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Best Christmas gifts for teens 2022: presents to suit any teenager
When searching for the best Christmas gifts for teenagers, it's easy to feel daunted, as our young people can often be mysterious creatures! However, take heart – our Christmas ideas for teens will help you to wow the trickiest customer on your gift list.
By Gemma Lumley | Last updated Dec 2, 2022
On the hunt for the best Christmas gifts for teenagers? The trick to making your favourite teen smile this December is paying attention to what they love. From making music and gaming to creating beautiful crafts and playing fun games with the rest of the family, think about what they really engage with and enjoy. They are all different after all, and that’s the key.
The best Christmas gifts for teens don’t have to be expensive or at the height of cool; they do need to be thoughtful and tap into their interests. Our top picks, as recommended by real parents on the Mumsnet forums and online reviewers on various retailer sites, include stocking fillers, high-tech gadgets and old favourite toys like LEGO – there’s something for even the most awkward teenagers.
Plus, if you're still on the lookout for gifts for other members of the family, don't miss our guides to the best stocking fillers, best kids' tablets, and top toys for Christmas – you can find all our gift guides on our Christmas hub too.
Here are the best Christmas presents for teens this year.
Best Christmas gifts for teens 2022: our picks
1. Best overall Christmas gift for a teenager: The Oodie
Price on writing: £69 | Buy now from The Oodie
What Mumsnet users say
“Oh I second the Oodie! We bought one for Xmas last year and she wears it ALL THE TIME... I've been known to nick it.. it’s fab.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user fussygalore118)
Our verdict
An Oodie is a snuggly, wearable blanket hoodie that feels super soft and will keep your teenager warm and toasty. The patterns available are fantastic; there are pink unicorns, cute animals and this fun chicken nuggets and chips design.
Oodies are machine washable and quick-drying; unlike cheaper dupes, they don’t fade or pill. In addition, they come with a 30-day no-quibble guarantee, free delivery and gorgeous gift wrapping included in the price. Even better, one size fits all.
2. Best budget Christmas gift for a teenager: Chocolate Mug Cakes Recipe Book
Price on writing: £7.58 | Buy now from Amazon
Our verdict
If your teenager is constantly hungry and adores a sweet treat, this Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe Book is a fantastic gift. The delicious recipes take minutes and will encourage them to try home baking; they make an excellent activity for sleepovers too.
We love the simplicity of each recipe; they are so easy to follow and will save you money. Your teenager will use the manky bananas in your cupboard, the recipes cost less than shop-bought cakes, and there’s no need to heat the entire oven for one cake; these yummy treats bake in the microwave.
3. Best Christmas gift to make your teenager laugh: Throw Throw Burrito Game
Price on writing: £24.99 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“Mine got Throw Throw Burrito last year as a joint tree present. Absolutely massive hit.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user lugeforlife)
Our verdict
Throw Throw Burrito is a favourite with many of our Mumsnet users. It’s family-friendly, hilarious and encourages your teenager to join in and laugh with their siblings. Groups of friends will love this high-energy and silly game too.
The aim of Throw Throw Burrito is to gain points by hitting each other with soft and squishy burrito-shaped toys. It’s an excellent way for kids to exercise without realising it, and it also helps them to learn strategy with the card game element.
4. Best gift for teenagers who love tech: Logitech G502 HERO Gaming Mouse
Price on writing: £34.89 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“Logitech Mouse for tech geeks. My 18-year-old is saving for one of his own.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Sh05)
Our verdict
The Logitech HERO Gaming Mouse is one of the best teenage Christmas gifts for those who love gaming, computing and tech. It’s a high-quality product that won’t break the bank and will enhance your child’s game-playing experience.
This lightweight computer mouse has precision sensors, a comfortable-to-use ergonomic shape and a smooth scrolling action. In addition, it syncs seamlessly with existing gaming equipment, has adjustable gliding action and feels sturdy.
5. Best gift for teens who love Anime: 100 Classic Anime Scratch Off Poster
Price on writing: £12.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Our verdict
Anime is a Japanese cartoon phenomenon that is much-loved by British teenagers. This colourful scratch-off list of 100 Classic Anime Films is a great way for them to discover new movies, old-school masterpieces, family films and adventure series.
This glossy poster will look great on your anime-loving youngster’s bedroom wall, and once a panel has been scratched, a fun illustration is revealed. It’s an excellent price, and the hours of viewing it will inspire make it an even better value gift.
