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When your teen lumbers into the family room on Christmas morning, takes their stocking down from the mantle, and looks inside, you might glimpse their little kid self. We’ve searched far and wide and here are our favorite stocking stuffers for teens, college students, and young adults.
Some of these would be great Secret Santa gifts, too.
Stocking stuffers for teens and college students
1. Anker Portable Charger (Amazon)
Having a fully charged phone is a necessity, and helpful for their safety, but your teen may not always find a time and place to power up their battery. This Anker charger has a durable, built-in retractable cable and can charge a phone quickly and easily. The lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for throwing into a tote bag or backpack. Compatible with iPhone 17/16 Series, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, and more.
Look for other Anker phone banks for iPhone 12, 13, and 14 here.
2. Ninja Outdoorsman 11-in-1 Stainless Steel Tool (Amazon)
You never really know when you’re going to need a Can or Beer Bottle Opener, Cutting Edge, Flat Screwdriver, Ruler, 4 Position Wrench, Butterfly Screw Wrench, Saw Blade, Direction Ancillary Indication (Water Compass), 2 Position Wrench, Keychain, or lanyard Hole (Amazon.) It fits inside a wallet. Your teen boys will love this!
3. Vgogfly Touch Screen Fleece Gloves (Amazon)
There is great utility in wearing gloves that allow you to text without removing. These unisex fleece gloves are available in several different colors and have been very popular with our readers. Available in five colors.
4. Hero Mighty Patch (Amazon)
Hydrocolloid acne patches can be helpful for teens with breakouts. These patches work like a miracle, making the pimple disappear much quicker. An Allure, 2025, Award Winner.
5. Left Center Right (Amazon)
A game is a stocking stuffer idea that your teen will love to open and play with throughout the holidays. Left, Center, Right is a wildly popular game appropriate for all age groups.
6. Bubble Skincare “Slam Dunk” Face Moisturizer (Amazon)
Bubble seems to have become a teen and pre-teen favorite for skin care. This lightweight face lotion has Vitamin E + Aloe Vera. A winner of the Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards, this is a great skin care product to start them on.
7. Toces Hair Claw Clip (Amazon)
Hair clips are very popular among teens and college girls for an easy and comfortable way to hold hair up. The long shape of these clips makes them great stocking stuffers.
8. Maya J Bracelet Hair Ties (Amazon)
These cute and super practical hair ties can be worn as bracelets when not used. We think this is a genius idea and a significant upgrade from the ordinary hair bands that never have a particularly polished look.
9. HotHands Hand Warmers – 10 pack (Amazon)
Hand warmers are ideal when it gets extra cold during the winter. These lightweight packets of heat are great to have on frigid days and are especially helpful for cold football games or other outdoor sporting events.
10. Taco, Goat, Cheese Pizza Card Game (Amazon)
This super-popular card game is easy to learn and can be played in 10-15 minutes. How can anyone pass up this game if only to find out how “taco, goat, cheese pizza” are related???
11. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, this wildly popular overnight lip treatment leaves lips soft and smooth. Available in berry, grapefruit, vanilla, or apple-lime formulas. #6 bestseller in lip balms and moisturizers on Amazon.
12. Roam Phone Holder for Bike (Amazon)
The Roam phone mount is an incredibly popular small gift or stocking stuffer that any of your bike-riding teens would appreciate.
13. Crazy Aaron’s Liquid Glass Thinking Putty (Amazon)
This might remind your grown-up kid of the silly putty of their childhood. This improbable stretchy “liquid glass” will be a toy and stress reducer. And another one of our most popular items.
14. Rugged and Dapper Lip Balm (Amazon)
A wildly popular lip balm for guys and one of the top stocking stuffers last year.
15. air up® water bottle with flavor pods (Amazon)
The kids love these and will be impressed that you are (aka Santa) are aware of this trendy water bottle.
16. Do Your Laundry, or You’ll Die Alone (Amazon)
We love this slender book of wit and wisdom, written and illustrated by our amazingly-talented friend, Becky Blades, before her eldest daughter left for college. It includes everything you’ll want your teen daughter to know about living her best life away from home and for her mom to coach her along the way.
17. Apple AirTag (Amazon)
This ingenious Apple device will help your teen keep up with their backpack, wallet, gym bag or checked luggage which is very helpful if they have travel in their future.
