If, like me, a certified geriatric millennial, you’re finding yourself scratching your head over what to get your much younger, trendier, Gen Z cousin, niece or nephew for Christmas, we’ve got good news for you. Our on-trend, social-media-savvy, late-teen to twenty-something relatives are not so hard to buy for, it would seem. But what do Gen Z actually like? What would a Gen Z actually consider cool? Is it even cool to say ‘cool’ anymore?
Irrespective, if, like me, you’re aching to be the popular aunt or uncle among your Gen Z family members this Christmas, stay with us as we take you through the best Christmas gifts for this generation of youngsters.
For the Tech Heads: Electronic Accessories that Get Their Attention
As a veteran Instagram and Facebook user (hailing from the times we ‘poked’ each other, tended to our Farmville plots, and posted saturated shots of our unappetising breakfasts, I have, to date, never really jumped on the TikTok bandwagon. This is, of course, a travesty to my Gen Z niece, who lives and breathes the popular social media platform.
For her, concepts like choreographed TikTok dances and UGC (user-generated content) are quite literally second nature, as natural to her as breathing. And while I’m still reminiscing about my first, now archaic Nokia ‘brick’ phone, she proudly flaunts the latest creation from Apple, from which she is virtually inseparable.
But what to get my tech-loving Gen Z niece? It’s a no-brainer. Help her kit her phone out by getting her the most up-to-date wholesale mobile phone accessories: things like a car mount, Bluetooth speaker, or even a portable charger, so she’s never left high and dry without a fully charged social media sidekick on her person at all times.
For the Skincare Obsessed: Yes, Her Beauty Routine is Superior to Yours
When it comes to the generations that came after us millennials, there’s no doubt about it: they would baulk at the thought of the things we used to put on our skin back in the day. From dry exfoliant scrubs formulated from apricot seeds to harsh, detergent-like cleansers sourced from the supermarket aisle, Gen Z would be horrified to see the state of our (virtually non-existent) teenage beauty routines.
Enter: 2025 skincare. For Gen Z, the rise of the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic heralded the start of a generation-wide obsession with perfect, glass-like skin and the luxury products necessary to maintain it.
If you’re not sure what skincare products to get for your own Gen Z relative, consider heading into your local beauty purveyor (think Sephora, Ulta Beauty, or Mecca Cosmetica if you’re in Australia) and asking for some advice from someone who looks considerably younger than you. Yes, you’ll likely be gifting your Gen Z ‘fam’ lotions and potions you’ve never heard of before: what even is niacinamide, anyway? But one thing’s for sure, they’ll love you for it.
For The Hostess: Homeware to Make Her Happy
In my day, our idea of a good time was to get well out of the house. As the kids say today, we were ‘Outside’. Chronically so. I wouldn’t be found dead sitting in my bedroom alone on a Saturday night, or vegging out in front of the TV with takeaway. No, my friends and I would be out on the town, frozen to the bone in mini dresses and sky-high heels (which we’d eventually end up taking off and carrying home with us).
But the kids today? They’re different. Perhaps it’s a product of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant social isolation mandates, but staying home seems to have become habitual for many Gen Z youngsters. Cue: at-home hosting. From dinner parties to themed soirees, many Gen Z kids are choosing to have their friends over in the comfort of their own abodes instead of going out.
So, what do we get the Gen Z hostess with the mostest? Homewares, of course. Think cute, colourful tableware and linen such as tablecloths and napkins, fancy cutlery sets, fun glassware and matching plate sets.
As an older millennial who was confused about what to get my younger, Gen Z relatives for Christmas, giving it some thought helped shed some light.
What do Gen Z kids love? As avid social media users, most Gen Zers love tech. But is your young relative more of a beauty lover? Get them some ‘clean girl’ skincare. Or, if they’re a homebody (as most Gen Z seem to be), get them some cute homewares to have them hosting in style.
