No matter if your 14-year-old is finishing middle school or beginning high school, their interests and hobbies are likely changing quite a bit as they navigate their teen years. It can be hard to keep up with what they like and, even more challenging, with what's "cool." With social media like TikTok and Instagram, trends are constantly coming and going (making shopping for preteens even harder). If you have no idea where to start when it comes to the 14-year-old in your life, we researched what's trending on social media and asked our very own nieces and nephews what's on their lists. Hint: it's nostalgic.
The 14-year-olds of today appear to be interested in nostalgic gifts like polaroid cameras, roller blades, record players, and creative items like string lights with photo clips. It's all about being innovative and retro, and TikTok has proven this time and time again. Whether it be hair scrunchies that appear straight out of the '80s or funky gadgets like UV phone sanitizers, there's bound to be a gift idea in here that will tickle your preteen's fancy. Check out tons of items that'll take the guessing out of choosing a gift for your teen this holiday season ahead.
— Additional reporting by Alessia Santoro
Record players have made a comeback in recent years, and this Crosley Voyager Turntable ($80, originally $100) is all the rage. Between its vintage look and the endless chances to head to the record store, it's a gift that keeps on giving. One of our POPSUGAR editors reviewed the Crosley Voyager Turntable and says it's great for special occasions.
We all know someone who would love the Dash Fresh Pop Popcorn Maker ($25). Making popcorn can feel like just as much of an experience as actually going to the movies with this red kitchen essential. Your 14-year-old will enjoy using it with their friends on the next movie-night sleepover.
This Wild Fable Faux Leather Moto Jacket ($42) is a great piece to pair with anything. It is made with a soft faux-leather material and has a double-notched collar and long sleeves with cute buttoned cuffs. It also has two waist pockets where she can store her phone or wallet.
If Margot Robbie rollerskating around Venice Beach as Barbie didn't make them want to own a pair of rollerskates, then these Impala Rollerskates ($110) definitely will. The sweet, contrasting design pays homage to nostalgic skate styles, making them perfect for pre-teens who love nostalgia.
This Slip Pure Silk Skinny Hair Tie Nightlife Holiday Bauble ($27) makes for the ultimate stocking stuffer. Not only is the packaging adorable, but the hair ties are also soft and comfortable and don't leave dents in your hair. It's an all-around winner for the 14-year-old in your life.
If you're looking for a great product for the budding beauty enthusiast, look no further than this Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer ($35) — which allows users to play around with styling their hair without having to invest in a super damaging (or expensive!) product! One of POPSUGAR's own editors was prepared to throw her other hair brushes out the window after trying this tool — as detailed in this Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer product review.
If they're all about a good vibe, this Mushroom LED Bluetooth Speaker ($24, originally $34) will certainly elevate it. The Bluetooth-enabled speaker is shaped like a mushroom and has a light-up design that will give the room a cool psychedelic feel. Available in both blue and red color options, we guarantee either will impress them.
If they love listening to music as they doze off to sleep at night, this iScream Daisy Throw Pillow Bluetooth Speaker ($35, originally $59) is a great option. The daisy-shaped throw pillow features a wireless Bluetooth speaker inside that pairs with their phone to play all their favorite songs. The pillow is reversible, featuring pink on its front and orange on its back.
The Sunset Projection Lamp ($17) takes mood lighting to a whole new level — its head can be rotated 180 degrees to adjust the size and shape of the projected light. It's small enough to be placed anywhere, whether it be a nightstand, dresser, or shelf, making it a great gift for practically anyone to enjoy.
Your tween can snap some polaroids while hanging out with friends thanks to this Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera ($99, originally $109). The camera is available in nine colors and has a cool selfie mirror on the front to check your framing. It also comes with a close-up lens attachment, making shooting close objects possible.
This modern take on the classic scavenger hunt requires your teen's favorite possession — their smartphone! Game of Phones ($12-$25) asks players to engage in a smartphone scavenger hunt with their friends in which only the fastest players will survive (just kidding, they'll win points).
Your teen can make a delicious snack with this DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit ($34). The ice cream is sweet and chewy on the outside and cold and creamy on the inside. Tint and flavor the ice cream spheres with the kit's included matcha green tea, cocoa powder, or food coloring, and get creative. The kit makes four batches of eight ice cream spheres.
These Velvet Scrunchy Bobbles ($9, originally $16) are seriously cute (you'll probably want to snag a few from their stocking for yourself!). The scrunchies have a wide application that can be used for various occasions like school dances and every day. Available in 12 colors, these hair ties are bound to suit their taste.
This hilarious box of Sushi Socks ($23) comes with three pairs of themed socks. The socks look identical to sushi, so much so, they're worth giving for your teen's reaction alone. The package of three socks contains a salmon, tuna, and cucumber maki-themed pair that, oddly enough, might make them hungry.
Help them to show off photos they've taken with this string of LED Photo Clip Lights ($19), which holds 50 photos. The lights are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and are perfect for a teenager's room. Pick up a disposable camera to go along with these lights and you'll have the perfect gift.
Your 14-year-old can hang bookbags and jackets on this cute Peace Sign Wall Hook ($10, originally $14). The wall hook can be mounted on any wall (like a bedroom wall) for extra storage. It holds up to five pounds, making it perfect for lightweight items.
Your teen has likely got their hand on their smartphone at all times, but smart devices have more germs than a public restroom! With this smartphone UV sanitizer ($80-$100) your 14-year-old can keep their phone germ-free so they can avoid getting sick — aka, no days spent home from school!
We can't stop laughing at these Shark Socks ($12). They're the perfect gift for those who love Shark week (or Sharks in general). Teens who wear these to school will get a ton of praise from friends and teachers alike — they're truly one of a kind.
This Prism Light ($32) will add rainbow neon flair to their bedroom. The lantern uses a special holographic film between two layers of glass to split flickering candlelight into a spectrum of color that's extra beautiful at night. Use it with an electric tea light for a safer lighting option.
If the teen you're buying a gift for is expressive by nature, pick them up these Happy-Nes Handcrafted 3.5 mm Apple Headphones ($69). The headphones are handcrafted with acrylic yarns and showcase a unique style. They can take phone calls and listen to music as any ordinary pair would, except these are stylish.
If your 14-year-old enjoys tuning out the world on occasion (don't we all?), they'll love the noise-canceling capabilities of these Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones ($449, originally $549), which are so good, even our own POPSUGAR editor had "no regrets" making the splurge, as detailed in this Apple AirPods Max product review.