Right now it’s the #1 question we’re getting asked via messages to our Facebook page and Facebook group: what are the best gifts for teens for Christmas? We’ve had aunties, family friends, grandmas, mums and dads message us. Surely, they all say, a gift voucher isn’t the only present?
I’ll be honest with you. Gift vouchers are most definitely great gifts for teens for Christmas. At this age, their preferences are very specific and anything outside of those very specific boundaries is, like, OMG, literally, what even is this?
So, by all means, get them cash or a gift voucher. I’d even go so far as to ask them in advance exactly where they would like that gift voucher to be from. I know, I know. There’s just no fun it it, is there? You may as well hand over cash.
It’s a cash win (sadly)
Which brings me to say that no, gift vouchers actually aren’t the best gifts for teens. Let’s face it, cold, hard cash is the best present and the more the merrier. I’m sorry! It’s true!
Go ahead, give cash in a Christmas card and you’ll be loved forevermore.
You’ll also feel cheated and flat and maybe just a little bit like an eftpos machine.
It won’t be any fun. It’s just… not Christmassy. The joy is in the giving!! It really, truly is.
So, here are loads of Christmas gifts for teens to go along with a gift voucher or cash or just stand alone and be awesome. We promise they will love them.
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More awesome gift ideas for everyone in your life here
Unreal gifts for teens for $10 and under
Affirmation cards
Nine cards to remind your teen that they are enough. We try not to be gender-specific around here, but we’re pretty sure one of the cards says ‘girl’, so bear that in mind. You could always slip that one out if it’s not for your boy.
A Christmas chook
Oxfam is a charity we’ve supported for a long time and their Christmas chicken is the ideal gift. Teens are remarkably charitable and they will feel proud to have contributed to such a worthy cause via your gift. There are birthday and ‘just because’ options too.
Personalised wire organiser
Unless they’re lucky enough to have airpods (that they haven’t lost), every teen has headphones that require careful keeping in the school bag. Even the Bluetooth ones need wrapping. This cute little leather wire organiser is just the thing. Good for any gender, it’s personalised with their initials to make it extra special.
Burt’s Bees lip balm
This brand has been around forever and is still the balm of choice for lip-parched teens. This is a cute pack that supports the bees – something your eco-conscious teen will appreciate.
Mini notebooks
There’s something super cool about these teeny tiny notebooks. They’ll fit just fine in a pencil case for jotting down secret thoughts. They come three in a pack for under $5.
Coloured hair chalk
A small, impermanent hair rebellion.
Harry Potter house banner
For kids who grew up on HP, this banner will be welcome. You can buy it in every Hogwarts house colour, plus other designs for non-Potter fans.
Ninja highlighters
Pretty sure I’m buying a set of these for myself this year… I’m a sucker for a face on a pen and your teen is sure to be too.
Remember: the gift giving formula helps a lot.
Fab gifts for teens for $20 and under
Tiny elephant earring
This is too cute not to buy for the teen in your life. You can buy a pair, or just a single earring (which seems like a really sensible way to sell earrings!). The starting price is for a single silver earring, but you can choose yellow or rose gold for a little extra.
Aussie Slang play cards
Contrary to popular belief, teens do enjoy board and card games. Not everything is online. This deck of cards is hilariously funny and may help halt your teen from turning into an American via all of the US content they consume…
Personalised air pods case
Cute and practical! The case itself is clear and you can pick from a few different fonts for the name or initials.
Engraved pencils
Remarkably, teens still take coloured pencils to school (see what I did there with re-mark-ably? I know!). Each pencil in this set of 12 has a unique joke, quote or saying and you can mix and match and build the perfect set for your teen.
DIY Letterboard
Create cool messages and reminders or even Insta memes with a letterboard.
Bluetooth speaker with LED lights
Take the disco wherever you go – this speaker has very cool light effects. Note that this one has been very popular with the kids, so it keeps showing as ‘sold out online’, but they are restocking regularly so keep on trying!
50 Ways To Feel Happy
50 Ways To Feel Happy is a very practical, very fun way to improve the happiness levels of everyone around you. Especially YOU! You’ve gotta admit, happiness seems a pretty amazing gift for under 20 bucks!
Buy it from Dymocks for $19.95
Gamer socks
They will see these socks as more encouragement than we probably want to give, and they’ll love them.
Get them at etsy for $19.46 (ships from USA)
Would You Rather? card game
Teens love playing games that explore truths and this one is a good one. It’s the kind of game kids play anyway, but this official version has some truly fascinating dilemmas for them to sort out.
Buy it at Yellow Octopus for $14.99
Bear ears ring
A laser-cut, hand-painted wooden ring with… bear ears. I know, right!? There are other animals and styles to choose from, but you can’t go past bear ears!
