This holiday season, we’ve found the gifts that feel great to get and even better to give. Shop Well-Received, our collection of editor-approved holiday gift guides, here and shop this gift guide on Pinterest here.
As a Gen Z editor, I’ve heard that us 12-to-27-year-olds are intimidating and hard to shop for. Well, fear not: I’ve curated holiday gift ideas that your coolest, youngest giftee will not only not hate, but actually really like.
There are a few things to remember when you’re shopping for Gen Z, which I’ve channeled into this gift guide. We’re tech-savvy, self-deprecating, confident, and passionately outspoken. We care about sustainability (because we were born into a dying planet), we live on TikTok (no explanation needed), and we definitely love a good present (just like everyone else). Flip through the following slides for a lesson in what’s at the very top of my generation’s wish list this holiday season — there’s everything from viral celebrity perfumes and cutesy tech to delicious drink kits and every form of bag charm you can think of.
So, I present you with the best gifts for Gen Z that won’t gain an eye roll, and will grant you best gift-giver status.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
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Give them an entire skin care routine that takes clean beauty to a whole new level. Vice & Virtue™️ products are formulated for all ages and include hormone-friendly ingredients housed in FYP-worthy, non-toxic packaging. What that means: The brand steers clear of 100-plus chemicals that could potentially harm the skin or disrupt our hormone balance (other brands typically avoid 50 to 60 chemicals), so there’s no unnecessary exposure to harmful substances. It’s skin care that actually *cares* — and perhaps that’s the greatest gift of all.
Shop Vice & Virtue
Vice & Virtue Go All In Bundle, $, available at Vice & Virtue
Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag has become one of the brand’s hero products, which means the athleisurewear-obsessed may already own the brand’s original nylon version. I recommend adding to their collection with a more festive (constantly sold-out) fleece style, with new pink and green options available.
Shop Lululemon
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Fleece, $, available at Lululemon
Whether your giftee is into astrology (or just really into themselves and their own sign), an elevated zodiac pendant will certainly delight them. These dainty ones are available on three chain lengths for some customization.
Shop Flaire & Co.
Flaire & Co. Dainty Zodiac Gold Necklace, $, available at Flaire & Co.
At this point, I’m sure you’ve heard of Chappell Roan, no matter your age or music preference — and I assure you that your giftee is likely a fan. Cart up a not-so-kitschy graphic T-shirt inspired by Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess album.
Shop Etsy
KirkGiftsStore Midwest Princess Graphic T-Shirt, $, available at Etsy
Ugg boots have been a tried-and-true holiday present for a while, and Gen Z have certainly latched onto them. Since puffer boots and furry boots are trending, consider this new plush platform pair.
Shop Ugg
Ugg Women’s Classic Chillapeak, $, available at Ugg
Keep your giftee’s tech as stylish as they are. Velvet Caviar’s phone, earphone, and laptop cases come in a range of cheerful designs, like this whimsical print and heart-shaped carabiner.
Shop Velvet Caviar
Velvet Caviar Dolce Vita Glitter AirPod Case, $, available at Velvet Caviar
Looking for an under-$50 gift for the skincare- and makeup-obsessed on your list? Check out E.l.f.’s affordable holiday kit. The combination of these best-selling products — including this editor’s favorite lip oil and face cream — will help make your giftee’s face glimmer and glow throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Shop E.l.f.
ELF Cosmetics Glow for the Holiday Kit, $, available at ELF Cosmetics
Bag charms are trending among Gen Z… so why not get a literal bag charm? This keychain in the shape of a Baggu is the perfect sidekick for your giftee’s oversized totes, shoulder bags, and crossbodies to hold keys, gum, and chapstick.
Shop Baggu
Baggu Crescent Bag Charm, $, available at Baggu
With the importance of wellness top of mind for most Gen Z, a journal makes for a thoughtful gift. This five-minute journal is intended for the busiest giftee, and includes short prompts to help practice gratitude and improve well-being. It’ll become their favorite thing on their bedside table.
