16th Birthday Gift Ideas 2022 – What to Buy a 16-Year-Old

2022-07-30 10:13:53 By : Ms. Jade So

Seventeen picks products that we think you'll love the most. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Cue the Hilary Duff song…

Turning 16 years old is a major milestone in life. You might not be considered a legal adult yet, but you have reached the age when you’re permitted to get a driver’s license (in most parts of the country), and you might even start your first job. So, 16th birthdays are often an excuse to celebrate a little bigger. Even if you’re not planning a Sweet 16 party, your parents or family might be looking to gift you something a little extra special this year — and you may find yourself shopping for an epic 16th birthday gift for one of your besties. It’s a big day, and we certainly can’t ignore the pressure to have the perfect 16th birthday gift idea.

Of course, you want to give (or get) something memorable and meaningful to mark the occasion. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve come up with a comprehensive list of the best 16th birthday gifts, whether you want to celebrate the fact that your bestie just passed their driving test, or simply want to give them something better than a gift card. Maybe they’re an avid lover of #BookTok and need their next new read? Or perhaps they can’t get enough of all the viral TikTok products on their FYP. Below, find all the best 16th birthday gifts that might just earn you the title of greatest gift-giver ever — and don’t forget to send this list to your fam if they’re stumped on what to get you for your upcoming 16th birthday.

Record players are definitely having a moment. For the music lover in your life, this player features a carry handle for easy transportation, a three-speed belt-driven turntable — and built-in Bluetooth speakers, just in case they still want to stream from their smartphone.

ICYMI, Heartstopper is one of the buzziest new shows on Netflix, based on the graphic novel series by author Alice Oseman. The coming-of-age story follows Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, who meet in class one day and go on to develop a friendship, then something more. If you or your BFF can’t stop re-watching the show, buy the binge-worthy four-book set before season two debuts, probably sometime in 2023.

The Dr. Martens x Heaven by Marc Jacobs collection quickly sold out (sigh). However, you can still snag a pair of the 8053 Leather Platform shoes, one of the brand’s best-selling and trendiest offerings. Olivia Rodrigo loves to rock this style, and so can you.

Turning 16 years old marks a pivotal moment in your life. At this age, many begin to think about what the future might hold, from college to career and friendships to relationships. Help the dreamer in your life plan out their hopes and dreams with The Bucket List Journal, which features before-and-after prompts, goal tracking formulas, and blank pages to let their creative mind flow.

Does your bestie have an unwavering adoration for Stranger Things, and more specifically, Eddie Munson? Us too. Let them show off their love with this retro Hellfire Club t-shirt, featuring the iconic logo of Hawkins High’s Dungeons & Dragons crew.

The perfect gift for someone who loves fashion, and especially loves a trend. The accessorizing options are endless with this 20-piece acrylic ring set, which offers a rainbow of fun, vibrant colors and standout patterns. Plus, with a generous number of pieces, you might even be able to steal one ring (or two or three) to wear yourself every now and then.

You can’t really ever go wrong with baked goods. The Milk Bar Confetti Cookie Tin includes the mouth-watering flavors of a classic birthday cake, from vanilla to rainbow sprinkles in decadent sugar cookie form. Choose between a 6-count tin and 12-count tin for the perfect, often infallible, gift idea.

Frasier Sterling creates some of the cutest jewelry pieces that will have everyone asking, “OMG where did you get that?!” This particular necklace is customizable, up to nine characters max, and features a chic mix of synthetic pearls and colorful glass beads.

Instantly print the most adorable photos with the Fujifilm Instax Mini, which comes in an array of colors like blush pink, charcoal gray, white, lilac, and blue. There’s even a selfie mode for when you want to capture all of the cute close-up moments in life. All you need is two AA batteries.

Friends don’t let friends take selfies with bad lighting. So give the gift of endless flawless photos and TikToks with this LED ring light, complete with a supportive stand and convenient phone holder. What makes this even better? It’s rotatable and dimmable, offering five different brightness modes and heights from 17 to 62 inches.

This popular journal from Intelligent Change presents six months of daily journaling, offering prompts that go beyond the typical blank-page journal. Reflect on your days and practice manifestation with daily gratitude lists, which is designed to boost your confidence and foster a positive mindset.

A leather shoulder bag is a timeless addition to your closet, and this one from Staud offers just a little something more with the distinct mixed-metal detail on the strap. It also features a zip closure, suede lining, and interior pockets. Don’t love the cream color? The bag also comes in black and a rich emerald hue.

Bring the tunes on the go with this portable speaker, boasting all of the good vibes with its yellow and blue ombre hues. The device measures 3.54 x 1.77 x 3.54 inches in length, which means it can easily be tossed in a beach bag or backpack. Plus, it has Bluetooth connectivity, a play time of 1-2 hours, and comes with a mini USB charge cable.

If you couldn’t snag tickets to one of Olivia Rodrigo’s live shows this year, might we suggest a phone case from her collaboration with CASETiFY. The collection includes seven different prints, all designed with Olivia’s distinct, pop-punk aesthetic in mind.

It’s never too early to start a flourishing plant collection, so why not help someone get started with the Snake Plant Laurentii, a succulent plant that’s low-maintenance and typically easy to care for? This plant comes in three different size options — small, medium, and large — so you can purchase the perfect planter for their space.

This dainty, minimalist chain bracelet from Mejuri is a staple that could last you a lifetime. It goes with practically any outfit — casual or formal — and can be mixed and matched with other bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings.

An intricate breakdown in book form of Harry Styles' most iconic, show-stopping ensembles of all time? Yes, please — and can we get a promise of future volumes? This hardcover book by Terry Newman also features eye-catching photos of the artist’s amazing fashions, making it the ideal purchase for the biggest Harry Styles fan — or even fashion lover — you know.

Since we’re still not over the season four finale, and will totally be on the edge of our seats until season five drops, we’ve included another Stranger Things gift option for you here. This version of Mad Libs, the classic fill-in-the-blank word game, lets you direct some of the narrative of Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and the rest of the Hawkins crew.

Behold, the ultimate gift for you and your bestie’s next self care day. Relax and unwind with Sephora Collection’s 18-product set, stocked with everything from eye masks, peeling masks, hand masks, hair sleeping masks, and of course, face masks.

Turning 16 comes with a lot of responsibility, and often, a lot more freedom — especially if you or your friend just got a driver’s license. The Birdie personal alarm is one of the most important safety tools that one can have. It emits a loud siren and flashing light when activated, to create a diversion and help someone get away from a dangerous situation. It can be used multiple times and can easily be attached to a keychain.