Celebrations

31 Gifts for Millennials From Throwbacks to Real Life 2025

by: Caylie Herrmann

Last Updated on Sep 12th 2025

Our editorial team recommends the best products through independent research, selection and careful review. If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.

Millennials have gone from AIM away messages and Saturday mornings with Mario Kart to juggling careers, kids and mortgages. That’s why the most memorable gifts for millennials are the ones that fit both sides of that story — a little nostalgia, a little practicality.

According to Deloitte, this generation is more likely to value experiences, sustainability and wellness over status symbols. At the same time, nothing lights them up faster than a throwback that taps into their shared culture, whether it’s a vinyl reissue of their favorite band or a LEGO set that feels like a nod to childhood.

So when you’re shopping for your favorite millennial — sibling, partner, coworker or friend — skip the generic. The right gift shows you understand what matters to them right now, and that’s what makes it worth unwrapping.

Creative Gifts for Millennials

1. Art Classes

paint and sip gift for millennials — *Finding a new outlet for creativity beats another gadget any day (via Classpop!)*

Who doesn’t love learning a new skill? And that's exactly why art classes make great gifts for millennials. Because they do. And paint nights and pottery wheels aren’t just hobbies — they’re an antidote to screen fatigue. Give the priceless gift of self-expression.

Look for art classes in Atlanta, San Diego or Dallas or many other cities across the country. They make great experience gifts for people who have everything.

2. Classpop! Gift Card

Millennials love choice — and if you know they’d prefer experience gifts, we recommend a unique gift card. This way, your millennial giftee gets to choose exactly what type of experience they want to have: painting, cooking, mixology or something entirely unexpected. It’s flexible, low-stress and lands as thoughtful without being prescriptive.

3. Watercolor Set

A portable watercolor set is an easy way to give your friend a pocket-sized dose of creativity. It slips into a bag with a sketchbook, perfect for painting on trips, coffee breaks or anywhere they want to slow down and capture the moment.

Join our email list for exclusive deals, local events and fun inspiration for living a more creative life.

4. Custom Paint-by-Numbers

Adult coloring, or in this case, painting, is having a moment with a digitally washed-out generation. Lean in and go creative. Upload a photo of a pet or a favorite vacation memory and Canvas by Numbers turns it into a custom paint-by-numbers kit. It’s a sweet gift for dog lovers, and family photos make thoughtful gifts for parents, too.

It idea takes DIY gift idea up a notch — part creative project, part memory-keeper — which is why it resonates so well with millennials who value both DIY and shared experiences.

5. Crochet Kit

Woobles crochet dragon gift set — *Proof that the “grandma era” is a trend, not a phase (via Woobles)*

Crochet has become the cozy badge of the millennial “grandma era.” And since crochet can be quite difficult, specialized kits are great gifts for millennials who need to do one project at a time. Look for something like this sweet dragon amigurumi kit from The Woobles to make sure they have a cute keepsake after they're done. Something they can proudly show off when they’re done.

Foodie Gifts for Millennials

6. Cooking Classes

Millennials might be the DoorDash generation, but they’re also the ones reviving dinner parties. Cooking classes bridge that gap — they’re social, they teach a skill, and they create memories that outlast the meal. Perfect for the millennial who wants to level up from takeout. Younger millennials will love it, as they're all in on gifts for adulting.

You'll find cooking classes in Los Angeles, Austin, NYC or a city near you. Or, if you know they're keen to ditch the takeout but still want to stay in, online cooking classes will be your best bet.

7. Cookware or Kitchen Gadgets

Give them the gear they won’t splurge on themselves. Cast-iron skillets, quality knives, or an Instant Pot aren’t glamorous, but they turn everyday meals into something easier and better. It’s the kind of “adulting” gift millennials quietly appreciate and it can make cooking more efficient and fun. Go with an appliance that speaks to their cooking style: air fryers for the health-conscious, sandwich grills for the sandwich aficionados.

8. Cookbooks

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat cookbook — *Part recipe guide, part coffee table flex (via Barnes & Noble)*

Cookbooks make great gifts for millennials who love spending time in the kitchen. Yes, there are countless recipes online, but cookbooks make great coffee table décor and they put all of the recipes in one place.

