TL;DR

Looking for gifts that spark confidence, comfort, and real body positivity in tweens and teens? Think practical, empowering items like period underwear, inclusive books, self-care essentials, and journals that nurture emotional wellbeing. But the best gift of all?You. Be the role model who shows up confidently in your own skin, builds healthy habits, speaks kindly about bodies, and normalises the ups and downs of growing up.That’s the kind of gift that lasts a lifetime.

1. The Holiday Season: More Than Just Stuff

The festive season can feel like a mental overload. The busy year is slowly coming to an end, but instead of swapping out your work time for rest and family movies, you’re thinking about shopping, wrapping, cooking, the kid’s activities, making it to social events, preparing for the new year… 

It’s tiring to just think about!

Butit’s these busier moments when small eyes turn to us.When they take in the indulgence and summer swimmers and comments that we forget we’re making because our mind is juggling five other thoughts. 

“Wow, I’ve been so bad,” you may say, hand reaching for another piece of rocky road. Little do they know you’re remembering you haven’t been to the gym since October.

“No, I’m not going for a swim.” You may wave off the water, thinking about all the tasks that need to be done, but they just remember you complaining about the heat.

"Time to get back on track," you may whisper, eyes set on the new year. Sometimes it is just hard to break the cycle of shame we have with our own body confidence.

No matter where the comment comes from,younger ears are prone to absorbing them, andwhen there is still so much value placed on bodies in society, they may use an offhanded comment to affirm what they are seeing or hearing in other parts of their lives.

This is why being intentional with empowering gifts this season is crucial. In a time whenbody awareness can spike, we can minimise its impact with thoughtful gifts that ensure the tweens and teens in our livesfeel supported, seen, and celebratedbeyond their appearance.

So, this year, let’s go beyond whatever is trending and give presents that empower, educate and uplift for years to come.

(And, if you want more info on what to try and not say around the holidays, click here).

2. Confidence-Boosting Gift Ideas

Period Underwear (Practical + Confidence-Boosting)

Period underwear, like our comfy, diverse, and zero-stress designs, gives tweens and teenspeace of mind during a time of huge change. They fit andfeel just like regular underwearAND our pre-period/light absorbency underwear can be worn before a tween or teens cycle starts, making the transition to menstruation even more normal.

All of our products areleak-proof, contain no nasties, and are designed with developing bodies in mind, ensuring your gift reminds your younger loved ones thatperiods are normal and they’ve got this.

Plus, our range now includes seamless underwear for sports and dance,diverse swimwear options, and the world’s first 2-in-1 hybrid period undies, sothere is something for everyone.

Why it’s a winner:

• Reduces stress at school, sport and sleepovers
• Eco-friendly
• Helps normalise conversations around menstruation + reduce the shame

Books That Celebrate Growing Bodies

Gift books thatteach body literacy, encourage self-acceptance, and dismantle unrealistic standards. Think inclusive puberty guides, autobiographies of change makers, and stories celebrating diverse bodies.

Plus, in today’s media-centric world (and with the newly imposed social media ban for people under sixteen years old),a book gives the eyes a break, engages the brain, and eases the nervous system. A win beyond the win, if you ask us!

A few themes to look for:

• Puberty explained without shame
• Diverse body images
• Stories that highlight strengths beyond appearance
• Positive mental health messaging

Kind-Body Care Kits

Who doesn’t love a little pampering? Another idea is to put together a small hamper of gentle skincare, deodorant made for young skin, hair care tools, and body washes with their favourite scents (nothing that screams “hide your flaws”). Make it aboutrituals of careandtaking the time to nourish our bodies, not “fixing” anything.

This is also a great way to teach young teens and tweens aboutbeing aware of what they put on their body, how tounderstand and listen to what products benefit their unique skin and hair compositions, and how toavoid getting sucked upin the constant stream of “life-changing” products that only empty their bank accounts.

Why it matters:

• Helps them build a positive self-care routine
• Encourages body neutrality (“my body helps me do things”)
• Gives them ownership over their personal hygiene journey

Journals for Feelings, Goals and Creativity

A journal is a must for growing adolescents tohave a safe space, detach from the constant noise of the world, and reflect within. This can foster self-expression, identity exploration and emotional growth, and shows that no matter what,you will always be there to love and support them.

Tip: pair a journal with colourful pens, stickers or affirmations, and a heartfelt message from you that they can always look back to.

