Gift Guide: How to Impress Teens and Tweens Without Embarrassing Yourself (Too Much)

Because you're definitely not getting them a car.

BY: Jennifer Belanger
Update: September 28, 2024

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While I may not be the final answer in all things tweens and teens, I do have three teens of my very own. Over the years I’ve had to purchase more birthday, Christmas, teammate, schoolmate, niece and nephew gifts (phew!) than I can count. As a result, I’ve seen, used, tested and gifted plenty of “the perfect present.”

Let’s be honest, it can be difficult to buy for teens and tweens. But, don’t let that discourage you. While it can feel like mission impossible, you can absolutely buy them something with a bit of a “cool” factor. And yes, I put “cool” in quotes, because according to them, we are not.

There really are so many gift ideas out there, and it can be pretty overwhelming. I’ve done all my teen research from a variety of sources, (including asking my own teenagers and their best friends), and have truly come up with the ultimate guide. Whether you’re looking for a gift for the trend tracker, beauty obsessed, science fanatic, or sports nut, we’ve got the perfect present for their birthday, the Christmas season, or just because.

I’ve tried to choose gift ideas that go beyond the latest and typical trends and suggestions (I’m looking at you neon-light-up-word-art sign). After all, tweens and teens do have their finger on the pulse of what’s popular, but they aren’t all exactly the same. While my daughters will religiously fill up their their Stanley tumblers before school, they also love ice hockey and are pursuing engineering. And sure, my son definitely thinks he’s headed into the NHL, but he also loves to read and visit museums about American history.

So, I’m putting together a well-rounded list of ideas, based on what some of the editors here at Brostrick have actually purchased. Here’s how we and chose our favorites.

BROSTRICK'S SELECTION PROCESS

COOL FACTOR

At the end of the day, it can feel like a bit of a rat race trying to keep up with the latest trends, but when it comes to the most popular picks, tweens and teens are THE target audience. So I’ve included some of the hottest items that seem to be at the top of the list.

PRICE

It feels like everything is so expensive lately so we’ve tried to factor in a range of price points. Because maybe you’re not about spending a fortune on something that might be old news in a few months, or maybe you’re just looking to pick up a little something.

ORIGINALITY

Sure, I’ve included some of the must-have, on-trend and viral ideas so to speak, but I’ve also included gifts I’ve given that you may not have seen in other gift guides and round-ups.

OPTIONS

I tried to include ideas that give you a little breathing room. For example, while Apple’s latest AirPods will always be the priciest, I’ve also purchased older generations that work just as well (and in some cases, better!) at a lower, more reasonable price point.

OUR BEST GIFT IDEAS

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

best no-makeup makeup

PROS

CONS

While Summer Fridays is primarily known for skincare products (we’re looking at you Jet Lag Mask and the Overtime Mask), the release of their Lip Butter Balms quickly lead to a selling out, gotta have it phenomenon. I added these in vanilla to my girls’ stockings and they loved the sweet scent (flavor?), and thought the consistency was perfect – moisturizing, without being sticky.

These moisturizing lip balms provide hydration and nourishment to the lips. Shea and murumuru seed butters help soothe and soften the lips, but the most fun part are the flavors! As of press time, there are 8 different flavors from vanilla and sweet mint, to limited edition birthday cake.

Woobles

Crocheting & Creativity

PROS

CONS

Woobles crochet kits are like little bundles of creativity and coziness. With everything you need to get started, from colorful yarn to cute crochet hooks, they’re the perfect way to dive into the world of crochet with some fun. Whether you’re crafting a quirky creature or a snuggly animal, these kits make it easy to unleash their inner crochet artist. You can choose from beginner to intermediate, snag limited editions and add accessories for the pals they crochet. My girls grabbed the penguin and the narwhal, and it was such a nice break from the phones. One (who loves a creative outlet) moved through hers a good clip and ordered another. The other (who’s always go, go, go) found that it took a little extra focus to go through the step by step process. But they’re so small, soft and adorable they both stuck with it, and were happy to add them to their hockey bag ID windows.

Gatorade Gx Plastic Squeeze Bottle

Cool Hydration with a kick

PROS

CONS

Adults love their YETI’s, kids love these Gatorade water bottles, along with the flavor pods. While you definitely don’t need to add the flavor pods, it’s a great option to have (and it really is half the fun). Simply fill the 30 oz refillable water with water, and empty a formula pod into the pod. They can enjoy their beverage wherever they go. Bottles come in a wide variety of colors, making it easy to choose a team color, or their favorite color. Pods are sold separately and come in a variety of flavors

Glow City Light Up Basketball

Friday night lights

PROS

CONS

The GlowCity Light Up Basketball adds a little pizzazz and excitement to nighttime basketball games. Featuring built-in LED lights, it illuminates brightly upon impact, or when in motion – making it easy to see and play with in low-light conditions. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, it’s durable and waterproof, making it a long-lasting option. Basketball enthusiasts and night owls rejoice!

