Gifts for teenagers: ideas they won’t roll their eyes at
Our best overall gift for teenagers is an oversized hoodie blanket, which a teenager who feels the cold will live in from October to March. The best budget pick is a speed cube at around £5–£9. For something unusual, a bubble tea kit lets them make the drink they keep spending their pocket money on.
Buying for teenagers is hard because their tastes change fast. These ideas avoid specific brands and fads and focus on things they will use: their room, their phone, their hobbies and their snacks.
Fixed budget? Guides picked for it: Gifts under £20 · Gifts under £30
Bedroom upgrades
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Oversized hoodie blanket
A giant fleece-lined hoodie that works as a wearable blanket.
Means they can stay warm without asking for the heating on. It will become their uniform for the winter.
Not for: Anyone who runs hot.
See options on Amazon for Oversized hoodie blanket, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Colour-changing LED strip lights
Stick-on LED strips that change colour from a remote or phone app.
Lets them change the whole feel of their room without repainting. Use the remote to make it calm for homework or colourful for friends.
Not for: Rented homes where sticky strips might damage paint.
See options on Amazon for Colour-changing LED strip lights, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Galaxy star projector
A lamp that projects swirling stars and nebula colours onto the ceiling.
Turns the ceiling into a starry sky, which is surprisingly soothing for a stressed teenager at bedtime.
Not for: Anyone who needs complete darkness to sleep.
See options on Amazon for Galaxy star projector, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Lava lamp
A retro lamp with blobs of wax that rise and fall slowly.
Old enough to be retro again. Teenagers like the slow wobble on their desk late at night.
Not for: Younger siblings who might touch it while hot.
See options on Amazon for Lava lamp, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Sunrise alarm clock
A bedside lamp that gradually brightens before the alarm goes off.
For the teenager who cannot get up for school in winter. A gradually brightening room is gentler than a phone alarm.
Not for: Anyone sharing a room with someone who wakes later.
See options on Amazon for Sunrise alarm clock, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Phone and camera kit
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Portable phone photo printer
A pocket printer that prints small sticker-backed photos from a phone.
For the teenager with thousands of photos and none on the wall. Sticker prints go on notebooks, mirrors and bedroom walls.
Not for: Anyone who will not keep buying the paper refills.
See options on Amazon for Portable phone photo printer, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Slim power bank
A pocket battery that charges a phone two or three times over.
Their phone always dies at the worst possible time. A slim power bank means you can actually reach them.
Not for: Anyone who never leaves the house.
See options on Amazon for Slim power bank, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Waterproof shower speaker
A small Bluetooth speaker with a suction cup that can get splashed.
Lets them sing in the shower with a backing track. The family may need earplugs.
Not for: Anyone sharing a bathroom wall with a light sleeper.
See options on Amazon for Waterproof shower speaker, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Things to do that aren’t scrolling
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Speed cube puzzle
A smooth-turning 3x3 twisty puzzle cube, built for fast solving.
Online tutorials teach them to solve it in an afternoon, and then they want to beat their best time.
Not for: Anyone who gets cross with puzzles rather than curious.
See it on Amazon for Speed cube puzzle, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Beginner ukulele kit
A soprano ukulele with a bag, tuner and spare strings.
Cheap enough to try, easy enough to strum a song in a weekend. Good for the teen who loved music lessons at primary school.
Not for: Households with thin walls and light sleepers.
See options on Amazon for Beginner ukulele kit, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Camping hammock with tree straps
A lightweight parachute-nylon hammock that packs into its own pouch.
Strung up in the garden or at a festival, it gets them outside without calling it exercise.
Not for: Anyone without trees, or with a bad back.
See options on Amazon for Camping hammock with tree straps, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Games controller charging dock
A stand that charges two console controllers at once.
For the gamer who lets controllers die mid-match. Check which console they have before buying.
Not for: Anyone whose console you are not sure of.
See options on Amazon for Games controller charging dock, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Food they’ll actually make
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Bubble tea kit
Tapioca pearls, flavoured tea powders and wide straws for making bubble tea at home.
Teenagers spend a fortune at bubble tea shops. Making it at home is cheaper and a fun thing to do with friends.
Not for: Anyone who does not like chewy textures.
See options on Amazon for Bubble tea kit, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Popcorn seasoning set
Shakers of sweet and savoury popcorn flavourings.
Puts them in charge of snacks for the family film night, which is a role most teenagers will happily take on.
Not for: Anyone who does not own a pan or popcorn maker.
See options on Amazon for Popcorn seasoning set, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Nothing matches those filters. Try a bigger budget or another vibe.
Price bands are our own estimates, not live shop prices, so check the price before you buy. Buy buttons are paid links: if you buy, GiftPuffin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we pick. How our links work.
Questions people ask
What do teenagers want for Christmas?
Mostly things for their room, their phone and their friends. Hoodie blankets, LED lights, power banks and photo printers suit most teenagers. If in doubt, ask a sibling or friend what they have been talking about.
What is a good gift for a 13-year-old?
Something that feels grown-up without being too old for them. A galaxy projector, a speed cube or LED lights for their room are good picks. Avoid anything that looks like it is for little kids.
What do you get a teenage boy who only plays video games?
Kit that makes his setup better, like a controller charging dock or LED strip lights behind the screen, works well. Or nudge him outdoors with a camping hammock. Check his console before buying anything that plugs in.
Are gift cards OK for teenagers?
Yes, many teenagers prefer them, especially for clothes and games. Pair a gift card with one small thing from this list, so there is still something to unwrap.