Gen Z is in peak holiday spirit: buying gifts, hosting parties, and seeing loved ones, but they’re celebrating differently than the generations that came before them. In short, Gen Z is reinventing the holidays: changing the makeup of what we buy, how we celebrate, and who we celebrate with.
Young people are buying gifts that bring childhood joy as “Friendsgivings” continue to rise in popularity. These choices are setting a new tone for the holidays. There is a cultural holiday renaissance incoming, and it’s incredible to watch the world adapt to it.
Healing their inner child with whimsy and magic
Gen Z is redefining gift-giving in adulthood, healing their inner child with nostalgia and holiday spirit. Forgoing expensive name brands, young adults are instead trending toward retro and nostalgia, buying childhood toys they never received. Some are even commissioning small artists to create versions of retro toys from TV shows or movies. It is becoming increasingly common to prioritize nostalgia and joy over superficiality, spreading a new type of holiday cheer amongst Gen Z. In the past, gifting was tied to cost or popularity; now, we prefer to surround ourselves with sentimentality and meaning.
Gen Z adults are also throwing parties with retro themes, like the live action remake of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Attendees can dress up in character, with crazy makeup and hair, rather than subscribing to prevailing dress codes. Others make foods inspired by retro children’s movies, moving away from traditional holiday menus. Moreover, numerous adults are indulging in holiday events like meeting the Grinch or riding the Polar Express, even if they don’t have children. Such nostalgic forms of celebration signify that Gen Z is holding on to childhood joys. In the video below, Tiktok user @itsimaniblackmon goes to see the Polar Express:
@itsimaniblackmon The most magical experience 🥹 highly recommend for any Polar Express lovers! This one was located in Perris, CA #polarexpress #polarexpresstrain ♬ The Polar Express – Main Theme – Geek Music
As young adults rediscover the joy of childhood whimsy by seeking out retro holiday gifts, Ebay and other resale sites are gaining popularity for their retro toys, games, clothes, and accessories. Beyond games and toys, physical media like DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, and Vinyls are in high demand.
Companies are releasing retro styled versions of products, as well as new iterations of their vintage products. Thanksgiving is a particularly popular time for retro gifts, as it marks the start of the official holiday season. Holiday deals on sites like Mercari and Poshmark further confirm the love of nostalgia is far from over.
Friendsgiving, and friends receiving…
Gen Z is highly invested in Friendsgivings, chosen family gatherings, and making time for people outside the traditional family unit. Historically, Thanksgiving has largely been centered around biological family. However, the modern, friends-specific holiday gathering lovingly referred to as “Friendsgiving” serves to blend the traditions of several different winter holidays, from Kwanza to Hanukkah.
Traditional Thanksgivings strictly adhere to one culture, meeting any suggestion of deviation with negativity. Friendsgivings strive to incorporate all of the participants. it is a time to spend with kindred spirits during the holidays and enjoy the very best of the people around us. There is no right or wrong way to have a Friendsgiving; you just come as you are, like Tiktok user @kimlovechou and her friends at their first Friendsgiving.
@kimlovechou How was your Friendgiving vs thanksgiving? #friendsgiving #thanksgiving #loveyourself #friendship #usa🇺🇸 #experience @AdélyinCali ♬ original sound – Kimlovechou
Holiday get togethers among friends are statistically less stressful for people than those with family. This is because family dynamics tend to be rigid, making young people feel trapped at gatherings. Meals and gift giving between friends can also be more meaningful. You can truly be yourself without fear of judgment. This accounts in large part for the shift from traditional Thanksgiving to Friendsgiving among young people.
Living in their “era of us,” & giving lessons in self care
Gen Z adults are entering an era of actively choosing to cater less to their families. Young people from families with a history of unhealthy behavior or dynamics are setting stronger boundaries. Instead, they are doing what they enjoy with the people who value and respect them, as explained by @noellerivers on TikTok in a video about her reasons for skipping out on her family holidays.