18. Powerlix Frother (Amazon)
When your teen finishes their coffee or hot cocoa with this handy frother, they can create a customized hot drink at home rather than heading to Starbucks for a more expensive one. This device’s utility and thin shape make it a great stocking stuffer.
19. Throw Throw Burrito (Amazon)
There are those teens and gown up kids in every family who would rather move than sit and play a card or board game. THIS is for them! Brought to you by the makers of super-popular board game, Exploding Kittens, this is sure to be a favorite stocking stuffer.
20. E.L.F. Putty Primer (Amazon)
Smooth imperfections and help get skin ready for makeup. This very popular teen brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
21. Birdie Personal Alarm (Amazon)
This small alarm can be clipped onto a backpack or keychain and, when activated, has a loud siren and strobe light. The audible alarm can be used multiple times, and the battery for the light is replaceable after 40 continuous hours of use. Available in 13 pretty colors.
22. K18 Hair Mask (Amazon)
This award-winning, easy to use, leave-in hair mask works in four minutes. It is the #1 bestseller in hair treatment masks on Amazon.
23. Casegrace Travel Jewelry Case (Amazon)
This mini jewelry box is the right size for traveling or storing just a few special pieces. Available in 25 pretty colors. Our readers love this item!!
24. Sol de Janeiro Hair and Body Mist (Amazon)
This wildly popular brand has a selection of hair and body spray fragrances, anyone of which your daughter would love. This one, #62, has hints of pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla and is #1 in Women’s Body Sprays Fragrance on Amazon. Sol de Janiero has 15 different fragrances to choose from.
25. Jack Black Lip Balm (Amazon)
We are big fans of these lip balms with an SPF of 25 and an assortment of pleasing scents. This is a wildly popular cosmetics brand for guys (but great for everyone), and they have many other fabulous products and gift sets that are perfect for stocking stuffers.
26. Plinrise Dino Cell Phone Holder (Amazon)
With this adorable mini dino, your teen will have a space to rest their cell phone to FaceTime with you! They can watch their phones without having to hold them upright. Phones can rest vertically or horizontally, and the dino is available in a dozen colors.
27. Pocket Flyers Paper Airplane Book (Amazon)
We all remember making paper airplanes out of lined notepaper. Here’s a slender book with 69 planes to fold and send off into the air.
28. Question-a-Day Journal (Amazon)
For your thoughtful teen, this journal will be a way for them to create a record of five years of their lives by answering one question daily.
29. Owala Water Bottle – 24 Ounce(Amazon)
Literally everyone’s favorite water bottle and the colors are outrageous. Available in dozens of designs, colors and sizes.
30. Sunatoria Keratin Hair Mask (Amazon)
This unique Keratin formula conditions dry hair with Vitamin E, Omega 3 and 9.
31. deweisn Lighted Travel Make Up Mirror (Amazon)
Dimmable, lightweight and rechargeable mirror is a super-practical stocking stuffer.
32. iBayam Journaling Pens (Amazon)
Discovering a new rainbow pack of pens in a stocking on Christmas morning will be a thrill for any of your artistic teens who love to journal.
33. Carhartt Cuffed Beanie (Amazon)
These versatile acrylic unisex Carhartt beanie hats are available in dozens of colors and are perfect for keeping in a jacket pocket for those truly frigid days ahead.
34. Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray (3-Pack) (Amazon)
Award-winning, light and no heavy smells. I love these elegant hand sanitizers that come in a variety of amazing scents and have one in every bag. This brand is #1 on Amazon for hand sanitizers.
35. The Driving Book for Teens (Amazon)
Author Maureen Stiles helped teach her three sons how to drive and knows what motivated her kids to be careful behind the wheel. This well-researched guide will give them the info they need to help pass the written portion of their driver’s test, learn how to care for a car, and understand how crucial safe driving is. This is the #1 bestseller in driver’s education on Amazon.
36. OXO Good Grips Avocado Slicer (Amazon)
This tool splits, slices, and pits avocados for your avocado-loving teens.
37. Celavi Facial Sheet Masks (12-Pack) (Amazon)
Your teen can enjoy a spa day at home with one of these facial sheet face masks.