This is great for:

• Easing anxiety
• Developing authentic self-awareness
• Practising gratitude
• Processing big feelings

3. The Best Gift of All: Being a Role Model

You can wrap presents, but you can’t wrap confidence. That comes from seeing it lived, daily, in the people tweens and teens trust the most.

Young people absorb everything: the way you talk about your body, how you handle stress,what you say about food, movement, rest and self-worth.

So, the biggest gift you can give them is also the biggest gift you can give yourself this holiday season: grace and love.

As the The Butterfly Foundation says on their page about role modelling to support positive body image in our tweens and teens:

“Being a positive role model doesn’t mean you have a perfect relationship with your body; and it doesn’t mean you have to look or act perfectly. Instead, it encourages people to do what they can to improve body kindness and body inclusivity in the world.”

In fact, showing your young loved ones how to cherish their natural bodies and minds even when it’s hard is more powerful than projecting satisfaction at all times.Too much positivity can be toxic, too.

So, here’s how to model confidence year-round:

Speak kindly about your body

Comments like “I look terrible today” or “I need to lose weight after Christmas” don’t go unnoticed. Instead try:

• “My body works hard for me.”
• “I feel strong today.”
• “All bodies change, that’s normal.”

Model healthy eating habits (not diet culture)

Focus on nourishment, joy and balance, not restriction. 

• Say: “Let’s choose foods that make us feel energised” instead of “I shouldn’t eat that.”

Destigmatise ‘scary’ aspects of food.

• For example, in society, fat = bad. However, healthy fats are essential to help with blood sugar control, muscle movement, inflammation, and so much more!

Look at food at a holistic level.

• For example, instead of not eating excessive sweets because of weight gain, instead talk about the risk of diabetes, how too much results in teeth erosion, and how it impairs brain matter and mood regulation.

Prioritise sleep, manage stress, and set boundaries

When your young ones see you valuing rest, they learn that burnout isn’t a badge of honour (which is a crucial understanding for them to have before high school gets too intense).

Tell them about how work may have wanted you to stay later, but having the evening off or mornings spent with the family ensures you can sustain work for longer.

Let them hear you say:

• “I need a moment to reset.”
• “That doesn’t work for me right now.”

  It teaches emotional regulation, respect and agency.

Enjoy movement

Movement should feel fun, freeing and flexible, not like punishment. Find an activity that you love and let the young people around you see the joy it brings you.

Also, find movement activities that you can share together, such as walking the dog, dancing in the kitchen, or beginner yoga. Turning movement into a normal family tradition makes them more likely to see the joy and inner benefits, rather than potential physical changes.

Celebrate more than appearance

Our physical attributes are a fraction of our whole identities and should be treated as such. 

Compliment adolescents’ creativity, courage, humour, resilience, thoughtfulness, anything beyond how they look, and point out the same in yourself.

“I am proud of how kind you are” should always go further than saying “I am proud of how you look in those pants”.

Normalise body fluctuations

They’re growing fast. Bodies change. All of that is okay.

Remind them that the same is happening to you, to their friends, to every single other person on the planet. 

“Why?” They may ask.

Your answer: “Because we are not supposed to stay the same.”

How boring would life be if that was the case?

4. Our Overarching Point

When gifts encourage comfort, confidence and self-care, and when you consistently model positive habits, you’re giving tweens and teens something far more powerful than a stocking stuffer.You’re giving them a foundation to grow into confident, kind, resilient humans.And that’s a holiday gift that lasts long after the wrapping paper’s gone.

FAQ / Q&A

Q: What’s the best gift for a tween just starting puberty?

A combination of practical support (like period underwear) and educational resources (like puberty-friendly books) that destigmatise and normalise this new phase is ideal.

Q: How do I talk about body changes without making it awkward?

Keep it light, normalise everything, and let them set the pace. Offer information without pressure, and if you need extra guidance, click here to read our blog on the topic.

Q: Is period underwear okay for young teens?

Absolutely! It’s comfortable, safe, eco-friendly, and helps reduce anxiety at school, during sport, or at sleepovers with friends.

Q: What if my child seems uncomfortable with their body?

Reflect confidence, avoid appearance-based criticism, and celebrate their strengths. If concerns are ongoing, check in gently or consider supportive resources like school counsellors.

Q: How do I avoid gifting something that feels like “body shaming”?

Stick to neutral, empowering items, nothing that implies they need to change, hide or improve their body.

 

Ready to give a gift that boosts confidence, comfort and self-worth? Explore our range of period underwear designed for tweens and teens by clicking here.

Give a gift that supports them today, empowers them tomorrow, and reminds them:their body is something to celebrate.