Christmas Gift Guide: 40 Gifts Under $25 for Teens, College Kids (2022)

Looking for inspiration for less expensive gifts for your son or daughter? Take a look at our Christmas Gift Guide, which is filled with presents under $25 that might also make thoughtful birthday gifts or cute Secret Santa gifts, too.

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Christmas gift guide for teens (all under $25)

1. Resistance Band Set

Here is a great, well-priced fitness idea — these compact resistance bands are a way anyone can work out, even in a small dorm room or apartment. Perfect for anyone who travels.

2. Smiley Face Slippers

Help your teen keep a positive attitude with these smiley-face slippers. One of last year’s most popular items. They are cozy, comfortable, and fluffy.

3. Tile Mate

If your teen has a habit of misplacing a backpack, gym bag, keys, etc. (actually, who doesn’t misplace things???), take a look at this affordable Tile tracker.

4. Notes to Self Socks

We love these socks for their durability, comfort, and, especially, their message of affirmation. Your son or daughter can pull on a pair and remind themselves they are brave, beautiful, kind, and more. In wool blend and cotton — choose the word that will encourage your teen or college student and remind them how much you love them.

5. MAC Lipglass Lip Gloss

Love, love, love this lip gloss.

6. ESPN Trivia Night

Your teens can challenge their friends in this mega trivia game with 1000 questions. This could also be a fun family game to play during the holiday season.

7. Anker Fast Charging Pad

Charge your phone or AirPods by placing them on the charging pad. This is such an easy way to recharge essential tech. This is a gift that any family member would appreciate.

8. Zodiac Ring

These slim rings are massively popular this holiday season.

9. Journal Pens

If your teen likes journaling or color-coding notes and assignments, this best-selling pen set would be a nice gift, especially with new journals.

10. Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Cold brew coffee is wildly popular with our Gen Z and millennial kids. This elegant and simple maker will be a welcome present for any giftee who prefers to drink their coffee this way.

11. Phone Bike Mount

So your teen can keep both hands on the bike handlebars instead of holding their phone, this holder will keep it secure and visible.

12. Cell Phone Stand

This phone stand would be a practical gift for anyone on your list. Both sturdy and portable, it folds, making it easy to throw into a backpack for use at home, work, and school. Phones can be used in a horizontal or vertical orientation.

13. Carhartt Cuffed Beanie

Available in loads of colors, Carhartt beanies may be the only hat your son will actually wear. They are great for girls, too, and would be an especially thoughtful gift for anyone moving to a colder climate. This is a #1 best seller in hats on Amazon.

14. Bronax Cloud Slippers

We love these super comfy and practical slippers for men and women. They’re available in 15 pretty colors, too.

15. Hidden Pocket Scrunchies (set of two)

These velvet scrunchies, in lavender and blue, feature a hidden pocket with a zipper to store your essentials, like keys and cash.

16. Essential Oil Shower Steamers

Please one tablet in the shower, turn on the water, and enjoy spa-like scents that infuse the steam. Choose between ROSE, LAVENDER & GERANIUM, EUCALYPTUS, ORANGE & MINT, and PINK GRAPEFRUIT.

17. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

This super-popular cleanser is made with a cleansing agent found in contact lens solution, so it doesn’t sting when removing mascara. it also has five skin conditioners that leave skin feeling super-soft.

18. Avocado Cutter/Slicer

This all-in-one kitchen gadget will revolutionize how your teen or college student prepares avocados. This does everything, including getting rid of the stubborn pit, and is dishwasher safe.

19. iCloth Cleaning Wipes

Our devices get grimy, and the surfaces need cleaning but require care. These individually wrapped cleaning cloths have 70% Isopropyl Alcohol making them practical for school, work, and travel.

20. Left Center Right

This is one of THE most popular games among the Grown and Flown community.

21. Make-Up Travel Brush Set

A gorgeous set of makeup brushes in these dynamic colors might inspire your daughter to throw out her old brushes and begin 2023 with an all-new and clean makeup routine. While made for travel, they are equally functional for use at home.

22. Photo Snow Globe

Teens can make their own snow globe with the photograph of a best friend, a furry friend, or the family that loves them dearly. This is a cute, seasonal alternative to a more ho-hum picture frame.

23. LED Photo Clips String Lights

This string light photo display is a whimsical decoration and an easy way to dress up a drab dorm wall or bedroom wall.

24. Shower Caddies

If you have a teen going to college next year or one whose shower caddy could use an update, we love these from Pottery Barn Teen.

25. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse 

This international bestseller is all about kindness, friendship, and home. The gorgeous illustrations are unforgettable.

26. Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone

Author and illustrator Becky Blades wrote this book and created the gorgeous artwork as a goodbye letter to her own college daughter. Don’t forget to add your message at the end. This is the right gift to give your soon-to-be-flown daughter.

27. Letters of Gratitude

We can talk to our teens about being grateful, but here is a great way for them to show it. This is one of our favorite Christmas gift ideas.

28. Christmas Advent Calendar With Herbal, Green, and Fruit Teas 

This is a great gift if your son or daughter delights in a good cup of tea. Filled with 24 tea bags, they can count to Christmas and enjoy different teas throughout December.

29. Ninja Wallet Multi-Tool

This credit-card-sized tool has 6 Hex wrenches, a can opener, fruit peeler, bottle opener, ruler (standard & metric), letter opener, box opener, phone stand, eyeglasses, Phillips, and Flathead screwdriver. Genius!

30. Mario Badescu Facial Sprays

Mario Badescu has a big following, and the facial sprays are one reason. This set will allow your teen to sample three scents — aloe, rosewater, and lavender.

31. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

With a name like “Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza,” we were instantly intrigued and had to buy this fun and fast-to-learn card game for our families.

32. Glossier Hand Cream

This luscious hand cream from the super-popular brand Glossier will be something your daughter would love.

33. Men’s PJ Joggers

These 100% cotton joggers might be the pj pants your son will wear all holiday long.

34. Bombas Men’s Snowflake Ankle Socks

Comfortable and smart looking-this will become your go-to pair of socks. We guarantee.

35. Shower Speaker

This shower speaker has been a big hit with our sons, who love to sing in the shower. Bluetooth and waterproof, they’re available in 6 colors.

36. Shark Socks

We love these whimsical socks and think your teens might, too.

37. YETI Tumbler

YETI makes a variety of amazing tumblers, and the 10 oz one is under $25. They keep hot or cold beverages at the desired temperature for hours, come in various colors, and can also be customized (additional expense for that.)

38. Faux-Leather Crossbody Bag 

This compact cross-body bag is available in many pretty colors and is just the right size to keep a phone and a few valuables. Adjustable strap and zipper closures.

39. Harry Potter Keychains

Consider one of these beautifully-designed keychains if your teen is a Harry Potter fan.

40. Herschel Card Case

A thin card case with a debit card, driver’s license, and ID, with room for a few bills, is much more popular than a bulky wallet. Herschel has loads of different colors and styles to choose from.

You Might Also Want to Read: 

Stocking Stuffers for Teens and College Students

Awesome and Super-Popular 2022 Holiday Gifts for Him 

Holiday Gifts for Her That She Will Love (2022)