Shop Intelligent Change
Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal, $, available at Intelligent Change
The Wicked movie has brought a new generation of fans to the original Broadway show, especially with all the collaborations coming out to celebrate its arrival in theaters. Get the giftee who always has great hair a green-and-pink ombre FlexStyle tool that’ll grant them curls as voluminous as Glinda’s.
Shop Shark
Shark WICKED x Shark FlexStyle® Limited-Edition, $, available at Shark
Give the gift of arm candy this season with a TikTok-approved wristlet strap. Your giftee can hook it onto their phone case or digital camera, serving as a stylish and functional tech accessory to match their personal style. (Charli XCX even has this exact style on her phone, as seen in a recent Dazed interview — very brat!).
Shop String Ting
String Ting Steel My Heart Midnight Wristlet Phone Strap, $, available at String Ting
The “Espresso” singer recently released the third iteration of her Sweet Tooth fragrance, Cherry Baby. It can be a bit difficult to track down the popular scent, but we found it just in time for the holidays.
Shop Amazon
Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby Eau De Parfum, $, available at Amazon
Anything from this Gen Z-approved brand is a big “yes” from me, but this throw blanket that comes in a range of trending bow and cow prints is a quirky yet mature gift idea to elevate their space.
Shop Lisa Says Gah
Lisa Says Gah Archie Throw Blanket, $, available at Lisa Says Gah
This card game is great for bringing couples, families, and friends together beyond a superficial level. This friendship edition is especially suited for Gen Z, who know the importance of genuine friends and vulnerable (and fun) conversations.
Shop Amazon
We’re Not Really Strangers Friendship Edition Card Game, $, available at Amazon
Coach’s new sub-brand, Coachtopia, is like its younger, cooler sister, so if you have a young, cool giftee you’re shopping for, scope out its Y2K-inspired shoulder bags.
Shop Coach
Coachtopia Alter/Ego Small Wavy Shoulder Bag In Checkerboard Upcra, $, available at Coach
Dust-, rust-, and water-proof, this portable speaker has a 12-hour battery, which means it’s built for all-day play from the city to the sea. That’s a whole lot of Spotify “daylists” to help soundtrack your giftee’s everyday adventures.
Shop Bose
Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen), $, available at Bose
As one of the faces of Gen Z, Emma Chamberlain is always at the top of her game, from her vulnerable vlogs and quirky red-carpet interviews to her cutesy namesake coffee brand. Chamberlain Coffee has a host of flavored coffee beans, canned cold brews, and drink accessories. If you’re looking to stay with the times, gift a matcha bundle that’ll make everyone else green with envy.
Shop Amazon
Chamberlain Coffee Matcha & Mason Jar Bundle, $, available at Amazon
Feel like you just jumped backwards 20 years? Well, you haven’t — but Gen Z is obsessed with the digital cameras of yesteryear. This nostalgic present promises to get you on the nice list, and to capture their most important moments.
Shop Amazon
Camkory Point and Shoot Digital Cameras with 32GB SD Card, $, available at Amazon
Round out their Ariana Grande perfume collection with the triple threat’s newest fragrance. The warm, woodsy, and citrusy scent is a bit more grown-up than her previous releases, maturing through the years — just like your giftee.
Shop Ulta
Ariana Grande LOVENOTES Pink Woods Eau de Parfum, $, available at Ulta
I promise you that most of Gen Z are obsessed with A24 movies. The X horror trilogy (which includes Pearl and MaXXXine) brought us frights and viral “I’m a star” memes. And since personalization is in, gift this three-pin pack to upgrade their jackets and totes.
Shop Etsy
CerezaStudios X Pearl Series Horror Movie Pin Set, $, available at Etsy
Laneige’s celebrity-, editor-, and Gen Z-approved lip masks are sure to put a smile on your giftee’s face. This sweet beauty bundle includes the brand’s popular Lip Glowy Balm in candy cane, to ensure lips stay soft and sweet all day and night.
Shop Laneige
Laneige Divine Lip Duo, $, available at Laneige
Sambas were certainly one of the sneakers of 2024, and there’s no sign of them going out of style in the new year. While you can opt for a classic pair, your giftee will truly stand out from the crowd if you surprise them with a pair from Adidas’ nearly-sold-out Wales Bonner collaboration.
