Everything I’m Gifting My Family — From Gen Z Siblings to Gen X Parents

Shopping for family members of different ages is easier said than done. My 19-year-old sister’s wishlist seems plucked straight out of the For You Page, while my dad swears “you don’t have to get me anything” in the same unconvincing tone every year (and for the record, we absolutely do). Some years, certain age brackets prove easier than others, but it’s easy to run out of ideas when everyone’s tastes are so different. As a Gen Z/Millenial cusp, I’m tasked with shopping for two very different Gen X parents, and two younger siblings who think my being born in the ’90s makes me painfully out of touch. Thankfully, I already have holiday gift ideas for each of them.

My brother, the middle child, loves video games the way every other 20-something boy does — but he also wants decor for his first (real) apartment, and pieces to elevate his personal style. My younger sister is carefree, creative, and obsessed with all things cute and collectable. She wants her dorm to feel comfortable, her makeup to look flawless, and for us to adhere to her detailed wishlist. My mom is an excellent cook, an active hiker, and a talented painter. Her young-at-heart perspective is often in stark contrast to my fighter pilot dad’s more buttoned-up personality, but they both love personal touches. My dad in particular is secretly sentimental, and has a taste for the finer things in life —be it wine, golf, or cashmere sweaters.

If you have a similarly diverse family, fear not. Read on to see what I’m buying each age group for the holidays, and feel free to draw inspiration (and as an added bonus: many of these gifts work for all ages).