Gifts for Teens 2026: What Teenagers Actually Want (Backed by New Survey Data)

By Sophia · Updated November 2026 · How these picks were chosen: based on Piper Sandler’s fall 2026 Taking Stock With Teens survey of almost 9,000 U.S. teens (as reported by Retail Dive), its fall 2025 survey for tech and apps, and the NRF’s 2026 holiday survey. Brands are named because teens named them, not because anyone paid us. No sponsored links.

The safest gifts for teens in 2026 are beauty and hair care, fashion from the brands they already shop, a few footwear names (On, Ugg and Birkenstock), phone accessories, and gift cards to Target, Sephora or Amazon. That’s not a guess: it’s where teens say their money goes. A new survey of almost 9,000 teens found spending up 6% this year, with beauty taking a record share of teen girls’ budgets and fashion brands gaining ground on athletic wear.

Below: what the data says, then 20 gift ideas you can actually buy, sorted by type.

What teens are spending on in 2026

Here are the headlines from Piper Sandler’s fall 2026 teen survey, as reported by Retail Dive:

• Beauty is big. Beauty took a survey-high 23% of teen girls’ spending. Hair care grew fastest (up 10%), and e.l.f. led cosmetics with about a third of share.
• Fashion is beating athletic wear. Athletic brands’ share of teen fashion fell to 29%, down from a peak of 44% three years ago. Specialty stores such as American Eagle, H&M, Pacsun, Hollister and Urban Outfitters gained ground. Alo Yoga led athletic apparel, and Brandy Melville led general apparel.
• Footwear is shifting. Nike still holds about 45% of teen footwear share, but On gained, especially with boys. Ugg and Birkenstock were popular with girls.
• Coach is having a moment. 60% of teen girls named Coach their favorite handbag brand, up from 43% a year earlier.
• Secondhand is normal. 44% of upper-income teens bought clothing secondhand.
• Where they shop: Amazon accounts for about half of upper-income teens’ online shopping, and 81% of upper-income teen girls said they shop at Target for beauty and skin care.

And from the fall 2025 survey (the most recent with tech data), 87% of teens own an iPhone, and TikTok is their favorite app.

Before you buy: brand rankings are averages. The teen in your life may hate the “most popular” thing on principle. Use this as a starting point, then check their wish list or ask a sibling.

Beauty and self-care gifts

1. A hair care upgrade. Hair care was the fastest-growing beauty category for teen girls. Think a good heat protectant, a silk scrunchie set, a quality brush, or a hair tool from a brand they already use.
2. An e.l.f. or drugstore makeup bundle. e.l.f. is teens’ top cosmetics brand, and it’s affordable enough to build a little kit of their favorites.
3. K-beauty skin care. Medicube became the first K-beauty skin care brand in teens’ top 10. A gentle cleanser, sunscreen or sheet-mask set is a safe pick. Avoid strong actives (like retinol) unless they already use them.
4. A Sephora or Ulta gift card. Sephora has been teens’ top beauty store in recent surveys. A gift card avoids guessing shades and skin types.
5. A fragrance mini set. Minis let them try a few scents without committing to a full bottle.

Fashion and footwear gifts

6. Something from a store they already shop. American Eagle, Hollister, Pacsun, H&M, Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville all ranked well. Stick to sizes you’re sure of, or give a gift card.
7. Athleisure that doubles as everyday wear. Alo Yoga led teens’ athletic apparel. Leggings, a zip-up or a sweatshirt are easier to size than jeans.
8. Ugg or Birkenstock slippers, clogs or boots, which were popular with teen girls in the survey.
9. On sneakers, which gained share with teen boys. Check their size and the exact model they like first.
10. A Coach bag or small leather good. With 60% of teen girls naming Coach their favorite handbag brand, a card case or small crossbody is a reliable “wow” gift.
11. A thrift-store or resale gift card. With 44% of upper-income teens buying secondhand, a gift card for a resale app or local vintage shop fits how many teens actually shop.

Before you buy clothes or shoes: check the return window. Our guide to holiday return policies for 2026 lists each store’s deadline.

Tech and phone accessories

12. A good phone case or MagSafe accessory. With most teens on iPhones, a case, MagSafe wallet or stand is useful and personal.
13. A fast charger and a long cable. Unglamorous, constantly used, and always getting “borrowed.”
14. Wireless earbuds or headphones. A big-ticket option. Check whether they want noise cancelling for school and travel.
15. A portable power bank. Great for teens who are out all day.
16. A streaming or app gift card. Better than guessing which game or show they’re into this month.

Before you buy tech: electronics are usually cheapest around Cyber Monday. See what to buy on Black Friday vs Cyber Monday.

Experiences and “grown-up” gifts

17. Concert or event tickets for an artist or team they love, ideally with a friend’s ticket too.
18. A class or lesson: driving lessons, a cooking class, climbing, or a music lesson.
19. Money toward something big. Many teens are saving for a phone, a car or a trip. Cash or a contribution can mean more than an object.
20. Their favorite snacks, stocked. Dr Pepper, Lay’s and Red Bull topped teens’ food and drink picks in the fall 2025 survey. A themed snack box is a fun add-on gift.

How to choose for a teen in two minutes

1. Look at what they already wear or use. Buy that brand or store, one step nicer.
2. When in doubt, go smaller and better. A quality small item beats a big generic one.
3. Don’t fear the gift card. The NRF’s 2026 holiday survey found gift cards are the most-wanted gift, with 47% of people hoping to get one. For teens, a card to Target, Sephora or Amazon matches where they actually shop.
4. Add something personal. A handwritten note, or a small add-on chosen just for them, keeps a gift card from feeling like an afterthought.

Gifts to skip

• Clothes in a size you guessed, or styles you think they “should” wear.
• Strong skin care actives they haven’t asked for.
• Novelty gadgets that are fun for a day.
• “Trend” items from last year. Teen tastes move fast; Lululemon, for example, lost teen mindshare for a fifth straight survey.

FAQ

What do teenagers want for Christmas in 2026?

Based on Piper Sandler’s fall 2026 survey, teens are spending most on clothing, beauty and hair care. Popular brands include e.l.f., Coach, Alo Yoga, Brandy Melville, On, Ugg and Birkenstock, and gift cards to Target, Sephora or Amazon are a safe choice.

What is a good gift for a 15-year-old?

A hair care or beauty set, a phone accessory, sneakers or slippers from a brand they already like, or a gift card to a store they shop. Experiences, like concert tickets with a friend, also work well at this age.

Are gift cards a good gift for teens?

Yes. Gift cards are the most-wanted holiday gift overall, according to the NRF’s 2026 survey. For teens, choose a store they already use, such as Target, Sephora or Amazon, and add a small personal extra.

What do teen boys want for gifts?

The 2026 survey found On sneakers gaining share with teen boys, alongside Nike, Adidas and New Balance. Tech accessories, gaming or app gift cards, event tickets and money toward a bigger purchase are also reliable picks.

How much should I spend on a gift for a teenager?

There’s no set rule, and a thoughtful small gift often lands better than an expensive guess. Set your budget first, then choose one quality item in a category they care about rather than several generic ones.

More gift ideas: see gifts for people who have everything, Secret Santa gifts under $25, and all our gift guides.

Teens can smell a “safe” gift a mile away. Pay attention to what they already love, and you’ll be fine. — Sophia