Growing up, rummaging through my stocking was always more fun than unwrapping my actual Christmas gifts. Maybe it was the variety I liked; it was always a fun assortment of trinkets, candies, and random items that made my parents think of me. I loved the fact that it was never anything on my list, so it was a surprise from top to bottom. Whatever it was, I'm a big fan of stocking stuffers, and these 28 stocking stuffers for teens and tweens under $20 are sure to be crowdpleasers.
Admittedly, stocking stuffers can be hard to shop for. It's a test of your creativity, considering the items from your teen's Christmas list are probably wrapped up and tucked under the tree. I vividly remember one year watching my brother dump out his stocking to discover... peppermints and blue ink pens. My mom, shaking with laughter in the corner of the room, admitted, "I had no idea what to put in yours!" Luckily, my brother has always been incredibly easy-going and low maintenance... but I'm sure a list like this could've helped my mom out.
From tech accessories to beauty products to cozy winter accessories, these are stocking stuffers that will delight on Christmas morning without breaking the bank.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
Kate Spade Universal Stability Ring
An alternative to the super popular "Pop Socket," this stability ring slides onto your finger to keep your phone stable while you're using it. This is the perfect gift for someone prone to dropping their phone (maybe a screen protector and a durable phone case would make a smart addition). The stability ring comes in two colors: gold with black and gold with cream, which are both universally great options as they match with any color of phone case — an important detail not to be missed for picky teens. But in the case you choose the wrong color (it happens), Best Buy is offering an extended holiday return period that runs through January 16 when purchased by January 2.
Peekaboo Ceramic Mug
Basically everyone loves plants and adorable little critters, and whether or not your teen is drinking coffee yet, they'll definitely get a kick from drinking out of this mug each morning. Currency available in Cactus and Snail, the etched ceramic pieces are sure to put on smile on your teen’s face — or yours, on those mornings when you *accidentally* reach for one of these charming little mugs. The cups hold 12 ounces of liquid and are completely dishwasher and microwave safe — ideal for a teenager or tween’s cookware. Stuff with your kiddo’s favorite tea, hot chocolate mix, or coffee, if they drink it, for the complete stocking bundle.
Monogram Journal
This adorable journal is a wonderful gift for the writer, doodler, or planner in your life. It showcases their initial with a cool monogrammed cover, so they’ll know this wasn’t a re-gift. The abstract-designed journal has 192 lined pages and an elastic closure, and it’s available in all letters with four alternating cover color themes. The dreamy journal makes a great gift to pair with a monogrammed or special pen, stickers, markers, or other art supplies for the creative kid. And fear not, if you need to return for any reason, Urban Outfitters has a pretty sweet policy: As long as the item has the original tags and packaging and is unused, you’re free to send it back for a refund for 60 days.
Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures Christmas Santa Cane
In my household, it's not Christmas until you've eaten a month's worth of chocolate. This Reese's-filled candy cane would make a sweet addition to anyone's stocking. Plus, at under $2, it’s really a no-brainer easy stocking stuffer idea for teens and tweens — and adults — alike. Go all out and wrap the cane in white and red striped wrapping paper to really sell the Christmas spirit, or chuck it in the stocking as is — your teenager will be thrilled either way. Be careful, though — a gift this sweet can have them ruining their holiday breakfast appetite pretty quickly.
A Bracelet With A Message
This delicate beaded bracelet packs a big message. This one reminds the wearer to embrace their inner strength and encourages them to keep going. The Little Words Project also offers other bracelets with empowering messages and sayings to choose from like “Grateful,” “See The Good,” “Be A Light," “Breath,” “Strength,” and “Resilience.” Go online and register the bracelet with its unique code, and eventually, when your teen is ready to pass on the good vibes, the next users can track its inspiring journey — this is one present where it’s totally okay and intended to be re-gifted. The brand also has a collection of bracelets for just $5 more that make for wonderful gifts that give back. Their collection for a cause features $25 bracelets where they donate 25% of the proceeds to select charities for positive change.
