Everyone wants to give a gift that delights and excites its recipient. But finding the perfect gift for your Gen Z child, relative, friend, or colleague can be challenging. This generation thinks differently than older demographics, so typical gift ideas just won't cut it. Gen Z kids (and young adults) are true digital natives. They’re tech-savvy, cause-driven, and love experiences they can share on social media.
So, what makes the perfect share-worthy gift?
We’ve tried to think outside the box to put together this gift guide for Gen Z. We’ve included novel experiences, ideas that play into their nostalgia for late ’90s and early 2000s pop culture, sustainable gifts, and more. Since we’re all about wellness at Gaia Herbs, we’ve also suggested some ideas to help Gen Zers maintain health and vitality through the year.
With a thoughtful gift tailored to their values and interests, you can make a difference to this young generation this holiday season.
Besides the ideas below, we’ve also built a Gift Finder tool to help you find the perfect Gaia Herbs for yourself or your loved ones this holiday season.
An “Ultimate Experience” Gift
Gen Zers tend to value experiences over material objects. It’s the gift that keeps giving, providing anticipation, enjoyment, and the opportunity to post about it for days and weeks thereafter.
When choosing an experience gift for a Gen Z recipient, consider their unique interests and select an activity that will create share-worthy memories. If you follow them on social media, you can get an idea of the places they like to go and things they like to do.
Because local experiences have become popular with many travelers today, a wide range of websites cater to booking local experiences. Sites like Airbnb Experiences, Tours By Locals, and Viator highlight unique experiences in almost all popular destinations and can streamline your search for potential experience gifts.
Here are a few experience gift ideas to get you started.
Concert or Event Tickets
If $1,000 (plus) is in your budget, a ticket to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour will buy you years of appreciation from the Gen Zer in your life. But for the rest of you, there are countless concerts and events to choose from at all price points to match this generation’s interests, from music concerts to comedy shows to theater to sporting events.
To start your search for upcoming events, check out the listings in your local newspapers and magazines. Or search online for commercial online event websites or community calendars on local government, college, or university websites. Also, check bulletin boards at your local coffee shop, library, or community center.
Cooking Classes
Cooking classes allow Gen Zers to learn a new hands-on skill they can impress their friends and family with. They often incorporate local, fresh ingredients, which will appeal to their values.
They definitely provide an Instagram-worthy experience to share with friends, especially if the meal they prepare photographs well! If the recipient is new to cooking, select an intro class that covers all the basics to help them gain confidence in the kitchen.
A few ideas for finding the perfect cooking class gift include:
- Search for local cooking schools or specialty cooking class businesses in your area. Many cities have dedicated culinary schools or companies offering recreational cooking classes in all types of cuisines.
- Check ClassPass or Groupon for discounted cooking classes. These sites often feature great deals on one-off cooking class experiences.
- Many talented local chefs and cooking instructors offer small, intimate classes through online local experience websites. For a personalized experience, inquire about private or custom cooking classes for just you and the gift recipient taught by a local chef. Consider something unique like a couple’s cooking night or cooking with cannabis class.
- Look for virtual cooking classes they can take from home — anything from baking to knife skills.
- See if a favorite celebrity chef or food blogger offers online classes. Many have started offering virtual cooking lessons.
Experiences in Nature
Connecting with nature makes for an excellent experience gift for eco-conscious Gen Zers. Consider gifting a guided hike through a local or state park. Or a whitewater rafting, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboard excursion for an active, adventurous experience surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Planning a trip to a nature-focused destination like a botanical garden, aquarium, planetarium, or conservation area can also allow Gen Zers to unplug and learn. You can combine this with lunch out for the two of you and make it a full-day excursion.
Moving into the more unique and share-worthy experiences, a yoga class with goats or puppies might thrill your animal-loving friends. Or seek out a silent disco yoga class at a local park or beach.
For a truly memorable experience, book a camping or cabin getaway complete with their favorite activities like ziplining, hiking, horseback riding, or fishing. Just make sure the trip aligns with their interests, as communing with nature can mean anything from bird watching or stargazing to rock climbing for this diverse generation.
Sustainable/Ethical Gifts
Gen Z cares about social causes and the environment. Consider gifting items that are eco-friendly, support a charity, or are from sustainable brands.
Since so many companies now promote their social consciousness, it can be hard to find truly authentic brands that back their promises with action. It helps to do some research to determine which companies are the most socially responsible. Make sure they’ve committed to the environment, use ethical production practices, are philanthropic, and transparent. Search for independent certifications like Fair Trade, B Corp, Leaping Bunny, or 1% for the Planet.
