6 Gen Z Editors, Stylists, and Influencers on What's at the Top of Their Holiday Wish Lists in 2024

Collage of Gen Z-focused products with images of talent.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Brands; @rubylyn_; @kayla_ce; @jalil_johnson_)

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 are dozens of ways to capture Gen Z's attention during the holiday season. Just scroll TikTok, where there are thousands of entries and wish-list ideas dominating the algorithm, each providing a cooler, fresher, more indie take on holiday gifting nowadays. There are candles, cute homewear items, and chic shoes galore promising to be the best gift of the holiday season for one of the industry's largest and fastest-changing buying blocs. It’s clear: Gen Z is after something special, a gift that feels as fresh and vibrant as they are. But with brands flooding our feeds, how can anyone truly figure out what's worth it and what's just noise?

For this edition of Gen Z Says, we've flipped the script on the influencers and cool kids on the block who usually decide what's hot. This time, we asked them what they want for the holidays. These Gen Z creatives have built their empires on making you drool over the stuff in their closets—so what's on their own wish lists? Spoiler alert on some of my favorites: tomato-shaped menorahs, viral Coach handbags, and diamond-encrusted Patek Phillipe watches. Whatever it is, these six trendsetters know what's worth coveting this season. Below, discover what Gen Z editors, stylists, and influencers have on their lists in 2024.

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Jalil Johnson

(Image credit: Courtesy of Brands; @jalil_johnson_)

Jalil Johnson is a fashion creator and the author of the Consider Yourself Cultured Substack newsletter.

"This holiday season, I'm focusing on thoughtful, intentional gifts—things I know my loved ones will truly appreciate and use rather than small, frivolous items. For example, my boyfriend's brother is a big Disney fan, so I found him a vintage Disney World sweatshirt from one of my favorite stores, Front Street General Store. As for my boyfriend, I'm on the hunt for that perfect piece to complete his wardrobe, like a great pair of shoes or a new tote.

"For myself, I'm focusing more on the home since my boyfriend and I are moving soon. That said, who can resist a fabulous new coat, a great pair of shoes, or something to add to my growing jewelry collection? It's all about finding meaningful pieces that spark joy and feel purposeful."

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Kayla Curtis-Evans

(Image credit: Courtesy of Brands; @kayla_ce)

Kayla Curtis-Evans is a New York–based fashion editor with work in Hypebeast, Vogue Business, and i-D magazine.

"This holiday season, I'm really excited to give some super-personalized gifts. As I get older, I really value the quality time I get with friends and family around me, and I always want to show them my appreciation for their love through thoughtful gifts. As for receiving gifts, I'm definitely placing emphasis on self-care in this upcoming year, so my wish list reflects that—but of course I can't resist some cute fashion finds, too."

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Made LaPuerta

(Image credit: Courtesy of Brands; @databutmakeitfashion)

Madé Lapuerta is a trend analyst and analytics creator behind the viral @databutmakeitfashion Instagram account.

"I absolutely love giving gifts. Gift giving is my love language (words of affirmation who??), and because I have such a big family, holiday gifts are always a really fun way to think about what each person individually might enjoy and how I can show my understanding of and appreciation for them.

"I love gifting anything that might become a staple in someone's style, home, or routine; things that are versatile, easy, and good quality. Like a coffee table book on someone's favorite subject (I recently gifted my best friend Julia the Sofia Coppola Archive book), or a high-quality T-shirt I know my hard-to-buy-for younger brother will definitely wear. I'll also never stop gifting my girl friends a copy of Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love, which has been a staple on my bookshelf for many years! As for receiving, I adore receiving books. I always say the best way I learned about fashion was through reading—really the best way I learned about anything was through reading. My mom gifted me Chanel's Riviera one Christmas, and my sister once also got me The Little Dictionary of Christian Dior. It makes me feel loved and grateful that people notice and remember the topics I enjoy."

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Ruby Lyn

(Image credit: Courtesy of brands. Talent photo: @rubylyn_)

Ruby Lyn is a content creator and fashion It girl with a combined audience of over 1.2 million followers.

"I absolutely adore the holiday season. I am definitely more of a gift giver than receiver, but I was able to think a of a few items I would love to be given this year. Growing up, it would make me so happy to tap into very niche aspects of someone and get them a gift that is truly personal to them. Personally, I like to receive gifts that I would never buy myself, whether it's because I don't think I should be spending copious amounts of money on a candle or passport holder or because I will only wear said item a handful of times. Regardless, I still want them in my possession haha. A lot of my wish-list items are elevated everyday items. Adding a personalization of some sort always makes an item feel a little more luxurious and special."

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Natalie Parvizian

(Image credit: Courtesy of brands. Talent photo: @nataliepstyling)

Natalie Parvizian is a cusp millennial–Gen Z New York–based personal stylist focused on the luxury and trends-driven market.

"For me, I love gifting comfy, stylish pajamas or little home accents like trays, candles, or personalized jewelry. Also in the spirit of the coziest time of a year, I love a designer beanie, scarf, or headpiece. It's always a special item that people love to receive. When it comes to my own wish list, I tend to gravitate toward luxury investment pieces, like a vintage collectible watch or a hard-to-get handbag. I love a smart investment gift that holds its value and can be cherished for years to come."

Collage of Gen Z Holiday Wishlist items from Ana Escalante

(Image credit: Courtesy of Brands; @balencianas)

Ana Escalante is Who What Wear's assistant shopping editor and the voice behind the site's Gen Z Says fashion column.

"This holiday season, I'm really focusing on gifting (and receiving!) extremely practical yet lust-worthy items that I know would be well-loved and fit seamlessly into my personal style and wardrobe. Think classic coats, timeless shoes, and chic, affordable accessories to spice up one of my basic go-to looks. As a fashion editor, I get a ton of products and items every day of the year due to the nature of the job, but this year, I'm asking for those incredibly specific pieces I've been on the hunt for and have never been able to replicate—for example, that one designer buy-it-for-life trench coat that can't possibly compete with the fast fashion ones I've cycled through the past five years. Plus, there's a ton of affordable yet fun small gifts for my stocking I'm crossing my fingers that my family gets me."

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Assistant Shopping Editor

Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)