The links in this best gifts for teens post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. 

Parenting high schoolers and teaching middle schoolers provided an interesting perspective on ages 13+. We tend to think that teens are closed off and moody but they’re always trying to tell us things­— we just need to listen.  

The things I heard from my own teens and saw my students looking at between (and during!) classwork was always fascinating. You may think all teens want is gift cards and money but the best gifts for teens always go beyond the envelope.

Best Gifts for Teens (ages 13+)

Now is the time to listen and figure out what your teen is trying to tell you. What are they looking at when they’re on their phones? Are there things they’re talking to their friends about when you’re driving them to their various activities? How do they spend their time when they’re not at school? Are there certain games they’re always playing with their friends? What are the things they are never without that could use an upgrade? What are their hopes and dreams for the future that you could help support?

Teens are always giving you subtle clues that can help you with your gift buying. If you’re still not sure, this year’s Best Gifts for Teens gift guide can help. My Best Gifts for Teens list features products that are tried and tested by my own two teens and others I know. Keep reading for your chance to win a pair of Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Workout Headphones (worth $119.97), courtesy of Treblab!

Thumb United Hoodie (starting at $121)

It’s no secret that our teens love hoodies and their phones but what if we could give them a hoodie that made them a little more conscious about unplugging? That’s the idea behind Thumb United. I was recently introduced to this brand’s amazing premium fashion sweatshirts that feature multiple interior pockets to inspire consumers to tuck their phones away in favor of supporting the fundamental need for human connection. The Olivia Velour Hoodie is my new favorite sweatshirt thanks to all the pockets, thumb holes, and the super soft velour. It’s warm, cozy, and the many pockets make it everything I want a hoodie to be which is why it’s on my Best Gifts for Teens list! The Johnny Unisex Pullover or Franklin Hoodie zip up are also great choices for any teen. I love that Thumb United is dedicated to bringing unwavering attention to the lack of social awareness on the impact society’s mobile behavior has on our communities. Distractions from hand-held devices have led to impersonal connections, distracted driving resulting in serious injuries, and a lack of empathy within our society and Thumb United is here to change that stigma, one hoodie at a time. Teachers, first responders, medical professionals, and members of the military- scroll to the bottom of the Thumb United site and click on your profession to get a discount.

Xbox Design Lab Personalized Xbox Wireless Controller ($69.99)

Finally! A chance to create a controller as unique as them! Xbox Design Lab lets your teen design and order personalized Xbox wireless controllers that can be customized from its body to its button to match their style, tell a story, or celebrate a special moment. With 33 colors to choose from like pastels and camo, and customizable features like button styles, rubberized grips, distinct finishes, and personalized engraving, they can create a custom controller in honor of their favorite sports team or to match the vibe of their room. 

Pura Car Fragrances ($34.99 for diffuser, $16 for fragrances)

Forget those pine trees that hang from the rear view mirror and other sickeningly sweet air fresheners that don’t really work. This year gift your driving teen the Pura Car diffuser. With smart features, clean ingredients, and premium fragrances that actually last, it completely reinvents the car scenting experience. Long lasting high end fragrances in a variety of scents last for 30 days and can be automatically started, stopped, and even adjusted in intensity. With Pura Car diffuser and scents, you’ll actually want to ride in your teen’s car again!

CordBrick ($14.99 but get 10% off automatically when you use this link)

Anyone whose phone cord has ever slipped behind their desk or nightstand, or just needs a better way to manage cords on their desk, needs CordBrick. This patented device and cord solution is made of silicone and weighted with steel so it weighs down and gathers cord ends with a weighted, specially designed BRICK of silicone. CordBrick makes my Best Gifts for Teens list because we recently got 2 CordBrick samples and are loving the simplicity and versatility! The 6 special channels are designed for holding: 4 cords and wrapping/grabbing 2 cords and phones. All 6 channels can fit Apple AirPods, and things like pens, too. Its unique design allows it to adapt to ANY charging situation and since there’s no adhesive, it can be used multiple times. It comes in several colors, including glow-in-the-dark (limited availability), making it the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone with a phone. Get 10% off your total purchase using this link or use TECHSAVVYMAMA at checkout which is one step past the cart page.

Z2 Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Bluetooth Workout Headphones (regularly $119.97, now $89.97 on Amazon)

Treblab’s Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Workout Headphones are just what teens want for listening to music in their room or during a workout. These Bluetooth over ear headphones block out music at the gym and let you focus on fave tracks and workout thanks to T-Quiet Active Noise Cancelling technology. They’re made of premium, ultra-soft materials, are  IPX4 water resistant & sweatproof, and feature swivel ear-cups that put no pressure and don’t make your ears heat up, even during the most intense workouts. Z2 wireless gym headphones allow enjoying music all day long thanks to a 35 hour play time.  Keep reading to the end of my Best Gifts for Teens post for your chance to win a pair of these workout headphones!