6. Best Christmas gift for teenage gamers: IKEA HUVUDSPELARE Gaming Chair
Price on writing: £60 | Buy now from IKEA
What Mumsnet users say
“For those with gaming teens, IKEA has a new range of gaming products. Doesn't consist of a huge amount, but they have CPU castors, a chair, a peg board with accessories for holding keyboards etc on.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user EvilPea)
Our verdict
This chair from IKEA makes gaming more fun by providing your teenager with a supportive station that can be adjusted to suit their height and body shape. This incredible piece of furniture has excellent lumbar support and is made from breathable mesh to keep your teenager feeling cool as they play.
The chair looks sleek and modern, so it should suit the decor in most bedrooms. It is lightweight and easy to move around, yet feels reassuringly sturdy. It's also easy to adjust the height and tilt of the chair and we're impressed that comes with a three-year guarantee. It has a pressure brake too, so it won’t move when you get up but automatically releases when you sit down.
7. Best nostalgic Christmas gift for teenagers: LEGO Marvel Sanctuary II: Endgame Battle Avengers Set
Price on writing: £35 | Buy now from Argos
Our verdict
LEGO is a reliable go-to when searching for the best Christmas gifts for teen boys and girls. First, choose a theme, such as this Marvel Avengers Endgame Set, that you know they will love, and enjoy watching them become absorbed by the building in the quiet days between Christmas and New Year. They might even ask you to help.
This Avengers Battle Kit contains mini-figures, weaponry and the bricks needed to construct a futuristic plane. This is a mid-range LEGO kit, so it’s relatively affordable and should take at least a few hours to build. In addition, LEGO sets can be dismantled to make them again, designed as something new or kept as a room decoration to be proud of.
8. Best quirky Christmas gift for a teenager: Tea Shed Make Your Own Bubble Tea Gift Set
Price on writing: £22 | Buy now from Oliver Bonas
What Mumsnet users say
“I bought my teenage niece a bubble tea kit which was described as a 'cool present', so that's definitely an option.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Nadal)
Our verdict
This Boba Bubble Tea Kit is a superb Christmas gift idea for a teenage daughter or son who loves these quirky, sweet treats. Choose the syrup flavour you know they like best, from strawberry, mango and Ceylon, and then they can add the fruity popping bubbles and enjoy their drink through environmentally friendly paper straws.
The fabulous kit makes six drinks, so when you compare it with the price of individual beverages on the high street, it’s good value. In addition, the kit comes in a sturdy, easy-to-wrap box that keeps all the ingredients neat.
9. Best aesthetic Christmas gift for teens: Anthropologie Monogrammed Mug
Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from Anthropologie
What Mumsnet users say
“Mugs from Anthropologie are really beautiful and they have initial ones. Much cooler than their full name.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user thisplaceisweird)
Our verdict
Anthropologie is a gorgeous shop which sells high-quality and covetable homewares. These Monogrammed Mugs are made from chunky and robust stoneware and are beautifully decorated with florals and Moroccan-style patterns.
Choose a mug with your teenager’s initial and maybe add decadent hot chocolate sachets and yummy marshmallows to create a lovely gift. These fab mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe and, because they are so attractive, could be used for pen storage or as a vase for posies.
10. Best Christmas gift for an autistic teenager: Plastic Pattern Blocks Set
Price on writing: £13.44 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“I'm autistic and I absolutely love them. Hours of absorption making patterns, and tactile too.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Lovinghannah)
Our verdict
This colourful set of Plastic Pattern Blocks is ideal for teenagers who enjoy becoming absorbed in a task and switching off the rest of the world. The various patterns that these durable little blocks will make will provide hours of quiet fun, and they can be used on their own or with a light board.
The blocks are easy to clean – just wipe them with a soft cloth or swish them in bubbly warm water. There are six shapes and six colours and, as well as creating intricate patterns and pictures, they can be used to illustrate maths problems.
11. Best practical gift for teenagers: Driving Theory Test Kit
Price on writing: £14.99 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“My 17-year-old son was given the full driving test kit, so the theory test DVDs, Highway Code and a logbook sort of thing to tick off all the manoeuvres as he learns them. It’s come in handy.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user Sh05)
Our verdict
The Driving Theory Test Kit is one of the most practical Christmas gift ideas for teens we found. It’s ideal for older teenagers preparing to learn to drive as they can learn the rules of the road, sit mock tests and practise the hazard perception test, all in the comfort of home with parents or carers on hand to help.
This comprehensive kit will also be enjoyed by younger teenagers who love cars and the thought of driving themselves in the next few years. It comes with motivating progress trackers, and updates to the latest theory syllabus are free.
