Coming up with gift ideas for millennials in your life might seem daunting, but I’m here to help you out! Millennials, also called Generation Y, consist of anyone born between 1981 and 1996. As someone born in the early 90s, I’m a bonafide millennial. 🙂 Most of these items are actual items I’ve been hoping someone would get me, so I’m confident your friend will love them. I’ve also backed them up with SCIENCE and STATISTICS—yay!
Below, I’m going to list more than FIFTY of the best gift ideas for millennials, complete with where you can buy them. Happy shopping!
Gifts for Millennials Who Love to Read
FACT: Millennials read more books than older generations do.
In a 2016 Pew survey, 80% of adults age 18-29 said they’d read a book in any format in the past 12 months, compared to 73% of adults age 30-49 and 70% of adults age 50-64.
#1 Kindle Paperwhite
As much as I love the smell and feel of physical books, a Kindle is a game-changer, allowing me to read many more books no matter where I go because it’s so easy to pack.
The Kindle Paperwhite is even better because its screen looks like paper and the device is now waterproof!
#2 Kindle Unlimited membership
To help your millennial read more, get them the Kindle Unlimited membership. This will give them access to 1 million titles and thousands of audiobooks.
#3 Audible membership
With this monthly membership, you can get one new audiobook every month and listen to it on the go.
#4 Subscription to The New York Times
Support journalism and help your millennial stay informed with a subscription to The New York Times.
#5 Subscription to The New Yorker
I love reading the essays and short stories published in The New Yorker; it frequently features some of the best writers in the world.
Tech Gifts for Millennials
FACT: Millennials are the most techie generation.
- 93% of millennials own smartphones, compared to 68% of Baby Boomers.
- Nearly 100% of millennials use the Internet, compared to 85% of Baby Boomers.
Source: Pew Research Center
#6 Roomba
Imagine having a personal maid who would clean your floors at a certain time on a daily or weekly basis. That’s what a Roomba can do. You can even control it with your iPhone from an app. This one is made specifically for those pet owners who feel like they’re constantly vacuuming their floors. This could save a lot of time! Plus, it’s really freaking cool.
#7 Echo Dot
With the Echo Dot, your millennial can ask Alexa to check the weather, play music, set alarms, and much more.
#8 Ring video doorbell 
Install the Ring video doorbell to any home and instantly be able to see and speak to visitors, get alerts when motion is detected, and monitor your property from your phone or computer no matter where you are.
#9 Philips Hue smart lights
I once installed smart lights from IKEA in my apartment, and it was the COOLEST thing. With these Philips Hue smart lights, your millennial can control the light brightness and color with their voice when it’s hooked up with their Alexa device (like the Echo 2nd generation).
#10 Ring cam
This compact indoor app lets you monitor your home while you’re away. You can also speak to and listen to people or pets from your phone or Echo device.
#11 Nest smart thermostat
Rounding out our smart home list is the Nest smart thermostat. This nifty device learns what settings you like and programs itself! You can also control the temperature from your phone, tablet, or laptop. And when the home is empty, the Nest can save energy by turning down the heat or cooling.
#12 Tile Pro
Know a Millennial who’s constantly losing their keys or phone? (Hey, I don’t need your judgment right now!) Ha. I sure could use this Tile Pro set. You just stick this little square piece onto whatever item you don’t want to lose. Then, when you do lose the item, you ring it from the Tile app on your phone. It works in reverse too: If you lose your phone, you can press the tile which will ring your phone, even if it’s on silent.
#13 MacBook Pro
Every hip twenty- or thirty-something wants a MacBook. The Pro is outfitted with better technical specs if your Millennial plans to run heavy programs like video or photo editing software. But I love the MacBook Air too for its portability.
#14 iPad Pro
While I don’t think the iPad Pro can replace having a laptop, it’s great for using on the go and for artistic projects that are digital, such as digital hand lettering or calligraphy.
#15 Anker portable charger for iPhone
As we saw in the statistic above, 93% of Millennials own a smartphone, which means 93% of them know the terrifying experience of their iPhone dying on them when they’re trying to call an Uber or use Google Maps. Get them a portable power bank so this never happens again! (Just make sure they actually charge the power bank occasionally too.)
