Best Christmas gifts for teenagers 2020: Cool present ideas for boys and girls
If you don’t know your TikTok from your Snapchat, shopping for teenagers presents a struggle like no other.
It’s hard to keep up with the latest trends at the best of time but for teens, it changes so regularly. They’ll be into something one day and have grown out of it the next - which makes the gift exchange process nothing short of a nightmare.
Luckily, we have got you covered. We have gathered gifts that work for teens of every age. Things to suit that in-between stage where they’re no longer kids but still not fully-fledged adults.
To take you from Christmas, to birthdays via Bat Mitzvah, Diwali, Eid or exam results treats, we have you covered with things they’ll actually want.
Our sure-fire present pleasers have fashion, beauty, tech and more that every teenage boy or girl will adore.
Shop now.
See more of our designated gift guides here:
Google Pixel 5
The latest addition to the Google Pixel family, the 5 takes the phone to the next level. It comes in two covetable colourways; green and black, has a super slim silhouette, water-resistance, an ultra-long battery life, and the piece de resistance - a dual 12.2 and 16MP ultra-wide camera for the best snaps to date. It is also available at a more purse-friendly price tag and with a more durable construction, which make it ideal for teens.
Cricut Joy Portable Label Maker
Call it the Home Edit effect but we are all obsessed with organising - including the chaotic teen in your life who could use all the help they can get. Enter Cricut Joy and its label maker that is so much more. Compact and lightweight, it is a cutting and writing machine with a world of possibilities to make personalisation a breeze. Encourage them to get creative by producing their own stickers and cards that can be completely customised.
Beats Flex
Dre by Beats is making its celebrity-favourite headphones more accessible than ever with an under £50 price tag. Boasting the same premium sound that we’ve come to know and love from the brand, there are also a whole host of innovative features such as automatic playing when the buds are in-ear, but pausing when they are around the neck. They are magnetic and so are tangle free and there’s an impressive 12 hours of listening.
Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
It’s a given that all phones come with a built-in camera these days, but it doesn't hurt to remind them of the joys of an instant camera that can print photos out in seconds.
Enter Fujifilm's new Instax Mini 11, which comes in a selection of fun pastel colours: white, blue and purple in addition to blush pink. It automatically adjusts shutter speed so she'll get perfect pics whether she's on a sunny beach or at a day disco. There's also a mirror on the front and a pop-out lens to ace selfies the first time around.
Requires 2AA batteries and takes Instax Mini Film - sold separately.
P D Paola Engrave Me Collection
Give your gift the personal touch with the help of Spanish jewellery label P D Paola. The brand is offering adorable trinket-like pieces with necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms that you can have engraved with the initial of your giftee. The jewellery is crafted from quality materials with 18k gold plating. There are the likes of keys and padlocks but our personal favourite has to be these dainty hoops with a dangly heart charm.
Hover-1 Superstar Hoverboard
Forget 2020, this present will transport them to 3020 with its hi-tech design. The hoverboard may not be exactly what Back to the Future II told us it would be but it’s still a fun and futuristic way to travel. The board is super easy to use, fun and most importantly - safe as the max speed is only six miles per hour. It is also complete with LED wheels and foot pads and has a Bluetooth speaker built-in.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Smart Speaker with Alexa in Plum
The Amazon Echo Dot is now one of the most popular smart speakers. While streaming music through Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more, it is also complete with smart assistant Alexa that comes in handy for asking important questions, reminders, weather checks, news updates and much more. The Echo Dot has been given an extra special stylish makeover with a plum fabric addition.
Nintendo Switch Lite - Yellow
This sure-fire crowd-pleaser from Nintendo will be sure to trigger squeals of delight come Christmas morning. The handheld console continues to be one of the most popular devices with games like Animal Crossing becoming particularly sought-after during lockdown. It comes in a variety of colours but we like this fun yellow shade.
No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
It's hard not to feel inspired by Swedish schoolgirl Greta who has become the rallying voice of her generation in the global battle against climate change. This inspirational paperback explains how to make societal changes in the simplest way in an event to slow global warming. It's a slim book at just 80 pages so we suggest pairing this with another gift in our edit to make it suit the occasion.
Prefer fiction? Check out our list on the best new YA novels to buy now
Pandora Moments Mesh Bracelet
If there's one jewellery brand enjoying a moment with practically all of the West's teenage girls, its Pandora. It's covetable, iconic bracelets can be worn solo or personalised with a string of cute charms, ranging from Disney to timeless favourites to build their own 'style story'.
The brand has collaborated with Stranger Things and Enola Holmes star Milly Bobby Brown on her personal edit of charms and what they mean to her. See the story and shop her charms here.
