The most wanted gifts for teens

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera

Wanted for Printing evidence of the party on the spot.

A simple instant camera that spits out credit-card-size prints in seconds. It's easy enough for anyone to use, and it brings a little magic to birthdays, trips, and dorm walls. Add an extra pack of film.

Why it's here Photos they can stick on their wall or trade with friends. It's a hit with teens who want something beyond their phone camera.

Let it slide if They'd be annoyed by the ongoing cost of film.

Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights

Wanted for Giving a bedroom an extremely suspicious purple glow.

App-controlled LED strip lights that stick behind a desk or along a wall and change color with the mood. They're cheap to install and make a big difference to a teen's room or gaming setup.

Why it's here An easy room upgrade, and they'll have it installed within the hour. Check that the adhesive is OK for your walls.

Let it slide if They rent and the walls can't handle adhesive strips.

JBL Clip 5 Bluetooth Speaker

Wanted for Clipping onto a backpack and starting the party anyway.

A pocket-size waterproof speaker with a built-in carabiner. It works in the shower, on a bike, or at the beach, and it sounds far bigger than its size suggests.

Why it's here Small enough to clip onto a bag, and tough enough to survive being a teenager's speaker.

Let it slide if You're shopping for someone who already owns three speakers.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle

Wanted for Solving the sip-or-swig debate with one lid.

An insulated bottle with a built-in straw and a wide opening for big gulps. It comes in a long list of colors and is the kind of everyday upgrade people use until the paint wears off.

Let it slide if They're fiercely loyal to the giant cup with the handle.

The Comfy Original Wearable Blanket

Wanted for Being a blanket with sleeves and showing no remorse.

A giant sherpa-lined hoodie that fits almost anyone, so you can skip the sizing guesswork. It looks ridiculous for about ten seconds, and then whoever's wearing it refuses to take it off.

Let it slide if They run hot and sleep with a fan on in December.

UGG Tasman Slippers

Wanted for Wandering out to the mailbox and making it everyone's business.

Plush-lined suede slippers with an outdoor sole, so they cross easily from the couch to a coffee run. They're a popular pick for teens and adults alike. Check sizing and the return policy first.

Let it slide if You don't know their size and don't want to make a return.

Anker Nano Power Bank

Wanted for Rescuing phones at 3% in the middle of a night out.

A tiny portable charger with a built-in connector, so there's no cable to forget. It's the sort of practical gift that gets a shrug on the day and a thank-you a month later.

Let it slide if Check their phone's charging port first and pick the matching version.

UNO Show 'em No Mercy

Wanted for Taking a harmless family game and removing all the safety rails.

A brutal version of UNO with extra-punishing cards like Draw 10. Everybody already knows the basics, so you can start playing right away and start resenting each other shortly after.

Let it slide if Someone in the family takes game night a little too personally.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset

Wanted for Being the reason everyone can finally hear the callouts.

A light, comfortable wired headset with a retractable mic that works across most consoles and PCs. It's an easy upgrade from the cheap headset that came free with something.

Let it slide if They want wireless. This one plugs in.

Squishmallows Plush

Wanted for Multiplying on the bed while nobody's looking.

Ridiculously soft, marshmallow-shaped plush toys in hundreds of characters. Kids and a surprising number of teens collect them, so pick one in a size and character they don't own yet.

Let it slide if Their room has already reached full Squishmallow capacity.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

Wanted for Doing their hair in their sleep.

A soft satin rod you wrap damp hair around overnight, then wake up with curls and no heat damage. It's cheap, kind to hair, and it's an especially popular pick with teens.

Let it slide if Their hair is very short. It needs some length to work.

Mighty Patch Original Pimple Patches

Wanted for Pulling off overnight disappearances.

Small hydrocolloid stickers that go on a pimple overnight. They're a beloved drugstore staple for teens and adults, and they make a practical, inexpensive addition to any stocking.

Let it slide if They might read it as a comment on their skin. Know your audience.