The holidays can be a stressful time for a lot of people especially teenage girls in high school. The biggest question often left unanswered is, “What do you want for Christmas this year?” It always seems like there’s so much talk about what to ask for and yet nothing to actually add to the wishlist so that’s why this article will include the most popular items being asked for and some more unique ideas for all different types of girls. 

Most Popular Items This Year (Not in any Specific Order)

• UGGs – The Tasman Slippers and Classic Ultra Minis have both been best sellers this year and a staple in many teens fall and winter closet. While both shoes would be considered expensive for slippers by most, the sheepskin lining in the shoes provides great quality insulation to keep you warm during these winter months which is something many other slippers lack.

•  Hoodies – Some of the most popular brands currently would be Carhartt, Aelfric Eden, Stussy, and Nike. While none of these brands are especially cheap all offer high quality hoodie options. Stussy and Aelfric Eden are good choices for those looking for trendy streetwear esc clothes and Carhartt and Nike offer a more basic but still cute option.

• Shoes – While I have already mentioned UGGs, there are some other shoes worth adding to this list. Adidas, Sambas and Campus both being popular choices. Nike, Jordans of any year will likely be a safe choice or Air Force 1s might be something more intriguing to those with a more monochrome closet. Converse are another great option and are more affordable than the other two, the most commonly seen are the white and black high tops but Christmas is a great time to ask for a color less commonly bought, my personal favorites being their navy blue, brown, green, and pink.

• Beauty/selfcare items – Getting a whole new set of shower products along with a nice perfume all with complimentary scents is a fun way to elevate one’s daily routine and leave the house feeling more confident. Body wash, shampoo and conditioner, body scrub, lotion or body butter, deodorant, and perfume are all great things to include in a set. Buying higher end makeup and skincare products are also great ways to boost confidence. Hair masks and lash serums are other popular items to ask for as they could be used as good stocking stuffers or something more high end for another gift under the tree.

• Electronics – A new gaming console, a PC, new headphones, or a whole new phone, something shiny and expensive is always an exciting gift to see under the tree. For a little bit of a throwback a polaroid camera or camcorder offer a fun way to collect memories without being attached to a phone and can quickly liven up the mood in a room. 

Less Common Ideas

• “Ugly” stuffed animals – Everyone buys up the Jelly Cats and Squishmallows but what about the less popular stuffed animals? I personally think that sometimes having what may be considered an uglier stuffed animal is more fun and in its own way is cuter than the more popular choices. For someone looking for a way to add back some of that childhood joy to their gifts and bedroom a stuffed animal would be a great gift to find under the tree.

• Concert tickets – Sometimes an experience is worth more than a tangible item and while they can get very expensive, a ticket to a popular show nearby or to a girl’s favorite band can be an amazing gift. If there’s money left in the budget, enough money for a new outfit for the show could be a great addition because who doesn’t like to get dressed up a little to do something they enjoy?

• Instruments – Christmas is a great time to spend a little extra and invest in a new hobby like learning an instrument. Guitar, bass, drums, or maybe something more classical like a violin, cello, or viola, there are many more options beyond those but essentially an instrument possibly along with some prepaid lessons would be a great way to fill some time and learn a new skill. Making music is a great way for many to relieve stress and allow for them to be creative and express themselves while simultaneously building confidence. In an interview with Tahoma high school band and orchestra teacher Matthew Cole he states “When students learn a new instrument quite often i see students working on taking a risk” “they are doing it because they have the self confidence to try something new.” 

• Room decor – While this gift idea may not necessarily be uncommon it isn’t something that I often see included on lists but adding a funky rug or some wall decor like posters or tapestries is a great way to give a room some personality. I have found that decorating a room is a great way to make it feel more comfortable to be in and is also a good motivation to clean up because if all of that new decor is covered up by dirty laundry there wasn’t much point in buying it in the first place. 

• Sewing materials – As old fashioned as this may sound, sewing is a great skill for a girl to have. Many girls struggle with finding clothes that fit them just the right way but with something like a sewing machine or a hand sewing kit that problem is easily fixable. With the right tools and a few youtube tutorials any girl can find herself with the perfectly fitting pair of jeans.

Stocking Stuffers

• Fuzzy socks – A classic and one of my personal favorites, fuzzy socks are a must have for the holiday season. It’s a good gift to add some extra coziness to a wardrobe and they come in so many different colors and patterns. Muk Luks are a great choice for those looking for less fluff and thinner socks while still being soft and festive while most other generic brands can offer the classic thick and fluffy socks.

• Jewelry – Gold or silver there are a bunch of cute necklaces, rings, bracelets, and others that would be a great addition to the stocking especially for girls who love to dress up their everyday outfits a bit. For a more casual look a beaded or string bracelet may be the right fit but regardless, very few girls would be unhappy to see jewelry in their stocking.

• Nails – A set of press-on nails could be a fun item to receive depending on who the gift is for. For the girls that prefer their natural nails though or regularly get acrylics done something more like a nail oil or polish would be better appreciated. For any of these items though OPI is likely to be a safe brand choice. 

• Lips products – Lip gloss, lip stick, chapstick, lip masks, exfoliator, the list goes on. The lips are an essential part of a girls image no matter who they are so depending on what their everyday makeup routine looks like, if they even have one, finding a lip product she would be happy with likely wouldn’t be much of a hard thing to do. 

• Phone case – No one wants an ugly phone case but many don’t really think to buy themselves a new one often which is what makes them a great stocking stuffer. There are so many different options for every type of girl  but for girls who constantly drop their phone an Otterbox is strongly recommended. Others though that are more interested in the design of their case, something from Casetify could be a great gift as the design is customizable to make the perfect case for her.

At the end of the day, what matters the most is showing her that she is cared for and known. Giving a gift that is special to her will always be better than spending money on something generic that could’ve been for anyone. As Timothy Keller once said, “to be loved is to be known”.