My mother-in-law just turned 15. I need some Christmas ideas, but I have no idea what’s hot with teenagers. She loves following trends. Last year I got her a heatless curling iron, some hair styling accessories, an LED manicure set, and oh, a giant Stanley mug with accessories. She loves all the girly trends. Help me figure out what’s hot this year. I try to keep each gift under £60 so they can open several, and I spend about £200 per girl.
Wow, it’s so hard to find teenage girls! [I found this list that gave me some ideas; it helped a lot.
A gift card for a manicure and pedicure. A floral-print Lego set. Does she like crafts? If so, there are clay sets and small cookie cutters with accessories to make her own earrings, knitting or crochet kits, a small instant camera, her favorite perfume, a 3D pen, an Ulta gift card, and a cool nightlight. I gave them all of these, and they welcomed us with such warmth (or at least the girls were very kind)!
Maybe a skincare kit? There are small, portable photo printers that you can connect to your phone to print small prints and photo stickers.
It’s hard to buy for teenagers.
Ask. 15-year-olds prefer to choose gifts they like rather than being surprised by what an adult finds appealing or cool this year, this month, or this week. Try both options. Give them something someone here thinks is cool, ask them what they want, and give them both. Once you know their reaction to each gift, ask them what they want each year!
I just received a birthday list from my 16-year-old niece, and it’s super trendy! Here are some items: Treehut scrubs, Treehut body washes, Sol de Janeiro, Lego flowers, Pandora charms, candles, small gold jewelry, Ugg Ultra Mini Chestnut, a Target gift card, and a Bath & Body Works gift card.
Last year, I bought my niece a large travel case for all her makeup. I know she’d never choose the right makeup. I also gave her a personal blender for smoothies and drinks because she took a home economics course and is obsessed with smoothies. I also gave her a smoothie recipe book. She’s 16 and now working, so she’s constantly buying Lululemon leggings with side pockets for her phone. I’ve seen her friends wearing them too. And oversized hoodies.
The same thing happens to me with my 14-year-old granddaughter. Last year she asked for six foam wig heads, a pink wig, and microphones for her cell phone. This year, she’s still undecided because she’s redecorating her room for her birthday and can’t decide whether to do something more original or feminine. I told her to tell me, because Grandma loves her no matter what, because I’m the one who takes care of her crazy ideas.
I heard a woman on TikTok say something like, “Go through your wife’s shampoo, conditioner, makeup, perfume, and moisturizer, see what’s gone, and buy the exact same thing.” As I write this, that might not sit well with a daughter-in-law, as it might seem a little weird. Opt for a gift card. If you want something trendy (my wife is a fifth-grade teacher, so I know Owala water bottles are the latest trend), find one that matches her color. But that’s a risk too. Maybe something car-related? She’s turning 16 and will be driving soon; maybe some “girly” car accessories. Hope that helps.
Teenagers love wearing pajama pants to school. Haha. Don’t ask me why, but it’s a trend. Pajamas, oversized sweatshirts, and crocs are in.
Skincare (Bubble is a brand for young people, avoid adult products), Converse is always popular, pink palm tree hoodies are all the rage at my daughter’s school, music (depending on her taste) like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, etc. Colourpop makeup palettes are always in style. I think the ZInk printer someone else mentioned as Ivy-Hottie is a GREAT idea. Look at what’s trending on TikTok and you can assume she’s either curious to try it or has her eye on it for status reasons. Brands like Fwee (makeup jars), Mooncat (nail polish), Sol de Janerio is a great fragrance brand, Conclusion Makeup Freckles, the maker of square phone cases, and Owala. Finally, check out the young adult bestseller list for books like “Maybe the Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Heart Stopper,” and “Better Than the Movies” or its sequel, “Nothing Like the Movies.”
Teenagers are tricky because they’re expected to discover something amazing, not just money. As they grow older, experience gifts can be the solution. An indoor skydive, a spa day, a cool play or show, a trendy restaurant, a night out somewhere cool, a tutor for SAT prep, a new car accessory, ski lift tickets… you name it!
Teens: Makeup, skincare, and more makeup. Give her a spa basket with masks, a facial roller, a hair tie, and, if you have extra money, an Ulta gift card.
My 15-year-old niece asked me for a mini fridge (one of those portable ones that fits four cans of beer) to store her makeup. Haha! Of course I bought it; it fits your budget. I never would have thought of it. She probably got the idea from TikTok. If your niece has a TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest account, you could follow her and get an idea of her interests. Trends aren’t necessarily universal for all ages; it depends on the location, and what’s popular for one person today may be outdated for another.