@noellerivers I’ve disliked family gatherings since I was a little child, the great part of being a grown up is can choose not to go. You are free to do what you want ANY day of the year and if that’s staying home, people should support you in that. #holiday #thanksgiving #family #happyfamily #dysfunctionalfamily #toxicfamily #nocontact #mil #monsterinlaw #familydrama ♬ original sound – Noelle | Indie Yapper
The holidays are known for triggering unhappy memories, past trauma, and general stress. The period from November to February can be dark, with higher rates of self harm and suicide. Gen Z’s efforts to change holiday traditions conveys their dedication to choosing themselves and the people most deserving of their time and energy. They’re also reclaiming the holiday wonder that they experienced as kids.
Gen Z adults are investing in healthier dynamics, safer spaces, and friends who bring joy to the holidays. They establish clear boundaries and even step away from people and tables that don’t serve them. There are plenty of valid reasons to avoid certain traditions this time of year, from abusive family members to environments that remind us of pain. Furthermore, healthier holidays will lead to a healthier new year by fostering better mindsets and habits.
Shifting traditions, and mindsets…
Deviating from tradition is hard, especially from the perspective of our parents, grandparents, and even older siblings. But for young people, change is critical to promote growth and healing. They are committed to fulfilling their needs this holiday season and letting go of toxic habits and practices. Online mental health professionals like @drt_therapist on TikTok have helpful tips for staying emotionally present.
@drt_therapist Please add any other ideas tou have in the comments! #clinicalpsychologist #holidaystress #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #copingskills #therapist #tiktoktherapist #therapistsoftiktok #mentalhealthtips #therapytok #therapytiktok ♬ original sound – Dr. T – Psychologist
One key change is reducing negative self talks at Thanksgiving. Most Americans admit that Thanksgiving impacts their mindset about their bodies, both before and after the holiday. Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and general mental health issues frequently pop up around this time, stemming from a combination of large meals and sedentary activities like watching parades and football games. As a result, it’s important to destigmatize comfort food and rest.
Gen Z is done with traditional New Year’s resolutions, which cause more harm than good according to various experts. The majority of people report abandoning their resolutions by Valentine’s Day due to life stressors. Additionally, they can be prone to setting unrealistic goals, like excessive weight loss in a short time, or unsustainable habits, like expensive hobbies. Gen Z is implementing new habits before the holidays even begin and intentionally making them realistic, which is the right way to do it.
Honoring the past, present, and future of their holidays and cultures
For Indigenous people, Thanksgiving is a time of great mourning. The original Thanksgiving occurred against the backdrop of a genocide-filled war. Indigenous people welcomed the pilgrims with open arms, food, and supplies to last the winter, only to be met with death and destruction. However, Gen Z is taking the time to honor these events, as well as the traditions and people lost to them, so that we don’t forget our history.
Meanwhile, Hanukkah, sometimes incorrectly dubbed “the Jewish Christmas,” celebrates the story of ancient Jews who overcame oppression and religious coercion. Friendsgiving offers a chance for non-Jews to learn about Chanukah, as Gn Z Jews honor practices like “Tikkun Olam” and “Tzedakah,” meaning “to repair the world” and “righteousness” respectively. Tikkun Olam calls for social justice and one’s responsibility to improve society, while Tzedakah boxes collect money for charity and the less fortunate. Both traditions encapsulate the desire of Gen Z Jews to return to values that unite rather than divide.
Kwanzaa is the celebration of light, love, and survival of African Americans and other people of color. It is distinct from any particular religion, though it is similar to Chanuko in that it revolves around the lighting of a Kinara with candles called Mishumaa Saba. Kwanzaa’s candles are color coordinated, with black representing their people, red denoting their struggles and efforts, green symbolizing the hope of a better future. Honoring the different aspects of Black American intergenerational struggle and identity, Kwanzaa is honored more visibly today than ever, giving Black excellence a seat at the table.
The holidays are coming, and so is a cultural change…
Gen Z is taking back the holiday season and turning it into something that serves them. They are feeding their inner child with retro nostalgia, joys, and holiday spirit; they are spending time with friends and chosen family at Friendsgiving; and they are improving their habits and mindsets to truly make the most of the season.
This powerful shift toward identity, authenticity, and meaning is long overdue. Gen Z is on the cusp of something big, pioneering a wintery revolution of new values and ideas that will pave the way for future generational healing.
For more tips on how to get ahead of the winter blues, check out fellow Trill writer Jess Hipgrave’s article “Winter Well-Being: Staying Happy, Healthy, And Motivated”.
