When it comes to Christmas shopping for the teenagers in your life, it helps to consult an expert. So who better to advise than teenagers themselves?
We asked students in years 10 and 11 at the Maelor School in Wrexham, Wales; year 9 at Nunnery Wood High School in Worcester; and sixth formers at Derby College in Derbyshire to share their (reasonable) wishlists.
Here are 30-plus suggestions (or should that be requests?) from the people best qualified to tell you what teens really want.
The best gifts for teenagers
Cold cases
The Naturals Complete Box Set by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, £32.36
guardianbookshop.com
£21.98
amazon.co.uk
I first heard about these books through TikTok and I’ve been wanting to read them for a while. They’ve really captured my attention with the blurb and the covers. Heather, 17
Cuddle up
Kids’ faux fur blanket, £20.40
johnlewis.com
£8
amazon.co.uk
They’re very pretty and comforting. My friend has one in her bedroom, and when we watched a scary film we hid under it! Ellie, 13
Get a grip
Gain the Edge grip socks, £9.99
gaintheedgeofficial.com
Zuimei grip socks, £8.99
amazon.co.uk
I’d like these grip socks because I play rugby and get blisters on my feet when they rub in my boots. James, 15
Cool-cat trainers
Adidas Originals Campus 00s skate shoes, £89.99
zalando.co.uk
£90
adidas.co.uk
I love leopard-print stuff – these trainers would look amazing with most of my outfits. Lexi, 14
Rock out
Midas by Wunderhorse 12in album, £24.99
hmv.com
Limited edition LP+, £29.99
roughtrade.com
It has a good sound and would be better on vinyl. Libby, 18
Christmas quacker
Jellycat Yummy Duckling plushie, £18
jarrolds.co.uk
happy-returns.co.uk
I would really like a Jellycat Yummy Duckling soft plushie. It’s such a cute and adorable toy and probably the only toy brand acceptable for teenagers. I already have three Jellycats at home and wish to grow my collection. Annie, 14
Say cheese
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera, £73.99
johnlewis.com
£72.96
amazon.co.uk
A Fuji Instax Mini camera, to take pics with my friends. Seren, 14
Arty types
Ugee drawing tablet S640, £29.99
amazon.co.uk
£31
shop.ugee.com
I want a drawing tablet because I saw someone using one and it looked like a handy tool to help me get good at drawing. Joe, 15
Game on
EA Sports FC25 – FC points 1,050, £8.99
xbox.com
store.playstation.com
The new Fifa has just come out and my team is not very good. With more points, I could buy a player pack that would help with my team. Josef, 15
Poster boys
Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund magnetic metal poster, £39
displate.com
I have supported Manchester United since I was little and they are some of my favourite players. I heard about these metal posters on TikTok and think a magnetic poster would look nicer than a normal one. Josef, 15
Smart kit
Wrexham 24/25 away shirt, from £40
shop.wrexhamafc.co.uk
I would like the new Wrexham black shirt. It looks good and it would be nice to go to the matches in the new away shirt. Elliot, 14
Money, money, money
It will help me pay for wants and needs. Ellie, 19
Heaven scent
Ted Baker Rose and Orchid body spray, £8
boots.com
I tested it out and it smelled amazing. Nuha, 17
Cool buds
Beats Solo buds, £79.99
beatsbydre.com
£78.21
amazon.co.uk
I’ve seen Beats headphones on TikTok and they have a good vibe. Libby, 18
Happy feet
Ugg women’s classic ultra mini boot, £145
ugg.com
schuh.co.uk
They look really nice, come in different colours and go with any outfit. Everyone was wearing them last winter and I would like a pair. And I’m always cold! Lucy, 13
Swiftie stickers
Taylor Swift-inspired stickers, 50-pack, £4.39
amazon.co.uk
£3.64
etsy.com
They’re the perfect decoration. I can use them on my guitar and record player. Charlotte, 14
For more Taylor Swift-inspired gifts, see our Swifties gift guide
Pretty in pink
Ariana pink taffeta blouse, £70
damsonmadder.com
I need new winter clothes and want something that looks nice. Poppy, 13
Vincent van Lego
The Starry Night Lego set, £149.99
lego.com
£146.69
amazon.co.uk
Lego is one of my favourite things to create, and I love art and the Starry Night painting. I heard about this piece on TikTok while scrolling one night and now I have my heart set on it. Lois, 15
All heart
Aqua opal heart necklace, £49
lauragravestock.com
My clothing style has changed and I would like jewellery that matches my clothes now. Paige, 17
Customised Converse
Custom Chuck Taylor All Star By You, £75
converse.com
