If AirPods are “fire” and other brands are “mid”, does this mean they’re good? If a fab Lululemon jacket gives your kid “drip”, should you consult a doctor? Teenagers are already tough to decipher. Now try to figure out which consoles they own and which shade of makeup they prefer, and it’s no wonder most parents just resort to cash and gift cards.
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But don’t give up just yet. We braved eye rolls and shrugs to extract 36 gift ideas for teens from teens themselves. Pulling these answers out of angsty coming-of-agers wasn’t easy. But they revealed the most sought-after gifts for gen Alpha.
All prices current at the time of publication.
The very best gift ideas for US teens
Photograph: Courtesy of Lululemon
Gifts for teen fashionistas
Lululemon Define Jacket
$128 at Lululemon
I want another Lululemon Define jacket, as it makes me feel snatched. Aly, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora
Fake eyelash cluster kit
$11.69 at Amazon $18 at Sephora
Fake eyelash kits. The ones with the individual lashes, not the full ones. Clusters. Soriyah, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Gold-plated bracelets
$19.99 for set of six at Amazon$44 for set of three at Anthropologie Photograph: Courtesy of Ana Luisa
Gold-plated necklace
$16.99 at Amazon $90 at Ana Luisa
“Gold-plated bracelets and necklaces, because they make me feel pretty and I can wear them with lots of outfits.” Betsy, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Abercrombie
Fitted tops
$12.99 at Amazon $29 at Abercrombie
Just more clothes. Honestly, that’s all I want. Fitted tops in black and white. Betsy, 16
Clothes … I just want clothes. Maddox, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Tower28
Lip gloss
$11.52 at Tower 28 Beauty$16 at Revolve
Makeup, especially lip glosses even though I already have, like, 40 of them. But you need to have kissable lips! Aly, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Dandy
Hoodie from Dandy
$89 at Dandy
A hoodie from Dandy because they are so comfy and they are awesome quality. Mom, don’t complain that it is expensive! I know I already got a mini dachshund for my birthday. Bella, 14
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Thermal brush
$49.99 at Kitsch $59.99 at Amazon
A thermal brush to easily do my hair in the morning. They make it easier to curl or do a blowout faster when I’m running late. Lana, 16
For student athletes
Photograph: Courtesy of Everlast
Boxing gloves
$29.98 at Walmart $34.99 at Everlast
I want boxing gloves to box with my older brother. We always play fight, so with gloves, I can really beat him up. Andrew, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Hoverboard
$79.99 at Best Buy $84.99 at Walmart $85 at GoTrax
I want a hoverboard because I want one and they are cool, and I want to ride around on one. Emily, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
Pull-up bar
$28.79 at Prosourcefit $28.99 at Target Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Dumbbell weights
$139 for set of five at Walmart$139.99 for set of five at Amazon
Pull-up bar, weights, dumbbells. I want to work out at home so I can get stronger, since I like to play sports at school. Justin, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Hunting boots
$49.98 at Cabela’s $49.98 at Bass Pro Shops Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Fishing lures
$19.99 at Amazon $19.99 at Cabela’s
New hunting boots and fishing lures. Because I love to go outside and my boots wore out, and I need more fishing lures because the fishies ate mine. Jack, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Volleyball
$9.48 at Walmart$17.69 at Target
I want a volleyball to practice for trying out for the school team next year. I’m going to high school next year and want to be good enough to try out for the team. Ethan, 13
For homebodies
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Slushie machine
$149.99 at Amazon$149.99 at Walmart
I want a slushie machine to make slushies at home and try different flavors. Ethan, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Kitsch
Satin Pillowcase
$13.30 at Kitsch $19 at Ulta Beauty
I love bows and I love this pillowcase. I want my own so I don’t have to steal my mom’s. Aly, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Foldable bed tray
$14 at Walmart $49.99 at Amazon
“I want a bed tray so I can eat snacks in my bed.” Therese, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Wall-mounted shelves
$24.64 at Walmart$22.99 at Amazon
“I really need another shelf to hold all the stuff in my room.” Lana, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Mini donut maker machine
$21.99 at Amazon $21.99 at Macy’s
“Because … it’s mini donuts! I want a mini donut making machine so that I can make mini donuts and decorate them. It’s a nice, sweet treat, and when my friends come over, we can make them and have decoration competitions! We can also see who can eat the most donuts the fastest.” Paige, 13
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For creatives and techies
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Electric guitar