38. Body Restore Shower Steamers (Amazon)
Breathe in the calm and rinse away the stress. This is the #1 bestseller in the bath bombs category on Amazon.
39. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them (Amazon)
This is THE book to give your young adults to help them understand how important their twenties are. Dr. Meg Jay explains how to make the most of this consequential decade.
40. Anker 6 Ft Charging Cable – 2 pack (Amazon)
If you have a teen in college (or soon to be going), a long charger cord may be one of the most useful gifts you can give them. Use with iPhone 16/15 Series, iPad Air 4, MacBook Pro 2022 and more.
41. Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Gift Set (Amazon)
Burt’s Bees is a universally beloved brand, and we think this set of six travel size skin care products – foot cream, two varieties of hand cream, hand salve, cuticle cream and lip balm – would make a very nice stocking stuffer. Others sets available, too.
42. Bryubr Fairy Lights With Photo Clips (Amazon)
Here’s a whimsical way to add illumination to your teen or college student’s room; they can also add some of their favorite photos or cards.
43. Christmas Mad Libs (Amazon)
A traditional crowd-pleaser, cue the hot chocolate and start playing Mad Libs.
44. Make Up Eraser (Amazon)
Your daughter will enjoy having a way to wash her face without leaving a messy and stained towels behind.
45. essence | Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara (2 Pack) (Amazon)
This is the #1 bestseller in mascara on the Amazon platform.
46. OPI Nail Polish Gift Set – 4 Piece Minis (Amazon)
OPI is one of our favorite nail polish brands, and this set of 4 minis will be a fun addition to your teen’s nail polish collection. These are some of OPIs bestselling shades.
47. Laneige Lip Balm (Amazon)
This luxurious lip balm by popular brand Lineage lightly tints and moisturizes. There are 7 different lips to choose from. One of the top sellers on Amazon for lip balms. And here’s an adorable set from LANEIGE that lets you try several of their products.
48. grace & stella Award Winning Under Eye Mask (24 pairs) (Amazon)
Very popular under-eye therapy, grace & Stella is the #1 bestselling brand in the eye wrinkle cream category on Amazon.
49. L’Occitane Hand Cream (Amazon)
We love this hand cream — it is soothing to dry hands in winter and its light scent is lovely. It is #5 on Amazon’s list of hand creams and lotions.
50. Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (Amazon)
Body cream from this very popular brand would make a great stocking stuffer. Still wildly popular.
51. Kimwood Rechargeable Selfie Ring (Amazon)
Your teen or young adult can illuminate their computer or phone when doing Zooms or taking selfies.
52. Shashibo Shape Shifter (Amazon)
Hours of mind-challenging fun, stimulate the senses with unlimited creative possibility and fits comfortably in your hand. A crowd-pleaser.
53. SoL De Janeiro Jet Set (Amazon)
A trio of travel size favorites from Sol de Janiero would thrill your teen or young adult who has an upcoming trip planned or someone who would love sample sizes to try out. # 1 bestselling in Bath and Shower sets. And 4 great scents to choose from.
54. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (Amazon)
These are my favorite makeup wipes to use and they would be a very practical stocking stuffer. An Allure, 2025, Award Winner.
55. Dove Body Scrub – Macadamia & Rice Milk (Amazon)
Dove body wash with a wonderful light scent would be a welcome gift especially for those who live in cold climates in the winter. Their skin needs extra TLC. And it just feels like a touch of luxury. Over 80% five star reviews.
56. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer (Amazon)
This oil-free face moisturizer would be a luxurious treat to find in your stocking.
57. eos Shea Better Body Lotion- Vanilla Cashmere (Amazon)
24-hour body lotion with a dreamy scent of “Vanilla Cashmere” – other fragrance options are also available. An Allure, 2025, Award Winner.
58. Slinky (Amazon)
The original walking spring toy that we all love.
59. Dr Squatch Sponge Bob & Patrick (3-Pack) (Amazon)
Coconut Castaway, Fresh Falls & Cool Aloe and the three scents in this pack – others available.
60. Saucemoto Dip Clip (4-Pack) (Amazon)
Perfect for sauce-lovers, fry fanatics, and nugget enthusiasts. Mess-free snacking on the go—no spills, just perfect dips. Patented 5-in-1 design fits most chain sauce cups + a reusable ramekin for up to 5 packets. Clips to any car vent and stays steady on bumpy rides.