Amazon Gift Card
I know, I know... this isn't a creative stocking stuffing whatsoever. However, an Amazon gift card will never sit on a shelf collecting dust somewhere, and you can rest assured they're getting something they want. If there’s something your tween has had their eye on for a long time that they can get on Amazon — say a new video game or makeup palette — the gift card will be put to good use in helping them pay for it. Plus, Amazon always has amazing holiday deals, so you can be sure you’re really stretching your dollar here and getting a bang for your buck with this versatile stocking stuffer. No one’s ever complained about receiving one of these on Christmas morning.
Holiday 15-Color Eyeshadow Set
For a teen or tween just getting into makeup, this e.l.f. palette has everything they’ll need to create a fun new eyeshadow look. There are 15 different shades ranging from neutrals to bold colors with matte, shimmer, and satin finishes at such an affordable price (the brand values the set at $15), and you may want to throw in a brush set too. Plus, you can rest assured knowing your teen won’t be putting any harmful chemicals on their skin, as this e.l.f. palette is made without phthalates, parabens, or sulfates and is completely cruelty-free and vegan.
A Must-Read Book
This critically-acclaimed bestselling novel follows the life of a teenage girl who witnesses the fatal police shooting of her best friend. She is forced to navigate her grief as the case becomes national news, and she and her family soon become the recipients of unwanted attention and violent threats. The book, written by Angie Thomas, became a bestseller after its release in 2017, earning a spot on the National Book Awards longlist for young adult literature. In 2018, the book was adapted into a movie starring Amandla Stenberg. If your teen is an avid reader, this deserves a spot on their bookshelf.
A DIY Unicorn Frappe
They don’t even have to leave the house to get an Instagram-worthy bubble tea drink. This five-part set comes with an adorable pint-size blushing smiley glass, a stainless steel wide-mouth straw, a two-pack of boba milk tea, and tapioca pearls. And for under $12, it’s a thoughtful foodie gift that has it all: two tasty treats, a cute glass and straw to keep, and an exciting experiment for your tween. The package comes already topped with a festive bow, so no need to bother with the wrapping paper with this one — simply stuff it in the bottom of the stocking and you’re good to go.
A Skin-Soothing Mask
The tween with the skincare obsession will love this super-effective sheet mask, formulated with centella extracts to soothe irritation and pycnogenol to promote healthy skin and strengthen skin barriers. It’s the ideal sheet mask for sensitive skin, which is common in young people like teenagers and tweens, and it’s made without parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, alcohol, or mineral oil. At only $6, the sheet mask makes a nice addition to a skincare-packed stocking, alongside other masks and mini products. With all the holiday chaos, it’s easy to slip into overwhelm, so your teen will so appreciate the relaxing sentiment. Plus, sheet mask selfies never get old.
A Scrub That Smells Like Cookies
It’s not enough to bake cookies when you can smell like them too. The scent of vanilla cookies coated with sweet sugar crystals will help work up an appetite for some holiday baking with the family — but really, you’re giving your skin an exfoliating treatment. This scrub is vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade, and it leaves skin feeling so soft and smooth to the touch. While it’s made with eczema-prone skin in mind, reviewers have also raved about the scrub’s magic on psoriasis. Put this in your kid’s stocking as a stand-alone gift, or make it part of a spa-themed bundle complete with all the bells and whistles — either way, this delicious scrub will put your teen right in the cheerful holiday mood.
A School Notepad
As handy and convenient as smartphones are, there’s something to be said about using a high-quality paper desk notepad, especially if your kid is learning from home, but also just for a studious homework desk. Anything to help a teenager’s wandering mind to focus in on the days ahead and get organized is a prime stocking stuffer idea. This desk pad will help your kid stay organized and productive with sectioned boxes for their assignments, tasks, a reading log, schedule, study hour, and notes. There’s also a spot for them to put their top three priorities as well as their daily intentions.
A Handy Power Bank
Give the gift of a fully-charged phone this Christmas. With this Pokemon Pokeball power bank, your teen will always have a backup if their phone gets in the anxiety-inducing red zone. The rechargeable external battery comes with two USB cable ports so they can lend a charging hand to a friend or sibling. And with a 10,000mAh power bank, they should be able to charge their phone up pretty well, certainly enough to find an actual outlet. Plus, if your teen's phone never dies, they never have an excuse for ignoring your phone calls and texts — it’s a win-win.
