Here are the best gifts to give Jewish Gen Z this Hanukkah

This ultimate Hanukkah gift guide has Gen Z favorites perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Hanukkah is fast approaching — the first night falls on Thursday, December 7. 

Read more: Six hacks to start preparing for Hanukkah

You might be struggling with selecting your perfect gift for the Festival of Lights, which will take place from December 7-15 this year. But don’t stress! Unpacked has you covered with this ultimate Hanukkah gift guide, offering options for every budget.

Check out some Gen Z favorites for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Gifts for anyone

Satisfy any reading crave — Book of the Month Club, starting at $60

For the avid readers in your life, check out the Book of the Month Club subscription box

Readers can receive curated books each month based on their genre preferences. They are able to select which (and how many) books they receive for that month, making it the perfect adaptable literary experience.

Sweaters for pet lovers — Embroly, $64

Everyone loves their pets, but for those who can’t bear to part from their furry friends, they can now wear them on their chest or sleeve.

These embroidered pet sweaters come in either a hoodie or a sweatshirt in a variety of colors. The sweaters are fully customizable — you can make any specifications you want from the font choice to the different thread colors used. 

Capture all life’s memories — Fujifilm, $75

For years, these mini Fujifilm Instax cameras have been a staple for anyone who loves film photos.

This camera is easy to use with automatic flash and automatic exposure. The small size of the camera makes it easy to carry. Plus, film for the camera is widely accessible at many stores in a variety of styles.

Mini Fujifilm Instax cameras

The beanie everyone’s talking about — Carhartt, $20

This winter, no one will be without a Carhartt beanie. These knit hats and the entire Carhartt brand have taken social media by storm. 

These thick beanies comfortably cover your ears and help protect you from the cold. Coming in multiple colors, they make the perfect winter accessory for your Gen Z family and friends.

Watch anything on the big screen — Amazon, $40

Another viral social media item, this mini projector allows you to see media projected on any wall or ceiling. Simply connect your phone, laptop, tablet or gaming device.

This projector even can cast content and connect to WiFi to play anything through streaming. It’s a perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t have a television in their room. Its small size allows users to move the projector to any storage space in between uses.

Air fry anything for crunchy goodness — Best Buy, $60

It’s undeniable that many of the best foods come fried. 

However, without a deep fryer, it can be hard to replicate the same crisp in a standard oven. This Bella Pro Series air fryer can accommodate eight quarts of food and make them crunchy and delicious in minutes.

Air fryers offer the advantage of using less oil simplifying cleanup. The basket and crisping tray are non-stick and can be thrown in the dishwasher after use.

Follow every TikTok charcuterie trend — Amazon, $34

From showing off fancy traditional charcuterie boards to butter boards, girl dinner boards, and even the new hot chocolate board, it seems that every month there’s a new trend that requires a charcuterie board.

This board from Amazon has a removable plate for cheese, which makes it easier to wash. It also has drawers to store your cutlery and designated sections for nuts and dried fruit. This charcuterie board will make playing host super easy.

Give this gift along with these eight charcuterie-style boards to make this Hanukkah.

Listen to music everywhere — JBL, $90

Music brings people together, but phone and laptop speakers are often not very high-quality. Coming in a variety of colors and patterns, this JBL Flip 5 is the perfect gift for your favorite music lover.

This portable speaker lets you enjoy your music anywhere, loud enough for parties. It’s also waterproof, making it perfect for the pool, the beach, or even for singing in the shower.

Make luxurious coffee at home — Target, $22

The bills can easily rack up for coffee lovers. This French press will help coffee lovers cut down on the cost of daily trips to Starbucks, allowing them to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at home.

The user-friendliness of this French press means that you can have a steaming cup of joe in minutes. Plus, this set comes with a milk frother, so you can replicate many of your favorite drinks with light and tasty milk foam.

An individualized mezuzah — Popsi, starting at $38

Popsi mezuzot are the perfect gift for those who just moved into a new space or are looking to enhance their home’s aesthetic and spiritual essence with some Jewish flair.

Offering a range of sizes and styles, Popsi mezuzahs can be customized to meet your specifications. Whether adorned with flowers, glitter or your favorite football team, these mezuzahs allow your loved one to showcase their style while expressing their Judaism.