12. Best Christmas gift for teenagers who have everything: Challenge Digital Grey Tower Fan
Price on writing: £60 | Buy now from Argos
What Mumsnet users say
“A tower fan, best present ever apparently.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user DilysPhyllis)
Our verdict
Most teenagers enjoy spending time in the privacy of their bedrooms. It is an oasis in a potentially busy home where they can kick back and chill, watch movies, sleep, do homework, and chat with friends. This space of their own must be comfortable.
So, if it gets hot in summer, their room is small and stuffy, or they like to feel cool, this Challenge Digital Tower Fan is a gift they will find useful all year round. It has three-speed settings, a remote control and oscillates for maximum airflow. It’s quiet so it won’t disturb you and comes with a one-year warranty too.
13. Best gift for teenagers who are always on their phone: Canon SELPHY CP1300 Portable Photo Printer
Price on writing: £129 | Buy now from John Lewis
What Mumsnet users say
“A few other people have mentioned mini printers where you can print out pics from your phone.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user ktsc89)
Our verdict
Teenagers who love taking photos will appreciate the Canon Selphy 1300 Portable Photo Printer. Most youngsters have thousands of memories on their phones they would like to display, and this compact and lightweight printer will allow them to print full-colour, sharp images wherever they are.
It links quickly via WiFi, so your teen can print their pics in moments. And it has a 'Party Shuffle' mode which creates collages from photos on more than one smart device. The adjustable tilting 3.2-inch screen is also a great feature, making navigating through the settings a cinch. It also has auto-image optimisation to make your teens' photos the best they can be.
14. Best gift for craft-loving teenagers: Pllieay Embroidery Starter Set
Price on writing: £20.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Our verdict
The Pllieay Embroidery Starter Kit is a lovely gift for teenagers who love crafts and art. It’s fantastic value, with five bamboo hoops, 100 colours of high-quality silk thread and all the needles, bobbins and pins you need to get started, plus valuable tools such as scissors, a thimble and a measuring tape.
Once mastered, embroidery is a soothing task; your teenager will be proud of the beautiful pieces of art they create. Unfortunately, no instructions are included, so watching YouTube videos and reading books is advised before beginning the first downloadable pattern. This kit is also suitable for cross stitch.
15. Best gift for teens who love music: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-16 Factory Synthesiser
Price on writing: £53.80 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“If they're into music, a pocket operator synthesiser. My son is 19, we first got him one for Xmas 2019, another last Christmas, and he bought himself two more. Tiny things, but impressive how much they can do!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user BearSoFair)
Our verdict
Music is a source of inspiration for many teenagers, and this Teenage Engineering Pocket Synthesiser is an excellent way for them to start making their own sounds. This model produces synth sounds and drums and will work with bass, vocal and guitar pocket synthesisers via aux cables to make a complete piece of music.
These compact gadgets are fab quality and have many clever features that your teenager will love experimenting with. Teenage Engineering synthesisers have built-in speakers, so there’s no need for any extra kit, but the connectivity is available if desired.
16. Best Christmas gift for teenage foodies: Global Gourmet American Waffle Maker
Price on writing: £29.95 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“A waffle maker, then buy a Belgian waffle mix to start her off. Include fresh strawberries, a jar of Nutella and some lovely maple syrup. Bought one last year for my daughter and she loves it!” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user LittleEsme)
Our verdict
Snacking when the kitchen is officially closed is a very teenage habit. So, foodie gadgets like this nifty American Waffle Maker make excellent gifts as your teenager can feed themselves with sweet and sticky treats when they feel peckish.
This waffle iron has deep plates so that the end product will have plenty of room for chocolate, whipped cream and fruit. The plates also have a non-stick coating so that the waffles will look great and there will be less mess to clean up. The recipe book is fab too, as it contains lots of mouth-watering ideas.
17. Best Christmas gift for sporty teenagers: Pro-Spin Table Tennis Set
Price on writing: £17.99 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“One of the best gifts that my son got last year was a table tennis set that attaches to the dining table to make it into a table tennis table. It always comes out when his friends come to visit!” (Type of present tried and tested by Mumsnet user LadyCatStark)
Our verdict
This Pro-Spin Table Tennis Set is an ideal gift for sports-mad teenagers. They will love playing with their mates, and it will hopefully encourage them to leave their bedrooms and have a game with the rest of the family.
The durable and well-made paddles have smooth handles and are the optimum weight for energetic play. They also have thick sponge padding for exceptional ball control and spin. The balls are robust and fit neatly into the handy storage/carry case.
