Buying for teenagers is a gear shift: life post-Santa isn’t only a little less magical, it’s also a little more expensive – with longer, more specific wishlists.
From makeup and skincare to musical instruments, homeware and a lot (like, a lot) of clothes, it’s clear that when you ask a teen what they want for Christmas, they know what they like. It will probably involve a pair of joggers, too.
We’ve spoken to 21 teens, from 13 to 18, to discover the gifts that will be on their hot – rather than not – list this year.
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The best gifts for teens in 2025
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Beauty box, and a top
Rhode makeup and skincare set
£49 at SephoraT-shirt with ruffle
£27 at SubduedAny kind of Rhode makeup, I love it and it’s good. I’d also like some Subdued tops. I love that brand. Florence, 13
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Hot chocolate, cool hair
Hotel Chocolat the Velvetiser
£110 at Currys £149.95 at Hotel ChocolatMarkers set, case of 54
£136 at Cass ArtDyson Airwrap id multistyler and hair dryer
£399 at John Lewis £399.99 at BootsI’d like the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser because I love making hot chocolates in winter. I would like pottery lessons, because I love anything crafty and would like to make my own pottery. I’d like the pens for my art. I also want a Dyson Airwrap, too – I ask for it every year. Amelia, 13
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Switch up
Nintendo Switch console (first-gen)
£259.99 at Argos £234.95 at AmazonI want a Nintendo Switch, so I can play games with my friends. Judah, 13
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Story time
Notebook and quill pen set
£25.99 at Boutique GiftsI want a feather quill pen and a leather journal to write a story in. Rebekah, 13
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Jog on
Joggers
£65 at Urban OutfittersAdidas Campus trainers
From £60.30 at Asos £63 at VeryI want iets frans… joggers and Adidas Campus trainers in grey – all my friends have them and they are super-cool. Kezia, 14
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Garms and games
Adidas Samba trainers
£94.99 at Office £94.99 at OffspringThe Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow card game
£8.94 at Zatu Games £10.99 at WaterstonesSony WH-CH520 headphones
£28.96 at John Lewis £32.99 at ArgosI’d like Adidas Samba shoes in white or pink because I like the style and think they would go with lots of outfits. I’m happy for them to be from Vinted. I want the Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow card game because I played it at a friend’s house and enjoyed it. And … Sony headphones because I want to be able to listen to music anytime. Aneira, 14
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Tyres, treads and Xbox extras
Red Bull F1 car
£199.99 at Lego £134.99 at AmazonNike trainers
£100 at JD SportsXbox Game Pass
Starts at £6.99 a month at XboxXbox cooling fan
£26.39 at AmazonI’m a huge F1 and Max Verstappen fan, and the big Lego Technic sets are my favourite things to build. It’s like real engineering – you can see all the gears and pistons moving when it’s done. I’m really into cool trainers, and Air Max are just the best. They look amazing, feel comfy, and it’s always exciting to open that box and see them fresh and new. The Xbox Game Pass membership is the best thing for gamers – you can play loads of different games without buying them all separately. It’s basically endless fun all year. My Xbox gets really hot during long gaming sessions, so a cooling fan would stop it from overheating and make it last longer. Ayush, 14
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Heading to the gym
Hoodie
£42 at GymsharkSweatpants
£35.70 at YounglaJBL Tune 770NC headphones
£47.99 at JBL £47.99 at CurrysLifting straps
£4.99 at Bulk £3.99 at AmazonNutribullet portable blender
£29.99 at Tesco £30 at ArgosI’d like hoodies from Gymshark, jogging bottoms from YoungLA, noise-cancelling headphones and lifting straps – all for the gym, which is where I spend a lot of time. I’d also like a Nutribullet portable blender for protein shakes and smoothies. Nathaniel, 14
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Threads and things
Full-length free-standing mirror
£22 at DunelmSneakerhead poster
From £14.34 at PrintlerNike trainers
From £75 at JD Sports £99.99 at NikeHoodie
£120 at Flannels £120 at FrasersTrousers
£34.90 at UniqloI want a mirror and a framed poster for my room to make it look as nice as possible. I want some new Nike trainers, an Essentials hoodie in grey, and Uniqlo wide-fit joggers – I want clothes because I don’t have enough. Finn, 14
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Time for a new king?
