundation

• This article was originally published on 16 November 2024. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This piece was updated on 8 April 2025; new recommendations were added and prices were updated throughout.