Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear’s own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.
There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when you ask Gen Z’s most stylish, plugged-in tastemakers what they actually want for the holidays. It’s not the algorithm-approved bestsellers or the last-minute panic purchases. Instead, it’s all about the objects—beautiful, clever, useful, or just delightfully unserious—that genuinely spark joy for the Youths™ shaping the zeitgeist right now. In essence, that’s the spirit behind this year’s Gen Z gift guide: a curation from the editors, stylists, creatives, and digital multi-hyphenates who define our generation’s sensibility, each with a distinct vision, craft, or aesthetic lens.
What emerged from these conversations is a refreshingly intentional approach to giving. Our picks aren’t about excess for excess’s sake. They’re about thoughtfulness, pleasure, and the small luxuries that make everyday life better—whether that’s a velvet tassel eye mask for the friend romantically devoted to their sleep routine, a viral mini hairbrush for quick post-subway hair recovery, a device designed to curb terrifyingly high screen-time habits, or a list of charitable organizations worthy of meaningful end-of-year donations. There are indulgences, too: an engagement ring upgrade, the perfect It-girl phone case, and a cult-favorite lip gloss we’re all still obsessed with.
As a lifelong gift giver, I’ve learned that the best presents are the ones chosen with intention, not impulse. My hope is that these taste-driven, deeply personal recommendations inspire your own holiday gifting, whether you’re shopping for your Gen Z friends, co-workers, family members, or even treating yourself (which, let’s be honest, you absolutely should).
Ella Emhoff
Ella Emhoff is a Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary creative known for her boundary-pushing knitwear, playful design sensibility, and growing footprint in the fashion and art worlds. A model, designer, and visual artist, she brings a quirky, craft-driven perspective to contemporary style, shaping conversations around individuality and the future of independent fashion. Emhoff is also the creator of Soft Hands Craft Club.
I always feel a lot of stress around holiday gift-giving—this mix of pressure to top whatever you did last year and a looming antsiness about getting it right. This year, I’m focusing more on gifts centered on health and wellness, mixed with goodies from my favorite independent brands. The last thing the people in my life need is more stuff, especially useless stuff. I want to be intentional about what I’m buying, really evaluating whether it will be a positive addition to someone’s day-to-day.
To be fair, I usually prioritize handmade gifts, but I know that isn’t accessible for everyone—so I always encourage tapping the crafty people in your life to step in.
I love all of Makena’s 1-of-1 pieces, but I was deeply excited when she released this basic cotton sweater. I’m always on the hunt for cotton knitwear—I run hot, and wool can feel suffocating—so this is very high on my wishlist.
Bailey Hikawa
Geta Phone Case in Vermillion
Okay… I know this looks wild—just hear me out. Bailey sent me this phone case years ago, and I tried it on my phone just for a laugh. I didn’t take it off for three years, until I upgraded my phone. It’s incredibly comfortable in your hand.
There are many things I could say about how awesome this case is, but the highest compliment I can offer is that it survived falling off a cliff without a scratch.
My dear friend Danya convinced all of us to get this app blocker as a way to re-center our lives in reality, and it truly hasn’t disappointed. Once you get over the existential dread of being at the point where we need something like this to get off our phones, it’s actually a great product—and a great gift.
City Harvest
One-Time Donation
One of the best gifts you can give during the holidays is helping others. Too many people are experiencing food insecurity with inconsistent support from the people in charge. So many organizations have stepped up to give people access to food and a healthier life. This is of my favorite New York–based organizations, along with One Love Community Fridge.
PJ Middleton
P.J. Middleton is the founder of New York-based digital communications and bespoke consulting agency, Peej PR. Middleton is also the voice behind Pret-a-Peej, her Substack that effortlessly blends industry insight, personal perspective, and fashion commentary with styling advice.
I’m feeling especially grateful this holiday season, which has me thinking about gifts that genuinely enhance the everyday. I’m drawn to thoughtful upgrades, the little luxuries that make the mundane meaningful. At the top of my list this year (to give or receive) is a forever clutch, my go-to basics, and the beauty essentials I can’t imagine my routine without, each one tried and true..
Anifsa Skin
Ân-Gloss Ceramide Lip Tint
I never leave the house without an ÂN-GLOSS, and I always swipe before bed for the perfect overnight pout.
The Row
Peggy Leather Clutch
At the very top of my wishlist if I can get my hands on one. Feels like a two-for-one: a chic clutch with a removable strap for an easy over-the-shoulder moment.
Without a doubt, my favorite basics. Luxe, elevated, and the kind of quality you feel the second you slip it on.
A Thing Created
Personalized Stationery Set
I’m a lifelong snail mail lover. There’s real power in a handwritten note, and personalized stationery makes it all the more special.
Stephanie Mazuera
Stephanie Mazuera is a New York–based, Miami-born fine jeweler celebrated for her meticulous craftsmanship and intimate approach to bespoke design. Specializing in custom engagement rings and one-of-a-kind wearable pieces of art, Mazuera blends old-world techniques with a modern, sculptural sensibility.
This year I’m excited to give (and receive) the kinds of little luxuries that elevate the everyday, pieces that feel personal, sensory, and indulgent. A lot of people in my family, including myself, tend to be more practical when shopping for themselves, but I love to give them beautifully made essentials that make daily routines feel more considered. My wishlist leans into thoughtful items people might not buy for themselves but will reach for constantly.
Flamingo Estate
Prinsesstårta Candle
As a kid princess cake was my favorite part of visiting my family in Sweden, luckily for me princess cakes seem to be trending at the moment and I’m not complaining. I love the idea of filling my New York apartment with the nostalgic sweet almond scent reminiscent of my childhood.