61. Amika Trial Set (Amazon)
Travel-sizes of our Amika’s iconic formulas including: normcore signature shampoo and conditioner, soulfood nourishing mask and the wizard silicone-free detangling primer.
62. Diamond Waterproof Black Deck of Cards (Amazon)
Playing cards are classic stocking stuffers.
63. Christmas Ornament Jellycat (Amazon)
Who doesn’t love a Jellycat, especially a Christmas theme one. Check out Jellycat bags and bag charms here.
64. Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light (Amazon)
This compact book light offers 5 brightness levels and 3 color modes—so you can customize the perfect setting for your eyes. With evenly distributed, flicker-free LEDs, it’s bright enough to illuminate full pages while gentle enough not to disturb others nearby.
65. Colgate Toothbrush – 6 pack (Amazon)
A new toothbrush would be a very practical stocking stuffer and probably much-needed.
66. Smartish Phone Case (Amazon)
Protect expensive iPhones with an excellent Smartish phone case that doubles as a wallet. It is the one I use and love it for the practicality and durability. This one is compatible with an iPhone 16; find other models and designs for earlier versions of iPhones here. Loads of cute designs.
67. LHKNL Headlamp (Amazon)
Rechargeable, lightweight and waterproof.
68. Koosh ball (Amazon)
Fun toy to throw around at Christmas.
69. MyLifeUNIT Fineliner Color Pen Set (10) (Amazon)
Ten assorted colors of fine liner pens for sketching, writing and drawing.
70. Shout Laundry Stain Remover Wipes (6-Pack) (Amazon)
Practical Shout wipe and go stain treatment. Take them everywhere.
71. Spring Chef Measuring Spoons (Amazon)
For anyone moving into a new apartment, this would be a practical gift.
72. Kitsch Hair Clips (Amazon)
These high-quality creaseless hair clips securely hold hair without leaving bends or dents, making them perfect for styling, blow-drying, or heat-free looks. Lightweight and stylish with a sleek terrazzo design, they’re ideal for all hair types and keep hair comfortably in place during makeup or skincare routines.
73. Duncan Toys Yo Yo (Amazon)
Duncan beginner level yo-yo with LED lights-durable and great for learning the basics.
74. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse (Amazon)
This charming book about love, friendship and home would be a sentimental choice for a stocking stuffer.
75. Crest 3D Whitestrips Starter Kit – 20 strips (Amazon)
This would be a great stocking stuffer for your young adult who is trying to look their best.
76. Bronax Slippers (Unisex) (Amazon)
The thick EVA sole offers lightweight support, shock absorption, and relief for foot pain. Many colors. Great shower slipper for dorms.
77. Repel Umbrella (Amazon)
The Repel travel umbrella combines a windproof, reinforced design with a one-touch open/close feature, making it durable enough to withstand high wind gusts yet compact enough to fit in a bag, backpack, or glove compartment. Lightweight, portable, and built with a quick-dry canopy, it offers reliable protection from rain, sun, and storms—an essential for commuters, travelers, and everyday use. Many 5 star reviews.
78. Transparent Post-It Notes (Amazon)
This set includes 8 pads of colorful transparent sticky notes (36 sheets each), perfect for organizing, studying, planning, and making notes without damaging books or surfaces. Writeable with most pens and markers, they’re versatile, sustainable, and available in a range of vibrant or clear colors.
79. Silly String (Amazon) (2-Pack)
A total throwback and guaranteed to be fun, especially outdoors!
80. OPI Nail and cuticle oil
Pamper dry cuticles with this nourishing oil.
81. Adidas Unisex Slides (Amazon)
These slides come in lots of colors and are the #1 bestseller in Men’s Athletic Slides and Sandals, although they are a unisex design.
82. M-Bestl Microfiber Hair Towel – 2 pack (Amazon)
Highly absorbent towel helps to dry hair more quickly than a regular towel.