Ugg Tazz

On-Trend

PROS

CONS

Renowned for their exceptional comfort and warmth, these UGGS feature a sturdy sole, making them comfortable and versatile – whether worn casually with jeans or paired with more dressed-up outfits for a relaxed yet stylish look. The Tasman option (without the platform heel), is also worn by both, boys and girls. My daughter loves the durability of the platform style, and wears them at school, after practice and hanging around. We did treat them before the first wear, and so far, so good. They still look great.

JBL Clip 3

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

PROS

CONS

Our family has purchased a few of these over the years – both for us, and to gift to others. No complaints! They’re small enough to take anywhere and I find the sound to be perfect for what it is. It’s lived in our bathroom, beach bag, golf bag and mmore. The JBL Clip 3 speaker is a compact and portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers surprisingly powerful sound for its size! It features a built-in carabiner clip, which means it can easily attach their backpack, beach chair, golf bag, etc… making it ideal for on-the-go use. With an IPX7 waterproof rating, it’s also suitable for outdoor adventures, pool parties, or beach trips, and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. It offers around 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, and its integrated noise-canceling speakerphone allows for crystal-clear calls. Not that they’ll actually answer your call.

Dr. Squatch Manly Soap Bundle

Smelling Great!

PROS

CONS

My son is obsessed with this line. His favorite scent is the Fresh Falls – simply because he prefers a clean, light scent that isn’t too much. He even ordered the wooden caddy for our shower so he can keep his collection at his disposal – true story. I’m just glad he cares somewhat about hygeine. Dr. Squatch offers a range of natural, handcrafted soaps and deodorants designed specifically for men. Their soap bars are made with high-quality, natural ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, and essential oils, and include a variety of refreshing scents. It’s free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, and their deodorants are aluminum-free (and formulated with natural ingredients) to help control odor and keep them feeling fresh.

Squishmallow

Soft and snuggly

PROS

CONS

Well for crying out loud I love this guy! These plush toys are known for their irresistibly soft and squishy feel, making them a favorite for just about anyone. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and characters, ranging from cuddly animals to fantastical creatures and even food (my son legit has a cheeseburger fellow). Whether used as pillows, snuggle buddies, or decorative accents, the hardest part is choosing which one to get!

Sol de Janeiro 59 Perfume Mist

Trending Scent

PROS

CONS

These Sol de Janeiro fragrances are having a moment right now and it can be tough to keep up with all the different scents! This smaller sized bottle is easy to stash and take on the go. My girls love putting them in their sports bags for a quick refresh, or for the locker room after a lightning speed shower after a 6 AM practice (ugh!). This particular scent has notes of sugared violet, vanilla orchid, and sandalwood – making it sweet, warm and gourmand. These are other scents available in this line.

Massage Roller

for the "sore" sports teen

PROS

CONS

Let’s face it, the tweens and teens who play sports in this day and age play sports. All the time. Overuse can be a definite issue for some of these athletic kids, so foam rolling can be a win. My son is a hockey goalie (talk about overuse!), and has added foam rolling into his stretching and recovery routine. Rolling may help to release muscle tightness, improve flexibility, and alleviate soreness by applying pressure to specific areas of the body. It may also enhance blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote overall relaxation and recovery after physical activity.

LED Strip Lights

Room Decor

PROS

CONS

Can we really have a complete tween and teen gift guide without including LED strip lights? They can bring a vibrant disco, or a calming sanctuary right into their bedroom. With a simple peel-and-stick setup, these lights transform any space into a colorful wonderland – perfect for a gaming setup, an Instagram-worthy backdrop, or a chill and calming vibe. I’ve ordered a few of these over the years and I do appreciate that they can easily set these up themselves. They give off a decent amount of light, and some of the colors are pretty bright. The only down side is that when they choose red, it looks like the entrance to hell from passersby on the street.

Mirrored Digital Alarm Clock

for the overlseeper

PROS

CONS

This just looks cool, and it’s available in a variety of color displays. I find this one to be a great pick, especially if you have a “no phones in the bedroom at night” rule. It eliminates the excuse of needing to keep the phone by bed for the alarm clock. Features an LED display – with snooze, (because who doesn’t hit snooze!?), dual USB charging ports and adjustable brightness. And how great will it be to not have search the blankets for their phone? Just kidding, they always know where their phone is.

