The holiday season is a chaotic dash to the present buying finish line. It seems like my list grows longer and longer every year and by the time the holidays pass, I’m exhausted. Even though I try to start my shopping early, inevitably, I’m trolling the aisles of Target on December 24th, looking for Secret Santa gifts, stocking stuffers and the last-minute presents that I know my teens would love (read: the gifts I didn’t know they wanted until they said something on December 23.)
Nothing will test your patience more than having your teen come home and announce that she’s participating in her cheer squad’s Secret Santa gift exchange. And, since you are probably fresh out of Secret Santa ideas that won’t make your teen roll his eyes, we rounded up some of our favorites so you can catch a break this season. And, total bonus: all of these items are under $15. Which means you can stock up so that when your son comes home and says he picked the name of the most popular kid in school, you’ll look like the cool mom.
Note: We receive compensation from purchases made through some of these links – thanks!
Secret Santa Gifts for Teens
PopSockets Collapsable Phone Grip
Teens love anything that makes their phone usage easier and these grips come in a variety of colors to suit any personality.
Amazon
12 Days of Socks
OMG this is a stocking stuffer that any teen or college kid will love. The hard part is picking between Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Disney, Star Wars and more.
Waterproof Holder for Phone
Where would our teens be without their phones and how many of them have ruined a phone by dropping it in the water? Here is the solution for safely keeping a phone near a pool, lake or in a boat.
Amazon
Flexible Water Bottle
This seems like a genius idea for teens who want to pack water bottles to take with them but have limited space. This brightly colored bottle is a space saver and can clip on a backpack.
Amazon
Word Teasers American Trivia Game
These days, kids are obsessed with American history (thank you, Hamilton) so what better way to feed their obsession than with this fun, compact word teaser game?
Harry’s Razor Sample Pack
Here’s a pretty adorable little sample kit of Harry’s razors in “tennis green” available at Target for $10.00.
Target
Burt’s Bees Travel Size Lotions
We are big fans of Burt’s Bees lotions and cleansers and these are travel size so easy to pack for anyone who is traveling. This makes a great Secret Santa gift.
Amazon
“Good Vibes” Hooks
We give these hooks a “thumbs up” and hope that the teen who receives them will say “peace out” to leaving his towels on the floor.
Uncommon Goods
Notes to Self Socks
These are our absolutely favorite brand of socks and love the one-word bit of positivity that our teens can start their day with when they wear them.
Notes to self
100 Movies Scratch Off Wall Art
How fun is this? It’s a movie “scratch off” poster. It lists 100 popular movies of our time and, after your teen watches one of the movies, he can scratch off the box to learn a little bit of trivia about the movie. Perfect for that film buff on your list.
Uncommon Goods
Microwave Popcorn Popper
I haven’t yet met a teen who doesn’t like popcorn and this microwave popper is a favorite in our house. And bonus: they can take it with them to college for those late night binging sessions.
Uncommon Goods
Electronics Organizing Bag
With the proliferation of electronics, comes the proliferation of a tangled mess. This is a way to store gear, cords, headphones all in one compact travel bag.
Amazon
No. 2 Pencil Knee High Socks
I’ll get right to the point: these No. 2 pencil knee socks will send teens right to the head of the class.
Uncommon Goods
Bike Chain Luggage Tag
For the teen who loves to travel, this luggage tag will have them dreaming of sugar plum fairies and the exotic vacation his parents will take him on next summer.
Uncommon Goods
The Laundress Stain Bar
For the neatnick friend in the group, here is a stain soap bar that can spot clean clothes. Great for travel, too.
Amazon
My Mother Knows Everything Mug
Okay, so truth? Your teen might give this to her Secret Santa with an eye roll but, really, does that matter? And, maybe one day they’ll realize we really do know everything. #MomsAndSantaAreEverywhere
Bed Bath and Beyond
Aloe Infused Cozy Socks
I’m a sucker for cozy socks and these aloe infused fluffy socks make me hope my kids pick my name out of the family Secret Santa hat. #FingersCrossed
Bed Bath and Beyond
Monogrammed Makeup Bag
These personalized totes are not only adorable for makeup and toiletries but are also useful catchall for phone chargers, ear buds and other tech gadgets that teens leave around the house.
Bed Bath and Beyond
Shimmer Throw Pillow
It’s called the Festival of Lights for a reason, right? Add a little shine and shimmer to a teen’s room with this pretty throw pillow.
Bed Bath and Beyond
Harry Potter Scarf
For a teen obsessed with Hogwarts and the wizarding magic of Harry Potter, this scarf will make them feel like they aren’t out of sorts.
“Clout” Goggles
2018 is the year of “clout” at least if you are a teen. You earn major points by suggesting these nifty glasses as a Secret Santa gift. And protip: it’s goggles, not glasses. #GetWithTheProgramMoms
Amazon
What I Love About You Book
Some friends, or relatives, call for a super-sweet gift and this fill-in-the-blanks book is it.
Uncommon Goods
Related:
Best Holiday Gift Ideas for College Kids and Teens
Holiday Gifts Under $50 That College Kids And Young Adults Will Love
