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Looking for inspiration for less expensive gifts for your family and friends? Take a look at our Christmas Gift Guide, filled with wonderful treats under $25 that would also be perfect for Secret Santa presents.
Christmas gift guide for teens (all under $25)
1. Lighted Makeup Mirror (Amazon)
This lighted makeup mirror would be perfect in a dorm room — it does not take up much space and can help your college student with a well-lit mirror to put on their makeup before going out. Charges via batteries or USB and tilts 180 degrees. Adjustable lighting settings, too.
2. Kitsch Satin Heatless Hair Curlers (Amazon)
Wildly-popular hair curler kit is the #1 bestseller in hair curlers on Amazon. Sleep on these rollers and wake up with a wavy look.
3. Wildflower AirTag Key Chain (Amazon)
Wildflower phone cases are super-popular now but are more expensive than this gift list $25 limit. But we did find this great Apple AirTag key chain in the Star Girl Pattern.
4. Resistance Band Set (Amazon)
Here is a great, well-priced fitness idea — these compact resistance bands are a way anyone can work out, even in a small dorm room or apartment. Perfect for anyone who travels.
5. Anker Power Bank (Amazon)
Power up a phone while on the go. Compatible with iPhone 15/16 (USB C), Galaxy S23, iPad mini 6.
6. Apollo Tool Kit (Amazon)
A basic tool kit is a useful part of dorm life, and later, when your teens move into an apartment, they will be happy to have one. This one has 39 pieces in a durable box storage case.
7. Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks (Amazon)
The holidays are a lively period with parties, late nights, and early mornings with work and/or school obligations. These are a very popular Grown and Flown parent gift.
8. Journal Pens (Amazon)
If your teen likes journaling or color-coding notes and assignments, this best-selling pen set would be a nice gift, especially with new journals.
9. Rugged & Dapper Lip Balm (Amazon)
This men’s lip balm provides lasting hydration, with ingredients like beeswax, jojoba oil, and invigorating eucalyptus.
10. Roam Bike Phone Mount (Amazon)
So your teen can keep both hands on the bike handlebars instead of holding their phone; this holder will keep it secure and visible.
11. Nulaxy Cell Phone Stand (Amazon)
This phone stand would be a practical gift for anyone on your list. Both sturdy and portable, it folds, making it easy to throw into a backpack for use at home, work, and school. Phones can be used in a horizontal or vertical orientation.
12. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
This best-selling lip treatment would be a nice gift for anyone who loves health and beauty products. Available in many different yummy flavors.
13. Gold Bubble Letter Necklace (Amazon)
Bubble necklaces are super-popular now with teen girls. This one has a 17″ adjustable chain and is made from 18K Gold Plated Brass.
14. Apple Air Tag (Amazon)
Do you have a family member who routinely forgets where their gym bag or back pack is? THIS is the gift for them.
15. Bronax Cloud Slippers (Amazon)
Super-comfortable, these slippers are available in many colors and would be great for anyone on your list. Available in 15 different colors.
16. The Defining Decade: Why Your 20s Matter and How to Make the Most of Them NOW (Amazon)
Dr. Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor of education at the University of Virginia. She has written a compelling case for how young adults can take their twenties seriously and why they should.
17. Left Center Right (Amazon)
This is one of THE most popular games among the Grown and Flown community.
18. Make-Up Travel Brush Set (Amazon)
A gorgeous set of makeup brushes in these dynamic colors might inspire your daughter to throw out her old brushes and begin 2024 with an all-new and clean makeup routine. While made for travel, they are equally functional for use at home.
19. Anker Nano Power Bank (Amazon)
Having a phone that’s out of battery is not only frustrating but also not safe, especially for our teens and college students. This device from industry-leader, Anker, is lightweight and small so easy to store in a backpack of purse. This was a top-seller during the holidays in 2023 and I gave one to EVERYONE in my family. This is compatible with the iPhone 16/15 Series. Here is the one that works with the iPhone 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Plus / 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 and 12 Series. (Also under $25.)
20. Burt’s Bees 12 Days of Joy Lip Balm Set (Amazon)
We LOVE Burt’s Bees and think this 12 Days of Joy Advent Calendar would be a great gift that gives a bit of joy during 12 days of the holidays.
21. Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (Amazon)
Sol de Janiero Bum Bum Cream is super-popular and is available in many fragrances. This one has notes of vanilla, salted caramel, and pistachio – heavenly!
