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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 presents under $25 that would also be perfect for Secret Santa gifting.
Christmas gift guide for teens (all under $25)
1. Kookin 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. Left Center Right (Amazon)
This is one of THE most popular games among the Grown and Flown community.
3. The Defining Decade: Why Your 20s Matter and How to Make the Most of Them NOW 2021 (Amazon)
Meg Jay, PhD, is the author of this New York Times bestselling book, now newly revised and updated. She is a developmental clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. Her TED talk, “Why 30 Is Not the New 20,” is among the most watched of all time. Dr. Jay is on faculty at University of Virginia and maintains a private practice in Charlottesville. This book has been a very popular book for Grown and Flown parents to give to their emerging adults since it was first published in hardcover in 2012.
4. The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age 2025 (Amazon)
Dr. Meg Jay has written a new book for the 20-somethings in your life. This one explores the mental health challenges facing young adults and offers solutions and guidance for this generation.
5. WHATAFIT 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.
6. Anker Power Bank (Amazon)
Power up a phone while on the go with this slender power bank. Compatible with iPhone 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 / 11 / XS Series, iPad mini 6, Android smartphones and tablets, and other USB-charged devices.
7. Anker Portable Power Bank Charger (Amazon)
Anker has a newer model for iPhones 17/16/15, iPad, MacBook, Galaxy, Google, and more. A lightweight and compact charging device is one of the very best safety features you can buy for your teen or young adult. They may never have a phone out of battery again!
8. 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. This would be a good gift for a college-bound teen.
9. grace & stella Under Eye Masks – 24 pairs (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.
10. Brita Metro Water Pitcher With Smart Light Change Indicator
A Brita Metro water pitcher is a super practical and super healthy gift for your college student in a dorm with a mini fridge or who lives in an apartment. Plastic water bottles are wasteful and, when they use this newer-model from Brita, they will see exactly when it is time to replace the filter. Brita water filters cut the taste and odor of chlorine and also reduces copper, cadmium and mercury impurities. See why Brita is the #1 bestseller in water pitcher filters on Amazon.
11. Crest 3D Whitestrips Starter Kit (Amazon)
Crest 3D Whitestrips are a very popular personal care item and this starter kit includes 10 Treatments, Each with 1 Upper/1Lower, which could be a good way for your teen or young adult to try them out.
12. OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmers (Amazon)
If your family lives in a cold climate, and/or your teen goes to school where a walk across campus is brutal, these rechargeable hand warmers would be a great gift. They are the #1 bestseller in camping hand warmers on Amazon.
13. iBayam 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.
14. Rugged & Dapper Lip Balm – 4 pack (Amazon)
This men’s lip balm provides lasting hydration, with ingredients like beeswax, jojoba oil, and invigorating eucalyptus.
15. 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!
16. Laneige Lip Balm (Amazon)
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.
17. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
Another popular Lineage product is their lip mask. This best-selling lip treatment would be a nice gift for anyone who loves health and beauty products. Available in many different yummy flavors.
18. Qyalie Gold Bubble Letter Necklace (Amazon)
Bubble necklaces are popular with teen girls. This one has a 17″ adjustable chain and is made from 18K Gold Plated Brass.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. BAGSMART Toiletries Bag for Men (Amazon)
Toiletries bags can make a great gift as old ones get icky over time. This one has been very popular with the Grown and Flown community. The dual zipper construction makes organizing and accessing individual products a breeze. Available in two sizes.
22. BAGSMART Toiletries Hanging Bag for Women (Amazon)
A hanging toiletries bag would also make a great gift for any young woman who shares a dorm bathroom and/or who travels and needs a way to keep their must-have products in a convenient place. Available in two sizes and several pretty colors. This is the #1 bestseller in toiletries bags on Amazon.
23. 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.
24. Shany 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.
25. Hanes EcoSmart Fleece Zip-Up Hoodie Sweatshirt (Amazon)
25. 
This hoodie zip-up sweatshirt will keep your son warm and cozy during the cold winter months. It’s machine washable and available in loads of colors. This is the #1 bestseller in men’s athletic sweatshirts on Amazon.
26. 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!
27. Magnoloran 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.
28. Laneige Skincare and Lip Care Holiday Gift Set (Amazon)
If your daughter is a fan of the Lineige beauty and skin care line, she would love this set of five different products.
Find all the Laneige Holiday Gift sets here.
29. IRIS WOOZOO Desk Fan (Amazon)
This compact size or the very popular WOOZOO brand is perfect for a dorm or office. Quiet and portable, it can circulate hot or cool air around the room to help keep the temperature uniform. this can be a good gift to give a teen who will be in college next fall.
30. e.l.f 12-Piece Makeup Brush Set (Amazon)
e.l.f. is a very popular brand with a commitment to cruelty-free makeup and beauty tools. This well-priced set includes Includes the Smudge Eye Sponge, Lip Defining Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Blending Eye Brush, Defining Eye Brush, Eyelash & Brow Wand, Brow Comb & Brush, Foundation Brush, Bronzer Brush, Total Face Brush, Concealer Brush & Eyeliner Brush. (e.l.f. stands with every eye, lip, face, paw and fin and is double-certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny & PETA.)
31.Lamicall Bike Phone Holder (amazon)
This is an easy-to-install phone mount for bikes, scooters, or motorcycles. Kit includes silicone pads that keeps phones from scratches and vibration. This universal bike accessories cell phone holder works for phones 4.7 to 6.8 inches with thickness up to 0.59“ (15mm, including phone case), including iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Plus / Pro /Pro Max, iPhone 14 13 Pro Max, 12 Mini, Xs XR X 8 Plus 7 6s 6, Galaxy S24 23 22, Note 9, LG and other cell phones. Available in five colors. This is the #1 bestseller in Powersports Electrical Device Mounts on Amazon.
32. Body Restore Shower Steamers – 6 pack (Amazon)
Body Restore Shower Steamers can transform a hum-drum shower into a spa-like moment of self care. The Tube includes eucalyptus & mint, citrus, lavender, jasmine, bergamot, and chamomile essential oils. #1 bestseller in bath bombs on Amazon
33. Carhartt Mens’ Knit Cuff Beanie (Amazon)
This classic shaped beanie from popular brand Carhartt is durable and well-priced. Available in lots of colors, it is the #1 bestselling brand in the Men’s Skullies and Beanies category on Amazon.
34. Tree Hut Mistletoe Magic Gift Set – 3 Pieces (Amazon)
This holiday bundle includes hand wash, body wash, and body butter in the “Mistletoe Magic” scent.
35. Sol de Janeiro 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.
36. Femuar Car 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.
37. Dr. Squatch Natural Bar Soap – 3 Pack (Amazon)
The packaging alone should be a crowd-pleaser with your son. Choose from severn different collections of scents.
38. Head Lightz Rechargable Beanie (Amazon)
For five years in a row, Head Lightz caps and beanies with illumination have made the Oprah’s Favorite Things list – WOW. This year, the knit beanie hat has a built-in lithium-ion battery that recharges for up to eight hours and features three brightness settings. The LED head light is removable and the hat is machine-washable. Lots of great colors.
39. Brouk & Co. Travel Jewelry Case (Amazon)
For anyone teen or young woman who needs a compact jewelry case in a bedroom, a dorm room, and/or while traveling, this is a great option. With sections for necklaces, rings and earrings, it has a zipper to keep pieces secure. The material is patent leather and it is available in several pretty colors. Another one of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2025.
40. Automet Women’s Cropped Fleece Sweatshirt (Amazon)
When she is looking for a comfy sweatshirt, this one may become her very favorite. Available in five colors and four sizes.
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 over 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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