$149.99 at Amazon$149.99 at Walmart
“An electric guitar to play the alternative rock songs I’m learning. I have more range on the electric guitar.” Matteo, 14
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Drum kit
$215.99 at Amazon $218.99 at Donner
“I want a drum set because I want to learn to drum.” Ethan, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
Apple AirPods
$219.99 at Target$219.99 at BJ’s Wholesale Club
“I wish to have AirPods or Apple Max headphones, so I can listen to music. That way, I can listen to music privately, during class, or drown out the noise of parents and/or siblings.” Leilana, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Apple iPad Pro
$899 at Amazon $899.99 at Best Buy Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Apple Pencil
$69 at Amazon$69 at Walmart
“For Christmas, I would like to get an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil and keyboard attachment. I would like to get this because it would make it easier for me to take notes for school and keep track of them.” Abby, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
iPad pencil tips
$19 for pack of four at Amazon $19 for pack of four at Apple
“I want to get iPad Pencil tips to protect my Pencil from wearing down when drawing on my iPad Pro.” Matteo, 14
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Headphones
$37.99 at Amazon $37.99 at Walmart
“I want a new pair of headphones ‘cause the ones I use are too small and pink and falling apart.” Matthew, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
VR headset
$499 at Amazon $499 at Walmart
“I’d like to get a VR headset, or maybe a new iPad because my old one is glitchy and I want to download newer games.” Rowan, 12
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Mini projector
$39.99 at Ali Express $45.99 at Amazon
“I want to connect my cell phone and use the projector to watch movies, videos, et cetera on my bedroom wall.” Jasmine, 14
For gamers
Photograph: Courtesy of Nintendo
Pokémon Legends Z-A Video Game
$59.99 at Nintendo $59.99 at Walmart
“I want the new Pokémon game. It’s called Pokémon Legends Z-A. I want it because I like Pokémon games and the new battling features are cool.” Patrick, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Console
$449 at Amazon $449 at Walmart
“I would like to get a Nintendo Switch 2 because it’s something I can play or compete with friends.” Dominic, 13
“I want a Nintendo Switch 2 ‘cause it would allow me to play a lot of games with my friends and I can take it anywhere I go.” Rowan, 12
For cuteness connoisseurs
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Calico Critters Milk Rabbit Family
$29.99 at Barnes & Noble $29.99 at Nordstrom
“I think these are so cute and so I collect them. I build a town in my room and change things based on a season. So, they are a toy and a decoration.” Amelie, 12
Photograph: Courtesy of Popmart
Labubu Stitch doll
$19.99 at Popmart
“I would like a Labubu Stitch because I love Stitch and it’s something that I can attach to my backpack.” Isabella, 16
Photograph: Courtesy of Jellycat
Jellycat plush toys
$23 at Jellycat$23 at Harley Lilac
“Anything from Jellycats because they are so adorable and smaller than Squishmallows!” Bella, 14
“Jellycats because they’re so cute and cuddly and they make me happy and they’re really cute.” Aly, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Stuffed animals
$23.99 at Amazon $29.99 at Warmies
“What I want for Christmas is plushies! I love plushies because they are cute and cuddly.” Eileen, 14
Gifts for all the rest of teens
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Pokémon cards
$6.99 at Amazon$8.47 at Walmart
“I would like to get Pokémon cards for my collection so I can trade with my friends.” Ali, 15
“I’m hoping for Pokémon cards because it’s a fun hobby of mine. Even if I don’t get the perfect cards, I’m still happy to open the packages.” Mason, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Electric scooter
$279.99 at Segway $279.99 at Best Buy
“I really, really, really want an electric scooter because all my friends ride one to school and I am the only one in my friend group that doesn’t have one.” Malik, 12
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Lego Harry Potter Night Bus Adventure
$39.99 at Walmart $39.99 at Target
“Why do I want this? I don’t know. Because I like the process of building them and I like to display them in my room.” Jasmine, 14
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper book
$7.99 at Amazon $10.97 at Target
“I ask for a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book every year because they’re good books. I like reading them because I like the stories in the books and it has become a tradition. I get a book every year. And this is the latest one.” Patrick, 13
Photograph: Courtesy of Barnes and Noble
Book store gift card
From $10 at Barnes & Noble
“On my Christmas list is a gift card to my favorite bookstore. Usually, the book I want is not yet out, and sometimes I just like picking the book out myself rather than someone choosing one for me.” Justice, 15