I would really love a pair of custom Converse, navy on one side and black on the other. I’ve wanted these ever since my cousin got hers a couple of years ago. I already have two pairs of Converse – one white, and one with a pink bottom, which I love – but I would also like a darker-coloured pair as we go into the colder, rainier season, so they don’t get as dirty. Maggie, 13
Super-cutesy animals
Aphmau mystery MeeMeows plush, £14.99
smythstoys.com
£9.99
hamleys.com
Aphmau mystery safari MeeMeows plush, £12.99
amazon.co.uk
Get that healthy glow
Byoma Barrier Boosting Heroes kit, £20
byoma.com
boots.com
Glow Hub Mini Purify and Brighten Super Serum, £8
anthropologie.com
£5.60
beautybay.com
Starface Hydro-Stars + Big Yellow kit, £11.99
starfaceworld.co.uk
£7.19
amazon.co.uk
after newsletter promotion
I’d love some new products to improve my skin and make it glow. Audrey, 18
Chic crew
Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit jumper, £189
asos.com
ralphlauren.co.uk
They’re really nice, good-quality jumpers. I’ve seen people who have them and you can wear them all year round. Lucy, 13
Denim dream
Embellished Miss Me jeans, £63.70
vinted.co.uk
I like Miss Me low-rise jeans because they’re cute. I came across them on Vinted. Kim, 14
Furry feet
M&S faux fur slipper boots, £19.50
marksandspencer.com
John Lewis fleece slipper boots, £28
johnlewis.com
I would like slippers because they’re warm and comfortable, especially on cold winter mornings. Kira, 13
Pyjama drama
Victoria’s Secret long pyjama set, £59
victoriassecret.co.uk
Stripe & Stare galaxy leopard long pyjama set, £95
stripeandstare.com
I want new pyjamas so when I go to friends’ houses for sleepovers I have a nice pair to bring. Isabella, 13
Pretty pumps
Bloch demi-pointe shoes, £52
uk.blochworld.com
Freed classic demi-pointe shoe, £47.50
movedancewear.com
My current pair are nearly a year old and painful to wear. I worked hard to be able to get them, but I want a new pair. Scarlet, 13
Hair tamers
Good Squish Cowboy Spaghetti scrunchie, £30
goodsquish.com
Nobody’s Child floral and leopard-print scrunchie two-pack, £15
nobodyschild.com
I would like something to go with my outfits. Polly, 13
True blue
1988-90 Everton Umbro track jacket, £175
vintagefootballshirts.com
I’ve been a proud Blue all my life and I’ll take any opportunity to get the badge in. I also really like vintage jackets from the 90s and vintage football shirts, so this would be a great addition to my collection. Tomos, 14
Nail it
Palette Royal Peacock nail paint, £8
palettelondon.com
amazon.co.uk
Inked By Dani butterfly nail art, £5
urbanoutfitters.com
Nail polish in nice colours, because you can do cool designs. Esme, 13
Marine dream
Pandora pink sea turtle dangle charm, £60
uk.pandora.net
I would like a new Pandora charm to add to my bracelet because I’ve only got a few. I like the pink turtle charm. Lily, 14
Chocolate heaven
Celebrations sharing tub, £6
groceries.asda.com
£7.50
amazon.co.uk
On Christmas Day, I always love opening up a tin of Celebrations and sharing them with my family. Iestyn, 14
Woolly thinking
Super duper sweater beginner knitting kit, £79
woolandthegang.com
Lucinda jumper knitting kit, from £59.99
woolcouturecompany.com
I love to crochet, so more yarn would be a welcome addition to my collection. I usually see ideas on Pinterest, then shop and make them accordingly. Heather, 17
Smell like a god
Versace Eros Flame eau de parfum, £95
harveynichols.com
£71.25
boots.com
It’s good to smell nice and this seems like a nice fragrance for winter. James, 14
Get active
I’m starting to go to the gym and would like a membership for one year. Sebastian, 14
Fine fragrance
Lynx blue lavender body spray, £5
tesco.com
£3.75
superdrug.com
I want the blue lavender Lynx because it’s the new one and I’ve never tried it. Noah, 14
A ‘get out of homework free’ voucher
… so I can have more free time at home. Evan, 13
Here come the Gazelles …
Adidas Gazelle trainers, £85
adidas.co.uk
jdsports.co.uk
I want the navy Adidas Gazelles. They’re in fashion. Ashton, 14
It’s mine!
Personalised Dairy Milk 360g, from £8
cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk
Personalised Tony’s Chocolonely 180g, £7.13
uk.tonyschocolonely.com
I would like lots of sweets and chocolate. Lukas, 14
For more personalised gifts, check out our guide
Stocking fillers they’ll actually use
Personalised phone case, £20
notanotherbill.com
Casa Clara bow socks, £22
notanotherbill.com
Hardback notebook, £22
papier.com
Frill shoulder bag, £55
damsonmadder.com
Bright blanket scarf, £19.99
dunedincashmere.co.uk
With thanks to the Guardian Foundation