Makeup collection set
£54 at Kylie Jenner CosmeticsI really want this King Kylie set because I really like Kylie Jenner’s style from that era. I like the shades and designs, and it’s limited edition. Hannah, 14
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Wardrobe mistress
Sweatpants
£27 at Brandy MelvileeSweatshirt
£32 at Brandy MelvilleCharlotte Tilbury lip-liner pencil
£17.60 at John Lewis £17.60 at Cult BeautyAriana Grande perfume
£26.25 at Boots £26.25 at AmazonWomen’s Ugg mini boots
£145 at Ugg From £75 at SchuhHanging sloth charm
£23.20 at TH Baker £29 at PandoraI’d like joggers and jumpers from Brandy Melville, jewellery from Pandora, lip-liner from Charlotte Tilbury, Cloud Perfume from Ariana Grande and Uggs. All of these are my favourite brands – Brandy joggers are really comfy and I love Charlotte Tilbury lip colours. I have a Pandora bracelet and I like adding charms to it. Sophia, 15
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Patches and practicality
Pixi depuffing eye patches
£14.67 at Boots £18.25 at SephoraHoodie
£85 at ScuffersI’d want skincare, like Pixi eye patches – they’re on trend and really good. And a Scuffers navy blue jumper with leopard-print writing. Warm, stylish and practical! Freya, 15
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Cosy up
Hoodie
£52 at Urban OutfittersBeanie
£45 at FinisterreThis UO Green Tokyoto hoodie is stylish, warm and goes with everything. I know I’d wear this a lot. The Finisterre beanie is good quality, made from natural fabrics, and nice and cosy for walks and outdoor activities. Louie, 15
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Clear skin
Byoma clarifying starter kit
£11.89 at Cult Beauty £11.89 at AmazonI often get breakouts and want something that will unclog my pores that isn’t too harsh – this Byoma kit looks perfect. Lexi, 15
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Gym, Goonies and gears
Apple AirPods Pro 3
£219 at Apple £219 at John LewisLego the Goonies
£269.99 at LegoYoung Driver Experience (30 minutes)
£55 at Virgin Experience DaysI’d like some AirPods Pro 3 for the noise-cancelling tech and heart rate tracker when I’m at the gym. A Lego Goonies ship because I love the film. I’d like a young driver experience because I want to get some practice in before I turn 17. Henry, 16
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Uniqlo love
Cotton crew neck T-shirt
£14.90 at UniqloTrousers
£34.90 at UniqloI want four T-shirts, two white and two black, from Uniqlo – and a pair of Uniqlo wide-fit joggers because I want to look good. Hunter, 16
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Step up
Ugg slippers
£125 at Schuh £125 at OfficeGucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia perfume, 30ml
£44.10 at Notino £52.50 at BootsJoggers
£55 at Urban OutfittersApple iPad (2025)
£299 at Argos £299 at CurrysI’d like the Tazz II platform Uggs, Flora Gucci perfume, iets frans… joggers, oh, and a new iPad! The Ugg slippers are super-comfy, but I’d get the platform ones because they make me look taller. Erin, 16
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Shop and sleep
Leggings
£40 at Selfridges £40 at AdanolaInitial necklace
£100 at Say It WithHeart print short pyjama set
£32 at Boux AvenueCerave moisturising lotion
£14.87 at Sephora £16.50 at BootsReversible duvet set
From £20 at John LewisI would like an Adanola gym set, a Say It With initials necklace, Boux Avenue pyjamas, CeraVe cream and some new bedding. Autumn, 16
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Play on
Harley Benton baritone guitar
£177 at ThomannI would like a baritone guitar. Jamie, 17
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Feed up
Restaurant gift card
From £25 at AmazonCards Against Humanity party game
£34.99 at John LewisGames like Cards Against Humanity are a classic. But I think that anyone who’s drawing a blank couldn’t go wrong with food. I never turn down a gift card to my favourite restaurant or anything like that. Mateo, 17
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Snap happy and cosy
AGFA DC5500 digital camera
£46.49 at ArgosAvocado Oodie
£32 at the OodieIn the past three years, the trend of bringing back digital cameras has been huge on Instagram. I got one last year for Christmas, and I love it. I use it all the time. Oodies are these big blankets with hoodies that you wear. It’s another good one for people going to uni, because they’re massive and you can sort of sit around the flat watching telly in them. Laila, 18
For more:
• The 26 best Christmas gifts for 13-year-olds – chosen by 13-year-olds
• The best 90s Christmas gifts
• The best Christmas gifts for 2025
