Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers
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If there’s anyone harder to shop for than your picky father-in-law, it’s a tween who’s just discovering who they are and what they like. Between the ages of 8 and 12, there’s a fine line between childhood and teenagedom that makes shopping for tweens an Olympic sport. Your gift has to toe the line between cool and edgy.
But that doesn’t mean gifts for tweens have to be devoid of fun. You can easily lean into their niche interests and help them explore newfound hobbies, like art or video games, that allow them to discover who they are.
So, what in the world do you get your hard-to-read tween for the holidays? We went straight to the source, asking real-life tweens (and their parents) what’s on their wish list this year. Spoiler alert: You’re probably going to need to plan a trip to Sephora.
➼ Best Stocking Stuffers for Tweens
➼ Best Fashion Gifts for Tweens
➼ Best Beauty Gifts for Tweens
➼ Best Tech Gifts for Tweens
According to 10-year-old Loren R., this is the must-have lip balm of the season. These luxurious butter balms from Summer Fridays deliver a boost of hydration that soothes and moisturizes at the same time. Plus, each lippie is packed with a gorgeous sheer color making it the perfect stocking stuffer for any beauty-loving tween.
Twelve-year-old Reagan R. says this mini painters palette would make a great gift for anyone who likes to paint on canvas like she does. It comes with 27 vibrant (and nontoxic) paint colors and is a great option for beginners and experts alike.
You heard it here first: Stanleys are still in this year. Even if you can’t get your hands on the coveted Wicked collaboration that one tween mentioned they wanted, there are still tons of gorgeous color options to choose from. And, yes, before you come for us, this will take up most of the stocking, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fill the tumbler with even more fun goodies. It’s like a gift within a gift.
There’s no denying the power blind boxes have over Gen Alpha. With unboxings on TikTok raking up millions of views, we can almost guarantee they’ll love receiving these in their stocking. These blind boxes from Miniverse combine tweens’ love of Hello Kitty with the inherent desire to DIY with 12 mini-foods based on the beloved childhood character.
It seems like every single influencer is rocking a clover-shaped necklace these days, which makes it a great option for a stocking stuffer. One mom says her tween is a fan of the under-$100 ones from Kendra Scott that come in mother-of-pearl and rose quartz.
One person I spoke to, who asked to remain anonymous, said their partner’s tween son is hoping to receive Jordan 4s this year. It looks like Gen Alpha is trading Gen Z’s Air Force 1s for these reimagined kicks. Not only do these look great with any outfit, but they feature a cushioned heel for comfortability and a sturdy outward design that’ll survive long days at school (including rough play during recess).
Designed to keep you cozy all day long, it’s no surprise that multiple tweens said a Pink Palm Puff hoodie was at the top of their lists this year. These high-quality sweaters are ultraplush and feature top-quality embroidery sewn on the back. Plus, the business is all about fostering love and unity among its community, which makes it an extra-sweet gift.
It’s no surprise that tweens like Reagan R. are asking for artist merch for the holidays. Reagan says SZA is one of her favorite artists, so she’s hoping to get a hoodie dedicated to her that she can wear all winter long. This one from Etsy is a fan ode to the “SOS” crooner that’s unique and affordable.
Rebecca R., a mother of two tweens, says UGG slippers (and boots!) are on her children’s wish list this year. And it’s no surprise since celebs like Addison Rae, Kendall Jenner, and Gigi Hadid are always papped rocking the beloved brand. We recommend opting for the Tasman Slippers, which can be worn indoors and outdoors and will keep your tween’s feet warm all winter long.
Eight-year-old Eevee says she has a dream of “being a fashion designer who does everything from clothes to hair and nails.” Because of this, she’s asked her parents for practice mannequins for cosmetology and a dress form so she can display her sewing creations.
It’s no surprise that Wicked-themed items are one of the gifts of the year. These dolls, inspired by the new film, bring the Oz-like fashion to life — it’s one of the reasons Eevee has added them to her wish list.
The Eras Tour might be wrapping up ahead of the holidays (same with the epic sweepstakes), but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Tweens will appreciate this cute nod to their favorite singer, even if they weren’t able to snag a coveted ticket to the one-in-a-lifetime event. (Me either, I feel their pain.)
Tweens on TikTok are obsessed with vintage Levi’s denim, but it can be difficult to find it in the right size at secondhand stores. Thankfully, it’s the 150th anniversary of Levi’s iconic 501s, which means you can snag the perfect fit in their size online and they’re not only brand new, but they’re exactly like the ones you’d find at a thrift store.
Obsessed with lip glosses, Loren says this limited-edition Laneige gift set is a must-have. It comes with three full-sized Glowy Balms in fan-favorite flavors Berry, Vanilla, and Gummy Bear. Not only do they add a nice sheen to your lips, but they’re super-hydrating and made sans sulfates and formaldehydes.
Fragrance snobs and casual beauty lovers alike swear by the Sol de Janiero body sprays, especially the Beija Flor scent. Loren says this gift set smells amazing, which is why it landed on her list this year. For $32, they receive the divine Cheirosa ’68 scent, a body cream, a body wash, and a clear travel bag to take with them on their next beach vacay.
One mother said their tween daughter is hoping to receive a skin-care fridge to keep all their beauty products nice and chilled. This one from Frigidaire comes in seven colors, including sage green and baby pink, and has an impressive four-liter capacity. It’s perfect for storing face masks, serums, and jade rollers.
One tween mom says she’s pretty sure her 10-year-old daughter made her list based on beauty YouTuber recommendations. She notes that the Milk Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip + Blush Stain was one of the requested items — and with good reason. This clean beauty tint comes in six colors, can be used on your cheeks or lips, and lasts pretty much all day. Yes, even through gym class and band practice.
Although this lipstick has been around for decades, BeautyTok influencer Mikayla Nogueira revived the beauty staple for Gen Alpha when she posted about it on her TikTok page a few years ago. Ever since, beauty lovers everywhere have been trying to get their hands on it. This year, the brand is releasing the beloved color in a limited-edition bedazzled case that tweens will love.
My anonymous source said their partner’s son also has a wish list filled with video games. As an Xbox player, he’s hoping to receive things like V-Bucks to enhance his in-game play. V-Bucks are essentially a virtual currency users can cash in for limited-edition skins, weapons, and more.
Like most tweens, Loren is hoping to receive an iPhone this holiday season so she can talk to her friends when they’re not in school. While new iPhones can be out of budget for a lot of parents, Amazon sells refurbished older iPhones for way less. These are a great option, especially if you want to make sure your tween is responsible with their phones before spending big bucks on newer tech. Don’t forget to add a case and screen protector to this gift (trust me on this, they’re going to need it).
One tween said that their reach gift this year is a VR headset so they can immerse themselves in their favorite video games. This one from Meta instantly transforms any space into a whole new world thanks to its expansive library of over 500 apps.
Ten-year-old Colette S. says LED lights are a must-have this year so she can decorate her bedroom walls. These ones are not only dimmable, but they come with a remote control so your tween can easily change the color and brightness to match their current vibe. They also sync to music so your tween’s stream instantly turns into a wholesome party.
Colette’s mom adds that her daughter loves Roblox and wants to receive Robux to accessorize her avatar. Robux are digital gift cards that come with a code to redeem an exclusive virtual item in the Gen Alpha–loved game. I’d personally pair this with a Roblox blind box to feel a bit more robust.