holiday gifts

What to Gift the Gen-Zer in Your Life

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers

For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.

As a Gen-Zer myself, I’m well aware that my generation is known for a lot of things — impeccable taste being one of them. Sure, I might be biased, and I know that it’s hard to assume a whole generation can get behind certain trends and items. But if you read through this list, I can almost guarantee you’ll find the perfect gift for your Gen-Z bestie.

From Apple Airpod Max covers and exercise dresses to viral TikTok products like the Kosas concealer and Baggu bags, anybody with a Gen-Z mind-set will appreciate these products. (I know I do. Friends and family, consider this my holiday wish list.)

However, don’t let these items discourage you. You don’t have to belong to this group to wear or own these products. If this roundup is still not what you’re looking for, we’ve also got stocking stuffers and employee gift ideas that span the generational divide.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU SHOPPING FOR?

Gifts Under $35
Gifts Under $65
Gifts Under $100
Gifts Over $180

.

$35 and Under

For that person who always asks your sign

Lisa Stardust’s astrology deck makes reading cards easy. Stardust has been practicing and teaching for over a decade. In this deck, the user can learn to interpret the stars and do their own
readings.

For your bestie who loves a no-makeup-makeup look

After Hailey Bieber shared that she uses this concealer from Kosas, everyone flocked to Sephora to stock up. And we don’t blame them. It’s one of our favorites too.

For the friend who does their own nails

Photo: retailer

We all know that person who loves to get a nail design but needs to save some $$$$ . Why not give them the gift of not having to attempt it themselves? These press-on tips are reusable and come in over ten different patterns and colors.

For the trinket collector

Sonny Angel
$20
$20

If all I got for Christmas was Sonny Angels, I would be happy. That’s how cute they are on nightstands and shelves.

For the ecoconscious

Stasher Sandwich Bag
$11
$11

These easy-to-clean reusable bags are perfect for the person in your life who wants to reduce their use of single-use storage bags.

For the avid reader

‘The Guest,’ by Emma Cline
From $15
From $15

Everyone is reading The Guest, including us (see our book club here). Author Emma Cline’s first novel, The Girls, was loosely inspired by the Manson cult. Her second follows a woman named Alex as she house-hops after being kicked out by her older boyfriend.

For your friend who loves A24

When it comes to films, Gen Z and A24 go together like peanut butter and jelly. While the company has lots of fun merch available, our personal favorite is this mini-puzzle from Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird.

For a clean facial

Say hello to the face mask that’s basically a smoothie for your skin. Made for all skin types, this makes a great gift for the skin-care enthusiast in your life.

For the dog (or cat) parent

From $25

This handmade pet tag is customizable and comes in four different shapes, making it fun and sparkly enough to look amazing on any cat or dog.

For the first to share their Spotify Wrapped

Personalize the latest and hottest tech accessory that everyone has (which we also tried and loved) with some covers adorned with stars or whatever else your heart desires.

For the ‘Ganni Girl’

Photo: Publisher

Ganni Girls unite and enjoy this coffee-table book all about the Scandi-fashion label.

For the Marie Antoinette Obsessed

Whether they love cake or Sofia Coppola movies, this exclusive wine glass is sure to impress and will look good on any desk or holding any drink.

For the one who swears by a sleek bun

This bamboo brush with a biodegradable acetate back will allow you to tease, smooth, and style your hair to near perfection. And it’s made by the brand that creates the cutest claw clips in case you want to match.

.

$65 and Under

For your “hot-girl walks”

From $55

Try adding these ankle weights to all your post-holiday “hot-girl walks.”

For the one that loves Baggu

Gen-Zers know you can never have too many Baggu bags. If someone already has an endless supply of its reusable bags, this crescent bag is a great gifting option. I wear mine almost everyday and love it as a travel bag.

For the Glossier superfan

They’ve been wearing Glossier’s You for years? Check. They love Olivia Rodrigo? Check. They need a new candle? Triple check.