Steph Mazuera
Elaine Ring, 2.59ct Old Euro, Ready to Ship
My husband and I got engaged the year I graduated college, just before I began designing engagement rings myself. Our budget was small, our taste was still evolving, and I cherish my original ring for exactly what it represents. But now that I spend my days creating dream rings for other people, I’ve naturally started thinking about how I’d redesign my own. The pressure is real, but this Old European cut ring I just finished had me seriously tempted to slip it on and call it my holiday upgrade.
Diptyque
Orphéon Eau de Parfum
Scent is so personal and unique to a person so it can understandably feel hard like a hard thing to gift. I typically wear the same scent everyday. My favorite for the last few years is Orphéon by Diptyque, it’s sophisticated, clean, and feels very unisex. I’m in need of a refill so this is at the top of my wishlist this year!
Demylee New York
Nessa Small Cashmere Bandana
I think giving (or receiving!) a classic cashmere piece is always a good idea. Lately I’ve been very into bonnets, headscarves and ways to keep warm that feel grandma-chic. I love a cashmere bandana for its versatility, you can wear it as a scarf, wrap it around your shoulders or use it as a scarf.
Daniella Guevara
Daniella Guevara is Who What Wear’s associate social media manager, where she shapes the brand’s digital voice through trend-forward storytelling, sharp cultural instincts, and a keen understanding of what drives conversation online.
I am really excited to gift a mix of handmade gifts and gifts that my friends won’t expect. I think the key to gifting is to really listen to your friend’s passions and hobbies and pick a gift that could be useful or just touch their inner child’s heart (whether it’s handmade or bought). I’m excited to hopefully receive vintage anything and stationary knick knacks for my journal’s ecosystem. Also, it’s so fun to conceptualize my gift wrapping aesthetic for the year. It really makes me feel like Kris Jenner.
Olivia Von Halle
Audrey Valentina Black Fringe Eye Mask in Silk Velvet
I’m not the best sleeper I’ll admit. I don’t think I ever actually hit my rem cycle but in 2026 I want to prioritize a better night routine for the winter, and what better way to do it, by waking up like a princess? The tassels? Are you kidding me? Chic!
Chloe
Paddington Bag in Grained Leather
It actually took me awhile to understand the hype around this style. But seeing the vintage ones floating around Postmark and the real real, the lock detail really adds a flair to any outfit. And I’m just a sucker for boho chic anything.
Louise Carmen
Ernest Journal
I’ve recently got back into journaling after a hiatus, but seeing Louise Carmen tiktoks really unlocked my love for writing again. The Ernest leather cover is perfect for holding a passport and two notebooks, which is perfect for travel and writing down intrusive thoughts en route!
Glossier
Glossier You Candle
I’ve been loyal to the Glossier you scent for about years now and I can’t get enough. I’ve gone through multiple candles, my latest empty jar holds my pens. This gift I might just have to gift myself!
Ana Escalante
Ana Escalante is Who What Wear’s associate features editor, where she works on thoughtful features, celebrity profiles, and data-driven trend guides. She is runs White Whale, a Substack newsletter devoted to size-inclusive fashion and other musings.
As a tried-and-true, deep Earth sign, my life revolves around material comforts and the little luxuries that make every day feel intentional. My love language has always been gift giving, and I take pride in my meticulously maintained Notes app tabs—ongoing lists of things my friends and family casually mention wanting throughout the year. Naturally, I keep one for myself, too.
While I’m no stranger to the occasional splurge, I’ve learned to curb impulse gifting—whether for others or for myself—by letting items sit on the list for a while. If something still feels meaningful weeks or months later, that’s when I know it’s worth buying. It’s my personal system of accountability, a way to stay thoughtful about both spending and my generation’s tendency toward overconsumption. In the end, it helps me give gifts that feel intentional, memorable, and genuinely wanted.
Jeumont Skincare
So Eye-Ronic Reusable Eye Mask
My sleep schedule is horrifically bad. So bad that my friends, Oura ring, and primary care doctor tell me I need to, in air-quotes, get my life together. Although it’s a process of baby steps, I’ve been able to minimize the appearance of my deep-set dark circles by freezing under-eye patches and wearing them for an hour or two while doing errands around my house. Unfortunately, most of them have been single-use, so this season, I’m asking for reusable under-eye patches that are much more environmentally friendly that I can keep in my skincare drawer and in my travel pouches.
Steph Mazuera
Billie Tennis Bracelet
I just got engaged earlier this year and, since then I’ve become fascinated with collecting heirloom fine jewelry pieces that will compliment my wedding day wardrobe and serve as beautiful reminders of this time in my life I can one day pass down to my children. I’m eyeing a true investment piece, this weighty tennis lab-grown tennis bracelet. I already have a very dainty tennis bracelet I wear every day in silver, but this gold-set piece comes at a much higher carat-weight and lower cost-per-wear than the one I was gifted years ago so, in my eyes, it’s cause for some girl math-levels of buying.
La Bonne Brosse
Black Edition N.02 the Care & Detangling Hairbrush the Essential
Over the last year, I’ve dived into hair care (mainly, how to preserve my thinning hair due to hormones and stress). After doing a lengthy deep-dive into the best boar-brtisle hair brushes, I’ve decided the It-girl brush I’d like to invest in is the French brand, La Bonne Brosse. I’m not a big colors girl, but ever since the brand released this black version just in time for the holidays, it’s calling my name.
Wildflower Cases
Polka Dot Brown and Blue Phone Case
If changing my aesthetics were as easy as changing my phone cases, I’d do it in a heartbeat. For me, it’s about the simple joys in life, and amassing tons of my silly little cool girl phone cases is one of the smaller ways I can feel like changing my outfit or my mood. I’ve loved everything from Wildflower Cases since I first discovered the brand when I was in high school, but their latest polka-dot collection is really doing it for me.
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