18. Best Christmas present for hard-to-impress teenagers: American Originals Popcorn Machine
Price on writing: £19 | Buy now from Argos
What Mumsnet users say
“Idea that has been popular before: popcorn machine with all the gubbins.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user EvilPea)
Our verdict
Movie nights are a wonderful way to bring the family together; hot, sweet, buttery popcorn completes the experience. This great little machine is easy to use and makes 40ml of delicious popcorn in a speedy three minutes.
The machine has a cheerful cherry red retro design, so it would look good on the countertop. It’s compact too, so that it could be kept in your teenager’s bedroom for midnight snacks. We love the cute, cinema-style serving containers and are also reassured by the one-year guarantee.
19. Best gift for chocolate-loving teenagers: Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser
Price on writing: From £99.95 | Buy now from Hotel Chocolat
What Mumsnet users say
“The teenagers in my life are all asking for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser machine.” (Suggested by Mumsnet user anxioustoddler)
Our verdict
The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is a Christmas gift that will thrill your chocolate-loving teenager. Admittedly, it's pretty pricey. However, the smooth and silky whipped hot chocolate it produces make it well worth the indulgence. Lovingly created by Dualit, a trusted small electrical brand, the Velvetiser is sturdy, easy to use, and gorgeous.
Hot chocolate flakes made from premium quality Hotel Chocolat cocoa can be mixed with milk, plant milk or water to create a deliciously rich drink to enjoy before bed while snuggling on the sofa or as a post-school pick-me-up. It also comes with reassuring one-year complete parts and labour guarantee.
20. Best Christmas gift for a teenage bedroom: Govee LED Strip Lights
Price on writing: £24.99 | Buy now from Amazon
What Mumsnet users say
“The Govee LED strip lights are really good, nice and thin and controlled by a remote or an app.” (Vetted by Mumsnet user EvilPea)
Our verdict
Govee LED Strip Lights will jazz up your teenager’s bedroom and can be programmed to flash, dim and change colour. They can even be synced to music, making them a fantastic addition to a party room. Control is via WiFi, an easy-to-use app, or smart voice control such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
These lights are simple to install and are designed to stick securely to the surface required; we recommend having them attached to the wall just underneath the ceiling as they are out of the way and will have maximum impact. Your teenager will have a generous five metres of funky lights to decorate their room. There’s also a timer function so that they could come on at the same time as the morning alarm.
What's a good Christmas present for a teenage girl?
Every teenage girl will have a different idea of the perfect gift. And while that doesn’t make it easy to decide what to buy, it does mean that the best way of getting it ‘right’ is to ask. Does she love chilling out at the end of the school day with crafting? Is she obsessed with a particular TV show or is gaming more her thing? Is family board game night secretly her favourite day of the week? Have a think on what she enjoys the most, and buy a gift for YOUR teenage girl, not a generic one.
What do you get a teenage boy for Christmas?
It depends on what they enjoy! Most boys love gadgets and tech, so a gift that will enhance their gaming experience, such as a specialist mouse, will be well received. Alternatively, replacing the battered trainers you know they love wearing because they are falling apart will be met with thanks. Food is good too. Teenage boys are constantly hunting for nourishment, so a popcorn machine or waffle maker would be ideal.
What do you get the teenager who has everything?
Teenagers can be tricky to buy presents for. They can be hard to read, and many older teenagers earn their own money from part-time jobs, so they can buy the things they want and need.
Most teenagers have a hobby or interest, be it gaming, sports, music or a favourite TV show, and a gift focused on this part of their lives will be welcomed. Pay attention to what they already own and, if in doubt, ask!
Another good idea is to buy a present that will remind them of a happy memory, holiday or much-loved pet. Then, despite appearances, they will appreciate the thought that has gone into the gift and cherish it forever.
Remember, teenagers aren’t adults yet; sometimes, reintroducing an old favourite toy, such as the latest LEGO set, will make them smile.
How we chose our recommendations
When Christmas and birthdays arrive, Mumsnet community members are determined to make their brood smile and buying gifts they will love is a big part of that. So, we have carefully weighed up our Mumsnetters' recommendations on the presents they have purchased for their fussy teenagers that were well received. We have also investigated the products on best buy lists and checked authentic consumer reviews from various trusted retailers to ensure we were bringing you an honest round-up you can trust.
Why you should trust us
As the mother of two children, Jasmine and Liam, and a lover of finding the perfect gift, our writer Gemma was determined to provide honest and independent advice on the gadgets, games and treats your teenager will love.
Our writers always spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find amazing products that real parents will love.
Transparency is vital to us, and that's why we're always honest about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their friends and family.