34 Gift Ideas for the Trendy Gen-Zer in Your Life, According to a Gen-Z College Student (2024)

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to put on your gift-giving hat and begin the exciting—or daunting—process of picking out gifts for your loved ones. But this time of year can bring mixed emotions because while you're probably feeling some excitement about shopping for those easy-to-buy-for loved ones, you might also feel some frustration around finding the perfect gift for those who aren't exactly dropping subtle hints. And quite possibly, the person that comes to mind is your Gen-Z sister, niece, daughter, or friend.

That's why we've tapped a real, live Gen-Z college student (hi, it's me!) to share gift ideas for the Gen-Z-er in your life. Our picks are based on the latest beauty and style trends from 2024 (aka everything you might have missed on TikTok this year) that are sure to relieve some of that gift-giving stress.

So, without further ado, discover the 34 best gift ideas for Gen-Z this season.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

Consider Shark's TikTok-viral FlexStyle the key to achieving salon-quality hair at home. The hybrid blow dryer and styling tool's numerous unique attachments make executing whatever hairstyle you desire—no matter your hair type—oh-so-simple and fast. Plus, the device is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for travel.

Laneige On-the-Glow Lip Balm Trio

Laneige's lip products consistently go viral on social media platforms, including these comfy and nourishing lip balms. Gift this pack as is or split the three balms up for a hydrating stocking stuffer that'll be a godsend come harsh winter weather.

Sol De Janeiro Brazillian Icons Duo Set

This duo set meets all of our self-care needs and is sure to be a hit this holiday season. Whether they’re getting ready for a girl’s night out or having a Sunday reset, this is the perfect treat for the Gen-Z-er in your life.

Bubble Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturizer

Great for all skin types, this viral moisturizer from Bubble will keep up with the not-so-fun dryness that comes with the impending cold weather and give our skin the little extra love it needs this time of year.

Rhode Peptide Lip Tint

Anything from Hailey Biber's Rhode, the breakout beauty brand that's been releasing hit after hit, would be a hit with Gen-Zers. But this Raspberry Jelly Peptide Lip Tint is our recommendation. This raspberry jelly gloss offers a mix of berry-toned tint and lip hydration, making it perfect for the holiday season.

Octobuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case

Budding beauty influencer or not, the Gen-Z in your life will surely appreciate having an Octobuddy. The flat surface-adhering suction cups allow them to take hands-free selfies and videos—or simply watch Netflix more comfortably.

Altesse Studio Gentle Detangling Hairbrush

A chic hairbrush is not only the perfect way to round out a social media-friendly vanity. A quality hairbrush is a meaningful gift that your Gen-Z loved one can own for their entire life (rather than replace every year). Altesse Studio's brushes are particularly gorgeous, hand-crafted, and come in a perfectly giftable storage case.

Youth To The People Find Clarity Daily Superfood Trio

The gift of a high-quality, solid skincare routine is one that keeps on giving as glowy, hydrated skin is revealed over time. This Youth To The People kit contains everything they need to get started, including the brand's TikTok-viral Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser, Superfood Skin Drip Serum, and Superfood Air-whip Moisture Cream.

Haricot Vert Picto-Pet Pearl Necklace

If their every other sentence begins with "My dog" or "My cat," your giftee will adore this portrait pearl necklace. Customized with a picture of their pet, this jewelry piece will be priceless in their eyes.

Lush Snow Fairy Trio Discovery Kit

It's no secret that the holidays can be a bit stressful. So, to help your loved one relax, give them the gift of a luxurious bathing routine. This Lush set in the brand's signature holiday scent, Snow Fairy, features a bath bomb, shower gel, and body lotion for the full spa experience.

Ghd Platinum+ Flat Iron in Alluring Jade

In case you missed it—super sleek, glassy, Y2K hair is officially back. And no iron does it better than the done-in-one-stroke Ghd Iced Luxe Limited Edition Chronos Styler. This tool contains responsive technology that continuously adapts to your styling movements and adjusts the power for heat monitoring accuracy. For a limited time, the iron comes with a chic, icy blue vanity case for travel or a gorgeous display.

Jellycat Amuseables Croissant Bag Charm

Bag charms are just about everywhere you look these days, and some of the most popular styles come from Jellycat. Take, for example, this adorable croissant friend. Just one look will instantly brighten their day.

Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick

The slicked-back bun has been the go-to hairstyle for anyone just trying to make it to their next hair-wash day. And every slicked-back style needs a sidekick to keep those flyaways in place and hold it together all day and night.

e.l.f. Glossy Lip Stain

Nothing screams "holiday season" more than a fiery red lip, and with all the amazing food and drinks available, we need something that stands the test of time. Cue: the lip stain. This amazing lip stain is also available in seven other colors, ranging from a natural pink to the dark nude of your dreams, so it’s sure to have something for everyone.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

If there’s one thing that Gen-Z is on top of, it’s our skincare. What to use, when to use it, and the golden rule: to never forget sunscreen. Just because summer went away doesn’t mean that the sun did, and Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen is the perfect addition to any skincare routine at any time of year.

Loops Holiday Travel Essentials

This curated set features everything one needs for a refreshing, radiant glow on the go.Compact and convenient, these 12 single-use masks—three rejuvenating Weekly Resets, three cleansing Clean Slates, three brightening Sunrise Services, and three depuffing Eye Masks—ensure they can pamper themselves wherever they are.