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag ($38)

These bags are everywhere and for a good reason! The Everywhere Belt Bag holds exactly what is needed and a little bit more, can be worn around the waist or as a crossbody bag, and isn’t bulky. They’re definitely a favorite of all genders and even parents. If you want one for yourself but don’t care about the name brand, this one from Amazon is $8.99 and has the same shape and interior pockets as the Lulu one for much less! But if you’re gifting one, the Lulu one will earn you the cool points! 

H2Audio Wireless Speaker Bottle from Asobu ($54.99)

Bring your tunes wherever your next adventure takes you! Asobu’s H2Audio Wireless Speaker Bottle features a wireless speaker cap to pump up the volume while your teen stays hydrated. The double-walled vacuum insulated bottle keeps 17 ounces of beverages cold for up to 24 hours, giving you plenty of time to play your favorite album on repeat. The IPX4 wireless speaker cap is water resistant and with an extended battery life, your teen can stay unplugged for hours.

STANCE SOCKS (STARTING AT $11.99)

Socks are often joked about as gifts but there’s no joking about Stance socks! My 17 year old high school senior loves Stance because their socks that come in colorful designs, contemporary patterns, and the coolest colors to complement his ‘fit. They’re just the right thickness of soft cotton or a poly blend and come in a variety of lengths (over the calf, crew, quarter height, tabs, lows, to no show). Whatever the length, Stance socks help your teen add a little color to their life and are a welcome change from basic white. Though in our house, my teen definitely has both!

Riftball ($89.99)

Active teens who love the challenge of learning a new game will love Riftball, a game with two nets for twice the fun. This ” game combines a specially designed adjustable dual net game, with paddles and game ball for a fast-paced competitive fun game that can be played anywhere. The exceptional innovation behind Riftball allows players to determine the opening and distance for a unique game play each time a paddle is picked up. Riftball gets players up, moving, encourages them to keep playing as they try to improve their skills to become a Riftball Champion. Best for ages 8+

Olive & June Mani System (starting at $55, 25% off everything with code SHINE25)

Teens who have, or aspire to have, nice nails will love the Olive & June Mani System. This complete system makes my Best Gifts for Teens list because it contains everything you need to up your nail game. Start by shaping nails with the clippers, file, and buffer. Then choose a color and apply thanks to Poppy, a silicone patented universal polish bottle handle that makes painting your own nails easier. Pop the Poppy off the color du jour and place it on the Top Coat to make nails shiny and the color last longer. Then hydrate nail beds with Cuticle Serum. I’ve had Olive & June’s Mani System for years and I absolutely love it. I can’t remember the last time I went to a salon to have my nails done because it’s so easy to do at home, not to mention- cheaper!

AAA Classic MEMBERSHIP (limited time offer of $49/YEAR, regularly $77)

The Best Gift for Teens is peace of mind thanks to a gift of a AAA membership. With so many features, like roadside assistance, this is an essential gift for the teen driver in your life. For a limited time, purchase a Classic membership for $49 for the first year with no enrollment fee. Classic AAA Membership comes with towing, fuel at the pump price if they run out, jump starts and battery service, tire changes and lockout service, identify theft monitoring, and $50 auto lockout credit. AAA offers Classic, Plus, and Premier levels of membership. Compare the different AAA plans here.

TKL Mechanical Keyboard ($119 but currently $99.59 from Amazon)

 

Ask any teen boy who games and they’ll tell you the type of keyboard matters. They want a keyboard that’s responsive to the touch, can be customized thanks to 5-pin hotswap, and has customizable RGB backlighting. If you don’t know what any of those things mean, that’s ok because according to my 17-year-old gamer son, those are the top 3 things to look for when buying a mechanical keyboard. I turned him loose searching for one that was around $100 that new and experienced gamers would be happy with and he came back with this recommendation. Also known as ‘teclado mecánico’ or ‘teclados mecánicos,’ this keyboard is meticulously designed to elevate your reaction speed through its enhanced response rate, fully immersing you in your gaming experience. As a dedicated gaming keyboard (teclado gamer), it offers optimized audio feedback, ensuring optimal performance for gamers.

Catan: The Official Cookbook ($29.95)

Fans of Catan will love fueling up with a good meal before building strong settlements and grand cities. From snack-worthy appetizers to feast-level entrées, this full-color cookbook includes more than 75 fun and easy-to-make recipes inspired by the game, including Scalded Feta Barbarian Skewers, Adventurer’s Charcuterie Board, Over-Knight Oats, Caravan Vegetarian Chili, Robber’s Discard Delight, Great Hall Rack of Lamb, Forest Mushroom Risotto, Rocky Road Cookies, and much more! Nothing builds community like a hearty meal to share. Packed with beautiful original photos, iconic artwork, and fan references, this book is a must-have gift for longtime Catanians or beginning gamers.

