Holidays
15 Christmas Gift Ideas for Teens
Shopping for a teen girl or boy can feel like a head-scratcher. To combat the picky tastes that come with adolescence, we’ve put together the most stylish and keepsake-focused list we could: one that looks past the latest Apple iphones, water bottles, phone cases and kitchy stocking stuffers, and instead brings a thoughtful experience they can enjoy for literal years to come. Whether it’s a cozy pouf perfect for hours of Spotify-listening or Nintendo Switch-ing — or a memory foam pillow that will up the quality of their sleep through their high school years — these gifts go beyond portable chargers and face mask tchochkes to deliver more than fleeting moments, but rather, a cozier, more comfortable and personalized lifestyle of happiness.
1. A Purple Pillow
The craze around the Purple mattresses has now reached the brand’s pillows. Made with a unique Grid core, these head-and-neck-cradling superstars will make sure your teen gets the support and comfort needed for a night of sleep. This gift makes teenage dreams – literally – and will become their new best friend in no time.
2. The Best Sleep Money Can Buy
Research shows that teenagers need their sleep for optimal brain development. This year, make a quality mattress at the top of your list – if for no other reason than to encourage healthier sleep habits. For a growing teen, we recommend a Full mattress size, which is small enough to fit into most bedrooms and large enough to grow into.
3. A Make-the-Bed-Worthy Quilt Set
Speaking of developing healthy habits, making the bed can be one of the easiest ways to jumpstart a morning routine before school. Whether your teen already has her daily planner filled out to the minute or needs a bit of a prompt in the right direction when it comes to organization, a new bedding set can bring inspiration in more ways than one.
Full/Queen Quilt-Grey Cotton Waffle Weave Grid 3 Piece Set | 1 Quilt | 2 Shams | Machine Washable
$90
Quicklook
Full/Queen Quilt Set-Grey Fan Pattern Reversible To A Small Medallion 3 Piece Set With 1 Quilt + 2 Shams
$90
Quicklook
Full Queen Quilt-Yellow Reversible Medallions To Small Grey & Yellow Medallions On White 3 Piece Set With 1 Quilt + 2 Shams
$89
Quicklook
4. A Dresser to Match Their Style
Storage and organization go hand in hand: you can’t have one without the other. In the years of studies, college applications, sports and class exams, assignments and projects, nothing’s more welcoming than a room that’s fresh and tidy. Gift a dresser or accent chest that contains enough drawers for their items – and style for their personality.
5. Reading Lamps for the Bookworm
Gifting books is a perfect way to get your teen’s eyes off the screen and onto the page. Whether it’s wizards, vampires, romance, history or future dystopias, there are thousands of stories any teen can get into. Gifting a book may just turn off the binge-watching and crack open a paperback. (While you’re gifting books, throw in a bedside lamp – added protection for young eyes as they read well into the night pays health dividends down the road.)
6. Trendy Makeup Vanity Mirror
Even a small new addition can get them to see their space in a new light. And with the vanity aesthetic taking over social media hashtags, a bedroom decked out with the same is an easy, affordable way to gift them the latest trends. Go with soft colors like cream to cozy up her space. (Psst — this also makes a great birthday gift for the skincare routine-lover!)
Ava White Glass Top 9-Drawer Bedroom Makeup Vanity Desk Set With Lighted Mirror & Swivel Round Button Tufted Stool
$810
Quicklook
Mya White Glass Top 5-Drawer Bedroom Makeup Vanity Desk Set With Lighted Mirror & Swivel Round Button Tufted Stool
$610
Quicklook
7. Focus Lights for the High Achiever
For the future professor, scientist or author: a light designed for long hours of reading and focusing is a win-win. Gift one for their desk, nightstand or wherever else they lose themselves in books or DIY projects. Snag one for your own home office, too – these preventative tools for eye health aren’t just for teens!
8. A Gaming Desk
If your teen is past board games and onto RPGs, consider furntiure to match. Gaming chairs are uber popular gift ideas right now. The less popular but still quite necessary are gaming desks – designed more widely and ergonomically for the gamer’s comfort. For the ultimate surprise setup on Christmas morning, gift desk and chair together – and throw in a mini fridge (because, why not?).
9. A Rolling Chair for the Serious Studier
Rolling chairs heighten the look and feel of a study space. (After all, nothing says official like the ability to lean back, ruminate and spin your seat in a rhythm to match the percolating of your thoughts.) For the 13-going-on-30-year-old, an executive seat is a must.
10. New Storage to Build Organizational Habits
The older your child gets, the more stuff he or she will accumulate. Gifts, school supplies, clothes, hobbies – life happens to be pretty materialistic, no matter how minimalist one might seem. Having drawer space enough for all categories of their belongings will help keep their space neat and organized, freeing up their mental space for more creative endeavors.
11. A New Bed With Built-In Book Drawers
If a new bed is a necessary – but boring – gift for your growing teen, consider making it more appealing. Built-in drawers along the sides and foot of the bed will give them the option of keeping their favorite items, like books, close at hand. Perfect for the reader or collector.
12. A Nook for Reading
Sure, you can give a gift card to a bookstore, but if you want to put a little more thought into their holiday, consider a piece that will allow them to truly enjoy their books. A bedroom chair – one that’s actually comfortable – will make your teen love his or her space. Whether they’re a gamer or reader or simply like to host friends for sleepovers, a new nook in their bedroom corner will make Santa suddenly cool again. For Gen Z, a sherpa-upholstered chair will be sure to fit the on-trend cozycore vibe.
13. A Chair for Gaming
When your teen is in the zone, the world around him disappears. A chair that cradles to his neck, supports the lower back and adjusts to every ergonomic angle needed for high comfort will help bring his A game – even if he’s not aware of it. Getting lost in the world of gaming never felt so good.
14. Giraffey Art
All work and no play makes for dull teenage years. Show them they don’t have to lose touch with their inner kid to remain cool – with giraffe wall art. In muted pastel palettes, the vibe is understated whimsy: not too kiddish, yet not too grown-up to feel void of their playful personality.
15. A Gift to Make Life Cozier
If buying a winning present for a teen still feels like grasping at straws, we’ll leave you with this banger: A cozy life is a happy life. Cozycore and hygge are the most sought-after trends on all the feeds – and with touchable, lovable materials like sherpa, boucle, chenille and faux fur, it’s easy to see why. Gift a snuggly bean chair to make their TikTok dreams, and Netflix-and-chill ideals, come true.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.
