If you’re struggling to think about what to buy a Christian teenager for Christmas this year, fear not - Alice Pinney is here with her top 10 ideas
As Christmas rolls around once again (how did that happen so fast?), so does the familiar pressure of gift buying. Teenagers can be notoriously hard to buy for, and the constant church of trends, influencers and ‘must-have’ items can leave any parent feeling overwhelmed.
Your teenager doesn’t need perfect gifts; they need reminders of the perfect saviour who has already come
But choosing presents for young people doesn’t have to be chaotic, nor does it have to be disconnected from their spiritual lives. The familiar rhyme:
Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read; can give a helpful structure to gift buying.
With a little thought, these categories can become a way of giving gifts that don’t just fill stockings but gently support your teenager’s discipleship. Below are some ideas to help teenagers deepen their faith, carry it confidently into everyday life, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Something they want
1. Posters and room art
The vibe of a teenager’s room matters. It’s where they revise, rest and video-call with friends, but also where questions of meaning, identity and purpose are thought through. A poster or print with Scripture or Christian artwork can create an anchor point and a physical reminder of Christian truth.
Companies like Christian Poster Company offer modern, aesthetic designs. Consider a truth that you feel resonates with your teen or an image that connects with something that they are passionate about.
2. Christian jewellery
Less about making a statement and more about carrying faith personally. Think subtle cross necklaces, WWJD bracelets, beaded or cord bracelets with verse tags, or rings engraved with Scripture.
3. Christian themed phone case or pop socket
Phones are the most constant object in a teenager’s life. A faith-themed pop socket or phone case makes Scripture or truth something they see dozens of times a day. Look for designs that are modern/minimalist, perhaps in a similar colour to their current phone case.
Something they need
4. A youth-friendly Bible
If your young person doesn’t have one already, a well-chosen Bible is one of the most valuable things a teenager can have. But it’s important to find one that works for your teenager, thinking about the right translation, layout and features to make Scripture accessible.
Why not look for:
- Space to take notes
- Book introductions and timelines
- A readable font
- Extras like maps or a built in in reading plan
My personal favourites are Engage Youth Bible, an NIV journalling Bible or the ESV student study Bible.
5. Bible tabs
Not glamorous, but incredibly useful. Tabs help young people navigate Scripture confidently, find passages quickly at school or CU, and understand the structure of the Bible.
Read more:
10 Christmas tips for Christian parents on a budget
How Christian parents can help young people navigate Christmas stress
Christmas traditions are great but don’t let them bankrupt you
Christmas present ideas for children in Christian families
6. A Prayer journal or notebook
Learning to pray can be tricky and with so much to pray for in a noisy, overwhelming world, we all need help at times. A prayer journal can help teenagers to:
- Organise thoughts
- Record requests
- Notice answered and unanswered prayer
Something to wear
7. Christian clothing
Christian clothing has become increasingly common, with a huge variety of options that communicate faith in creative, stylish and often subtle ways. Brands like Redeemed Christian Clothing or Stay Lit Apparel have a wide range of options. This becomes a simple way for teens to own their faith confidently in their everyday environments.
Something to read
8. Devotional books for teens
The right devotional book (gifted just before the New Year and the accompanying resolutions!) can help a teenager form their rhythms of Bible reading and prayer early on. Look for something that feels relatable, honest and grounded in Scripture. Suggestions include:
- Bear Grylls – Soul Fuel
- Rebecca McLaughlin – Exploring the Earliest Gospel
- Chris Ranson – Dig into Matthew
9. Christian books that really engage teenagers
Books can shape our worldview but also provide a welcome relief over a screen saturated school break. Some options include:
- Apologetics books such as 10 questions every teen should ask, McLaughlin; or The Big Questions Series, Chris Morphew. Books like these help teenagers wrestle with questions of faith, and spark conversations in households
- Biographies or testimonies that show faith in real life
- Everyday theology books such as Incomparable, Andrew Wilson, can also help teenagers to stretch and grow their faith.
10. A gift that gives to someone else
This might be the most counter cultural gift you could give a teenager: sponsoring a child or giving a gift in their name. It helps them to see that faith isn’t only inward but outward, expressed in generosity and compassion. In a season dominated by gift getting, this gift quietly reminds them that Christmas is about God’s self-giving love to the world.
Jesus, born in a manger, is the gift that shapes identity and anchors hope
December comes with its own noise, pressure and comparison, especially around present. But the good news is that Christmas gift giving doesn’t need to carry the weight of transforming your teenager’s discipleship. These thoughtful ideas can certainly support their faith, but they are not the ultimate gift they need.
Let’s not forget, amidst the gift giving, that God has already given them and us the greatest gift ever offered: himself. Jesus, born in a manger, is the gift that shapes identity and anchors hope.
So, as you wrap presents this year, don’t feel the pressure to get it all perfectly right. Your teenager doesn’t need perfect gifts; they need reminders of the perfect saviour who has already come. And a few simple, intentional presents could be one of the small ways you continue to point them back to him.
