50 Trendy Gifts Teens Say They Actually Want
Including viral TikTok finds, cool-girl beauty products, and popular bedroom decor.
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As an aunt to eight—including a teen and two tweens—it’s become my mission to stay on top of what’s cool. Not to mention, it’s my job track down the most popular gifts every year. Teen boys and girls (that 13–19 age group) are really passionate about their interests and hobbies—think skincare, fashion, sports, and art—so, the trick is leaning into what they love. My advice? Channel your inner teen and trust what catches your eye.
Our top picks:
- Best value: Kintion Pocket Mirror
- Viral gift: Emotional Support Pals Advent Calendar
- Unique gift under $25: Smiski Glow-in-the-Dark Figure
- Trendy gift for girls: Summer Fridays The Lip Butter Balm Minis
- Popular gift for boys: Phomemo Inkless Printer
Not only did I scour TikTok and online reviews for the most viral and hottest gifts right now, I've tried (and loved!) a number of these picks myself. I also tapped into our Good Housekeeping Institute experts for their go-to products (you'll notice some top-tested picks). Best of all, I ran everything by my 17-year-old nephew and his friends, who shared their current wishlists.
Best Deal
Teens are talking about blind box figures: Sonny Angels, Smiski, Hironos, and other popular characters from Pop Mart are all the rage. With this gift, they'll receive a glow-in-the-dark Smiski from the living series—it might be taking a nap, daydreaming, playing a flute, or hiding.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is so popular, and this set of four minis is so adorable. The balms are designed to soothe and relieve parched lips. "This lip balm in particular is one of my favorite formulas EVER," says Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at the GH Beauty Lab. "It is so creamy and comforting on the lips and I love that it comes in a squeeze tube."
With this mini printer, your teen can print photos, stickers, or study notes instantly from their devices—without ink. Instead, the thermal printer uses heat to create black images on white paper.
Our readers are obsessed with advent calendars this year, and this is one of the best for teens. It’s filled with 12 mini plush and 12 plastic ornaments, all with different expressions. There’s a pickle, chicken nugget, donut, and more.
RELATED: 21 Trendy Advent Calendars for Teens
If there’s one toy on everyone’s list this year, it's NeeDoh squishy toys. More states are banning cell phones in school, which means teens are desperate for an outlet to fidget. I’m obsessed with squeezing, pulling, smushing, and stretching the viral NeeDoh cube while I work.
RELATED: 2026 Good Housekeeping Toy Awards
Help your teen redecorate their bedroom with a personalized LED neon light. Choose their favorite color, font, and shape, then add your text—we suggest sticking with a first name. Even though this is a custom gift, the sign still claims to ship within two to three days.
They can toss this folding mirror in their backpack for class, or slide it into their purse when hanging out with friends. I keep a pink one in my makeup bag, and the lights are really bright—you can turn them on and off.
With this mini projector, they can stream their favorite shows or video games directly on their bedroom walls. It's got a built-in speaker and it's palm-sized, so they can bring it to a friend's house.
Coach is the perfect choice for her "first designer bag" moment. The brands become trendy again, especially the iconic Tabby with its slouchy style and signature hardware.
From reading and studying to gaming with friends, a cozy bean bag chair will get plenty of use in their bedroom. The soft corduroy fabric is available in eight colors, and you can add an ottoman if they have the space. Two side storage pockets keep essentials, like their phones and books within reach.
Not only can they use this cucumber and fresh mint scented soap in the shower, but they'll eventually discover hidden cash inside. Your teen could uncover any bill from $5 to $100—one online review found $50.
They may roll their eyes when they first open this gift, but they'll soon be poring over this book's easy-to-read, visual guides to all sorts of "soft skills" from how to manage time effectively to how to set a goal and actually achieve it.
Kendra Scott's Elisa necklace is iconic, and high school and college girls can't get enough. This best-selling necklace is available in TONS of colors, whether you pick her birthstone or favorite color. I recently got one and the gem is so sparkly.
A great gift for a creative teen who loves to draw, this pen lets them take their artwork off the page, churning out 3D animals, flowers, vehicles and anything they can dream up. This beginner-friendly option, named the best value printing pen by GH experts, has a speed-control button to allow for more control.
RELATED: 4 Best 3D Pens, Tested by Beginners
Whether you settle on a solid or playful print, like this sushi design, your teen will love lounging in their new blanket hoodie. According to online reviewers, it's super soft, cuddly, and warm.
They'll never be able to say "my phone died!" as an excuse for not texting you back. This portable charger magnets right on the back of iPhones and Samsung phones, and it’s so slim, they’ll barely notice it’s there.
Bubble charms are everywhere right now, and this gold bracelet costs less than $10. It's made from 14K gold plating and the band is stretchy.
Teens are taking in an interest this popular TV, a prequel to The Big Bang Theory, and true fans will love this dramatic behind-the-scenes look. It includes stories from every cast member, including fan-favorite actors behind Dr. Sturgis, Veronica Duncan, and Paige.
Whether they're in high school or college, loungewear is their go-to attire—and all of their favorite influencers are wearing White Fox. hoodies. I've got a matching set from the brand and the quality is great—the fleece interior is very warm and plush.
Teens can't get enough of this trendy bag, which can be worn crossbody or as a fanny pack. It's big enough to hold all of her essentials: lip balms, hand sanitizer, compact mirror, and phone.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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