22. LED Photo Clips String Lights (Amazon)
This string light photo display is a whimsical decoration and an easy way to dress up a drab dorm or bedroom wall.
23. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Amazon)
This international bestseller is all about kindness, friendship, and home. The gorgeous illustrations are unforgettable.
24. Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone (Amazon)
Author and illustrator Becky Blades wrote this book and created the gorgeous artwork as a goodbye letter to her college daughter. Don’t forget to add your message at the end. This is the right gift to give your soon-to-be-flown daughter.
25. Ninja Wallet Multi-Tool (Amazon)
This credit-card-sized tool has 6 Hex wrenches, a can opener, fruit peeler, bottle opener, ruler (standard & metric), letter opener, box opener, phone stand, eyeglasses, Phillips, and Flathead screwdriver. Genius!
26. Hanes EcoSmart Sweatshirt (Amazon)
This basic crewneck sweatshirt gives a versatile look that can be styled many ways. The thick sturdy fleece will keep your son warm and cozy during the cold winter months. It is machine washable and available in loads of colors.
27. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Amazon)
With a name like “Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza,” we were instantly intrigued and had to buy this fun and fast-to-learn card game for our families.
28. Laneige Lip Balm (Amazon)
A Grown and Flown top-selling cosmetics brand, Lineige, has a range of products for lips including a fantastic lip balm. I recently bought the Berry one and love it but there are nine others to choose from.
29. SoundBot Water Resistant Bluetooth Speaker (Amazon)
This Water-resistant speaker has a detachable suction cup and a splash-proof surface which makes it perfect for regular indoor or outdoor use including shower, beach, pool, boat, bathroom or more.
30. Sol de Janiero Hair and Body Fragrance Mist (Amazon)
This fragrance mist has been a top-seller and could help your recipient think of summer, year-round. Six different scents to choose from.
31. Trunk Organizer (Amazon)
Help your teen stay organized with this trunk organizer — they can keep an emergency kit such as first aid items, snacks, and water. Or, it can be used for sports equipment, school supplies, groceries, and more. It’s a handy solution for keeping a car clutter free.
32. Pendleton Camp Crew Socks (Amazon)
I’m kind of in love with these Pendleton red socks with patterns that any outdoorsy/National Park loving person would love. These themed socks will remind them of the beautiful National Parks including Badland, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Rainer, Yellowstone, or Zion.
33. Glocusent Bookmark Reading Light (Amazon)
If your teen is a reader, this bookmark-style reading light offers three amber colors and five dimmable brightness levels. It is rechargeable and available in five colors. This would be GREAT for a college student who wants to read in their dorm bed after their roomie is asleep.
34. Zebra Mildliners (Amazon)
Help your student take organized notes with this pastel highlighter set, with unique colors that show softly on the paper. Plus, they are double-sided with a broad and fine tip, so your student can underline or highlight finer lines.
35. Proctor Silex Alex’s Lemonade Stand Citrus Juicer (Amazon)
Easily make lemonade from fresh lemons or make juice using oranges, limes, grapefruits, and other citrus. Plus, they can choose the amount of pulp in the juice by simply sliding the pulp control dial to the left or right. One dollar of every purchase is donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer research.
36. Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt (Amazon)
These heat resistance oven mits offer protection up to 450°F, with a quilted lining to offer improved comfort while cooking. These are steam-resistant and waterproof, and are even machine washable.
37. Neon Sign (Amazon)
Enhance your teen’s room with a custom neon sign for wall decor. Choose the right lights for your teen: color, rainbow color (12-color), RGB (7 – colors flashing change) and mirror led neon signs.
38. Gaiam Yoga Mat (Amazon)
This classic yoga mat is great for all types of fitness and exercise routines including yoga, pilates and any floor exercise. Made of NBR foam, it is designed to provide soft cushioning with the padded material for comfortable stretching and posing. Lots of pretty colors are available.
39. Classic Cotton Apron (Williams Sonoma)
If your teen or young adult in interested in cooking, this cotton apron will protect against spills and splatters. It has fully adjustable straps, and spacious pockets to hold kitchen tools and gadgets. Available in 10 colors and can be personalized with up to 9 characters (Upcharge for personalization.)
40. JanSport Dopp Kit (Amazon)
Toiletry bags can become pretty messy so it this Dopp kit could be a nice surprise if it is time to replace your son’s bag. It has a wide opening and a strap which makes it easy to hang up on a bathroom hook.
Why should you trust us?
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
Prices accurate as of date of publication.
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