25+ Gift Ideas for a Teen Gift Exchange
It is a strange thing when your children get old enough to start getting invited to holiday events without you!
And for teens and tweens, gift exchanges are a VERY popular holiday event!
I recruited my 14 year old daughter Ella to pick out her favorite items at a variety of price points that would be perfect for a teen gift exchange.
And if you’re looking for gift ideas or stocking stuffers for your teen, these are all homerun ideas.
Ella, take it away!
25+ Gift Ideas for a Teen Gift Exchange
Kitsch Towel Scrunchies
These things are the BEST. They’re scrunchies made out of towel material and they make air-drying my hair so much easier. I just put my hair in a ponytail or a bun and it immediately starts soaking up water. I don’t usually like to use heat on my hair, so these are perfect for drying without damaging my hair.
LED Color Changing Light Strips – $4.88 for 10ft or $4.97 for 6.5ft
My sisters and I have these in our rooms and they’re just so fun. Perfect for boys and girls alike and really add personality to a room.
Kitsch Heatless Curlers
Another Kitsch product, and I love this just as much as the towel scrunchies. I used to have my mom curl my hair almost everyday for school, but this is so much easier. You just wrap your hair around it before bed and in the morning it’s curled. It seriously looks like you used a curling iron.
Fairlife Milk
Chocolate Fairlife Milk is maybe one of my favorite foods. It’s just that good. You may know that I make a lot of creamis with our Ninja Creami, and since we’ve started getting this milk, they’ve been way better. I also love this just to drink as a little snack or before bed.
Nee-Doh Squishy Ball
Squishies are all the rage right now for teens and tweens. And these bright, bold, squeezable balls are just plain fun to squeeze and can double as stress relief. If you’re going to a party or gift exchange with a low price limit, this is the item for you because it is under $4.
Kindle Page Turner
This is one of those things that feels unnecessary until you own it. Then you can never go back. I got a kindle clicker for my birthday this year and I just love it. It makes reading in bed, on a plane, or even just on the couch so much more comfortable and convenient.
Smore’s Graham Crackers
These Smore’s Graham Crackers may seem a little random, but trust me they are amazing. If you take these to a teen favorite things party, they might very well be the most popular things there. Trust me, they’re so good.
Paper Airplane Set
Paper airplanes never get old and they REALLY never get old with this fun kit that’s under $6. My sisters and I love making new kinds of paper airplanes and this is great for boys and girls alike.
Screwbacks
Ever since I got my ears pierced, I’ve had a lot of trouble with them. They were constantly sealing up or getting infected. A few months ago, my mom suggested I try screwback earrings. These helped me SO MUCH. I’ve been wearing them basically everyday since then and my ears are doing so much better. I love these because you can sleep in them, shower in them, and just wear them all the time. Use the code JANSSEN
Travel Watercolor Kit
I actually have two of these (different brands) because I got them both as gifts. They’re really just the best for someone who loves art, but doesn’t need a full-on watercolor kit for everyday use. The other nice thing about watercolors is you can mix basically any color you need, so having just 12 or so is plenty. These little travel watercolor kit is perfect because it’s so convenient and effective.
Booklight
Basically a staple for any book-lover. I love my booklight so much because it clips to my book and has different brightnesses. Plus, instead of using batteries, this booklight charges and it lasts forever. I always bring mine on trips and vacations for those nights where my sisters are asleep and I need to read the next chapter in my book!
Hot Chocolate Bomb
I’ve gotten these at gift exchanges before and they are just so cute! These are inexpensive and they’re going to be popular with any age. Hot chocolate bombs are perfect for the holiday season and a delicious treat on a chilly winter day.
Pop-Tart Game
Looks like a favorite teen snack but is actually a game! This strategy game pins players head to head to see who can “eat” the most pop-tarts first. Plus it is only $5!
Frixion Eraseable Markers
These markers are super bright and colorful, as well as erasing really well. I’ve found that they last a really long time and are perfect for writing, drawing, and doodling.
Brain Teasers
Ani got a pack of these brain teasers and they are really cool. They’re harder than they look, but when you get them, it’s so satisfying. These brain teasers are also pretty small and compact, making them super easy to bring on an airplane, in a car, or wherever else you need some entertainment.
Sherpa Belt Bag
I have this exact Senita fanny pack and take it on virtually every trip we take. It has several pockets and looks no worse for wear even after extensive use. I love this fanny pack and I’m sure any teen girl will too. Use the code EVERYDAYREADING
Honey Straws
I love honey straws. We used to go to the farmer’s market every week and we would always get honey straws for a quarter. This pack has 5 different fruit flavors and is sure to be a hit!
Ooly Pens
There’s something about a glitter pen that is just so fun. This pack of 12 Ooly pens are so pretty and sparkly.
SneakERASERS Sneaker Cleaners
Sneakers are HUGE for teens right now and these little cleaning erasers are like magic for keeping them clean so they will always be bright and white. Because they come individually wrapped in a 5 pack, they are perfect to divide up among friends, or in stockings.
Hair Claws
Hair claws are a perfect favorite things party gift. They’re fun, useful, and inexpensive and I especially like these matte ones.
Face Masks
My cousin has a bunch of these types of face masks and honestly, I love them. They’re very similar to the individual face masks, but you can use them several times. This pack has four different types of face masks which makes trying them all out super fun.
Nail Markers
What teen girl doesn’t like doing nails? I don’t know any. These nail markers are sure to be a hit. They make it so easy and painless to do cool nail art and basically draw on your nails. This pack has tons of different colors with very fine tips that make intricate designs easy!
Bead Kit
A classic gift exchange item for a reason, this bead kit comes with 6000 beads in 24 colors. It also comes with earring hooks, stretchy string, tools and more!
Hair Chalk
I love hair chalk because it’s so quick, easy, colorful. The other nice thing about it is that lasts a few days, but with a quick rinse it will come right out. This kit comes with 8 colors and is sure to be a hit for teens and tweens.
Hair Tinsel
Hair tinsel is great for a gift exchange, because it’s inexpensive, fun, and lasts a long time. This pack is a perfect gift because it is pre-attached to clips making it easy to take in and out.
Crochet Kit
This little crochet kit comes with everything you need for your first crochet project (whether that’s a really long crochet link chain or a full-on stuffed animal). It’s inexpensive and super versatile!
Hand Lotions
In my opinion, the best part about hand lotions is trying a little of all the different scents. This pack of twelve is ideal because you get to test out lots of different lotions without committing to a whole pack of one.
Long Hair Bows
Long hair bows have been really popular lately and I love this pack of four. They are so cute and fun, really the perfect compliment to any hairstyle and they’re sure to be a hit.
Paint by Sticker
I asked my friend to help me with this list and she read me some items off her Christmas list. Paint by Sticker books were one of them and I love them too. Paint by Sticker books are so relaxing and fun. The perfect activity for any teenager.