Buying Christmas presents for teenagers marks a significant gear shift in holiday shopping. The post-Santa era becomes not only less magical but notably more expensive, characterised by longer and more specific wishlists than ever before.
From Skincare to Gaming: The 2025 Teen Wishlist
When British teenagers aged 13 to 18 were asked about their dream Christmas gifts, they demonstrated remarkably clear preferences. Their requests spanned makeup, skincare, musical instruments, homeware, and an overwhelming amount of clothing – with joggers appearing particularly frequently.
We consulted 21 British teens to uncover what will be on their hot lists this festive season. Their choices reveal sophisticated tastes and brand awareness that might surprise many parents.
Beauty, Fashion and Personal Style
Thirteen-year-old Florence wants Rhode makeup and Subdued tops, praising the brand's quality and style. Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Hannah has her sights set on the limited edition King Kylie set from Kylie Jenner Cosmetics, drawn to the shades and designs from that particular era.
Fifteen-year-old Sophia provided one of the most detailed fashion lists, requesting Brandy Melville joggers and jumpers, Pandora jewellery, Charlotte Tilbury lip-liner, Ariana Grande's Cloud perfume, and Ugg boots. She explained that Brandy Melville joggers offer exceptional comfort while she adores Charlotte Tilbury's lip colours.
Sixteen-year-old Erin wants platform Ugg slippers specifically to appear taller, alongside Flora Gucci perfume, iets frans joggers, and a new iPad, demonstrating how practical considerations blend with fashion aspirations.
Tech, Gaming and Entertainment
Gaming features prominently on teen wishlists. Thirteen-year-old Judah wants a Nintendo Switch console to play games with friends, while fourteen-year-old Ayush seeks an Xbox Game Pass membership and cooling fan to enhance his gaming experience.
Sixteen-year-old Henry wants AirPods Pro 3 for their noise-cancelling technology and heart rate tracker for gym sessions, alongside a Lego Goonies ship and young driver experience. Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Laila notes the ongoing trend for digital cameras, having received one last Christmas that she uses constantly.
Seventeen-year-old Mateo recommends Cards Against Humanity or restaurant gift cards as fail-safe options for those struggling for ideas.
Hobbies, Fitness and Creative Pursuits
Many teens expressed interest in gifts supporting their hobbies and fitness routines. Thirteen-year-old Amelia wants a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser hot chocolate machine, pottery lessons, art markers, and a Dyson Airwrap – the latter being something she requests every year.
Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel seeks gym-specific items including Gymshark hoodies, YoungLA jogging bottoms, noise-cancelling headphones, lifting straps, and a portable blender for protein shakes. Similarly, sixteen-year-old Autumn wants an Adanola gym set alongside more personal items like an initial necklace and new bedding.
Seventeen-year-old Jamie stands out with his request for a baritone guitar, showing how musical interests continue to thrive among older teenagers.
The comprehensive list compiled from teen interviews demonstrates that while teenage tastes have evolved significantly from earlier childhood, their Christmas wishes remain just as heartfelt – even if they now involve more sophisticated brands and higher price points.
