With trends changing faster than you can say Christmas, it can be hard to figure out what to buy the Gen Zer in your life (that’s anyone aged from 11 to 26).
Whether you’re hoping to maintain your status as the cool aunt or simply want to find out what’s in style, here are 12 gift options to help inspire your Christmas shopping list this festive season.
The now-famous Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and body sprays took TikTok by storm this summer and now — conveniently — there is a gift set that includes both.
While every scent is delicious, it was the pistachio and salted caramel that initally sent everyone into a frenzy. The sweet scent is available in the form of a body spray, alongside the famous Bum Bum Cream and shower cream in a neat gift set that will be instantly recongisable to the teen or tween in your life. Available on lookfantastic.ie for €32.95.
Mood lighting is everything. TikToks and ‘get ready with me’ videos typically include funky neon lights in the background.
The Goove indoor LED light strips come in a variety of colours and sizes. It is even compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so the colours of the lights can be changed through voice control.
Because it has a built-in mic, the light can also pick up the beats of your music, so it is perfect for a party or just chilling at home. €49.90 at Vodafone.ie
Update: Crocs are now cool. We don’t know why, but they just are. Whether it’s a classic colour or bright yellow like Justin Bieber, it seems you can’t go too wrong.
Seeing as it is winter, you can even opt for the classic lined clog for gifting this Christmas. We’re sure these will get plenty of wear this festive season and beyond. €60, JD Sports.
Another blast from the past, Uggs have made a comeback. The return of the fluffy boot started last year and seems as though it is here to stay. However, there is one crucial difference: it’s all about the Ultra Mini Ugg.
Available in a variety of colours, the Ugg is a bit like the winter Croc and even comes in an ultra-modern platform version. €180 from Brown Thomas.
Gen Z are skincare fanatics. So much so, that personal skincare mini-fridges are now not only practical but extremely popular. If you have a skincare lover in your life, this will be a much-appreciated gift. They can store all of their products at the right temperature and — let’s face it — it looks cute too. The STYLPro Beauty Fridge (4 Litre) is a popular choice and is now available from Boots for €55.99 (down from €69.99).
On a similar note, haircare is another important part of the Gen Z routine. Rather than using heat to achieve the blow-dry look, TikTok is filled with endless heatless curl hacks. On the back of this, heatless curling sets have started to pop up just about everywhere. It’s a modern version of curling your hair with rags. Keep it festive with the Disney Mickey Christmas Heatless Curler from Penneys (€4).
Just about anything that activewear brand lululemon creates becomes a viral sensation. While their clothing is on the pricier side, there are some other items available such as the Everywhere Belt Bag that are sure to please. The Everywhere Belt Bag is the perfect size for a phone and keys when heading out. Available at Brown Thomas,€48
The Stanley Cup had become more of a must-have accessory than a water bottle. If this has been added to a wish list, just know you are probably looking for the Quencer H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler (1.2L) — no that is not a spaceship, but a very fancy place to store liquids.
With a range of colours to choose from, the tumbler claims to keep water cold for 11 hours or liquids hot for seven hours. But more than that, they look cool. €49.95 from Stanley.
Lip oils are fast becoming a makeup bag essential and Kash Beauty recently launched a great option through their collaboration with Irish influencer Charleen Murphy.
With collagen, vitamin E, ceramide and hyaluronic acid, this oil helps to eliminate chapped and dry skin. €14.95 from Kash Beauty.
Slicked back hair is all the rage and one Irish company has created the go-to product. The Smooth Stick from the Smooth Company is the ultimate hair taming product. It all started in 2022 when Aine Kennedy saw a gap in the market. She got her grandad and TikTok sensation Billy on board and the rest is history. The Smooth Company has taken over and their products are now available in Sephora in the UK as well as Brown Thomas, Arnotts and more .€16.99 from The Smooth Company.
For any music lovers, the GBL portable Bluetooth speaker has up to five hours of battery life. This handy device is also waterproof and resistant to dust — so it’s likely to last a little longer. It’s available for €34.99 from Currys.
For any Harry Styles or Taylor Swift fans in your life, Irish company Howrad Studios has a great gifting option with their ceramic mugs. Even if Harry and Taylor aren’t their thing, there are plenty of options for a cool, quirky mug — from Barbie and Mean Girls to Father Ted and The Office. From €15.95, howradstudios.com