Books galore
We bloody love a book around here. Our picks for a happy teen at Christmas include:
The Man In the Water by David Burton – $17.50
On his first day of Year 10, Shaun sees his first dead body…
The Fire Star by Allison Tait – $15.25
A maid with a plan. A squire with a secret. A missing jewel. A kingdom in turmoil.
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim – $17.50
A nourishing tale about the crevices of culture, mental wellness and family…
Click here for loads more great book gift ideas
Fab gifts for teens for $30 and under
Wall pennant
Yup, kind is cool and the sooner our teens learn it the better! Please, please, please be kind, kiddos!!!
Large and squishy bean bag chair
A teen loves nothing more than to throw themselves onto something and not move for hours. This is that something.
Leather bracelet
You can get their name stamped, or a fave quote, or whatever you like. There are six leather colours to choose from too. I think any gender would like to wear this.
Malibu Crush soy candle
A coconut and pineapple scented candle that has the most delicious fragrance. Hand-crafted in small batches in Yamba NSW, this will transport your teen to paradise! Created using 100% pure natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks… no nasties!
Buy the medium size from Just Enough Beach for $30
Safecracker wooden puzzle
This handmade puzzle is based on a 1911 design. The object is to get each of the 16 columns of numbers to add to 40 at the same time. It’s a wonderful gift for Maths-lovers and puzzle-solvers.
Buy it at etsy for $31.60 (ships from the USA)
Say no to plastic
A personal set of cutlery in a go-anywhere tin is just the thing for eco-conscious teens. We’ve also found that as kids get to high school, they are more likely to eat a salad or leftovers than a sambo. So this set is perfect for their school bag.
Buy it at Yellow Octopus for $29.99
First World Problems card game
An hilarious way to get to know people and their weird preferences. The object of the game is to have the best answer to the random questions. This is the kind of game that kids will hang out playing for hours.
Get it at Hard To Find for $30
Pssst… if you fancy DIYing, you can also download it via pdf for free here
For wannabe writers
This book by Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo is packed with everything an aspiring author needs to know about writing a book and getting it published. Teen voices have never been in stronger demand, so inspire them to have theirs heard!
Buy it at Booktopia for $26.80
Awesome gifts for teens for $50 and under
Claire Ritchie Layers Wall Art*
A gorgeous feature for any teen bedroom, this original print by Claire Ritchie is printed on 100% linen fabric.
Tonic Revive Heat Pillow*
A really lovely gift to help a teen relax and pause for a moment. The pillow is filled with barley, rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint, sandalwood and lemon-myrtle for a refreshing, relaxing way to ease tension.
Kombucha crazy
My son is mad for kombucha and we brew our own at home. This kit has everything your teen needs to get started and keep the booch coming. Highly recommended as a healthy alternative to soft drinks this summer!
Buy the Mad Millie kit at Yellow Octopus for $44.99
Terrasphere Dartboard
A decent dartboard is a fine thing in any family. It will be useful for helping teens unleash their aggro, plus always a handy skill later when they’re ready for pub life…
Crazy fun socks*
These are called ‘men’s socks’, but we believe in keeping things gender-neutral. Any teen would love a pair of black sheep, fox and bull terrier socks. They are just adorable!
Buy the gift set for $44.95 from The Sockery
Amazing gifts for teens for under $100
Teen Breathe magazine subscription
A magazine may seem like a bit of an old fashioned gift for a teenager, but hear us out. Mags are the gift you give now for someone to enjoy all year. They are a slowing down, keeping for reference, non-screen way to catch up, be inspired, dream a little. In other words, the perfect gift!
Aroma-Mod diffuser*
Good smells are very important to have around teens… … … This Aussie-made fragrance diffuser will be welcome in any teen’s bedroom. Minimalist design that will appeal to kids of both genders.
Buy it from Lively Living for $55
Digital metal detector
There’s something really absorbing about hunting at the beach, bush or just the backyard for treasures. Keen teens could even make a buck out of this one.
Buy it at Australian Geographic Shop for $74.99
Double Helix magazine subscription
See above for why magazines make such a good gift for teenagers. This one is especially good as it’s science disguised as really good fun. Lots of practical experiments, intriguing facts and all the intelligence the CSIRO can pack into a mag.
Sudio Tolv ear buds
These are a super-good set of in-ear buds for just over the $100 mark (when on sale, which seems to be always). Fantastic sound quality and a really comfy wear.
Get them at Sudio for about $105
Vans checkerboard slip ons
Trends come and go (VSCO, anyone?), but Vans shoes live on. You can’t go wrong with getting them a pair of these. They’ll wear them out long before they throw them out.
What are you getting the teens this year?
Feature image by Markus Spiske; all other images supplied
Bron! Where is your 2020 tween gift guide? I’m chasing the lip balm kit you had listed. Do you still have the details and would you mind resharing? Thank you x
Thank you so much for including our Malibu Crush Soy Candle from #buyfromthebush in your round up. You are just to gorgeous Bron. Thank you x
Pleasure! All the best for your company, Lisa.