The Ultimate Tween Gift Guide for This Holiday Season

From experiences they'll remember to gadgets they'll actually use - here's what to get your tween that won't end up forgotten by January.

November 20, 2025

Hi there,

It's that time of year again. The time when everyone starts asking, "What should I get the kids?" and you draw a complete blank. 

I get it. I'm dealing with this right now, too. Between grandparents, aunts, uncles, and well-meaning friends, everyone wants to give something special.  And as the mom, guess who becomes the unofficial gift consultant? Me.

So this year, I decided to think through what makes a good gift for tweens. Not just what they'll be excited about for five minutes, but what they'll actually use six months from now.

PS: I'll also share my full list of recommendations for what to actually get. Keep reading! 

The Question That Changed How I Think About Gifts

I saw this Instagram video recently that stopped me in my tracks. A mom asked her 12 or 13-year-old daughter: "Can you name one gift you got for Christmas last year?"

The girl couldn't name anything. Not one single thing. Then the mom asked, "Where did we go on vacation in January?" The girl knew exactly. She remembered everything about that trip. And it wasn't even some big vacation to Europe - just a regular family trip.

That's when it hit me. 

Experiences are so much more memorable than things.

Even if kids don't get as excited about them in the moment, those experiences stick with them. So this year, I'm thinking about how to tie gifts to experiences whenever possible.

How to Make Gifts More Than Just Stuff

Last year, we gave my older son a small video camera. At first, it seemed like just another gadget. But here's the thing, he takes it everywhere. On vacation, to school events, to his brother's games. He makes movies with it.

All of those memories, all the things he captures and creates? Those are experiences. The camera isn't just sitting in a drawer, but it's become a tool for making memories.

So when you're thinking about gifts, ask yourself: Can this connect to something they'll do, somewhere they'll go, or something they'll create?

When Tweens Start Having Bigger Expectations

As kids get older, their expectations get higher. And a lot of it is about fitting in.

For girls, I'm hearing it's all makeup and skincare. That's what they want, all the time. If they don't get it, they're upset. For boys, it's video games, the latest gadgets, electric scooters - things that help them feel like they're part of the group.

I lucked out. My boys aren't super into video games. But I have friends whose kids are constantly asking for the next best thing so they can keep up with everyone else.

The ‘Sephora kid’ trend shows tweens are psyched about skincare. But their overzealous approach is raising concerns.  

And that's the question you have to ask:  Do they want it because they genuinely want to use it, or because everyone else has it?

The Over-Consumption Trap (And How to Avoid It)

Here's my dilemma, even if I only give one gift, there are grandparents on both sides, aunts, uncles, and everyone else who wants to give something too. 

And it comes from a good place. They want to treat the kids. But it can quickly become too much. 

I don't have the perfect answer for this. But here's what I'm focusing on:


1. Make sure they show appreciation.

Even if they're disappointed in a gift, I want them to show gratitude because the thought behind it matters.



2. Teach them how to give.

When kids learn how to give gifts themselves, they start to understand what it feels like to be on the other side. They realize that sometimes the gift they give might not be exactly what someone wanted - and that's okay.



3. Make them create their own wish list.

This one has been a game-changer for me. I can only think of so many things. So now, I make my kids create their own Amazon wish lists. When someone asks me, "What should I get them?" I just send them the list.

Let’s Talk About Budget… 

Not every gift on a wish list is going to be affordable, especially if you have multiple kids. I've seen gift guides with items that cost $400, $500, and even more. And that's just not realistic for most families.

So here's what I recommend, have the conversation early.

If your kid wants something expensive, set expectations before the holidays. Say "We can't get this right now, but we can save up for it" or "We can get you something similar but at a lower price point."

You don't want them opening gifts on the big day and feeling disappointed because they didn't get what they asked for.

Even if you can afford it, think about delayed gratification. Just because you can buy something doesn't mean you should. Kids need to learn the value of things. 

What I'm Looking For in Gifts This Year

Before I share my full list, here's my filter for what makes a good gift:

✅ Encourages physical activity - Anything that gets them moving, playing outside, or staying active

✅ Sparks creativity - Art supplies, building kits, journals, cameras

✅ Connects to their hobbies - If they're into sports, get them something premium they wouldn't buy for themselves. If they love crocheting, upgrade their supplies.

✅ Lasts beyond the moment - Will they still be using this six months from now?

✅ Creates memories - Does it tie to an experience, a trip, or something they'll do with friends or family?

If a gift checks even one or two of these boxes, it's worth considering.

The Ultimate Tween Gift List

Okay, here's what I'm recommending this year. I've broken it down by category so you can find something that fits your kid's interests.

For the Creative Kid:

For the Active Kid:

For the Tech-Savvy Kid:

For the Kid Who Loves Experiences:

Practical Gifts They'll Actually Use:

One Last Thing About Holiday Shopping

The deals are coming. Black Friday, Cyber Monday - they all start this weekend.

So if you're going to shop, now's the time to create your list. Figure out what you want to get, and then wait for the sales.

But here's my honest advice, don't get caught up in the frenzy of buying just because something's on sale. Stick to your list. Think about what your kid will actually use.

Inside the Laid-back Parent’s Internet History this week: 

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Note for My Fellow -Back Parents 📧

The holidays can feel overwhelming when it comes to gift-giving. Between managing your own kids' expectations and fielding requests from every relative who wants to know "what should I get them," it's a lot.

But here's what I'm reminding myself: The best gifts aren't the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones that create memories, encourage growth, and actually get used.

So take a breath. Make your list. And remember: you're doing just fine.

See you next week,

Lakshmi 💛