Gift guide

What they actually want.

Tell us who it’s for and what you want to spend. We’ll show you what teens are asking for, and what to check before you buy it.

Who’s it for?

What do you want to spend?

45 picks for you

Prices checked October 9, 2026

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change what teens told us they want.

Safe bet Hard to get wrong. Buy it without asking.Ask first Size, color or price makes it worth a quick check.

Beauty

11 picks

Safe bet
Rhode
Peptide Lip Tint
The lip thing. Yes, it is $20 for lip balm. Yes, she will notice if it is a dupe.
$20Shop at Rhode (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm
The other lip thing. If she has the Rhode one, she wants this one too.
$24Shop at Summer Fridays (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Laneige
Lip Sleeping Mask
Goes on at night and lives on the nightstand. A safe bet for anyone with a skincare shelf.
$24Shop at Laneige (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Starface
Hydro-Stars pimple patches
Pimple patches shaped like stars, worn in public on purpose. A great stocking stuffer.
$14.99Shop at Starface (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Touchland
Power Mist hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer, but cute. Ten dollars well spent.
$10Shop at Touchland (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Sol de Janeiro
Bum Bum Cream, mini
The scent you already smell in the hallway. The mini is the cheap way in.
$12Shop at Sol de Janeiro (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Glossier
Balm Dotcom
A lip balm classic. An easy add-on when the main gift needs a friend.
$16Shop at Glossier (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Dior
Sauvage Eau de Toilette
The cologne teen boys have decided is the cologne. A little goes a long way; tell him.
$130Shop at Sephora (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Bubble
Hydro Heroes Skincare Kit
Skincare made for young skin, in packaging she will want on the counter.
$33.99Shop at Target (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Tree Hut
Shea Sugar Scrub
A big tub of sugar scrub that smells like dessert. Under ten dollars.
$9.99Shop at Ulta (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Kylie Cosmetics
Matte Lip Kit
Liner and matching liquid lipstick in one box. For the kid who is into makeup.
$35Shop at Kylie Cosmetics (opens in a new tab)

Clothing

9 picks

Ask first
Nike
Tech Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie
The zip-up you keep seeing at pickup. Pricey for a hoodie, and it will get worn every single day.
$140Shop at Foot Locker (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Alo Yoga
Airlift Legging
The brand name is the point. Ask her size; do not guess.
$134Shop at Alo Yoga (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Brandy Melville
Zelly Long Sleeve Top
A plain white long sleeve, and the label is what makes it a gift.
$24Shop at Brandy Melville (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Fear of God
Essentials Classic Hoodie
A plain hoodie with a small logo other kids recognize. The recognition is what you are paying for.
Tighter budget? Stüssy Basic Tee, $45.
$160Shop at Fear of God (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
FP Movement
Hot Shot Tee Romper
Looks like a tee and shorts, is actually one piece. Size matters, so ask.
$60Shop at Nordstrom (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Alo Yoga
Match Point Tennis Skirt
A tennis skirt for people who do not play tennis.
$78Shop at Alo Yoga (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Stüssy
Basic Tee
A logo tee from a brand older than you would guess and still cool.
$45Shop at Stüssy (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Garage
Claudia Parent Jeans
Loose, high-waisted jeans. Check the size she wears in this brand.
$50Shop at Garage (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Carhartt
Knit Cuffed Beanie
The workwear beanie everyone wears. Twenty dollars, one size, done.
$19.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Shoes

4 picks

Ask first
adidas
Samba OG
Still the sneaker. Get the size right and you are done.
$100Shop at adidas (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Air Jordan
J Balvin x Air Jordan 4
For the kid who says “the Balvins” like you know what that means. Now you do.
Tighter budget? Nike Air Force 1, $115.
$225Shop at Denim Exchange (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Nike
Air Force 1 ’07
The all-white sneaker that has to stay all white. Expect a toothbrush to get involved.
$115Shop at DTLR (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Birkenstock
Arizona EVA
The rubber version of the sandal: lighter, cheaper and fine to get wet.
$49.95Shop at Zappos (opens in a new tab)

Tech & gaming

8 picks

Ask first
Nintendo
Switch 2
The big one. Check what they already own before you become a legend or a duplicate.
$499.99Shop at Nintendo (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Apple
AirPods Pro
Probably replacing a pair that got lost or went through the wash.
Tighter budget? Beats Flex, $69.99.
$249.99Shop at Target (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
Meta
Quest 3S
A VR headset. A big gift, so ask what their friends play before you commit.
$349.99Shop at Meta Store (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 12
Prints a tiny photo on the spot. Buy film too.
$79.95Shop at Fujifilm (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
JBL
Flip 7 speaker
A speaker loud enough for the shower, the car and your patience.
$119.95Shop at Abt (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
SteelSeries
Arctis Nova 3 headset
For the gamer who is tired of yelling into a cheap mic. Wired, so nothing to charge.
$99.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Apple
AirTag
For the kid who loses keys, bags and everything else. Mostly a gift for you.
$29Shop at Apple (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Beats
Flex earbuds
Wireless earbuds on a neck cord, so they are harder to lose.
$69.99Shop at Beats (opens in a new tab)

Everything else

13 picks

Safe bet
Owala
FreeSip Water Bottle, 24 oz
The water bottle that replaced the last water bottle. The color matters more than you would think.
$29.98Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
lululemon
Everywhere Belt Bag
Worn across the chest, never around the waist. Holds a phone, keys and not much else.
$46Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Jellycat
Bashful Bunny
Yes, a stuffed animal for a teenager. They collect them and they are not embarrassed.
$33Shop at Jellycat (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Ohuhu
Alcohol Markers, 80 colors
For the kid who draws. Eighty colors is the kind of excess a sketchbook kid dreams about.
$54.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Steam
BOMBANANA!
An $8 PC game. Check they play on a computer and not a console before you buy.
$7.99Shop at Steam (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
EA Sports
College Football 26 (PS5)
For the kid who watches college football all Saturday and plays it all Sunday. Check the console.
$69.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Jellycat
Croissant Bag Charm
A tiny plush croissant that hangs off a bag. It makes no sense, which is why they want it.
$28Shop at Jellycat (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
PINK
Flannel Pajama Set
Matching flannel pajamas for sleepovers and for all of winter break.
$69.95Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ask first
LEGO
Technic McLaren P1
A huge build for the car kid. Less a toy, more a project that ends up on a shelf.
$449.99Shop at LEGO (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Govee
LED Strip Lights
The glowing strip lights around the bedroom ceiling. They change color from a phone.
$26.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Suzanne Collins
Sunrise on the Reaping
The newest Hunger Games book. For the reader, or the kid who saw the movies.
$19.59Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
IbayNawi
Custom Neon Name Sign
Their name in lights above the bed. Cheap, personal and bigger than its price.
$21.99Shop at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Safe bet
Wilson
NBA DRV Plus Basketball
An outdoor ball for the driveway. Hard to get wrong.
$21.99Shop at Dick's Sporting Goods (opens in a new tab)

Top gift cards, according to teens

Not a cop-out. Money they can spend somewhere they already go is a real gift.