Go with something from their favorite chefs, cuisines, or food trends. Whether it's for baking, vegan cooking, or international cuisine, there's a cookbook for every taste. Samin Nosrat’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a great first cookbook for any millennial.

9. Herb Garden Kit

herb garden kit gift for millennials — *Windowsill décor that doubles as dinner flavor (via Uncommon Goods)*

What’s popular with millennials? The answer is obvious: plants. Many millennials have taken up both indoor and outdoor gardening as a hobby, and they’re all about growing their own food. But, for apartment dwellers, this isn’t always an option.

That’s why an herb-growing kit makes such a smart gift for a foodie friend. Fresh herbs are easy to grow, even in an apartment, and this one from Uncommon Goods brings flavor straight to their kitchen window.

10. Reusable Food Storage

Millennials are an eco-conscious generation. Why not match that energy with reusable food storage? Silicone food storage bags or glass containers fit seamlessly into their values. It leans into the idea of making small swaps that feel impactful. It’s a gift that says you get both their habits and their principles.

11. Food Subscription Service

Hello Fresh box — *The gift of a week without grocery lists (via Hello Fresh)*

Millennials are so busy! And according to the Harvard Business Review, they're more likely than previous generations to be “workaholics.” With all of that work, who has time to cook or go to the grocery store?

That’s why food subscription services make such good gifts for millennials who have everything. Cooking gifts are always appreciated, but the gift of an easy weeknight meal is priceless. Hello Fresh is a great option, but there are plenty of great subscription meal kits available.

Unique Gifts for Millennials

12. Travel Accessories

baboon travel bag — *Stylish luggage that says “yes, I pack carry-on like a pro” (via Baboon to the Moon)*

Millennials were the first to book budget flights on apps, so practical but stylish travel gear always lands. So you know they'll appreciate practical yet stylish travel accessories, such as a durable travel bag from a site like the trendy Baboon to the Moon.

Pair it with a scratch-off world map or a travel journal, and you've got travel gifts for millennials who have a passion for traversing the globe.

13. DIY Craft Kits

wooden sign craft kit with paint set — *Monthly projects to keep their creativity from gathering dust (via Annie's Kit Clubs)*

Millennials are avid DIYers. So, if you’re looking for unique gifts for millennials, you can’t go wrong with a DIY craft kit or even a monthly subscription to Annie's Kit Clubs. This is the Etsy generation, after all.

There are so many craft kits to choose from, such as candle making, jewelry making or even tech assembly, that can spark their creativity.

14. Aromatherapy Diffuser

Does your favorite millennial need a break? An aromatherapy diffuser is a thoughtful way to give them five minutes of calm. Pair it with essential oils that fit their style — this sleek white version from World Market is a stylish choice. It’s not just about the scent, it’s about gifting a little breathing room in a generation that knows burnout all too well.

15. Yoga Classes

We’re not done with the relaxation gifts for millennials just yet. Millennials and yoga go together like peas in a pod, so why not give the gift of yoga classes?

A package of classes, or even a subscription, is a reminder to slow down, stretch and reset. Extra points if you join them — shared wellness counts as shared quality time.

16. Handmade or Artisanal Goods

Millennials love unique handmade products. They appreciate the handmade touch of a gift made with love and care when so many things are mass-produced.

A piece of pottery from a local maker, or small-batch food from a farmer’s market, hits differently. Handmade gifts for millennials tell a story — something millennials love almost as much as the object itself.

17. Plant Subscription

Remember when we said that millennials love plants and gardening? Here’s another great gift for millennials with green thumbs. For millennial friends with a green thumb, a plant subscription box is a gift that keeps growing. Services like the House Plant Box from Cratejoy deliver new plants every month, giving them fresh greenery to nurture and brighten their space.

18. Board & Card Games

Cards Against Humanity — *Game night, but make it a millennial cultural event (via Amazon)*

Board games are great gifts for millennials who love to entertain. Forget the Monopoly set — millennials lean toward irreverent card games and strategy-driven board games like Catan or Cards Against Humanity — just make sure you pick games that your giftees don’t already own.

