Gifts Teens Will Love (and the Planet Will Too)

Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-standing-beside-glass-window-3875822/

Picture the scene……….. you have managed to gain entry past the closed bedroom door, waded your way through the discarded clothing littering the floor, smiled politely through the grunting and happily procured the Christmas List of your beloved teen. Then reality hits……..the obscure brands, crazy price tags and unethical ethos of the brands your teen has been targeted by just aren’t where you want to spend your hard earned cash! Lets think outside of the box whilst hopefully ticking a few boxes on that list for the big man.

1. Sweet Treats - Tony’s Chocolonely Sustainable Chocolate

Tony’s Chocolonely are crazy about chocolate just like your teen but they are also serious about people and equality. Tony’s Chocolonely combines delicious flavours with a commitment to ethical cocoa sourcing. In our home we are fans of the ‘Dark Milk Brownie’, however I also have it on good authority that the ‘Everything’ bar is the ‘one’ to try! Great for stocking fillers, mood boosters or movie snugglers. You can even personalise your bar for that extra bit of magic.

Tony’s Chocolonely Christmas Rainbow Tasting Pack, £9.98

2. Pre-Loved Finds: Scuffers Hoodie from Depop

Have you heard of ‘Scuffers’ yet? It’s the latest in a long line of ‘cool’ street brands that my teen has been hankering after. That’s why I’m not reaching for the actual site because whilst I love that they promote every person being more ‘real, honest and himself’ I sadly couldn’t find anything about their sustainability credentials and fear this could just be another of the moment trend. Instead you’ll find me searching Pre-loved on Vinted and Depop for Scuffers Hoodies, T’s and joggers. Depop is perfect for the savvy teen who loves thrifted fashion, you’ll find all their favourite brands at a fraction of the cost and keeping clothing in the circulation.

Scuffers Hoodie in Navy, depop £60

3. Stay Warm and Stylish: The North Face Renewed 700 Nuptse Jacket

It’s the ‘It’ jacket for teens! Yes we would all like them to have a style of their own but trust me this is a safe buy. The North Face Renewed make good any pre loved items and you can filter by condition giving you a substantial saving on price and prolonging the life of the garment. They remove any dirt, any damage is repaired so that each garment is as good as ‘renewed’. This refurbished jacket is a winter essential that blends style, warmth, and sustainability. The Renewed line ensures your teen gets a like-new jacket while supporting circular fashion.

1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, North Face Renewed £240

4. Glowing Skin: Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops from Boop

Ok I’m just going to whisper this one – ‘Boop’ have lots great cosmetics that have slight defects in packaging, we are talking a missing box, a scratch on a label or sometimes just over production (we know this really annoys us too- its so wasteful). Products are heavily discounted and at Xmas time you can also buy bundles.  We found plenty of Drunk Elephant products. Do be careful to ensure that the products you buy are age appropriate for your teen- but lots to select from here- great for stocking fillers for any skincare lover.

Drunk Elephant @ Boop, from £25

5. Experience the Fun: A Merlin Annual Pass

We all have so much ‘stuff’- so why not give a gift of adventure and freedom with an annual Merlin Pass – giving them access to some of the best attractions in the UK Legoland, Sea Life, Alton Towers, and Thorpe Park all being top hits with teens and family’s alike. You can also spread payments throughout the year so its not just a big hit at Christmas time.

Merlin Annual Pass, from £99

6. Period Power: WUKA Period Knickers

Did you know that conventional sanitary pads can contain up to 90% plastic, with a single pack equivalent to about four plastic bags. Tampons also include plastic in the string and applicators, which are often made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The waste generated by sanitary goods is shocking ! So let’s gift safer, comfortable and reliable period alternatives to the young women in our lives, WUKA period underwear is a game-changer. Designed for reliable, leak-proof protection, they’re perfect for teens and are much better for the planet than disposable options.

Wuka Period Proof Underwear, £14.99

7. A Fairer Future: Fairphone – The Fairest Smartphone 📱

If a phone is on your list then look into Fairphone. For tech-savvy teens, the Fairphone is a revolutionary gift. Built with ethically sourced materials, it’s modular for easy repair, making it the ultimate sustainable smartphone. Designed to last and minimize environmental impact, it’s a perfect match for socially conscious young people- you can pick up a replacement battery for as little as £35 – this is a phone that isn’t built for obsolescence.

FAIRPHONE, from £499

8. Crisp Sound: Marley Audio Headphones

Marley Audio headphones combine sleek design with sustainable materials like bamboo and recycled plastics. The sound quality is great and the company are on a journey to become Net Zero with many initiatives already underway. What could be cooler than headphones from the Marley family. Perfect for teens who want high-quality sound and a commitment to the environment.

Marley Wireless Earbuds, from £24.99

9. Level Up: A Pre-Loved Games Console from Back Market 🎮

For the gamer in your life, a refurbished console from Back Market is a fantastic option. Whether it’s a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, this gift is slightly more budget-friendly and offers a sustainable solution- pricing is dependent on availability and condition.

Refurbished PlayStation, Back Market from £349.28

From ethical treats to immersive experiences, thrifted finds, and cutting-edge tech, this guide has something for every teenager- lets just say it’s even been teenager approved and you know how hard that is to achieve! These gifts blend style, functionality, and sustainability, ensuring they’ll be loved and appreciated this Christmas.

Now take off those black boots and eat that mince pie the little loves left for you!