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journalism → support → readers
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we → purchase → commission
As a parent to two teens, I know first-hand how hard it is to keep up with the latest trends or know exactly what they’re into – yes, even if you are the coolest aunt, uncle or family friend.
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you → know → what
This is where I come in.
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I → come → ?
Equipped with my own expert shopping insight, I enlisted my teenage son and daughter, alongside their friends, to choose the presents they’d actually like to open on Christmas morning, and give their honest opinions.
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they → equip → opinions
Spanning tech, fashion, and fun, consider this your crib sheet for buying teens' gifts.
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this → span → gifts
From personalised phone cases and a mini speaker to a game, plush toy, beauty sets and more, you can expect to unwrap brands including Casetify, Glossier, Marshall, New Balance, Smeg and Lush in this guide.
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you → expect → guide
My testers range in age from 13 to 18, so all the gifts on this list have been put through their paces by an actual teenager.
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gifts → range → teenager
Each item has been used, worn, played and thoroughly reviewed.
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item → use → ?
Casetify custom pebble case
This hard-wearing phone case is a practical and stylish gift, and our teenage testers are huge fans of the personalised custom pebble case.
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testers → wear → case
With a tactile and robust finish, it merges everyday use with classic aesthetic points.
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it → merge → points
We also love the seashell case (£66, Casetify.com) for its fun graphics on a transparent background.
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We → love → background
Our teens have used Casetify phone cases for several years now, and they protect the handset while impressing their friends.
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they → use → friends
Suitable for a range of phones, just be sure to check what model they have first.
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they → check → model
This celestial-themed bath bomb creates blue, pink and yellow swirls when it fizzes in water, making for a fun and relaxing wind-down (suiting any age).
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it → theme → age
Infused with peppermint and grapefruit oil, it releases an invigorating scent and creates a shimmery finish.
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it → infuse → finish
While the scent lingers in the bathroom long after use, the blue residue left in the bath easily washes away.
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residue → linger → bath
We also like the fact that the product doesn’t arrive in plastic wrap, making it a great gift for the eco-conscious.
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it → like → conscious
This 7cm x 12cm x 7cm plush toy is a cute addition to their room, combining the signature Jellycat smiley face with a fun s’mores element.
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toy → combine → element
My teen has a Jellycat rabbit which she’s had since babyhood, so she’s a big fan of the brand.
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she → have → brand
The super-soft toy depicts marshmallows, biscuits and dripping chocolate, and it has pride of place in my teen’s bedroom.
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it → depict → bedroom
A popular brand among this age group, it’s sure to make a teen smile on Christmas Day.
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teen → ’ → Day
Merit flush balm
This dome-shaped blush can be used on cheeks and lips for a quick pop of colour.
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blush → use → colour
Available in pink, brown, red and taupe shades, it has a natural, creamy finish and is buildable for a bolder look, too.
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it → have → look
Because of its cream blush composition, it does fade with wear, but being so easy to top up, that isn’t an issue.
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that → fade → wear
Infused with vitamin E, it is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, and my teen tester finds it doesn’t feel heavy or block pores, either.
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it → infuse → pores
Glassette x Papier coastal tile hardback lined notebook
This smart A5 notebook can be personalised, making it an extra special stationery gift.
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it → line → notebook
We found it is robust enough to pull in and out of your bag without getting battered, and my teen tester liked the chic blue, burgundy and brown coastal tile pattern.
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tester → find → pattern
Be sure to check the lined, plain or bulleted pick you think your giftee would prefer, with these choices meaning the notebook could be used for art, studies or journalling.
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notebook → check → art
For a teenage fashion connoisseur, trending brand Alohas’s ballet flats tick all the gift boxes.
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flats → trend → boxes
The square-toed shoes have a cushioned insole and a sturdy 0.5cm heel, and after a few weeks’ wear, we noted they combine good-quality design with comfort.
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they → have → comfort
Available in a range of colours, including cream, brown and green, our teenage tester particularly likes the stitching detail, tie finish and the hardy sole.
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tester → include → detail
After wearing them to college and on evenings out, they paired the ballet flats with jeans, tights and even joggers.
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they → wear → jeans
, this 3.96in x 3.96in gadget comes in black or cream.
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gadget → come → black
Our tester is a music fan and has been impressed by the audio quality, noting there were zero tinny sounds (an achievement for such a small speaker).
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tester → impress → speaker
As well as playing music, you can take hands-free calls with the Bluetooth device as it has an inbuilt microphone.
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it → play → microphone
With up to 17 hours’ use on a single charge, that means you don’t need to regularly check its battery.
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you → mean → battery
It features a handy carry handle for use on the go, and the stylish design is aesthetically pleasing, too.
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design → feature → go
You Know It!
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You → know → It
A fun trivia game with question cards, a main board, player boards, tokens and chips; this is an interactive way to find out how much your teenage recipient knows about their friends and family.
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recipient → find → friends
…and 22 more, not listed.
The Aporia
