Little gifts for your biggest challenge
If you’re the parent of a teenager, you already know just how picky older kids can be about nearly everything, from sneakers and speakers to taco fillings and toast. Um, wasn’t this whole parenting thing supposed to get easier as they got older? Well, it can be, at least in terms of gift ideas…with a little help from us, that is. Once you’ve found perfect big gifts for your teen for Christmas or Hanukkah, it’s time to turn your attention to the little extras. Stocking stuffers for teens deserve just as much thought as the other items, and when done right, your child may rave about them just as much!
From fun beauty essentials to surprisingly affordable tech items, the stocking stuffers on our list will hit just the right note for every teen personality—and parental budget. Plus, they’ll all fit perfectly into the stocking hanging from your mantel! If you have other kids in your home (or your life), we’ve got you covered there, too, with the best stocking stuffers for kids of all ages, including toddlers. Just make sure to pay special attention to holiday shipping deadlines this year so your gifts arrive in time for the big day.
BabyGold Endless Gold Hoop Earrings
Best for: Fashionistas who love a good classic
You can never go wrong with a classic hoop. These 14-karat solid-gold earrings come in three sizes and three gold tones, and they’re shockingly affordable at just $60. Made from recycled gold, they’re comfortable and light, and for every pair sold, BabyGold will donate one meal to a child in need, making this an excellent gift that gives back—something that will make your socially aware teen love it even more.
Elan Publishing Field Books (5-Pack)
Best for: Writers and jotters
These richly hued, gold-foil-adorned mini memo books are almost too pretty to write in. Almost. They’re tiny, at just 3.5 by 5.5 inches, making them perfect to pack in her bag or even tuck in a pocket and pull out whenever she has a brilliant idea. If the teen in your life is an avid reader, you should also check out these gifts for book lovers (that aren’t books).
Pottery Barn Teen Color-Changing Waterfall String Light
Best for: Kids who cocoon in their rooms
Holiday lights aren’t just for the holidays. This happy light show, with 160 bulbs and 10 vertical strands, will add the perfect pop of color and warmth to your teen’s room all year long. It comes with a remote for optional color changing and a timer.
Chipotle Gift Card
Best for: Teens with healthy appetites
Hot sauce, anyone? This Mexican chain is a fave with teens for its bowls, burritos, and fresh chips, and it accommodates vegans, vegetarians, and meat lovers. They’ll love being able to grab a bite with friends—without having to ask you for cash. This gift card comes in a $50 denomination, and since it’s an Amazon gift, it will arrive fast.
World Wildlife Fund African Elephant Adoption Kit
Best for: Animal lovers
Tuck this adorable 12-inch plush elephant and accompanying adoption certificate in your teen’s stocking along with a bag of peanuts. They’re never too old for a stuffed animal, especially one that will help the world. The symbolic adoption will support the World Wildlife Fund’s global efforts to protect elephants and other animals in the wild. While we’re recommending it as a stocking stuffer for teens, it would also make a great gift for any kid and a clever (and very literal) white elephant gift if you need one.
Crystalya 7 Chakra Balancing Crystal Collection
Best for: New Age types
Collecting crystals is a teen trend, with kids searching for stones that bestow love, energy, and healing—or because they want to compare cool colors with friends. This wooden display box holds seven tumbled chakra gemstones, as well as an amethyst crystal, a rose quartz, a quartz crystal point, and an info guide. You can also get it as a gift for boys with rock collections.
Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker
Best for: Music lovers
This little water-resistant speaker, which measures just five inches high by five inches wide, delivers fantastic sound and can even be used to take hands-free phone calls. With an eight-hour battery life, this cool tech gift is great for parties or road trips. Choose from Polar White, Citron, Aquatic Blue and Black, depending on your teen’s style.
Harry Potter Snitch Hot Chocolate Bomb
Best for: Aspiring Hogwarts students
This winter treat was inspired by the legendary Golden Snitch, a flying sphere used in Quidditch games in the Harry Potter series. The hand-decorated, gold-tinted milk chocolate shell is filled with hot cocoa mix and fluffy marshmallows—and it melts in a mug of hot milk as if by magic! Pair it with these other gifts for Harry Potter fans if you want to create a whole theme.
Air & Anchor Written in the Stars Adjustable Bracelet
Best for: Your star
This bracelet will remind her that you think she’s a star in every way and that some things were just meant to be—like your love for her. This ethically sourced bracelet comes in a vintage gold or silver finish and has an adjustable clasp. If she often looks to the stars and loves reading her horoscope, she’ll also adore these astrology gifts.