Clean Hair On-The-Go
There are a lot of dry shampoos out there, but this one from SWAIR is a holy grail product — a game changer, if you will. It actually helps the hair and scalp repel grime, sweat, and oil, and if you spray it and towel or blow it dry, you’ll see visibly cleaner hair immediately. Rather than just spraying on your scalp and rubbing it in or brushing it, this no-shower cleanser is made to pull the gunk lose so the towel can follow up by wiping it all away — as mentioned, it’s a game changer. Whether the tween in your life plays sports, wants to save water, or just likes to stretch the time between showers, this clean-smelling showerless shampoo will be a hit.
Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
If your teen is known to misplace their headphones, these affordable bluetooth earbuds from Amazon are a great (and safe) stocking stuffer. They’re bluetooth, so they can have free range to walk away from the attached device, but there’s still a wired neck piece connecting the earbuds so you don’t have to be concerned about them losing one (looking at you, Airpods). These Skullcandy headphones are high-quality without a high price tag, and they come in six different fun colors, like these pictured in mint green, red, black, yellow, and two different shades of blue, so your teen can express their unique personal style.
The Art Of Origami
A screen-free activity they’ll enjoy? Yes, please. This kit comes with gorgeous paper plus instructions for making 20 beautiful origami creations like the Magic Star, The Dancing Bubble, The Impossible Coin, The Helicopter, The Racing Puzzle, Take Five, and many more. It’s a fun way for your kid to build both geometry and problem-solving skills, in addition to boosting their hand-eye coordination. Plus, this isn’t just a one-and-done type of project. The kit actually teaches your teen the skills they need to understand basic origami techniques, which they can then take with them long after they’ve completed the included 20 projects.
Lip Jelly
Thanks to the five nourishing oils in this juicy Tower 28 lip jelly (apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, raspberry seed oil, rosehip oil, and castor oil), you’ll get the nourishment of a balm but the shine and bright color of a gloss when you choose one of their sheer or milky pigmented shades. Tower 28 just introduced six new translucent shades inspired by the brand’s favorite colors and special meanings, which include XOXO, Fire, Fear Less, Chill (clear), Spicy, Magic, and four new milky shades inspired by alternative milks, which include Coconut, Cashew, Oat, and Almond. Needless to say, there are plenty of fun stocking stuffers to choose from here.
A Zodiac Sign Ring
Whether they’re a gentle Pisces or a bubbly Leo, they’ll like this delicate ring that puts their zodiac sign and birthstone on display. The ring is open on the top so it can be adjusted to fit any size fingers, and it’s a perfect little surprise waiting at the bottom of the stocking. The ring is available from US size 3.5 to 11.5 and comes in sterling silver, rose gold, and 18k gold. Simply choose your finish and size, then personalize it with whichever zodiac sign you’d like and pick from the twelve birthstone colors or a black stone.
The Coolest Temporary Tattoos
They may be too young for a real tattoo, but these awesome temporary tats are a good stand-in for the real deal (and their temporary nature and lack of pain is highly appealing to parents). The hand-drawn designs are made with cruelty-free, vegan ink that is safe and non-toxic (another huge plus), and they apply quickly and easily in cool designs like birds, florals, and tiny sketches perfect for fingers. Apply easily with just water, and rock the new tat for up to a week or slightly longer depending on the tattoo’s size and placement, with areas of little contact like the ankle, upper arm, or back lasting up to two weeks.
Slouchy Beanie
It's always nice to see something stylish and practical at the same time. Levi’s aren’t just cool when worn as jeans — a beanie is equally as stylish, but much easier on the wallet. This affordable beanie will help keep them warm and looking cool, both equally important concerns to a tween. Choose from a selection of styles like this blue beanie with a tan patch, as pictured, all black, all tan, or neon yellow with a tan patch. Honestly, anything that says “Levi’s” makes a great stocking stuffer for teens, and they will be highly impressed with your very cool gift.
Makeup Set
Get your teen all the essentials with a four-piece set full of minis. Lottie London’s Meet the Squad set features everything needed for a holiday glam look: Sunkissed Bronzer to warm up winter skin, lightweight Ombre Blush for a creamy flush, nourishing Oil Slick lip gloss to perfect the pout, and finishing Ready Set! Go Powder to hold your teen’s creation all together. The brand’s products are also always paraben-free and vegan, abiding by their strict no animal testing policy, and they’re PETA-certified cruelty-free. All of that for under $12 makes this holiday makeup set an unbeatable stocking stuffer for tweens and teens alike.
