Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

The Guardian - UK

Emily Cronin

What do teenagers really want for Christmas? The best gifts – chosen by teens themselves

Swiftie TikTok Adidas Converse Heather Josef Libby Taylor Swift Pandora

Comp of pics of lego, an Adidas trainer and a drawing tablet held by illustrated hands

When it comes to Christmas shopping for the teenagers in your life, it helps to consult an expert. So who better to advise than teenagers themselves?

We asked students in years 10 and 11 at the Maelor School in Wrexham, Wales; year 9 at Nunnery Wood High School in Worcester; and sixth formers at Derby College in Derbyshire to share their (reasonable) wishlists.

Here are 30-plus suggestions (or should that be requests?) from the people best qualified to tell you what teens really want.

***

The best gifts for teenagers

***

Cold cases

The Naturals Complete Box Set by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, £32.36
_{guardianbookshop.com}£21.98
_amazon.co.uk

I first heard about these books through TikTok and I’ve been wanting to read them for a while. They’ve really captured my attention with the blurb and the covers. Heather, 17

***

Cuddle up

Kids’ faux fur blanket, £20.40
_{johnlewis.com}£8
_amazon.co.uk

They’re very pretty and comforting. My friend has one in her bedroom, and when we watched a scary film we hid under it! Ellie, 13

***

Get a grip

Gain the Edge grip socks, £9.99
_{gaintheedgeofficial.com}Zuimei grip socks, £8.99
_amazon.co.uk

I’d like these grip socks because I play rugby and get blisters on my feet when they rub in my boots. James, 15

***

Cool-cat trainers

Adidas Originals Campus 00s skate shoes, £89.99
_{zalando.co.uk}£90
_adidas.co.uk

I love leopard-print stuff – these trainers would look amazing with most of my outfits. Lexi, 14

***

Rock out

Midas by Wunderhorse 12in album, £24.99
_hmv.comLimited edition LP+, £29.99
_{roughtrade.com}

It has a good sound and would be better on vinyl. Libby, 18

***

Christmas quacker

Jellycat Yummy Duckling plushie, £18
_{jarrolds.co.uk}_{happy-returns.co.uk}

I would really like a Jellycat Yummy Duckling soft plushie. It’s such a cute and adorable toy and probably the only toy brand acceptable for teenagers. I already have three Jellycats at home and wish to grow my collection. Annie, 14

***

Say cheese

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera, £73.99
_{johnlewis.com}£72.96
_amazon.co.uk

A Fuji Instax Mini camera, to take pics with my friends. Seren, 14

***

Arty types

Ugee drawing tablet S640, £29.99
_amazon.co.uk£31
_{shop.ugee.com}

I want a drawing tablet because I saw someone using one and it looked like a handy tool to help me get good at drawing. Joe, 15

***

Game on

EA Sports FC25 – FC points 1,050, £8.99
_xbox.com_{store.playstation.com}

The new Fifa has just come out and my team is not very good. With more points, I could buy a player pack that would help with my team. Josef, 15

***

Poster boys

Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund magnetic metal poster, £39
_displate.com

I have supported Manchester United since I was little and they are some of my favourite players. I heard about these metal posters on TikTok and think a magnetic poster would look nicer than a normal one. Josef, 15

***

Smart kit

Wrexham 24/25 away shirt, from £40
_{shop.wrexhamafc.co.uk}

I would like the new Wrexham black shirt. It looks good and it would be nice to go to the matches in the new away shirt. Elliot, 14

***

Money, money, money

It will help me pay for wants and needs. Ellie, 19

***

Heaven scent

Ted Baker Rose and Orchid body spray, £8
_boots.com

I tested it out and it smelled amazing. Nuha, 17

***

Cool buds

Beats Solo buds, £79.99
_{beatsbydre.com}£78.21
_amazon.co.uk

I’ve seen Beats headphones on TikTok and they have a good vibe. Libby, 18

***

Happy feet

Ugg women’s classic ultra mini boot, £145
_ugg.com_schuh.co.uk

They look really nice, come in different colours and go with any outfit. Everyone was wearing them last winter and I would like a pair. And I’m always cold! Lucy, 13

***

Swiftie stickers

Taylor Swift-inspired stickers, 50-pack, £4.39
_amazon.co.uk£3.64
_etsy.com

They’re the perfect decoration. I can use them on my guitar and record player. Charlotte, 14
For more Taylor Swift-inspired gifts, see our Swifties gift guide