A few sustainable gift ideas to consider:
Reusable Utensil Sets
Gen Zers love going to breweries, wineries, and events where they purchase their meals from food trucks. Their own reusable utensils let them decline the plastic ware that comes with the meals. Gift them collapsible utensil sets or chopsticks made of renewable bamboo or stainless steel. Many come with their own cases that fit easily in a purse or backpack. There are many unique and innovative designs to choose from that will establish your recipient as a trendsetter.
Upcycled Accessories
Several brands make gift items from recycled materials. Look for durable, quality goods made responsibly from materials that would otherwise go to waste. There are so many creative ways brands are upcycling today! Here are a few:
- Backpacks/bags made out of recycled plastic bottles and salvaged leather.
- Jewelry that upcycles glass and e-waste into necklaces, bracelets, or earrings.
- Solar-powered watches with recycled metal or plastic straps.
- Notebooks and journals made with recycled paper and scrap fabric covers.
- Yoga mats made from recycled cork.
Reusable Shopping Bags
You can make it easier and more fun to get in the habit of shopping with reusable bags with a set of durable bags that come in various colors and patterns. Many come with their own pouch or fold to fit in a pocket.
More heavy-duty canvas totes also make great gifts and can be monogrammed or silkscreened to personalize them. Another option is an insulated bag that keeps foods cool on the way home from the market or on a picnic.
Nostalgic Gifts
Gen Z grew up in the late 1990s and 2000s, so gifts that play on millennial nostalgia can be fun. The consumer research company, GWI, did a study showing that Gen Z is the most nostalgic generation alive, with a desire for simpler times. They identify the ‘90s as a simpler more carefree time and appreciate things they identify with that era.REF#3207
Vintage Clothes
Vintage clothes in Y2K fashion are popular with Gen Z girls. Think Brittany Spears or Christina Aguilera in the 1990s for inspiration. Low-rise pants, ribbed tanks, chunky belts, high contrast colors, and glitter. Many retailers are now duplicating the style, but finding originals would make the look (and gift) more authentic.
Teeshirts and sweatshirts with images of ‘90s celebrities or TV shows also make great gifts.
A Box of Vintage Candy
Put together a box of candies that were favorites in the 1990s, like Airheads, Warheads, Nutrageous Bars, and Baby Bottle Pops. Nothing spells nostalgia like a taste of your favorite candy from childhood. It’s a gift that any Gen Zer with a sweet tooth will love.
Since too much candy can leave one with a bad belly ache, consider pairing this gift with Gaia Herbs Organic Peppermint Leaf Extract that provides cooling support when you overindulge.
Retro Toys
Who can forget Tomagachi, the interactive virtual pet that you raised from infancy. You can now buy a new generation of Tomagachi toys that will spark pure nostalgia for those who had one in childhood. Or put together a basket of Beanie Babies or Pogs that this generation once collected with a frenzy.
A Nintendo Game Boy may also bring a smile to a Gen Z young adult. If you can find a Bop-It toy, it’s sure to provide great entertainment for a gathering of Gen Zers.
Check online for lists of favorite 1990s toys and you may find one that is perfect for the Gen Zers on your list.
Health & Vitality Gifts
A recent study concluded that less than half of Gen Zers are thriving. Many struggle with their overall well-being and mental health.REF#3208 Providing gifts that support vitality may be appropriate for some of the Gen Z recipients on your list.
Gaia Herbs offers several natural products that support well-being and make great gifts for Gen Z. Many can be used to enhance smoothies, mocktails, or hot drinks. In fact, they may work well in a gift basket that includes other ingredients for these beverages. A few supplements to add to the basket include:
- Maca Boost® Cacao Ginger: This helps maintain healthy energy and stamina levels and is one of our favorite additions to drinks and baked goods.
- Golden Milk: A powder formula, this delicious blend of organic turmeric, ashwagandha, dates, cardamom, and vanilla creates a cup of calm to help support both body and mind.* It also makes a yummy, cool popsicle.
- Relax Gummies: Favorites with adults and kids alike, these gummies contain passionflower, lemon balm, and holy basil to promote relaxation and help maintain emotional well-being.
Our gift list is one way we hope to make your shopping easier and more enjoyable. We hope it helps you select the perfect gifts this holiday season.