Shop Farfetch
Adidas x Wales Bonner Samba Desert White Sneakers, $, available at Farfetch
If you’re looking for an inexpensive stocking stuffer, this quirky coin pouch keychain is great for vegan milk drinkers. You can even stuff it with some cash, or pair it with an e-gift card to their go-to coffee spot so they can get their oat milk fix.
Shop Etsy
ThreePotatoFourCo Oat Milk Money Rubber Squeeze Coin Pouch, $, available at Etsy
Chances are, if you’ve glanced around a busy gym or school campus, you’ve seen numerous colorful Owala bottles all around. The brand and its bestselling FreeSip bottle that’s constantly released in new color combinations are Gen Z-approved.
Shop Amazon
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Str, $, available at Amazon
One of Glossier’s most popular scents is Birthday Cake, and, although I’m pretty confident that you’re browsing for holiday gifts rather than birthday presents, your giftee will love having their space smell like funfetti all year long with this 10-year anniversary candle.
Shop Glossier
Glossier Birthday Cake Candle, $, available at Glossier
I personally love a multi-purpose gift, so this lip and cheek stain is a no-brainer for fellow beauty lovers. The K-Beauty product offers a jelly glazed finish, and the packaging’s keychain with charms is as adorable as it is functional.
Shop Sephora
Kaja Jelly Charm Glazed Lip Stain & Blush With Keychain, $, available at Sephora
Save your giftee a few dollars from their constant runs to the bubble tea shop with an at-home kit. This reader-favorite set comes with two loose leaf teas, tapioca pearls, and two reusable stainless steel straws.
Shop Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods Bubble Tea Kit, $, available at Uncommon Goods
With friendship bracelets becoming a fashion and concert must-have — and a whole new generation discovering and embracing Wicked for the first time — this design will make you the most “popular” gift-giver.
Shop Little Words Project
Little Words Project x Wicked Popular Bead Bracelet, $, available at Little Words Project
This editor spends most of her money on concerts, like most Gen Z who prefer splurging on experiences rather than products. And with live events costing a pretty penny these days, a Ticketmaster gift card at any dollar amount will help secure tickets to the best concerts, sports games, comedy shows, and more.
Shop Ticketmaster
ticketmaster E-Gift Card, $, available at Ticketmaster
Gen Z is obsessed with TikTok-viral Drunk Elephant skincare, and now they can enjoy all of the brand’s bestsellers with the new holiday trunk. This extravagant gift includes 10 full-size products and several samples, all packaged inside a TSA-approved carry-on suitcase. (Just note that some Drunk Elephant products are not suitable for people 12 and under, so consult the brand’s FAQs page to see if this selection is suitable for your specific giftee.)
Shop Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant Trunk 8.0, $, available at Drunk Elephant
Help keep chapped winter lips at bay with Summer Fridays’ viral vegan butter balms in a new trio of festive scents and tints. They’ll gain permanent spots in your giftee’s makeup bag, work bag, and gym bag.
Shop Sephora
Summer Fridays The Holiday Lip Butter Balm Set, $, available at Sephora
One of Lululemon’s hero products is its Everywhere Belt Bag. The athleisurewear-obsessed may already own the brand’s original nylon version, so I recommend adding onto their collection with a more festive fleece style (with new pink and green options available).
Shop Lululemon
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Fleece, $, available at Lululemon
Dust-, rust-, and water-proof, this portable speaker with a 12-hour battery is built for all-day play and from the city to the sea. That’s a whole lot of Spotify “daylists” to help soundtrack your giftee’s everyday adventures.
Shop Bose
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker, $, available at Bose
Whether your giftee is into astrology (or just really into themselves and their own sign), an elevated zodiac constellation pendant will certainly delight them. This luxe gift will upgrade their favorite chain, and keep their birth chart’s stars close to their heart (literally).
Shop Mejuri
Mejuri Zodiac Charm Pendant, $, available at Mejuri
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This article was originally published on refinery29.com.
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