For your friend who needs an ashtray

Nothing says sophistication like a fancy ashtray. For those Gen-Zers who are 21 and up, this ashtray from Etsy comes in a cream or bold metallic and is both functional and gorgeously designed.

For your friend who wants to get into matcha

Whether your friend is an Emma Chamberlain superfan or just wants to get into matcha, this starter pack features everything you need to make the green drink at home.

For the tea lover

Everyone needs a kettle, and this one is too cool not to get.

To channel their inner Matilda Djerf

Whether an avid baker, chef, or just someone who loves to have the cutest kitchen accessories, these fruit mitts are sure to make the aesthetic heavy person if your life happy.

If they already have UGGs

If they already have and love the UGG Tasman slippers, try these thermo-traction mules from North Face for a similar comfy feel but different look.

For the person who needs a new phone case

Urban Sophistication is best known for its puffer-jacket-inspired phone case beloved by Dua Lipa, but this case-purse combo is just as good. I’ve had my eye on it for a while, and it feels like the perfect thing to gift a friend who loves their phone a little too much (i.e., needs a handle for easy access).

For the Euphoria superfan

This one is for all the Euphoria superfans out there who have also credited the series to their sense of style.

For the person who carries a million lip products

Even if they already have too many lip glosses (if that is a thing) these lip peptides from Rhode will easily become their favorites and end up in every single purse they carry.

For the person who needs an earring refresh

If you’re looking for an earring refresh, the “earscapes” from Studs are the perfect thing to get and feature four great huggies that you can add to any hole.

A light (and TikTok viral) scent that can be used anywhere, including on your hair.

.

$100 and Under

If they love their initials

These charms are able to slip on earrings or necklace chains and come in multiple different metals.

For the martini lover

Martinis are back, baby! What better way to celebrate the resurgence of this cocktail than by gifting an adorable metallic card holder that they can pull out every time they order the drink.

For the sweatpants enthusiast

We know Blokecore is in, but having a closetful of Adidas basketball shorts is a little overkill and it’s practically winter. Consider these sweat shorts instead, especially since they have some fun detailing.

For a gift that’s barely there

Let’s be honest: The only person to ever gift underwear is one’s mother, but that doesn’t mean undies aren’t a good gift. They are the best, especially if they’re cute and on the higher-price side like this cotton-and-lace pair from Cou Cou Intimates.

For the active friend

This workout dress works for all seasons, and it’s super-cozy to wear. Girlfriend Collective designed this dress with all the best-selling qualities of its Paloma bra in mind, making it perfect for hiking or throwing on for a coffee run.

For the person who needs a signature scent

Not only will this fragrance look great on any dresser, but its smell features scents of amber, wood, and pink peppercorn.

For the New York obsessed

We all know that person who loves New York, so why not gift them a some home decor to show it!

To hydrate in style

Drinking water will never be cooler than doing it from this adorable bedside carafe. Even better, it can double as a vase.

For your fashion friend

The perfect layering piece to add to any fashion forward person’s closet. And it comes in 13 different colors, including fuchsia, aperol, and fern alongside basics like white, cream, and black.

.

$150 and Under

For the friend that carries very little

Big enough to carry all the essentials in style: your money, your AirPods, and your keys.

If they need new boots

We’ve gone through our fair share of footwear trends (think mary janes and ballet flats). So it might be time to give your shoe-loving friend a new statement boot to add to their rotation, especially while this style is so popular.

If their wardrobe has a sense of humor

We all know someone who loves to add playful elements to their closet. Chances are they already know Praying, but if they don’t, they’ll be thanking you for introducing them.

For your friend who’s always chilly

This colorful throw doubles as a thick quilt for those of us who run a little cold.

For the trendy friend

Is your friend on top of all the latest trends? Then they’ll adore this faux-leather moto jacket that pairs well with any white skirt or trouser.

For the Cashmere Collector

A perfect addition for any cashmere fan’s closet that’s more fun than a neutral.

More Gifting

See All
What to Gift the Gen-Zer in Your Life