Fjallraven Rucksack Kanken
You can’t move on the tube for these cult Swedish backpacks and with good reason. They come in an array of cheerful colours and their simple and functional bags really go the distance, in good weather and bad. They may look compact but they can fit in more than you'd think.
Sportspower 8ft Outdoor Kids Trampoline with Enclosure
For a gift that will be sure to get them away from screens, enter this epic trampoline from Sportspower. It has a Quad Lok frame that is easy to erect and deconstruct when needed with strong springs for superior bouncing quality and added safety through the enclosure.
Lifetime Streamline Portable Basketball System
We’ve all spent more time at home than ever before and with this gift, it will get the budding athlete in your life on their feet and enjoying some fresh air away from consoles, phones, laptops and iPads. There are simple and easy instruction to follow to assemble. Once built, its a sturdy product with a sand base and a durable net.
The Little Botanical Sansevieria Duo Plant Set
Brighten up their room with the addition of these two plants housed in attractive ceramic pots. It includes a Sansevieria Spikey and Sansevieria punk which are known for their air-purifying effects. While certainly looking good, it will also encourage them to get their green thumbs waggling.
adidas Cold.RDY Down Jacket
Nailing both style and substance, Adidas’ Cold.RDY range is on-hand to help your giftee withstand the elements. For us Brits, once thing is certain, rain is coming. Keep your teen protected with the help of this down jacket that is made from an innovative wind and water-resistant fabric that reduces heat loss and maximises warmth. There is also a nod to sustainability as it is crafted from recycled materials.
Palace Skateboards
A favourite with the street style set, beloved British skateboard label Palace may have sorted your gifting concerns. The brand offers decks adorned with unique, eye-popping graphic designs. These can either be used as wall art or pop wheels into your basket so that they use as intended as a skateboard and be ready to take it to the streets.
Tobar Flashing Hula Hoop
For a fun new pastime, it doesn't get flashier than this light-up hula hoop. This hoop breaks down into pieces too, so it can be stored away easily until the next performance.
Lulu Guinness Socks
Cheerful bright socks always go down well, but especially with teens who are still trying to lock down their own sense of style. From Lulu Guinness, this set of three add splashes of lilac and pink to an otherwise monochrome palette.
Studio Creator Video Making Kit
Give your budding movie star everything they need to get started with this Canal Toys kit, which will guide them on making, editing and sharing video content.
Whether they dream of going viral on TikTok, unbox like a pro on Stories, or forge a glittering vlogging career on YouTube, this set will help them achieve greatness - from a ring light to handset tripod and even a green screen so you can edit in your own background! There's also a guidebook full of helpful advice and tips to assist your budding social media star. Watch out Hollywood.
Urban Outfitters Moon Banner
They probably already have their own set of fairy lights (and if they don’t you can find battery operated ones here) but you can help give them an upgrade with this beautiful meal banner which shows all the phases of the waxing and waning moon.
Ariana Grande Cloud EDP
If your new teen worships pop star du jour Ariana Grande they’ll love one of her fragrances. Cloud EDP comes in an Insta-friendly bottle shaped like the clouds and sun. Never mind 13 year-olds, we’d happily get this for ourselves. You also can’t go wrong with the pop princess’ latest R.E.M fragrance.
Shop all Ariana Grande fragrances at The Perfume Shop
The World is Yours Leafy Globe Wall Art A3
A lovely illustration to remind them to explore, seek adventure and conquer the world is just the arty encouragement they need as they step into their teenage years.
Shop all wall art at Oliver Bonas
Lush Rosie Gift Set
Give her a pampering treat with this gift set of floral scented products for bath and body. It's the ultimate gift for beauty lovers, all themed around a luxurious rose fragrance. Inside you'll find a bouquet of rose-scented bath products such as Rose Jam bubbling bath bomb, Ro's Argan body conditioner, Rose Jam shower gel and Rose Jam body spray.
Corkcicle Canteen
Reducing plastic consumption is on everyone's list of priorities, teens included.
Give your teen a helping hand with this pink floral canteen from Corkcicle. Holding 473ml, it will ensure they stay properly hydrated throughout the day and keeps drinks cold for 25 hours and hot for up to 12.
Shop all reusable water bottles
Central 23 Moonlight Garden Daily Planner
Teenhood is a weird and thrilling time, full of change and first-times. Let your 13 year-old record all her thoughts, wishes and dreams in this beautiful planner, illustrated with a moon and magical botanical print. Each page will help them plan ahead for daily and monthly tasks, all on recycled paper.
