Young adults know what they want these days with a wealth of information at their fingertips and influencers in their face every minute of the day they covet more than ever before and feel the FOMO constantly. Trends change quickly and they’re impossible to predict as a products success can depend on an influencers following, their mood or a TikTok algorithm.
We’ve kept an eye on trends all year to find out what gifts young adults will be thrilled to receive this Christmas. The products listed have been thoroughly tested by groups of tweens and young adults ranging from 13 to 23. Each one received positive feedback and then quickly disappeared into the young adult’s possession!
Without further ado, here is what we believe young adults wish to receive this year.
Squishmallows
Yes you heard it right. Young adults are going crazy for Squishmallows. They are also collecting Jellycats however we couldn’t get in touch with anyone at Jellycat to find out more information so Squishmallows top our list and rightly so. These cute squashy bundles make great pillows, look fantastic as part of a group and can be found all over right now. DO NOT accept cheap imitations. Each Squishmallow has its own name and theme, many try to copy but the squish isn’t on par with the real thing. See our Pets Gift Guide for the Squishmallow pet bed (that our new puppy loves) and familiarise yourself with these plump bundles of fun as you can gift them for as little as £5. We love the sea theme, the penguin and the octopus.
Helly Hensen Trainers
Helly Hensen are already a popular brand but they’re growing fast and becoming more mainstream by the minute, with good reason. Their sports clothes and trainers for young adults are stylish, sleek and bang on trend. We love these trainers that are a little ostentatious with the HH logo but robust and ever so cute with a pair of cargo pants. Their long sleeved skins are also great quality, keeping the tweens warm while looking great and meeting their peers fashion expectations. Do check them out.
Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume
Did you know the Fragrance Shop now has an online store that not only sells perfume but the latest bestselling luxury brands in cosmetics and skincare? We didn’t either. Their prices are also some of the best we’ve seen on the internet. They’re definitely worth a look. We chose the new Marc Jacobs fragrance for our Young Adult gift guide as it ticked every box. Great packaging, gorgeous bottle that fits current trends and looks fabulous in a bedroom, and of course, it smells divine too. Young, fresh and floral.
Haribo Pyjamas
Haribo now have a store where you can buy merchandise that’s not for consumption, such as these long sleeved fun pyjamas that are cosy and warm, bright and cheerful. You can purchase these in sizes from extra small to extra large so the entire family can match on the morning of the big day. We love the sweetie themed night wear and think any young adult who loves Haribo will love it too.
Watermelon Moxi Quad Skates
From Skates.co.uk these incredible quad skates really pop on the roller disco floor. Roller discos are coming back in full force as a great way to burn calories while meeting friends and having fun. I spent many weekends either at the Ice Arena in Hull for the Friday night disco skate or the 147 Super Bowl on Spring Bank on a Saturday for the roller discos. It was a wonderful way to grow up.
Skates.co.uk sell more than just rollerskates they sell scooters, bikes, inline skates and much more. They’re worth a look as they have many budget items along with the top end merchandise.
Nancy Drinks Cooler from CDA
This retro yet ultra modern drinks cooler is the perfect gift for a teenager. Let them have instant access to cool chilled drinks as they game or watch TV in their own bedroom. This could go in the Gift Guide for Grown Ups too as it would look great in any kitchen or office but I think the teens would appreciate it the most. Not only does it have ample storage while being able to slot in anywhere, it also has Bluetooth technology so you can charge your phone on top. It also lights up which adds more ambience to a room while it will beep at you if you leave the door open too. You can feature your favourite drink in the illuminated LED light at the front and store enough cans and bottles to last a whole month.
Close up of Nancy Wine Cooler from CDA
Vistaprint Blanket
Every teenager loves a blanket, an ood, a bed throw and VistaPrint now have the softest sherpa backed fleeces that you can adorn with your very own image. We chose the image of our new pups, Barley and Wisp, you can meet them in the Pet Gift Guide, and we’re over the moon with the result. Such a clear, concise picture that looks really professional. We couldn’t believe we’d taken the photo with our own fair hands as the design looks amazing. It’s a great gift to give to a teenager this year, keep them warm with personalisation of a blanket with their own pet. If they don’t have a pet choose a place they love, a photo of them with friends, or someone they adore just make sure you take the photo as this gives this gift that extra special edge.
Pagazzi Forest Lighting
We love this forest light from Pagazzi, a family owned company that sell every high quality light and nightshade you need for a sophisticated and stylish home. This one sits nicely in our young adult guide as it’s a beautiful bedside touch lamp that’s a little more grown up yet still has the enchanting feature of casting forest shadows on the wall. Available in a range of finishes you can match it with a bedroom light shade too. There is something iridescent in the lining of the lamp that makes it sparkle even when it is not switched on. A gorgeous gift for a growing up teen.
Club Mocchi- Mocchi Super Mario Plushes
These are rather large and impressive. Supersoft with a supreme velvet like texture they are high quality plushes with a comforting finish. Very bright and squidgy they look great on any teen’s bed. We especially love the mushroom plush as it fits in with the forest/ fungi/ nature theme many teens are loving for their bedrooms right now. They’re also great to cuddle and make gorgeous collector’s items for those a little older too. We love to use them as a pillow and you will too. They’re available EVERYWHERE.
Epson Label Maker LW-C410
I can’t believe it’s come to this but I have two adults in the house living with me now as my eldest son and daughter are now 19 and 23. This means that they occasionally buy their own food and become rather upset if someone else helps themselves to their dips, crackers, crisps or drinks. It’s impossible to keep track of whose is whose and so, to avoid arguments, we’ve started labelling food. We tried the Brother label maker but it needed a lot of attention and kit to get it to a functioning state. I’m ashamed to say we gave up, it’s just too fiddly. We tried permanent marker but it made a mess. Then we found the super easy to use Epson label maker. Epson are the leaders in keeping commerce organised so it makes sense they’d launch an at home label maker that even an idiot (me) can understand. This is a great gift for any teen who is moving out of home, or refuses to move out of home and buys their own food, occasionally. I’ve also found it’s great for labelling my 13 year old’s clothes so we have no more PE kits laying unwanted in Lost Property.
Fingerling
You’re never too old for a Fingerling, a little buddy to keep you amused during your downtime. Still voted as the top sought after toy this year these little guys are as popular as they ever were. We love how they come to life with their own personalities. A great gift for anyone who loves a little interactive fun.
Vendula London
These first caught our eye a year ago when the strap to my favourite Chanel black handbag snapped. Their themes are youthful but with a classic spin that means people of all ages can enjoy their designs. We love the Sherlock Homes collection that comes in many shapes and sizes from a full sized shoulder bag to a clutch and coin purse. Made with a strong, durable material the embroidery really stands out. The intricacy of the craftsmanship and the intrigue of the designs. This Christmas we’re loving the pony club range as it’s bright and cheerful with a lot of hidden extra detail. Passers by and checkout staff always comment on how cute these bags are and it won’t be long until they trend on Tik Tok.