Personal Finance Gifts for Millennials
FACT: Many Millennials are struggling financially.
- 81% of the college-educated millennials surveyed said they have at least one long-term debt
- 34% were very unsatisfied with their current financial situation
- Only 24% showed basic financial knowledge
Source: PwC
#16 You Need a Budget budgeting app
This app CHANGED the way I think about money! It forces you to think about giving every dollar a job. That means you assign every single penny to a certain category, whether that’s groceries, gas, or that vacation you want to take next summer. That way, there’s no “leftover” money that you feel like you can spend freely because you are ALWAYS putting your money to work for you.
This is the only budgeting app I have ever stuck to, and I’ve been using it since January 2018. Get YNAB for your Millennial!
#17 Financial Peace University
This class from financial expert Dave Ramsey has changed people’s lives, people who were living paycheck to paycheck, crushed beneath the weight of their debts. If you know someone like that, get them this course! They’ll thank you later.
#18 The Financial Diet book
Financial Diet founder and fellow Millennial Chelsea Fagan wrote this “personal finance book for people who don’t care about personal finance.” This is a great starter book for the Millennial in your life who just doesn’t know where to start with budgeting and saving.
#19 Broke Millennial book
The subtitle for this book says it all, “Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together.” Erin Lowry is the founder of popular blog Broke Millennial, and she finally wrote a book for other struggling Gen Y folks out there, including a section on how to tackle student loan debt.
Foodie Gifts for Millennials for the Health-Conscious Millennial
Fact: Millennials are more health-conscious and food-focused than previous generations.
- 62% of millennials consider themselves to be “foodies.”
- 58% avoid buying processed foods versus 51% of non-Millennials
- 57% only shop the fresh sections of grocery stores compared to 30% of non-Millennials
Source: Mintel
#20 Chemex pour-over glass coffeemaker
The pride and joy of baristas and coffee lovers alike, the Chemex is next-level coffee making at its finest. If your Millennial is a coffee snob, they will be thrilled to receive this as a gift.
#21 Instant Pot
Instant Pots have become all the rage because they combine seven appliances into one:
- pressure cooker
- slow cooker
- rice cooker
- steamer
- saute
- yogurt maker
- warmer
This can save time and counter space for the Millennial in your life who likes to cook!
#22 Food processor
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I had a food processor handy in my kitchen. With one of these devices, you can make homemade hummus, tahini, smoothies, even juice! You can also chop vegetables, make your own gluten-free flour, or slice potatoes. It seems like a food processor does it all! Great tool to have in the kitchen if you like to cook.
#23 Juicer
It seems like everyone’s on a juice cleanse these days. Even if they’re not, lots of people love a healthy glass of homemade juice. It’s difficult to make without a juicer though, so get this one for the health-conscious Millennial in your life.
#24 Mason jars
I know what you’re thinking, “Why mason jars?” I’ll tell you why: These old-fashioned glass staples can be used in a multitude of ways! Add a few ingredients to them and have pre-made meals ready in the fridge; throw battery-operated string lights inside for an enchanting decoration; or sip your favorite beverage out of them. They’re a great addition to any Millennial home.
#25 ChocZero
For the Millennial in your life who’s on the keto diet, this is the chocolate they can eat! It has no added sugar and only 1 gram net carb per serving. Plus, it’s delicious. I’m not even keto anymore, and I still love eating these.
#26 Love With Food box subscription
Sign your Millennial up for Love With Food, and they’ll get a box full of healthy goodies every month. There’s even a gluten-free option.
#27 FabFitFun Box subscription
FabFitFun sends a box of beauty and fitness finds four times a year. Its members also get access to at-home workouts and recipes inside their app. This is the perfect gift for the Millennial who wants to look and feel their best!
#28 Whiskey stones
For the whiskey connoisseur, these whiskey stones will make sure their drinks never get watered down again! Super classy in a handcrafted wooden box.
#29 ClassPass
For the fitness fanatic, it doesn’t get any better than ClassPass! This monthly membership gains you access to one million boutique fitness workouts around the world.
