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25 Gifts for Teens That They'll Actually Like
Some people say that teens are difficult to shop for, but we beg to differ. Grab any one of these gifts, and we guarantee you'll get plenty of smiles and "thank-yous" from your kid.
Observable fact: Teens today actually have great taste. They enjoy campy TV shows like Riverdale as much as classic throwbacks like The Office and Golden Girls, they love self-empowerment anthems from Lizzo and Billie Eilish, and they dress so well that the entire internet wonders if they even go through an awkward phase anymore. (The jury's still out on that one.)
Needless to say, we think they're pretty fun to shop for. If you've been searching high and low for a present that will please your teen, breathe a sigh of relief because we have 25. Keep reading to see our best gift ideas for 2022.
In this world, it's all about Harry Styles. Delight your teen with this unisex t-shirt inspired by his latest album, "Harry's House." They'll love the funky design and how it features the tracklist right on the menu. The crewneck is available in four colors and a variety of sizes.
ICYMI: Checkerboard is trending. Give your teen a stylish way to do their homework with this checkerboard lap desk. The hard laminate surface is perfect for laptops and notebooks, while the fleece base provides some gentle cushioning.
Turn any drive into a quick game of Carpool Karaoke with this wireless microphone. The device includes a built-in phone holder so passengers can select a song (BREAK MY SOUL by Beyoncé, anyone?) and belt the lyrics on their way to and from school.
If you're wondering what teens are reading these days, it's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. The YA murder mystery/psychological thriller follows 17-year-old Pip as she reinvestigates a local cold case. It's every bit as gripping as it sounds.
Show your Machine Gun Kelly-obsessed teen that you've been paying attention, and gift them a bottle of nail polish from his line UNDN LAQR. Better still? Go with the punk-pink shade "Party Favor," which perfectly matches his album "Mainstream Sellout."
If they're a serious sneakerhead, then surprise them with a light-up shelf to display their collection. The sleek unit mounts right onto the wall, and it comes with a remote control so they can switch between seven colors.
Encourage your teen to get to know themselves more with this guided journal that's been all over the internet. Inside, they'll find 160 pages filled with intriguing writing prompts, questions and thought experiments. And yep! The journal comes in three different colors.
What's old is new again, which means that your kid would probably, not-so-secretly like a record player. Take the hint and start them off with this Victrola Eastwood turntable. The tan trim makes the piece look vintage, but it actually boasts Bluetooth compatibility and custom-tuned stereo speakers. Be sure to pair the gift with one of their favorite albums.
Claw hair clips are back and more popular than ever. (Thanks, TikTok.) Help your teen accessorize for school or trips to the mall with this two-piece set from Anthropologie. You can choose from four color families, like "Rose" and "Neutral."
They'll have no problem keeping track of their AirPods with this "Wonky Face" case. The retro-psychedelic case is made from silicone, and it holds AirPods Pro and AirPods Gen 3. It also includes a small side loop, so they can attach it to their backpack.
Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? They'll know soon enough after you hand them the complete Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. The bestselling trilogy follows Isabel "Belly" Conklin as she falls in love with two very different brothers at a beach house.
If your teen is heading off to college, then they could probably use a personal coffee maker for their dorm room. We recommend the Keurig K-Mini, which is compact enough to sit on their desk and makes a fresh cup in seconds. It also comes in six classic and trendy colors.
Send your teen back to school in style with this maroon bomber jacket. The lightweight design is made from recycled polyester and features a ribbed neckline, hem and cuffs for one smart finish. It's bound to keep them warm in the classroom and at fall football games.
If they don't have a Nintendo Switch yet, chances are it's on their wish list. The Switch Lite is a new version of the Nintendo Switch system that's optimized for personal, handheld play. With a built-in +Control Pad and a sleek, unibody design, it's amazing for on-the-go gaming. And, given that the device will keep them busy for hours on end, we insist that it's worth the price tag.
If they loved the show "First Kill," then hand them the short story that inspired the series. Inside this blood-red anthology, they'll find 11 cheeky vampire tales by popular YA authors like Dhonielle Clayton, Mark Oshiro and V.E. Schwab.
Heatless curls? Glazed donut nails? Yes, please. If your teen is on top of the latest makeup trends, then they'd probably (read: greatly) appreciate Glossier's Beauty Bag. The pink cosmetic case is large enough to fit their entire collection, and it's padded to prevent items from breaking.
Pause their usual scrolling and promote some parent-teen bonding with this basketball bean bag toss game. The base is made from dibond ACM panel, and it comes with mounting hardware, a dry erase marker and six polyester bean bags.
Score major brownie points with your favorite gamer by gifting them this Super Mario-themed table lamp. They'll get a huge kick out of their brand new "Piranha Plant" and how it brightens their room while they play.
What's better than a hammock or pool float, you ask? An inflatable lounger that your teen can use on the beach or in the backyard, no air pump required. The Wekapo even boasts a patented pillow so your kid can kick back in total comfort.
Who could resist, right? Let them try some of TikTok's wildest recipes for themselves, and surprise them with this on-trend cookbook. The book includes a foreword by none other than Gordan Ramsay, plus 60 delicious concoctions like The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich and Ramen Carbonara.
Add an effortlessly cool, boho touch to their bedroom with this dried floral garland. The piece is anchored by a wooden dowel and draped with real wildflowers and twine. Something tells us that they'll absolutely want to take it to college.
Now, this is what we call a one-of-a-kind gift. Your teen is pretty much guaranteed to laugh (okay, cringe) when they open these custom face socks. For maximum embarrassment, choose an old yearbook photo or decorate the socks with pictures of their adoring parents.