Mixoo Picture Frame (2-Pack)
Best for: Snap-happy teens
What teen doesn’t love snapping pics with their friends? They’ll finally get those images off their phones and on display in their rooms. Or, you could fill the simple wooden frames with a sweet family or pet picture. It may not have a monogram, but it can definitely be a personalized gift.
Nutella Christmas Tree Ornament
Best for: The Nutella obsessed
One day in the not-so-distant future, your teen will be an adult and remember the snack food that was a pandemic staple in homes cross America. This hand-painted keepsake glass ornament is 3.5 inches tall with glittery white detailing. If this inspires you to make your own DIY ornaments, grab your teen and go for it—it’s a memorable Christmas activity you’ll enjoy doing together.
Mermaid Kisses Ring
Best for: Jewelry lovers
The delicate, understated ring features eight turquoise stones set in pure silver. We suggest adding the polishing cloth for $3 to keep the jewelry looking brand-new, no matter how much she wears it.
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Sheer Moisture Mist
Best for: Fragrance fans
Perfect for a teen’s first real Chanel scent, this sheer mist will leave skin lightly scented and soft. With fresh notes of grapefruit, quince, jasmine, and white musk, the spray is a lovely little after-bath luxury. You also can’t go wrong with this if you need an affordable gift for your sister.
Aerin Travel Gold Hairbrush
Best for: Your princess
Handcrafted in Italy, this stylish, lightweight hairbrush is galvanized with 24K gold, and the gold-tipped bristles work well for all hair types. It’s a fancy flourish to an everyday staple that will make getting up early for school a little more palatable.
Rifle Paper Co. iPhone Case in Hello Gorgeous
Best for: Girly girls
These phone cases, made from polymer, add a pretty, stylish touch to an everyday tech necessity. They are also chip- and peel-resistant, as well as incredibly durable, offering 10-foot drop protection for inevitable accidents.
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Glass Glow Lip Gloss
Best for: Makeup mavens
Oh, to be a teen, when your eyes sparkle and your skin is so fresh, all you need is a pop of lip gloss. This shimmery option from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty isn’t sticky (the worst!) and contains good-for-their-pout antioxidants and vitamin E to keep their pucker looking perfect for the long haul. Here are more of the best lipsticks and glosses you might want to choose as stocking stuffers for your teen.
Rampage Alpha Gaming Headset
Best for: Gamers
We know, we know, you aren’t the biggest fan of video games. But your teen is, and a stocking stuffer like this will make you the coolest parent on the planet. This affordable headset is tricked out with two built-in noise-reducing microphones, HD stereo sound, and boosted bass, and it will make him feel like he’s right in the middle of the action. Of course, younger siblings would also go wild for this, so you might want to pick up a second one as a gift for your tween boy.
Hammond’s Candies Christmas Tree and Snowmen Handmade Gummies
Best for: Classic candy fans
If your teen is obsessed with candy—and the chewier and more colorful, the better—these festive gummy packs are the way to go! You’ll get two packs from this Denver-based company that’s been around since 1920, and you might want to keep one for yourself. (Shhh, we won’t tell your teen!) Is your teen a fan of a different sort of classic? They’ll love these incredible Star Wars gifts.
Eco Lips Candy Cane Organic Lip Balm
Best for: The eco-conscious
The best stocking stuffers for teens are the ones they’ll use all the time. This festive three-pack of peppermint-flavored lip balms certain fits the bill, and you’ll both feel extra good about them because organic, free of harmful chemicals, and come in eco-friendly, plastic-free “plant pod” tubes. Love this idea? Here are more eco-friendly gifts for your teen and everyone else on your list.
Bombas Women’s Floral Ankle Socks
Best for: Teens who keep losing socks
Is it just us, or does the washing machine eat teenagers’ socks? Fill out your teen’s collection again with these pretty ankle socks, which have the perfect amount of cushioning, a supportive arch, and a seamless toe. Bombas socks, by the way, made our list of cult-favorite products that are totally worth it.
Smashbox 2-Piece Mascara & Lash Primer Set
Best for: Lash lovers
Mascara is the key finish for a perfect cat-eye look or to frame a smudge of retro pastel eye shadow. This holiday duo features the beloved brand’s Photo Finish Eyelash Primer to separate and lengthen lashes and Super Fan Mascara for gorgeous, fanned-out volume.