83. Blissy Pure Silk Sleep Mask (Amazon)
Made from 100% pure Mulberry silk, the Blissy Sleep Mask is gentle on skin and hair, naturally hypoallergenic, and free from toxic chemicals. Its soft, high-grade silk blocks out light. Lots of great colors
84. Ovener Luggage Tags -5 pack (Amazon)
Here’s a way for anyone with a plain black bag to help distinguish it from all the other black bags. Sturdy and easy to attach.
85. The Naked Roommate and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Amazon)
For any existing or off-to-college student, this is THE guide book on college life.
86. Pulidiki Cleaning Gel (Amazon)
Who knew that this weird-looking blue gel would work wonders on cleaning the vents and nooks in a car or electronics (surface must be water-resistant.) It is the #1 brand in the Car Detailing Tools category so give it a try!
87. Crave Detangling Hair Brush (Amazon)
This lightweight hairbrush works wonders on dry or wet hair to detangle and smooth. Available in several pretty colors.
88. Fender Blues Harmonica (Amazon)
The Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica in the Key of C comes with a harmonica holder, offering a complete set that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced players. Built with durable materials like brass reeds and a moisture-resistant ABS comb, it delivers classic tone, tuning stability, and long-lasting quality.
89. Sondery Kazoo (Amazon)
The SONDERY kazoo combines a vibrant, whimsical design with customizable sound, making it fun and versatile for both kids and adults. Lightweight, portable, and complete with accessories, it’s perfect for parties, travel, or spontaneous jam sessions, and makes a thoughtful gift for music lovers of all ages.
90. “Don’t Die in the Woods” Emergency Blanket (Amazon)
These extra-large 7×5 ft mylar emergency blankets provide full-body protection, reflect up to 90% of body heat, and can be repurposed into shelters, bivvies, or sleeping bags for survival situations. Compact, durable, and ultralight, the set includes four blankets in ripstop nylon stuff sacks—perfect for camping, hiking, first aid kits, or emergency preparedness.
91. Aceoce Manicure Set Women (Amazon)
This manicure set includes 7 stainless steel tools in a stylish, non-slip design, neatly stored in a compact PU leather travel case for easy use and portability. Elegant and practical, it makes a thoughtful gift for women, men, and families on any occasion.
92. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream for Extreme Dryness (Amazon)
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is a concentrated, unscented hand cream that heals, relieves, and repairs extremely dry, cracked skin by creating a protective moisture-locking barrier. Non-greasy, hypoallergenic, and safe for people with diabetes, it provides guaranteed relief and lasting hydration for hardworking hands.
93. Malin + Goetz Eau de Parfum (Amazon)
A curated set of six gender-neutral fragrances in travel-sized vials.
94. Parker Monochrome Ballpoint Pen (Amazon)
A sleek Parker pen with PVD-coated trims offers smooth, consistent writing with Quinkflow ink, combining modern design, exceptional craftsmanship in a luxurious gift-box. Three great color options.
95. Briogeo Scalp Massage (Amazon)
96. Spa Headband (Amazon)
This fluffy spa headband, made of soft sponge and cotton terry fleece, offers comfort, a secure anti-slip fit, and a cute flower-like design that flatters the face. Versatile for makeup, skincare, or daily wear, it also makes a thoughtful gift available in a variety of colors and styles.
97. Lanolips Tinted Lip Balm (Amazon)
This is my favorite lip balm to use when the weather is cold and air is dry. Rose, nude and Rhubarb are the tinted shades but there are lots of other Lanolips product to choose from. All are made with Lanolin, to heal and hydrate.
98. Squishmallows 5″ Holiday – 4 Pack (Amazon)
This Squishmallows 4-pack includes Ethel Hot Chocolate, Floyd French Fries, Keiko Blue Christmas Tree, and Ricardo Peppermint Bat.
99. OCOOPA Magnetic Hand Warmers (2 Pack) (Amazon)
Rechargeable hard warmers would be a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who lives, goes to school or works in a cold climate, especially if they have to walk across campus or stand on a frigid commuter train platform. Heats up in 5 seconds.
100. FlexiKold Gel Reusable Ice Pack (Amazon)
For anyone who does sports, a reusable ice pack would make a helpful stocking stuffer. Applying ice to a sore muscle could not be easier. This is the #1 bestseller in the cold packs category on Amazon.
101. BIODANCE Collagen Face Mask (Amazon)
Number 1 rated deep face mask.
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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