Looking for gifts to donate to Christmas appeal for teenagers

[ElvenElf]

I'm buying some gifts to donate to a local Christmas appeal and managed to get some lovely toys in Tesco for younger children tonight but want to gather some things together for teenagers. (Really great bargains on lots of branded toys just now)
I would have used my teens' lists but they are very hobby and interest specific this year.
Does anyone have any experience of teens that have either received gifts from this sort of appeal and what went down well or have volunteered and know what was most gratefully received? I don't want to get them cheap rubbish for the sake of it so looking for good quality gifts that are bargains just now to maximise the number of things I can donate.

I’ve just bought a few things for teenagers for a similar appeal.

Blue tooth speakers
Ear buds
Lynx sets
Fake tan and tanning mitts
Amazon gift cards
Nail varnish and perfume sets

I wouldn't get vouchers as they may not have the means to spend them.
Technology based things like ear buds are also not a good idea as they may not have compatible equipment.
Also don't get anything that requires batteries as they may not able to get replacements.
When you say teens though - what age?
13 is very different to 18.

Ideas.....
Lego sets like the Creator 3 in 1 ones.
Stationary - nice notebook/sketchbook and pens.
Adult colouring book - ones that are patterns are fairly generic.
Puzzle books.
Selection of toiletries - body spray, shower gel. Not bath bombs - they might not have a bath.
Jewellery making kits.

There a children in need from 13- 18 in the teenager bracket. It will be sorted by the volunteers into suitable gift bags for their age so I can go for anything that would suit any age of teenager as it will be allocated to the correct age group once at the warehouse.
We are in Scotland where bus travel is free so I'm pretty sure they would be able to spend gift vouchers.
I can pop extra batteries in with things so dont want to rule out battery operated gifts.

These were the items suggested by the local gift drive. You sound extremely negative, every area is different.

I’m in Scotland too @ElvenElf. I’ve also in the past bought pyjama sets and cosy socks which were well received by the volunteers and they said they never got many of those. I was thinking what I bought last year and I got some lovely face mask sets and bath bombs as well.

I normally get a wallet and stick a £20 note in it or to it.

@Mugler sorry you interpreted what I said negatively.
I didn't intend it to be.
It depends on the scheme. Some will be gifts donated for specific (anonymous) teens so they can be requests for a gift that teen has asked for. So if a teen has asked for air pods and your gift if specifically for them then it's fine.
Some schemes though you don't know exactly where the gifts are going and whom for.
You will have no idea if the teen will have access or means to get to shops/cafes to spend a voucher.
You don't know if the parents will be able to afford replacement batteries.
You don't know if they have internet access to spend online voucher.
That's why I think it's best to avoid those things unless specifically requested.
🙂

Lip balm / Mascara
Body spray e.g. So!
Xmas scented shower gel
Fluffy socks
Box of chocolates, Dairy Milk etc
Pens, set of highlighters
Mug & hot chocolate

@Mugler If you notice I did a second post with actual suggestions.

A Stanley style cup? An Oodie style top?

Yes but your suggestions are not great for older teens

@downwindofyou does that matter?
They're fine for 13 - 15 year olds.
I don't really know much about what 16 - 19 year olds are into. I just suggested things my daughter likes.
People are cranky on this thread 😂

I appreciate all suggestions 😊
Thanks everyone

Big bars of chocolate / chocolate orange / selection packs
notepads and fancy pens
fluffy socks
fleece blankets
pj’s
decent boxes of smellies
giftcards if they’re accepted - Greggs, Nando’s etc

Fluffy socks
sol de Janeiro sets or equivalent
Headphones
Battery packs
Jellycats
Stationery
Pick and mix type sweets

The small Lego flower sets seem to be very popular under girls at the moment, DD is asking for the cherry blossoms and a friend got the heart as a Secret Santa one. They are around £10.

If your scheme is happy with tech and voucher, than ok but as PP said, it is unusual, I donate for a variety of gift schemes and these things are always on the no list.

Notebooks and grown up pens
fluffy socks
water bottles or travel mugs

Nice art materials

I contributed to a care leavers one and asked my son and his mates what sort of thing they would like. Answers included

Nice socks
Deoderant/body wash sets
Moon ball
Ear buds
Shower bluetooth speaker
Chocolate/sweets

For girls I would add
Make up palette (Revolution is cheap but good)
Nail varnish set
Nice hairbrush set
Fluffy socks
Stationery

Etsy is always good for novelty candles and soaps. The food themed ones are always cute. For the boys I would suggest going on amazon and finding small foldable or pack away tool set things, like Swiss Army knives but with other things

If you can I would definitely go for branded items rather than dupes as these kids likely see their friends being given the "real thing" and it's them missing out.

Would strongly recommend against a puzzle book for any teen gift! I'm not saying no teen ever would like this but it would be one of the hardest items to place. A few specific suggestions:

Small gift set from Sol de Janeiro
Kitsch or Easilocks heatless curls set
Kitsch satin pillow case (these also sometimes come as sets with a satin sleep mask / scrunchie)
Morphe eyeshadow palette
Real Techniques brush set or makeup sponge set
Spectrum brush set
Tangle Teezer detangling brush
Patchology eye gel patches
Elegant Touch false nails set
Accessorize large soft blanket scarf
Accessorize velvet pouch or velvet heart shaped box
Eylure false lashes
Hair claws / claw clips from a number of brands (can suggest if helpful)
The Ordinary skin support set (reasonably gentle and would be okay for lots of older teens with a bit of acne - not for thirteen year olds!)
Ariana Grande body mist (younger teens)
The Beauty Crop primer and setting spray sets

Obviously all these are girl oriented rather than boy oriented.

Oh also, Brandy Melville printed socks and makeup bags / pouches are not very expensive, very cute and would be good for this.

@verysmellyjelly what's wrong with a puzzle book?
These gifts could be going to a teen who is stuck in temporary accommodation with no where to go/means to gets anywhere over the Christmas holidays. Something fun to "do" while stuck indoors might be appreciated.

As a former teen girl and the parent of a current teen girl I would be really disappointed with getting make up/beauty stuff.
Unless it is something that has been specifically requested by the teen recieving the gift.
Sorry if that sounds negative but most of the teens I know really aren't interested in that type of stuff.

Fluffy socks
Smellies (Lynx or similar)
Notebook or diary and pen set
Selection box
Fluffy blanket (Primark have some cute ones atm!)
Hot Water Bottle

I volunteer at an organisation that helps kids and every year we run out of stuff for teen boys. Loads of people donate toys and teen girl things but not so much for boys. Which I get - they are a bit harder to buy for typically.

Things that I have seen go down well:
Gloves/hat/socks
Lynx/Dove/L'Oreal sets
Footballs (with pump ideally)
PJs
Board games or Lego
Power banks ( I know not everyone has an iphone but power banks can be useful for lots of things plus they can be charged at libraries/school etc and used at home)