Because it’s almost like no matter what you buy them for a gift, your teen isn’t going to like it. We’ll help improve those odds in 2021 (and beyond!).
Teenagers. Am I right?! Let’s be completely honest, whatever you end up having to gift your teen will most likely be returned and with a chronic eye-roll because, well, you are the absolute worst and you know it!
On a real note, these days most already have everything they want and pretty much spend the majority of their time on their iPhone anyway so best of luck getting them something they’ll actually use. If they’re a tween, they’re in that awkward stage because they officially stopped playing with toys and are ready for something more mature. It can be tough!
If it’s one thing we learned from the experts at Teen Vogue, it’s that this year so many of the teen trends focus on things like:
- Vintage Everything: From Crocs and Champion hoodies to tie dye tees.
- DIY At Home Activities: From knitting to home made tiny terrariums.
- Home/Room Decor: From hanging ivy to neon lights to hang on the wall.
This year, thanks to the pandemic, things are so different…in case you couldn’t tell? So we wanted to make sure we provided a decent selection of options for those who are spending a bit more time at home (read: all the time).
Either way, we researched, tested, read reviews and scoured the InterWebs to find some of the coolest and most unique teenage girl and tween gifts that make almost any of them happy. If you’re looking specifically for gifts for teenage boys we’ve got that too!
From the early tween years all the way up to the late teen years (hello 19!) we’ve got something for every age and stage (eye-rolls need not apply).
And while we don’t love having to label gifts “for girls” or “for boys” these are some of the best ideas for teenage girls (as approved by the teenager in our life) but are 100% appropriate anyone who’s into them.
Check out some of the best gifts for teen girls (and tweens) in 2021. Happy shopping…and save your receipt!
1.
The Best Teen Girl Gift of 2021
The Bedside Essential Pocket
Uncommon Goods
$15.00
Because how many more times are they going to lose their phone, tablet, earbuds, books and the like in their bed overnight?! This is a great way for them to keep things organized and, hopefully, out of their bed! Learn more here!
2.
The Tech Choice
The New Apple AirPods Pro
Apple
$249.00
$209.00 (16% Off!)
Ok fine, they totally do deserve to be spoiled every now and then! These are the new AirPods Pro that everyone is obsessing over, mainly because they’re also noise-cancelling and super comfy to wear. Noise cancelling? Grab a pair for yourself so you can tune our your teens! Learn more here!
Pro Tip: Out of Stock? Get the Cheaper Version Here!
3.
The Positive Choice
The “Feminist Agenda” Journal + Planner
Minted
$18.00
The totally on-trend gift with a message that’s so important right on the cover. This top-selling notebook can double as a journal or planner depending on which you choose. You can even personalize it by adding their name (or team number) right on the cover. Choose from amazing color options like yellow, rose, peony, candy, and more. Help them get totally organized this year (especially for those who are learning from home these days). Learn more here!
4.
The Cleanest Choice
The PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer
Phone Soap
$79.95
This is the thing to get, especially this year with the virus! Yes, now they can actually clean their gross phones thanks to this phone sanitizer case that uses UV rays to beam away all the nasty germs. It’ll actually get rid of 99.9% of germs. It’s basically a miracle! Learn more here!
5.
The Girl / Friend Choice
The Famous ‘Puravida’ Friendship Bracelet
Puravida
$45.00
These are the bracelets that everyone has been talking about, mainly because of how much they do to help employ those less fortunate in other countries, but also because they’ve been all over television lately. Plus, it’s been one of our most popular gifts last Christmas (and so far this year too!) This friendship set of 10 can be worn all at once, divided up, or even split between them and their friend(s). See more bracelet options here!
6.
The Tech Choice
The 3-in-1 Apple Charging Station
Elago
$29.99
$25.99 (13% Off!)
Your teen clearly has enough devices so now they can charge up all their latest and greatest Apple products at the same time and they’ll actually know where they all are! Learn more here!
7.