HyperX QuadCast S RGB USB Condenser Microphone ($129.99)

If your teen already has the mechanical keyboard of their dreams, a condenser microphone is probably high on their list and the HyperX QuadCast won’t disappoint. It comes with a mount so your gaming teen can adjust it to just the right angle to talk to their friends on Discord or in a game. The RGB lighting might seem over the top but trust me, features like this win you cool points with your teen. The tap-to-mute sensor is also appreciated so they can quickly tap to mute themselves when in a game with friends to respond to your request, asking them to come to dinner. Ask how I know! It’s multi-platform compatible, so your teen can easily connect it to their PC, PS5, PS4, or Mac.

Apple MagSafe Charger ($34.99)

Tired of your teen saying their phone is dead? Make charging even easier thanks to Apple’s MagSafe Charger that makes wireless charging a snap. Just plug this charger in and place it on any surface and the perfectly aligned magnets will attach to your iPhone 12 or later to provide faster wireless charging up to 15W. It maintains compatibility with Qi charging, so it can be used to wirelessly charge your iPhone 8 or later, as well as AirPods models with a wireless charging case. FYI- The magnetic alignment experience only applies to iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14,and iPhone 15.

Persnickety Box ($24.99 for a single box with 30 photos, NEW users get 50% off their first photo box with code: story50)

An analog process for digital moments? Yes! Inspired by the Tinder swipe, Persnickety Box is a new way to scrapbook! Persnickety Box takes your favorite photos from your digital camera or Google Photos and provides 30 quality 4” x 4” luster prints in an eco-friendly keepsake story box delivered to your doorstep. All photos are converted from a digital image and processed like film in a dark room, embedding the image into silver halide paper (no ink!) that is fade, scratch, and water-resistant, lasting 100+ years. With each photo box you can add an album, journal, or acrylic frame. Available as a single box or subscribe (single box for $24.99/single box; $199/year subscription) to the app and get started building memories you’ll cherish.

Freeman Facial Love to Mask Variety Pack ($12.99)

Give the gift of healthy skin with The Freeman Love to Mask Kit. This set contains 16 nature-inspired facial masks, a headband, and silicone facial scrubber to gently remove masks without damaging skin. There is one of each of the following types of masks: Cucumber + Pink Salt Clay, Soothing Watermelon + Aloe Gel, Cleansing Apple Cider Vinegar Clay, Hydrating Glacier Water + Pink Peony, Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals Clay, Revitalizing Pomegranate Peel-Off Gel, Renewing Cucumber Peel-Off, Detoxifying Charcoal + Black Sugar Mud, Clearing Sweet Tea + Lemon Peel-Off Clay Mask, Purifying Avocado + Oatmeal Clay Mask, Brightening Green Tea + Orange Blossom Peel-Off, and a Polishing Charcoal + Black Sugar Mask + Scrub. The mask set is made with clean ingredients, free of parabens, sulfates, silicone, phthalates, and mineral oils and is perfect for all skin types.

2023 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

AGE-APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

• Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• College Students 

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

• Best STEM Gifts for Kids
• Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
• Gifts for Teachers
• Gifts for People Who Love Their Dogs (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)

Z2 Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Bluetooth Workout Headphone Giveaway!

Since headphones are something no teen can live without, Treblab has generously provided a set of Z2 Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Bluetooth Workout Headphones as a giveaway!

To enter, leave a comment sharing who you’d like to gift the Treblab Z2 Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Workout Headphones to and why. Use the Rafflecopter form below for extra entries. Treblab will send the winner a pair of the Z2 Pro Hybrid Over-Ear Bluetooth Workout Headphones when the Rafflecopter giveaway ends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

Need other ideas? Here’s a look at last year’s gift guides:

• Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2, ages 5-8)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• College Students 
• STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-tween)
• Best Age-Appropriate Advent Calendars for Kids
• Best Subscription Boxes for All Ages
• Gifts for Teachers
• Gifts for People Who Love Their Dogs (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
• Fair Trade Holiday Gifts
• Best Gifts for Unplugged Fun
• Gifts for Outdoor Adventures
• Gifts for Gadget Lovers
• Gifts that Give Back
• 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Note to PR: The period for accepting items for age specific gift guides has ended but I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and if you’re able to offer a reader giveaway. Giveaway items will be directly shipped to readers upon conclusion of the giveaway. Thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to get most gift guides wrapped up before Thanksgiving and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year.