Eco-Friendly Gifts for Millennials
FACT: Millennials are more devoted to being kind to the environment.
- About 75% of millennials change their buying habits to reduce their impact on the environment, compared to 34% of Baby Boomers. (Source: Nielsen)
- Millennials report being more willing to pay a higher price for products with sustainable, environmentally friendly, or organic ingredients. (Source: Nielsen)
- 67% of adults age 18-29 identified as being “concerned believers” in global warming, compared to 49% of those age 30-49. (Source: Gallup)
#30 Brita filtering stainless steel water bottle
I WANT THIS. Every time I move to a new city, I end up buying a Brita filter water pitcher because tap water tastes SO chlorinated. With this Brita filter water bottle, you can have fresh-tasting water no matter where you go. Just one water bottle filter can replace up to 300 standard 16.9 single-use plastic water bottles—so this will help the environment too!
#31 Eco-friendly reusable stainless steel straws
Reduce plastic waste with these reusable stainless steel straws! This one even comes with cleaning brushes so you can easily scrub the interiors.
#32 KeepCup
Is your Millennial a coffee drinker? Another way to reduce unnecessary waste is to get them this KeepCup. Instead of creating waste every time they get a latte to go, they can bring in their KeepCup and ask the barista to use this instead of a disposable cup. Some coffee shops even give a discount for doing so!
Mental Health-Related Gifts for Millennials
FACT: Millennials are committed to destigmatizing mental illness.
- “Over 85 percent of respondents would be comfortable making friends with or working on a project with someone who had been diagnosed with a mental illness.”
- “Nearly three in four respondents agree that millennials are ‘much more open to addressing mental health topics than older people.'”
Source: Matters of the Mind
#33 Therapy Is Cool T-Shirt
Tiffany Roe is my fave therapist to follow on Instagram. The Utah-based Certified Mental Health Counselor spreads her message of “therapy is cool” in a fun and relatable way.
#34 Hope in a Jar
Who doesn’t need more hope these days? I like the symbolism behind the name of this product, and it’s a top-rated facial moisturizer. And the best part? Every purchase from Philosophy helps to support community-based mental health efforts.
#35 Garden24 by Morgan Harper Collins
My favorite artist to follow on Instagram is Morgan Harper Collins. She creates beautiful digital wallpaper with inspirational quotes. Here’s one of my faves:
To support her work and bring a smile to a loved one’s face, shop her artwork in her online store.
Home Decor Gifts for Millennials
#36 Houseplants (Fiddle Leaf Fig!)
Want to really make your Millennial squeal with joy? If they’re decorating a home, get them a fiddle leaf fig! This is the plant you see in all those interior design magazines and Instagram posts. For more ideas, check out these best houseplants for beginners.
#37 Fairy Lights
Make any room feel magical with fairy lights. They really do wonders for warming up a drab corner of the home.
#38 Macrame Hanging Planters
Yes, we Millennials love our plants and we love displaying them in these cute macrame hanging planters.
#39 Farmhouse rustic letter board
Another fixture making its rounds allll over Instagram: the letter board! Your Millennial will make the perfect gram-worthy photos with this beautiful farmhouse letter board.
Gifts for Creative Millennials
FACT: Millennials are more likely to experiment with creativity.
#40 Fujifilm mirrorless camera
This camera has been on my wish list for a while now. Mirrorless cameras are lighter weight than the typical DSLR and can be quieter when you snap a photo.
#41 Fujifilm Instax “Polaroid” Camera
Millennials are a nostalgic generation. For us, retro is cool. That’s why I think this throwback to the old Polaroid camera will be a BIG hit with any Millennial.
#42 Podcasting Microphone Setup
Chances are, your creative Millennial friend has started (or wants to start) a podcast. Get this starter kit for them!
#43 Hand Lettering Kit
Hand lettering has made a comeback in recent years. Beautiful artwork featuring hand lettering is splashed all over Instagram. It’s a great skill that can spruce up any heartfelt note or greeting card. Plus, it’s a great creative outlet.
#44 Apple Pencil
Bring hand lettering into the digital world with this Apple Pencil. Pair it with an iPad Pro and your Millennial will be on their way to becoming a digital hand lettering pro!