On Cloud Sneakers

Comfiest Sneakers

PROS

CONS

If they’re looking to change up their sneaker game a bit, these are a great option. My girls already had a few pairs of Nike Air Forces under their belt and were looking for something different and comfortable – and are loving them. Now my son wants a pair. With their unique cushioning technology, every step feels like walking on fluffy little clouds, whether their pounding the pavement or strolling from A to B, these kicks are the business.

Apple AirPods

Music on the go

PROS

CONS

They can tune in, and tune out – without wires. These are sweat and water resistant, noise cancelling and include three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit. While the latest version of the Pros is the most expensive, previous versions and regular AirPods come at a much lower price point (as low as $89). And while I have the Pros and so far so good, my son opted for the regular AirPods (even after having the Pros in the past) and loves and prefers them.

Makey Makey STEM Kit

For the engineering minded

PROS

CONS

STEM kids for the win. This kit helps them transform almost anything into a simple, working computer keyboard. It’s an easy set up, and allows them to create tons of cool things, like game controllers, musical instruments and more! They can turn everyday objects into interactive wonders, like playing the piano with bananas or turning your staircase into a giant keyboard. It’s the ultimate tool for sparking creativity, unleashing their inner inventor.

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

for the outdoor adventurer

PROS

CONS

If you have access to lakes and oceans (I’m lucky enough to have both), this is a cool gift idea. I bought two of these as a family gift for our family of 5, and we used them often – all last summer. Sunrise paddle on the lake? Check. Calm ocean paddle? Check. I’ll definitely be investing in a motorized pump this year (hello arm workout), and some recommended considering different paddles. Although we really didn’t have any issues with the paddle it came with, full disclosure, we are newbies when it comes to paddle boarding.

Pura Vida Bracelet Pack

Surfer vibes

PROS

CONS

Handmade in Costa Rica, Pura Vida bracelets are like little bursts of sunshine for their wrist! With their vibrant colors, charming charms, and bohemian vibes, they’re the perfect accessory to add a pop of fun and personality to any outfit. Whether they’re stacking them high or wearing them solo, these bracelets are a stylish way to spread good vibes and embrace the laid-back beach lifestyle wherever they go.

CALPAK CARRY-ON

travel ready

PROS

CONS

I bought this one for one of my teen daughters for Christmas. She’d been using her teeny suitcase for years, and was hoping for something a little bigger, sleeker and some bells and whistles would be a nice touch too. So I splurged on this one thinking that if her small, inexpensive suitcase lasted 10 years, this one will be around for the long haul. I also like that these pieces come in a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes.

This style features a tough, front compartment built from durable polycarbonate and equipped with a dedicated laptop sleeve that tablets and laptops up to 16 inches like a charm. (They also have a style without the front compartment if that’s not your thing). There’s a TSA approved lock so they can breeze through security with no worries.

Measuring 21” x 13.5” x 9.5”, it’s the ultimate carry-on sidekick. And if this is for a teen, cool matters. It checks the box of stylish durability, since they can rock a durable hardside exterior paired with smart interior details for that perfect blend of support and style.

Unsolved Case Files: Cold Case Murder Mystery Game

family game night with teens

PROS

CONS

If you’re looking for a family game night with older kids these murder mystery games can be a fun option. And while with some, it falls into the “play it once” category (once it’s solved, it’s solved), I’ve passed along to friends, and they’ve passed their games to us.

With a bit of a twist compared to some of the other mystery games, this one requires you to tackle three separate mysteries in order to unravel this cold case. First, prove why the convicted woman is innocent. Next, disprove a key suspect’s alibi. And finally, identify the critical clue that will close the case once and for all.

Inside this game you’ll find over 50 investigation documents and photos – including newspaper articles, crime scene photos, reports, phone records, coroner’s report, fingerprint cards, maps, legal documents, suspect interrogations, witness statements, character photos, and more. Phew!

Jennifer Belanger

Jennifer is the senior shopping / gifting editor at Brostrick.com and has been creating content, choosing the coolest and most unique gifts, and spending endless hours basically shopping for us (professionally) for over 8 years (since 2016). Some of Jen's writing can also be found on the gifting website Giftsicle.com and The Wine Down Report. Read full bio.

Tagged: christmas gift ideas, valentines day ideas 2024

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