Read more: Crafts and DIYs that will make you extra nostalgic this Hanukkah

Gifts for your favorite women

The perfect all-year footwear — Birkenstock, starting at $35

For the beach or in the winter with cozy shearling options, Birkenstocks come in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, making them the perfect shoes for all activities. 

Their cork soles mold to feet, making them comfortable for walking around town all day and easy to slip on for errands.

Your loved one will thank you for giving them shoes that will last for years and that they love. 

A lip balm worth all the hype — Glossier, $14

For ultimate moisture with scents that smell amazing, Glossier’s Balm DotCom is the perfect necessity for these cold winter months.

Recent improvements to both its formula and packaging have made this balm not only long-lasting but also beautifully pigmented. Its soothing, vegan formula is cruelty-free and is a huge help for anyone who suffers from dry lips.

For a more holiday feel, check out Glossier’s holiday Balm DotCom flavors of cookie butter and hot cocoa.

A delicate necklace with Yiddish flair — Susan Alexandra, $148

Susan Alexandra’s Judaica line is the perfect gift for anyone looking to connect with their Jewish roots with beautiful jewelry.

Give your most spirited friend a chutzpah necklace with either a bronze or multicolor nameplate so they can express their personality. You can also check out these recommended vendors for Jewish jewelry.

A terrarium for displaying Jewish pride — Adara Rituals, $24

Give your Gen Z art lover a unique piece of Judaica with a dreidel terrarium that comes in both gold and black.

While this will be a hit during Hanukkah, the elegant design and beautiful shape of this terrarium makes it suitable for display all year round.

What makes this terrarium extra special is its hollow design, allowing it to double as a storage container for candy, rings, coins, or any little trinkets that need a home.

A massive tumbler for staying hydrated — Stanley, $45

The Stanley Cup tumbler has become a sensation on TikTok, leading them to be sold out everywhere since the craze began. 

These 40-ounce tumblers keep ice frozen for over 24 hours and help you stay hydrated throughout the day. They are also the newest fashion accessory (Dick’s Sporting Goods has them in over a dozen colors).

For Hydro Flask fans, they’ve released their own version of the 40-ounce tumbler for the same price.

@eddiemunsonsmullet69

how much money do you think i’ve spent on stanley’s? 😅 🤣 #stanley #stanleytumbler #stanleytumblercup #addiction #fyp

♬ original sound – 🌟

Read more: 5 festive Hanukkah cocktails you can make at home

The internet’s favorite shoulder bag — Baggu, $44

Anyone who’s spent any time on TikTok knows how much people love the Baggu mini nylon shoulder bag

Available in a variety of colors, this bag has an adjustable strap for comfort. While it might look small, the shoulder bag can fit all necessities, including a 16-ounce water bottle. 

@fionafleurs

whats in my work bag / what fits in the baggu nylon shoulder bag! it might be my new favorite 🥲 and it fits so much without looking to bulky! #whatsinmybag #whatsinmyworkbag #whatsinmybaggu #bagguunboxing #baggunylon #baggunylonshoulderbag #baggugirl #nycgirl #baggu #mediumnyloncrescentbag #pinterestaesthetic

♬ ditto – 🎧

What every nightstand needs — Amazon, $33

Ideal for Gen Z family and friends embracing a Y2K aesthetic, this mushroom lamp is the stylish and practical addition to any bedroom.

Coming in a variety of colors and patterns, its colored glass is durable enough to withstand falls. This lamp reflects light while complementing any bedroom decor. Its compact size allows it to fit on any nightstand without taking up too much space.

White gold hoops — Zales, $175

Gretchen Wieners was right. White gold hoops are the perfect Hanukkah gift, especially with the new “Mean Girls” musical movie coming out in 2024.

These hoops are delicate and timeless. Crafted from white gold, a metal more durable than silver, they offer lasting wear while still giving off a silver sheen. These hoops are the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.

The perfect crossbody and fanny pack — Lululemon, $38-$48

There is nothing more convenient than the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag, which can be worn as either a crossbody or fanny pack.

The bag, which comes in a variety of colors, is perfect for avid runners, hikers, or anyone who enjoys a walk in the neighborhood. No matter the activity, this bag will leave you hands-free while carrying all your essentials.

Silk pillowcases — Kitsch, $19 

Silk pillowcases are known to reduce frizziness and hair breakage compared to regular pillowcases. They also have been found to help with acne and skin irritation while keeping you cool at night.