The Fashion Choice
The Nike Air Force 1 Sneakers
Nike
$90.00
If there is only one thing you gift them this year it’s got to be the latest Air Force 1 sneakers from Nike. They are obsessed. For real. Learn more here!
8.
The Cool Choice
The 16-Color Moon Lamp
Logrotate
$39.99
$37.99 (5% Off!)
Now this is the one thing they definitely don’t have (yet). This amazing moon lamp ball can change 16 different colors via remote control or touch and is a total mood stabilizer. It currently has over 3,800 reviews and ratings on Amazon right now! Learn more here!
9.
The VSCO Girl Choice
The Fjallraven Backpack
Fjallraven Kanken
$80.00
VSCO Girl-approved, this is the most popular backpack of the year. It’s totally water-resistant, is big enough to hold a standard laptop or Chromebook, can be held as a bag or has the straps to use as a standard backpack, and comes in a ton of really cool colors! Learn more here.
10.
The Loving Choice
The “You Are Loved” Tee
Amazon
$19.99
Simply stated, but a totally needed reminder that, no matter what, they really are loved. This super comfy tee comes in a variety of colors and styles for guys and gals like navy blue, light yellow, light blue, black, light pink, heather grey, and more! Learn more here!
11.
The Trendy Choice
The Felt Letter Board in Pink
Felt Like Sharing
$27.95
Everything old is new again (again)! We’re seeing these felt letter boards everywhere these days and love how it comes in this calming pink color (don’t worry, it also comes in other colors like blue, grey, black, green, orange, purple, and more!). It comes with 300 letter pieces so they can change up their messaging depending on their mood for the day. Get inspired! Learn more here.
12.
The Comfy Choice
The Amped Fleece Throw Blanket
Urban Outfitters
$49.00
It’s one of the comfiest and coziest throw blanket ever! They’ll basically be living with it wrapped around them at all time. And it comes in about 8 different color options too. Learn more here!
13.
The On-Trend Choice
The Ivy Vine String Lights
Urban Outfitters
$16.00
We don’t fully get the trend, but they’re obsessed with ivy vine string lights thanks to Tik Tok (another thing we barely get). But, trust us, get these. They’ll be all over their room in no time. Ok, fine, they’re kinda cool. Learn more here!
14.
The Personal Choice
The Five-Minute Journal
Intelligent Change
$26.99
The best way for them to take just five minutes per day to answer a few quick questions, set their intention, jot down what they’re grateful for, and more. We actually have this one and it really is pretty life changing. Learn more here!
15.
The Bedroom Choice
The Light-Up Moon Sculpture
UO
$34.00
A really cool way for them to decorate their room and something you won’t cringe at every time you see it. Can we get one too? Learn more here!
16.
The Coldest Choice
The Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Hydro Flask
$59.88
It’s a great way for them to get more water into their system all throughout the day! Plus, this double-insulated leak proof bottle will keep their drinks cold up to 24-hours (!!) and their hot drinks hot for up to 6-hours. Score! We love the flamingo pink color, but it also comes in a variety of others like blue, green, black, grey, stainless steel, and more! See more color options here!
17.
The Cozy Choice
The Faux-Sheepskin Lounge Chair
Urban Outfitters
$299.99
This is the comfy lounger that they’ll have up in their room to do their homework, watch endless videos, chat with their friends on, and more. Learn more here!
18.
The Game Choice
The ‘Unstable Unicorns’ Game
TeeTurtle
$20.00
$12.99 (35% Off!)
This is one of the best-selling games so far this year. In fact, it’s one of Kickstarter’s 50 most backed projects of all time. Pretty impressive. The goal is to build your own unicorn army (mainly by betraying your friends). Be the first to to build the army of 7 unicorns and win this strategic card game! This one is perfect for teens 14 and older! Ok, and maybe a little younger too! Learn more here!
19.
The Kind Choice
The ‘Choose Kindness’ Tee
Amazon
$29.00
Because in a world that seems like bullies are everywhere, they can be a rainbow in the clouds. What a great positive message! Check it out in a bunch of different colors too. Learn more here!
20.