Nostalgic Gifts for Millennials

19. Concert Tickets

Nothing beats reliving the high school band they obsessed over. And the good news is that many bands are capitalizing on their nostalgia factor and continue to tour. If you can get your hands on some tickets, your millennial music lover will be elated.

20. Retro Game Consoles

game night — *Mario, Crash Bandicoot and the sweet sound of a loading screen (via Canva)*

Looking for gifts for millennial gamers? Retro game consoles (and games, of course) might be the perfect fit. Go with an old Gameboy, an original PlayStation or even a cool Nintendo 64. They'll love being able to reconnect with the games from their childhood.

21. Polaroid Camera

woman taking photo with vintage Polaroid camera — *Instant prints that beat yet another phone screenshot (via Polaroid)*

The days of film may be behind us, but instant cameras are still a hit as gifts for millennials. They’re fun, easy to use and make capturing memories feel special in a way phone photos don’t.

A vintage Polaroid camera or a modern instant film version gives that retro vibe. Many of them also include digital options so you can get the best of both worlds.

22. Nostalgic Art Prints

Home décor gifts are perfect for millennials settling into a first home or making a rental feel more like theirs. Nostalgic art prints hit that balance — retro movies, shows and games they grew up with, but styled subtle enough to blend into a “grown-up” space without looking like fan art.

23. Vinyl Records

record player — *Dropping a needle never goes out of style (via Canva)*

Yes, most millennials are too young to have truly had vinyl records at home, but that’s what makes it such a fun nostalgia gift. Many millennials collected them in school when they were already “retro,” so they’ll appreciate the throwback. And there’s still something special about hearing a favorite band spin on vinyl instead of a playlist.

24. Vintage Toys

Vintage toys or collectibles tap straight into a millennial’s childhood. Think action figures, Barbies or My Little Pony — the kinds of things they once begged for. If the originals are tough to track down, even a modern re-release can bring back the same nostalgia.

Best Gifts for Millennial Males

25. LEGO Set

Bowser LEGO set nostalgic gift for millennial men — *Building is way more satisfying as an adult (via LEGO)*

LEGO sets aren’t just for kids — they make great gifts for millennial guys who never outgrew the fun of building. With detailed LEGO sets for adults — from Star Wars starships to a giant Bowser, the challenge is just as entertaining as the finished scene.

26. Vintage Band Tee

When you need a gift for a coworker or someone you don’t know too well, a vintage band tee is an easy win. Deadstock shirts — the ones no longer in print — are especially popular with fans and collectors, and sites like Poshmark are full of them.

27. Sports Memorabilia

For the guy who never misses a game, signed memorabilia or limited-edition merch from his team is gold. Collector’s items like these have a way of ending up on display — a new point of pride in his home.

Gifts for Millennial Females

28. Friendship Necklace

Do you remember giving friendship necklaces to your friends as a kid? Just because you're all grown up doesn't mean you can't still do it, because the designs have grown up too. Modern friendship necklaces range from delicate gold pieces to quirky charms, but they all say the same thing: “We’re still in this together.”

29. Fashion Subscription

woman choosing which sweater to wear — *New clothes without the shopping spiral (via Canva)*

Are you looking for a gift for a millennial who wants to find her ideal style? A subscription service like Stitch Fix or Wantable delivers curated outfits based on her style preferences to her door, mixing convenience with a little surprise factor each month. It’s like gifting her a personal stylist — and pieces she might never have picked for herself.

30. Bath Bombs

Self-care gifts are big with millennials, and bath bombs make a simple gift that feels like a treat. They fizz, smell amazing and turn an ordinary soak into something special. Brands like Lush have plenty of options, so you can put together a bath bomb gift basket that feels personal.

31. Gift Cards for Cosmetics

Choosing makeup for a friend is borderline impossible. Instead, if you have a friend who loves all things beauty, we recommend a gift card to her favorite beauty retailer, like Sephora, Ulta or e.l.f. Cosmetics. This way, she can buy her favorite “holy grail” products on her own.

The best gifts for millennials balance nostalgia with everyday practicality. Think LEGO sets and vinyl for the memories, meal kits and subscriptions for the busy now. What matters most isn’t the price — it’s picking something that shows you get where they’re at. That mix of fun and usefulness is what makes a gift stick.

For more creative gift ideas for millennials, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!