Adidas Gazelle Sneakers

Sneakers go with everything, so why not a bright, colorful, platform sneaker to tie a look together? Adidas sneakers have been popular for a while now, but the Gazelle style mixes it up with the classic Samba or Superstar that seem to be everywhere. If your Gen-Z-er is into trendy sneakers, this will be the perfect addition to their collection.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

This face mask is perfect for the person in your life who is constantly on the go and in desperate need of a skin refresh. Especially with the cold weather creeping up on us, it’s important to remember to take care of our skin.

Brown Girl Jane Discovery Set

Some gift-givers avoid fragrance as everyone's scent preferences are different. However, we beg to differ: Perfumes can be a great gift, especially when presented in a discovery set. This one from the Brown Girl Jane contains six vials of fragrances meant to be mixed, matched, and layered for a unique scent experience. Ranging from gourmands to fresh florals, this set makes it easy for your loved one to find a combination they adore.

Gisou Honey Gloss Hydration Heroes Hair Value Set

Great for all hair types and textures, this gift set will hit the spot for the hair-obsessed Gen-Zer in your life. With everything you need for a true hair spa day, this honey hair mask, hair perfume, hair oil, and lip oil will be one of the most luxurious gifts you can get for someone.

Ugg Ultra Mini Platform

Ugg Boots are one of the most stylish and comfortable gifts you can get to impress someone this holiday season. There are so many styles to choose from (and so many ways to style your Uggs) but these platform mini booties come in lots of colors, spanning classic Chestnut to Samba Red, the color of the season.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

Rare Beauty liquid blush will have any makeup-obsessed Gen-Z-er jumping for joy this holiday season. Rosy cheeks have become a staple of leading makeup trends this year and this highly-pigmented liquid blush will do just the trick.

Touchland Power Mist Gift Set

Staying clean has never been this cute. (And if there’s one thing Gen-Zers will do, it’s find a way to put a cute spin on the otherwise mundane.) These Touchland hand sanitizers are the perfect way to keep their hands clean, moisturized, and smelling fresh. Keep them together for the ultimate gift set, or separate the sanitizers to make five stocking stuffers.

AE Bow Plush PJ Set

Catching up on sleep should be a top priority during the holiday season, especially for those returning home from college. To make their rest a bit cozier, pick up a cute pair of pajamas like this coquette-inspired bow set.

Baggu Small Nylon Crescent Bag

All it takes is one scroll on TikTok to see that Baggu's Crescent Bag is the purse of choice these days. Made of recycled heavyweight nylon and available in almost every color and pattern imaginable, it's a crowd-pleaser for every Gen-Z in your life.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops

Arguably the most viral product on TikTok this year, Drunk Elephant's bronzing drops are the perfect addition to any Gen-Zers makeup routine. Just add a few drops to your moisturizer to carry that summer glow throughout the winter.

Forvr Mood State of Pine Candle

Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit quite like a seasonal candle. This one from Jackie Aina's Forvr Mood isan elevated take on pine trees with a blend of fir balsam, vetiver, and smoked woods. The adorable packing doesn't hurt, either.

Skims Fits Everybody Cami Bodysuit

This Skims bodysuit is the perfect closet staple for any Gen-Z-ers wardrobe. It works for any time of year—as a winter layering piece or a summer tank top—and is available in enough colors for every style.

Slip Large Silk Scrunchies

Silk scrunchies are an amazing gift for anyone, and they’re the answer to minimizing damage while remaining practical. Caring for your hair has never been so easy; whether you’re throwing it up in a ponytail to wash your face or perfecting a slicked-back bun for a night out, this scrunchie pack is one of the hottest gifts to give this season.

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Blush is in, and this blush is it. Dior’s powder blush is a glowing addition to any makeup routine and is key to achieving the trending blush-forward look that’s taken over the internet’s favorite makeup looks of 2024. Color 001 Pink—a subtle pink—has been on every influencer and celebrity's cheeks this year.

54 Thrones African Beauty Butter Intensive Dry Skin Treatment

Help them make dry skin a thing of the past by gifting them this pick from 54 Thrones. This thick, rich, concentrated daily moisturizer can be used all over your body or to spot-treatchronicdryareas like feet, hands, elbows, and knees. The formula is available in many sizes and scents, but this mini-sized version in the cozy Ugandan vanilla and Ethiopian honey scent makes the ideal stocking stuffer.

Ugg Tasman Slipper

These classic slippers are another option for the Ugg aficionado. Available in six colors, they're forecasted to be a "must" have this season and are already starting to fly off the shelves. Our favorite? This light sand shade with dark cherry trimming.

Anine Bing Tyler Cotton Logo Sweatshirt

A bit of a splurge (though reviewers say it's worth every penny), this Anine Bing crewneck sweatshirt is guaranteed to be worn on repeat. Dress it up with denim or pair it with leggings; the perfectly oversized fit and vintage-inspired details will never go out of style.

Ulta Beauty Collection Bubble Headband

Whether you know a budding social media darling or a skincare or makeup-lover who hates getting product in their hair, they need this bubble headband. Cute, practical, and super easy to throw in as a stocking stuffer.