Aerolatte Milk Frother
Best for: Hot cocoa and latte drinkers
This neat kitchen gadget in Santa red will provide the perfect amount of fun and froth to hot cocoa or milk. It also beautifully blends in hazelnut or pure vanilla flavoring. Bonus: This little gift fits nicely into in a Christmas stocking, and they’ll never guess what it is!
Shein 16-Piece Golden Alloy Ring Set
Best for: Accessory lovers
This whole trendy set—which includes 16 rings in fun designs like vines, a moon and sun, a snake, and a yin-yang symbol—costs just $1.50. Nope, that’s not a typo. Shein is all about trendy items for less. These rings are meant to be worn on any and every finger.
Godiva Holiday Candy Cane Truffle Flight Gift Box
Best for: Peppermint fans
These ridiculously gorgeous peppermint ganache truffles in white chocolate will be gobbled up before you know it—and likely before the rest of the family finishes opening their presents. We’re guessing they won’t want to share on Christmas morning, so you may want to buy two of these! This also works as a hostess gift if you’re party-hopping this season.
Le Specs I Feel Love Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Best for: Screen queens
A must for teens who spend hours and hours (and hours) on their laptops and phones, these angular glasses will help filter out blue light, protecting their peepers and relieving eye strain.
Fossil Leather Trifold Wallet
Best for: Smart spenders
This handsome wallet can take your teen a long way, even into his college years and beyond. The exterior is 100 percent leather, and the design has credit card slots and an ID window. It’s a gift any man would love, too. To really make your teen smile, slip a few crisp bills in there before you wrap it.
Wella Invigo Color Brilliance Shampoo
Best for: Teens who change their hair color often
Whether your teen loves experimenting with highlights, balayage, or full-on bright hues, this deliciously scented salon secret will protect their new hair color and help it last longer. The formula contains vitamin E and lime caviar to combat fading.
Dry Bar High Tops Self-Grip Rollers
Best for: The well tressed
Get read to pump up the volume! This is an old-school trick, but it works—and it’s super affordable, fast, and heat-free. All they have to do is roll up a few sections of hair at the crown and the front sides, leave the rollers in for 15 minutes, and voilà—soft, face-framing curls and a perfect lift at the roots.
Earth Therapeutics Cozy Moisturizing Slipper Socks
Best for: Homebodies
These cushy socks will make your cutie feel toasty and pampered on chilly nights. Infused with moisturizing shea butter that keeps feet pedicure-ready all winter long, the socks hit near the knee for extra warmth. Round out this cozy gift with a pair of slippers and a pajama set she’ll love. Sweet dreams!
Violet & Brooks Olivia Garden Party Hair Set in Mint
Best for: Glam girls
If the teen girl in your life is a little bit whimsical or a whole lot feminine, she’ll love this pretty-as-a-picture hair-accessory set. It includes gold-tone bobby pins with faux pearls, satin petals, and pavé crystals, and the mint hue provides the subtle pop of color she’ll adore.
QFX R-37 LED Flashlight Solar Bluetooth AM/FM Radio
Best for: Back-to-basics teens
It looks retro, but this radio is actually pretty cutting-edge because it’s both Bluetooth-enabled and solar-powered. Eco-conscious teens will totally appreciate this one.
Malin+Goetz Travel Essentials Kit
Best for: Gym rats
If your teen boy is always bouncing around between sports practice, games, and the gym, he’ll need some body and hair care essentials to tote around with him. This six-pack of grooming items boasts natural and botanic ingredients, from a foaming grapefruit face cleanser to peppermint shampoo. This would also make an affordable gift for a brother.
Goop Beauty Clean Nourishing Lip Balm
Best for: Natural beauties
Gwyneth Paltrow’s carefully edited Goop line delivers another winner with this lip balm that glides right on. It’s made with botanical oils—coconut, argan, castor seed, jojoba, and sunflower—plus pomegranate extract and shea butter for a perfectly moisturized pout.
HUE Cable Sweater Tights in Ivory
Best for: Cozy types
Tuck some stockings in her stocking! These cable-knit sweater tights will be her new favorite accessory—and they’re nice and warm, too. If you can’t resist the urge to bundle her up in the cold weather, pick up one of these warm winter coats and a pair of boots as your bigger gifts.
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