30 Stocking Stuffers for Teens That Sleigh the Day
We asked real teens what they want in their stockings.
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Teenagers are the hardest bunch to buy for. Their desires are as changing as the trends, and it can feel impossible to keep up. Not surprisingly, buying stocking stuffers for teens can feel like a chore, but don't worry — I've done the dirty work of text-chaining a too-large, too-eager-to-chat group of teens to find out what they really want in their stockings this year.
I talked to about 10 girls ranging from 12 to 19 years old and six boys and gender nonconforming kids of about the same ages, and they had tons of ideas about what they thought should go in their stocking, from the fun (like Tamogotchis) to the practical (like pimple patches). And yes, they added a few wildly expensive and inappropriate gifts that didn’t make this list (I’m sorry, a $600 Apple watch is not a stocking stuffer unless you play pro sports), but generally, what they want is pretty normal and achievable. Better yet, they’re all available to buy online.
I waded through the endless stream-of-consciousness text threads and found the 25 best and easiest stocking stuffers for teens. There’s definitely something for everyone on our list.
If you have a chili head (I have two) a 90-pack of hot sauce packets featuring 18 of the top hot sauces available is perhaps the hottest stocking stuffer for teens you can get. (See what I did there?)
These shoelaces are genuinely cool. Chances are, if you have a teen, you’ve seen them put their shoes on without opening the laces first. With these elasticized laces, there’s no need: They stretch enough so that your teens can just slide their feet in and out of their sneakers easily.
Everything old is new again. Carhartt beanies were super popular when I was in high school, and now they’re back (and quite possibly never left.) Kids I spoke with love how warm they are, how they hold their shape, and that they’re Carhartt. Because New York City kids are definitely helping on the farm!
Bath and Body Works Merry Mingle PocketBac Hand Sanitizers (5-Pack)
This is the favored hand sanitizer of the teen set, and it’s also one of the most affordable. You get five major holiday-scented sanitizers in this set, none of which are too overpowering once they’ve dried down. It’s just a fun scent while you’re applying.
If you have teens you know that access to their phones and devices is the most important thing, like, ever! They’ll sacrifice their warmth for convenience. These gloves allow them to stay in contact and warm at the same time.
This pocket-size ring light isn’t just for selfies; it’s for any type of photography your kids may want to do but need more light. My kid uses it mostly for pictures of her two black cats: “You really need the extra light to get their personalities.”
Educational Insights Kanoodle 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle
This stocking stuffer is a mental challenge, but I swear, teenagers love it. It’s a timed game if you want, and there are many challenges for it online. You might find yourself taking it when they’re not around.
This is one of the most satisfying and soothing stocking stuffers you can get for anyone, but teens? They get it. It’s a fidget toy ring set that rolls over one another and spins. It’s like a back scratcher for your brain.
These are pretty self-explanatory, and we love them for that. They’re simple and silly, and teens will love them. Even if they’re not “gamers,” they’ll get it. (Though these are best for gamers.)
Bus stops get really cold in the winter. Rechargeable hand warmers can make those long waits so much nicer. They’re small and sleek, designed to fit in coat pockets without taking up much space. And they work! Pretty much everyone we know that has them adores them.
Giant peppermint sticks are a classic Christmas stocking stuffer. They’re delicious and fun to suck on until it forms a sharp point. Don’t tell me you’ve never done that!
I cannot explain why teens love this dumb thing so much. My 12-year-old has something similar, and she loves it. And yes, it’s a screaming chicken keychain that your kid will hang off their backpack, and you will hate it, but they’ll love it.
Sometimes the best gifts are seasonal and useful. Chapped lips are a problem in the winter, and the peppermint stick ChapStick smells great, tastes OK, and gives you a little buzz that’s soothing and lovely.
Scented pencils and markers skew younger, but scented gel pens? They’re the definition of a teen win. Even if they make fun of them initially, they’ll love having to add some fun to their schoolwork. (This is straight from the mouths of the babes themselves. )
The pens have the scent right on the outside, whether it’s orange, watermelon, or, my personal favorite, cotton candy.
These headphones are such a good steal for the price: They’re ultra-small, play high-quality sound, the case fits easily in a pants pocket, and they’re fast to charge.
As a mom, my favorite feature is the “be aware” function that lets you adjust the headphones to let in outside noise, like traffic or sirens.
Fidget toys have improved so much over the past several years. This mesmerizing fidget cube has been making the rounds in my kids’ friend groups for a while, and I will tell you, after playing with it myself, it’s extremely soothing and satisfying to hold and move.
HRTIMLIA Cool Hollow Skull Matte Black Soft Phone Case
It’s for your lips, your hands, and even around your nose during cold weather. It’s not a trendy product but a classic that everyone loves. Rosebud salve is a useful gift that kids and adults love. For over 100 years, this brand has been saving our chapped skin, and for that, we salute them.
Who doesn’t love fun candy bars that are hard to come by in the United States? I know my kids love these. Especially Flake, a flaky chocolate bar unlike anything we have on this side of the pond. They’ll get 12 full-size bars in this set.
LULUSILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye Mask and Blindfold
I had no idea that kids were into sleep masks, but I guess no one is immune to all the gadget lights blinking in their rooms at night. Kids are just smarter and more proactive about it by blinding themselves to it (much like they blind themselves to the wrappers that have been on their desks for weeks); all the better if it’s a soft and silky blinding.
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
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