These silk pillowcases from Kitsch — a company that has long been a leader in hair protection — come in various colors and styles to match any sheets and duvet set.

Gifts for your favorite men

A chain for your favorite NJB — Mamalah, $36

Another amazing piece from the Mamaleh Yiddish collection, this mensch necklace is the perfect gift for every guy you love. 

The chain is bold but not too big and the inscription is in a cool, modern font. Whether your favorite mensch owns a ton of jewelry or this will be his first piece, this necklace is perfect for going out to bars or matching with edgy streetwear. 

A riff on a classic sneaker — Nike, starting at $69

The trendier cousin of the Air Force Ones, the Nike SB Force 58 comes in various colors and patterns to suit any style.

These skate-inspired shoes maintain the iconic look of Nike basketball sneakers but are designed with less height and softer soles for immediate comfort. Whether in classic Nike colors, popular earth tones, or the traditional skater tan soles and heels, these shoes can look as traditional or as trendy as you’d like.

The puffer that’s all the rage — The North Face, $330

With winter approaching, the North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket is not just warm, but it’s also one of the most stylish puffer jackets on the market. 

Available in multiple colors, this puffer is top-ranked for warmth, thickness, and wind and rain resistance. Made from 100% recycled materials, it includes a detachable hood, making it an ideal choice for any winter condition.

Take gaming into the metaverse — Meta, $249

In the past few years, VR headsets have gone from ridiculous novelties to powerful technology tools for both play and learning.

The Meta Quest 2 is the more affordable alternative to the newer model, but still allows you to immerse yourself in various virtual worlds and access over 500 different apps. 

This portable VR headset is an excellent choice for elevating gaming experiences, fitness routines, or exploring different parts of the world.

A distinctive and versatile sweater — Levi’s $98

Levi’s has had a major comeback in recent years. This battery crewneck sweater shows exactly why. Coming in a bright blue and a vibrant red, these rich colors will look good on anyone. 

The stripes are muted for a more gradient effect, making it a little less flashy than the traditional striped sweater. If you’re looking for a sweater that looks unique but is still wearable for all occasions, this crewneck fits the bill.

Fashionable sweatpants for every day — Land’s End, $30

The best sweatpants should look good without sacrificing comfort. The Land’s End Serious Sweats sweatpants come in six colors and both regular and tall sizes. 

These sweats have deep pockets to hold all necessities and are perfect for errands, workouts, or simply lounging on the couch. The tapered legs on these pants give them a more elevated look compared to most sweats, and they’re made from a knit plush for maximum coziness.

The ultimate outdoor game — Amazon, $65

Spikeball is now synonymous with beach trips and the first warm day on campus. The easy-to-set-up game is incredibly fun and can be played anywhere. 

This set comes with three balls, just in case anything gets lost. Plus, it has a handy carrying case, which will make bringing the game easier. 

Spikeball is the perfect game for anyone with a competitive side, and even those simply looking to enjoy a fun day outdoors with friends.

Everyday sunglasses that won’t break the bank — Huckberry, $45

We’ve all experienced the disappointment of sunglasses breaking or getting scratched outdoors. These Huckberry Weekenders are lightweight and perfectly mold to your nose to minimize the risk of falling off. In addition, the lenses are scratch-proof, so you don’t need to worry about dropping them. 

The polarized lenses give extra sun protection and reduce glare, making them an excellent choice for drivers. 

Look fresh every day — Dollar Shave Club, $18

Self-care is incredibly important, especially when it comes to grooming. However, finding the time to purchase new shaving supplies can be a challenge, or maybe the products being used are not getting a close shave.

Dollar Shave Club delivers high-quality razors, refills, prep scrub, shave butter, and post-shave cream right to your doorstep. This membership will not only save the person time but will also ensure he is using skin-friendly products.

The best part about this set is that it doesn’t require you to commit to the subscription. Your loved one can try out the products before deciding to subscribe.

Upgrade gaming sessions — Best Buy, $161

For avid gamers, a good gaming headset is crucial for talking to those you play with and hearing the sounds within a game.

This gaming headset has surround sound and a high-quality microphone for easy chatting. Plus, gamers can connect directly to a device via the headphone jack or wirelessly up to 60 feet away. 

If your loved one is a gaming enthusiast, this headset is the perfect gift to enhance their gaming experience.

Read more Hanukkah stories at Unpacked

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