Christmas Gift Guide: 50 Gifts Under $25 for Teens, College Kids (2022)

Looking for inspiration for less expensive gifts for your son or daughter? Take a look at our Christmas Gift Guide, which is filled with presents under $25 that might also make thoughtful birthday gifts or cute Secret Santa gifts, too.

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Christmas gift guide for teens (all under $25)

1. Resistance Band Set

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.

2. Smiley Face Slippers

Help your teen keep a positive attitude with these smiley-face slippers. One of last year’s most popular items. They are cozy, comfortable, and fluffy.

3. Tile Blue Tooth Tracking Device

If your teen has a habit of misplacing a backpack, gym bag, keys, etc. (actually, who doesn’t misplace things???), look at this affordable Tile tracker.

4. Notes to Self Socks

We love these socks for their durability, comfort, and, especially, their message of affirmation. Your son or daughter can pull on a pair and remind themselves they are brave, beautiful, kind, and more. In wool blend and cotton — choose the word that will encourage your teen or college student and remind them how much you love them.

5. MAC Lipglass Lip Gloss

Love, love, love this lip gloss.

6. ESPN Trivia Night

Your teens can challenge their friends in this mega trivia game with 1000 questions. This could also be a fun family game to play during the holiday season.

7. Anker Fast Charging Pad

Charge your phone or AirPods by placing them on the charging pad. This is such an easy way to recharge essential tech. This is a gift that any family member would appreciate.

8. Zodiac Ring

These slim rings are massively popular this holiday season.

9. Journal Pens

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.

10. Men’s Henley T-Shirt

This Henley shirt is available in many colors and styles and is very well-priced.

11. Phone Bike Mount

So your teen can keep both hands on the bike handlebars instead of holding their phone; this holder will keep it secure and visible.

12. Cell Phone Stand

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.

13. Carhartt Cuffed Beanie

Available in loads of colors, Carhartt beanies may be the only hat your son will wear. They are great for girls, too, and would be an incredibly thoughtful gift for anyone moving to a colder climate. This is a #1 best seller in hats on Amazon.

14. Cross Body Bag with Guitar Straps

This cute crossbody is unique with the guitar strap style straps.

15. Hidden Pocket Scrunchies (set of two)

These velvet scrunchies, in lavender and blue, feature a hidden pocket with a zipper to store your essentials, like keys and cash.

16. Essential Oil Shower Steamers

Please one tablet in the shower, turn on the water, and enjoy spa-like scents that infuse the steam. Choose ROSE, LAVENDER & GERANIUM, EUCALYPTUS, ORANGE & MINT, and PINK GRAPEFRUIT.

17. Bombas

Bombas wins ALL of our FEEL-GOOD points for the highest-quality gifts that give back. Their everyday essentials (socks, t-shirts, underwear) are comfortable, durable, and last for years — even teens are no match. Plus, they donate an item to help the homeless on your behalf for every item purchased.

18. Bronax Cloud Slippers

Super-comfortable, these slippers are available in many colors and would be great for anyone on your list.

19. iCloth Cleaning Wipes

Our devices get grimy, and the surfaces need cleaning but require care. These individually wrapped cleaning cloths have 70% Isopropyl Alcohol making them practical for school, work, and travel.

20. Left Center Right

This is one of THE most popular games among the Grown and Flown community.

21. Make-Up Travel Brush Set

A gorgeous set of makeup brushes in these dynamic colors might inspire your daughter to throw out her old brushes and begin 2023 with an all-new and clean makeup routine. While made for travel, they are equally functional for use at home.

22. Photo Snow Globe

Teens can make their own snow globe with the photograph of a best friend, a furry friend, or the family that loves them dearly. This is a cute, seasonal alternative to a more ho-hum picture frame.

23. LED Photo Clips String Lights

This string light photo display is a whimsical decoration and an easy way to dress up a drab dorm wall or bedroom wall.

24. Shower Caddies

If you have a teen going to college next year or one whose shower caddy could use an update, we love these from Pottery Barn Teen.

25. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

This international bestseller is all about kindness, friendship, and home. The gorgeous illustrations are unforgettable.

26. Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone

Author and illustrator Becky Blades wrote this book and created the gorgeous artwork as a goodbye letter to her own 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.

27. Lightweight Quilted Vest

There are few outwear garments as flexible as a vest and we think your son might love this lightweight quilted one in either navy or black. It can be worn over a sweater or hoodie or under a jacket.

28. Letters of Gratitude

We can talk to our teens about being grateful, but here is an excellent way for them to show it. This is one of our favorite Christmas gift ideas.

29. UBeezie Selfie Ring Light With Tripod

Good lighting is the one thing teens need just as much as their phones. This is a must-have with three color modes, ten brightness levels, and multiple height settings.

30. Ninja Wallet Multi-Tool

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!

31. Mario Badescu Facial Sprays

Mario Badescu has a big following, and the facial sprays are one reason. This set will allow your teen to sample aloe, rosewater, and lavender scents.

32. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

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.

33. Glossier Hand Cream

This luscious hand cream from the super-popular brand Glossier will be something your daughter would love. Smells so good.

34. Men’s PJ Joggers

These 100% cotton joggers might be the pajama pants your son will wear all holiday long.

35. Bracelet Hair Tie

If your daughter has long hair, she likely wears a tie on her wrist when pulling her hair up. Now, she can wear a cute bracelet instead that converts to a pretty hair tie.

One of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2022.

36. Shower Speaker

This shower speaker has been a big hit with our sons, who love to sing in the shower. Bluetooth and waterproof, they’re available in 6 colors.

37. Makeup Remover Pads

Here is a genius remedy to makeup stains on nice washcloths — washable makeup pads that come in a mesh wash bag. Less waste than using paper pads, too.

One of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2022

38. YETI Tumbler

YETI makes a variety of unique tumblers, and the 10 oz one is under $25. They keep hot or cold beverages at the desired temperature for hours, come in various colors, and can also be customized (additional expense for that).

39. Faux-Leather Crossbody Bag

This compact cross-body bag is available in many pretty colors and is just the right size to keep a phone and a few valuables: adjustable strap and zipper closures.

40. Harry Potter Keychains

Consider one of these beautifully-designed keychains if your teen is a Harry Potter fan.

41. Herschel Card Case

A thin card case with a debit card, driver’s license, and ID, with room for a few bills, is much more popular than a bulky wallet. Herschel has loads of different colors and styles to choose from.