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38 Viral-Meets-Practical Gift Ideas That Gen-Zers Will Actually Use


Courtesy of Brands / Getty Images / Byrdie
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to begin the exciting—or daunting—process of picking out gifts. This time of year can bring mixed emotions because while you’re probably feeling some excitement about shopping for your loved ones, you also may be stumped about what to buy people in your life who have specific taste yet aren’t exactly dropping subtle hints. This is especially true of your Gen-Z sister, niece, daughter, or friend, as it can be a delicate balance to pick out something that they’ll find cool and actually use for months or years to come.
That’s why we’ve tapped a real, live Gen-Z college student (hi, it’s me!) to share gift ideas for the Gen-Zer in your life. Our picks are based on the latest beauty and style trends (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 38 best gift ideas for Gen Z this season.
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System


Shark
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 Glowy Lip Minis Lip Treatment Gift Set


Laneige
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 four balms up for hydrating stocking stuffers that’ll be a godsend come harsh winter weather.
Skullpanda You Found Me! Series Plush Doll Pendant


Skullpanda
Labubus took over the world of bag charms this past summer, but now, chances are the Gen-Z fashion lover in your life is already thinking about what’s next. Skullpanda is emerging as one of Pop Mart’s most buzzed-about varieties of plush bag charms, and the surprise box format makes for a memorable opening experience.
Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Icons Duo


Sol de Janeiro
This cult-favorite duo meets all of our self-care needs and is sure to be a hit this holiday season. Whether they’re getting ready for a girls’ night out or having a Sunday reset, this is the perfect treat for the Gen-Zer in your life.
Bubble Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturizer


Bubble
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 extra love it needs this time of year.
Rhode Peptide Lip Tint


Rhode
Anything from Hailey Bieber’s Rhode would be a hit with Gen-Zers. But this Raspberry Jelly Peptide Lip Tint is our recommendation. This recently reformulated gloss offers a mix of berry-toned tint and lip hydration, making it perfect for the holiday season.
Fenty Skin Body Allover Body Mist


Fenty Skin Body
2025 has been the year of the body mist, and this floral gourmand from Fenty Skin’s new body care collection is an ideal gift for a vanilla lover who wants to feel a bit more grown-up. Notes of vanilla orchid, sugared woods, and fluffy musk make for a sweet and sensual hybrid worth spritzing morning, noon, and night.
Octobuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case


Octobuddy
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


Altesse Studio
A chic, high-quality hairbrush is not only the perfect way to round out a social media-friendly vanity: It’s also a meaningful gift that your Gen-Z loved one can own for ages to come (rather than replace every year). Altesse Studio’s brushes are particularly gorgeous, hand-crafted, and come in a gift-ready storage case.
Youth To The People The Headliners Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser Skincare Set


Youth to the People
The gift of high-quality, solid skincare is one that keeps on giving, as consistent use will reveal glowy, hydrated skin is revealed over time. This Youth To The People kit contains both standard and travel sizes of the TikTok-viral Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser, so it’s easy to keep up with their routine on the go.
Haricot Vert Picto-Pet Pearl Necklace


Haricot Vert
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.
Lola Forest Fawn Blanket


Lola Blankets
Give the gift of coziness with an ultra-viral Lola Blanket. This deer print edition meets the moment, yet is subtle and neutral enough to snuggle up with for years to come.
Lush Snow Fairy Shower and Body Duo


Lush
It’s no secret that the holidays can be a bit stressful. 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 shower gel and body spray for a reset that couldn’t smell better.
GHD Platinum+ Flat Iron Festive Gift Set


GHD
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 Platinum+. 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 in a chic, all-black set with a hairbrush and carrying case.
Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil


Cécred
The gift of hair health is something that almost anyone can appreciate. This hair oil from Beyoncé’s Cécred has quickly earned acclaim for its lightweight, non-greasy nourishment, plus the packaging looks elevated on a bathroom counter.
Jellycat Amuseables Croissant Bag Charm