The Bedroom Choice
The LED Photo String Lights
Magnoloran
$18.99
$13.99 (26% Off!)
It seems like every girl is hanging all their Insta-pictures on their wall as a badge of honor! One of the coolest ideas is the LED photo string lights that have clips so they can easily hang their favorite pictures and swap them out whenever they want, you know, without putting a million tiny holes in their wall! Learn more here!
21.
The DIY Choice
The Mini Terrarium Kit
Uncommon Goods
$20.00
These are seriously the cutest! This is an easy (and low maintenance) way to build their very own mini terrarium that they can use to decorate their room, their desk, or even inside their locker! This kit comes with everything they need to easily show their creativity. Learn more here!
More Shopping Ideas:
Everything Your Wonderful Parents Want for Christmas and, Yes, Totally Deserve
25+ Gift Ideas For Your Boyfriend or, You Know, Just Regular Men in Your Life
40+ of the Greatest Gifts For Her in 2021
The Totally Legit Tech Gifting Guide
22.
The Comfy Choice
The Comfy Blanket Sweatshirt
Comfy
$39.99
Yes, this is for real. Move over Snuggie because this year it’s all about the wearable sweatshirt blanket! First made famous on Shark Tank (of course) now all their friends are sporting these. They really are so comfy! They also come in all different colors and patterns to choose from too. Learn more here!
23.
The Prepared Choice
The Freshman Survival Guide Book
Amazon
$17.99
$13.79 (23% Off!)
This is the perfect gift for the teen who’s going to be starting their first year of college. It’ll help them get ready for studying, socializing, and knowing how to navigate this entirely new world. It’s great advice they’ll actually take, especially if it’s not coming from you…for the 10th time. Learn more here!
24.
The Game Choice
“Game of Phones” Scavenger Hunt Game for Teens
Game of Phones
$20.00
Because at least they can finally do something productive with their phone while they’re together. Learn more here!
25.
The Selfie Choice
The LED Light Up iPhone Case
LuMee
Did you know they take 200 selfies a day? Of course you knew that! Well now they can totally up their game! This iPhone case lights up with LED lighting so you always look your best. Choose the size based on the exact iPhone version you have! It also comes in ice grey, plum, and rose matte. See more color options here!
26.
The Thoughtful Choice
The ‘Always Remember You’re Braver…” Wall Plaque
P. Graham Dunn
$11.95
This super motivational and thoughtful plaque delivers a message that every teen girl needs to know and remember. It’ll hang nicely on their wall in their room, at their dorm, or anywhere they see fit. If pink isn’t their thing there’s also other options available like this one.
27.
The DIY Choice
The ‘Grown Your Own Palm Tree’ Kit
Uncommon Goods
$15.00
Now they can learn how to take care of something besides themselves! They’ll be able to grow their own little palm tree in this really cool mason jar. Who couldn’t use a little summer all year round!? Learn more here!
28.
The Decor Choice
The Cinema LED Light Box
Cinema Lightbox
$29.99
Now they can basically have their name in lights! Just like the Kardashian’s. Ugh. This LED light-up box comes with 90 different letter, numbers, and symbols and operates via AA batteries. From funny quotes to inspiring messages, sky is the limit. Learn more here!
29.
The Calming Choice
The Unicorn Snot ‘Stress Relief’ Putty in Green
Gears Out
$9.95
They already love stress putty and all things unicorns so why not combine the best of both worlds and give them this funny Unicorn Snot!? Learn more here!
30.
The Magical Choice
The Magical Unicorn PopSocket
Amazon
It’s the most magical PopSocket we’ve seen all year! This cute little phone helper will make it easier to hold onto your phone without dropping it (fingers crossed), can help prop up your phone or tablet so you can easily watch videos, and so much more. Learn more here!
Even More Ideas:
Good Ideas to Get Your Kids This Christmas
The Ultimate Yankee Swap Gift Suggestions This Season
What You Should Totally Get Your Best Friend This Holiday
Pretty Legit Christmas Deals Going Down This Season