***

Pretty in pink

Ariana pink taffeta blouse, £70
_{damsonmadder.com}

I need new winter clothes and want something that looks nice. Poppy, 13

***

Vincent van Lego

The Starry Night Lego set, £149.99
_lego.com£146.69
_amazon.co.uk

Lego is one of my favourite things to create, and I love art and the Starry Night painting. I heard about this piece on TikTok while scrolling one night and now I have my heart set on it. Lois, 15

***

All heart

Aqua opal heart necklace, £49
_{lauragravestock.com}

My clothing style has changed and I would like jewellery that matches my clothes now. Paige, 17

***

Customised Converse

Custom Chuck Taylor All Star By You, £75
_converse.com

I would really love a pair of custom Converse, navy on one side and black on the other. I’ve wanted these ever since my cousin got hers a couple of years ago. I already have two pairs of Converse – one white, and one with a pink bottom, which I love – but I would also like a darker-coloured pair as we go into the colder, rainier season, so they don’t get as dirty. Maggie, 13

***

Super-cutesy animals

Aphmau mystery MeeMeows plush, £14.99
_{smythstoys.com}£9.99
_hamleys.com

Aphmau mystery safari MeeMeows plush, £12.99
_amazon.co.uk

I came across this as the producer is a popular Minecraft YouTuber that I follow. The colours and different characters make them appealing. I would like this item as I collect them and I’m trying to complete the sets. Chloe, 14

***

Get that healthy glow

Byoma Barrier Boosting Heroes kit, £20
_byoma.com
_boots.com

Glow Hub Mini Purify and Brighten Super Serum, £8
_{anthropologie.com}£5.60
_{beautybay.com}

Starface Hydro-Stars + Big Yellow kit, £11.99
_{starfaceworld.co.uk}
£7.19
_amazon.co.uk

I’d love some new products to improve my skin and make it glow. Audrey, 18

***

Chic crew

Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit jumper, £189
_asos.com_{ralphlauren.co.uk}

They’re really nice, good-quality jumpers. I’ve seen people who have them and you can wear them all year round. Lucy, 13

***

Denim dream

Embellished Miss Me jeans, £63.70
_vinted.co.uk

I like Miss Me low-rise jeans because they’re cute. I came across them on Vinted. Kim, 14

***

Furry feet

M&S faux fur slipper boots, £19.50
_{marksandspencer.com}

John Lewis fleece slipper boots, £28
_{johnlewis.com}

I would like slippers because they’re warm and comfortable, especially on cold winter mornings. Kira, 13

***

Pyjama drama

Victoria’s Secret long pyjama set, £59
_{victoriassecret.co.uk}

Stripe & Stare galaxy leopard long pyjama set, £95
_{stripeandstare.com}

I want new pyjamas so when I go to friends’ houses for sleepovers I have a nice pair to bring. Isabella, 13

***

Pretty pumps

Bloch demi-pointe shoes, £52
_{uk.blochworld.com}

Freed classic demi-pointe shoe, £47.50
_{movedancewear.com}

My current pair are nearly a year old and painful to wear. I worked hard to be able to get them, but I want a new pair. Scarlet, 13

***

Hair tamers

Good Squish Cowboy Spaghetti scrunchie, £30
_{goodsquish.com}

Nobody’s Child floral and leopard-print scrunchie two-pack, £15
_{nobodyschild.com}

I would like something to go with my outfits. Polly, 13

***

True blue

1988-90 Everton Umbro track jacket, £175
_{vintagefootballshirts.com}

I’ve been a proud Blue all my life and I’ll take any opportunity to get the badge in. I also really like vintage jackets from the 90s and vintage football shirts, so this would be a great addition to my collection. Tomos, 14

***

Nail it

Palette Royal Peacock nail paint, £8
_{palettelondon.com}_amazon.co.uk

Inked By Dani butterfly nail art, £5
_{urbanoutfitters.com}

Nail polish in nice colours, because you can do cool designs. Esme, 13

***

Marine dream

Pandora pink sea turtle dangle charm, £60
_{uk.pandora.net}

I would like a new Pandora charm to add to my bracelet because I’ve only got a few. I like the pink turtle charm. Lily, 14

***

Chocolate heaven

Celebrations sharing tub, £6
_{groceries.asda.com}£7.50
_amazon.co.uk

On Christmas Day, I always love opening up a tin of Celebrations and sharing them with my family. Iestyn, 14

***

Woolly thinking

Super duper sweater beginner knitting kit, £79
_{woolandthegang.com}

Lucinda jumper knitting kit, from £59.99
_{woolcouturecompany.com}

I love to crochet, so more yarn would be a welcome addition to my collection. I usually see ideas on Pinterest, then shop and make them accordingly. Heather, 17

***