Jellycat
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


Briogeo
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


e.l.f. Cosmetics
Nothing screams “holiday season” more than a fiery red lip, and with all the amazing food and drinks you’re sure to encounter, you need something that stands the test of time. Cue: the lip stain. This standout product is also available in nine 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


Supergoop
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. The brand recently reformulated to make the beloved product even smoother and more protective, ideal for starting 2026 on the right foot.
Loops Sculpt and Glow


Loops
This curated set features everything one needs for a glowy, sculpted refresh. With hydrogel masks for the face and under-eyes, this is a rejuvenating combo that your loved one will want to break into immediately—and the included limited edition gua sha allows them to continue the self-care over time.
Adidas Gazelle Sneakers


Adidas
Sneakers go with everything, so why not a classic, buzz-worthy pair to tie a look together? Adidas sneakers have been popular for a while now, but the Gazelle style switches it up from the classic Sambas or Superstars that seem to be everywhere. If your Gen-Zer is into trendy sneakers, this will be the perfect addition to their collection.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask


Summer Fridays
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


Brown Girl Jane
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 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 Glow All the Way Hair and Lip Gift Set


Gisou
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 make for one of the most luxurious gifts you can get for someone.
Ugg Ultra Mini Platform


Ugg
Uggs 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 charcoal gray.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush


Rare Beauty
Rare Beauty liquid blush will have any makeup-obsessed Gen-Zer jumping for joy this holiday season. Rosy cheeks have become a staple of leading makeup trends, and this highly pigmented liquid blush will do just the trick.
Touchland Limited Edition Power Mist Top 5 Set


Touchland
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 sweet spin on the otherwise mundane.) These Touchland hand sanitizers keep hands clean and moisturized, and the scents will ensure you’ll want to spritz them all day long. Keep them together for the ultimate gift set, or separate the sanitizers to make five stocking stuffers.
Reformation x Nara Smith Buttercup Hour PJ Set


Reformation x Nara Smith
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 powder blue babydoll set. This gift will be especially iconic if your loved one can’t get enough of Nara Smith’s chaotic, elaborate cooking videos.
Baggu Small Nylon Crescent Bag


Baggu
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-Zer in your life.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops


Drunk Elephant
Long beloved and now TikTok viral, Drunk Elephant’s bronzing drops are the perfect addition to any Gen-Zer’s makeup routine. Just add a few drops to your moisturizer to carry that summer glow throughout the winter.
Forvr Mood Late Checkout Candle


Forvr Mood
Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit quite like a cozy candle. This one from Jackie Aina’s Forvr Mood brings the luxury hotel vibes to you, with a hazy mix of creamy milk, vanilla bourbon, soft white florals, and warm woods that the chicest of Gen-Zers will love.
Skims Fits Everybody Cami Bodysuit


Skims
This Skims bodysuit is the perfect closet staple for any Gen-Z 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


Slip
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


Dior
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 blush-forward aesthetic that’s taken over the internet’s favorite makeup looks. 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


54 Thrones
Make dry skin a thing of the past by gifting this pick from 54 Thrones. This thick, rich, concentrated daily moisturizer is suitable for use all over your body or to spot-treat chronic dry areas like feet, hands, elbows, and knees. The formula is available in many sizes and scents, but this version in the cozy Ugandan vanilla and Ethiopian honey fragrance makes the ideal stocking stuffer.
Ugg Tasman II


Ugg
These classic slippers are another option for the Ugg aficionado. Available in 10 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.
Owala x Wicked: For Good 32oz FreeSip


Owala x Wicked: For Good
Owala is arguably the water bottle of the moment, and this special Wicked: For Good collaboration taps into your recipient’s pop culture interests and practical needs at once. Available in Glinda and Elphaba finishes, it brings mystical details to the beloved design.
Sincerely Yours Hit Refresh Soothing Serum Mist


Sincerely Yours
The younger Gen-Zer or older Gen Alpha in your life probably loves Salish Matter, the 15-year-old influencer and co-founder of Sincerely Yours. Regardless, this serum mist is a great skincare gift for busy lifestyles, as the spray format helps maintain balanced, hydrated skin on the go in the cutest mint green packaging.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/gen-z-gift-guide-11853306

