This article was first published in The Strategist on Nov 18, 2024

Some surefire signs the person you’re shopping for is a member of Gen Z: They eat dinner on mismatched plates but have an extensive skin-care routine to combat signs of aging (or adult acne). They have a decked-out bar cart but still eat Eggo waffles for breakfast. They had to explain what brat meant to more people than they can count but still don’t totally understand why Gen Alpha is into the term skibidi. As a member of Gen Z myself, I’m constantly living these dichotomies, and I can tell you our taste is particular.

Here’s what else I know: The best gifts for Gen-Zers are those that qualify as a life upgrade, like the real version of the beauty dupe they found on TikTok or a nice travel accessory for their weekend trips upstate. With that in mind, I compiled this list by tapping into my own experience as a real-life member of Gen Z, plus the wisdom I’ve gained as the Strategist’s college correspondent. I also noodled through our archives to find gifts that seemed particularly relevant to my generation. I’ve organized everything by price for your convenience. And if you’re looking for ideas for everyone else on your list, we’ve got dozens more gift guides for every type of person and every budget.

Étoile Collective Vanity Case

Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen, a fellow Gen-Zer, says this is the best thing she purchased last year. Since the vanity case is designed so that every product has a designated spot, she says, “The case also allows me to take my entire beauty regime from my bathroom at home to gym locker rooms, road trips up North, and even across international borders.”

 

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