Natural Lip Balm Pack
If there’s one annoying problem for nearly everyone this time of year, it’s the dryness of winter. Flakey skin and chapped lips can put a real downer on the otherwise cheerful and merry season, so a nourishing and moisturizing lip balm always makes a greatly appreciated gift. This pack features high-quality, natural lip balms made with beeswax gathered from hives with bee-friendly management, so you can feel good about your purchase. Organic oils like coconut, jojoba, and vitamin E, paired with essential oils hydrate parched winter lips — the teen in your life will definitely thank you for it. Included in the four pack are Just Bee’s popular picks: Fresh, Cozy, Cool, and Sweet.
Hydrating Skincare Set
Speaking of winter dryness, your tween’s skin might be craving some moisturizing love, too. This clinically-proven hydrating duo comes with a gently exfoliating creamy wash packed with biotech ingredients (plant cells) like jojoba grains, and a skin superfood that locks in hydration and boosts moisture retention to improve the skin barrier — something instrumentally helpful during the winter months. This duo will help to soothe, replenish, and restore the skin from its dry, itchy, or flaky state using star actives like omega-3 and vitamin B12. The beauty-loving tween will be ecstatic to find this sneakily effective kit in their stocking this year, whether on its own or as part of a fully stacked skin care-themed stocking.
Adorable Cable Organizer
It’s not just teenagers who are often tangling their power cords or headphone wires, but they will certainly love the help of this cute and fuzzy sloth to keep them organized. The plush companion is designed to cling snug as a bug to your tech cords and your computer screen to keep all your wired affairs in order. Even though it’s arguable that everybody loves sloths, the Smoko Plush Cable Buddy has other options if your teen is decidedly anti-sloth. Also available is a sweet and smiling boba tea buddy and a Tayto potato dude that’s hard not to love.
Selfie Light
Whether they’re an aspiring TikTok star or just love snapping pics with their friends, this simple ring light clips right to their phone for some next level selfie game. But just a ring light is not enough. This gadget doubles as a mirror, so there’s never any question as to how the photos or videos are going to come out — because it’s well-known that you can’t always rely on your phone camera for judgement. Jazz up the shots with fun, colorful lighting options in addition to the standard colorless illumination so your teen can set the mood with light and color to match any vibe.
Beauty Sponge Washing Machine
They may not be the best at washing their clothes, but they will get a kick out of this adorable mini washing machine to clean their makeup brushes and sponges with. And since washing makeup applicators is a task that everyone could probably do more of, it’s a pretty safe assumption that this is a job your teen is likely not doing often enough. Built-up bacteria is not something that should be repeatedly spread around on the face, so this is a fun little tool to encourage them to adopt better makeup hygiene. Plus, it also comes in a pretty mint color as well as white... and come on, it’s just really cool.
Precious Stone Facial Roller
When it comes to stocking stuffers under $20, it can be hard to spot one of these coveted crystal facial rollers at such an affordable price. If your teen is into skincare or crystals (or both), they are pretty much guaranteed to love this double-sided face roller made of genuine stone. Instead of just the usual rose quartz or jade that most face rollers come in, Heritage Apothecary has a whopping five options to choose from. Select green aventurine, as pictured, or go for tiger’s eye, clear quartz, black onyx, or rose quartz. This handy tool makes the perfect addition to a relaxing sheet mask to help your teen roll in skin-loving serums.
Plantable Candy
When you’re planning your stocking stuffers for tweens, candy is never a bad plan. But a treat so nice it gives twice? That’s an even better idea. For the teen with a green thumb, stick some of these tasty (and adorable) lollipops into their stocking for a yummy treat now and a pretty flower or herb later. After enjoying the assorted flavors like strawberry-basil and rosemary-mint, plant the seeded lollipop stick horizontally and fully covered in soil. Give each stick at least five inches of space to grow, water often, and place near sunlight and voila — a baby plant born of candy. The pack comes with eight flavors, each with their own different flower or herb seeds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment