A Gift Guide for the Generations: 22 Gifts for Gen X

Sandwiched between millennials and baby boomers (two of the largest generation groups), Gen Xers are used to being overlooked and underestimated. After all, Gen X is also known as the latchkey generation, the MTV generation and the slacker generation. This holiday season, why not give your fave Gen Xer a present that shows you truly see them, in all their independent, resourceful, pragmatic glory? We’ve rounded up some gift ideas to make your selection easier.

Clothing & Footwear

1. Flannel Shirt

Is there anything more quintessentially Gen X than a flannel shirt? But the Performance Flannel button-down ($129) from Vancouver brand Duer isn’t made from the type of flannel sported by Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder in the ’90s. Sure, this new flannel is soft and cozy, but it’s also moisture-wicking and thermoregulating, thanks to its graphene nano-fibres. Graphene is flexible, light, stronger than steel—and a million times thinner than a strand of human hair.

2. Reversible Bucket Hat

The Winter Pass II reversible bucket hat ($34) from Columbia delivers two looks in one, with its quilted nylon fabric on one side and cozy fleece on the other.

3. Family Pajamas

Thanks to Parade, you can dress the whole family in matching holiday PJs adorned with candy canes, gingerbread people, polar bears and more. Two-piece pajama sets range in price from $27 for the littlest kiddos to $75 for grown-ups. Founded in 2004, the Vancouver-based company uses soft but durable organic cotton to make its sleepwear and loungewear.

4. Blazer and Trousers

Levi’s has teamed up with London-based designer Kiko Kostadinov on a limited-edition collection filled with pieces such as a twill blazer ($665) and dress trousers ($430) that blur the boundary between rebellion and refinement—much like Gen X.

5. Varsity Jacket

Almost any selection from Roots would be a great gift for a Gen Xer, but the top choice this season has to be the vintage varsity jacket ($489), with its leather sleeves, wool body and retro vibe that channels classic ’80s movies like Risky Business and The Breakfast Club.

6. Winter Boots

Venere boots ($285) from Olang are made to withstand Mother Nature’s worst, from rain to sleet to snow. Made in Italy, these stylish but rugged winter boots can keep feet toasty warm in temperatures as icy as -30° Celsius. They have a vegan leather upper, wool lining, a Roma rubber sole with deep treads—and an undeniable spark of sass.

Jewellery

7. Silver Pendant

Vancouver brand Pyrrha handcrafts jewellery that’s laden with meaning. The Everything for You talisman ($265) shows a sun, moon and stars alongside the French statement “J’les Conjure Tous Pour Votre Bonheur,” which translates to “I conjure them all for your happiness,” representing love without limits. The Seek the Light talisman ($289) shows a moth underneath “Quaere Lucem” in Latin, which means “seek the light,” a prompt to follow the guiding light of intuition. The We Are Stardust talisman features either one diamond ($599) or three diamonds ($909) amongst an expanse of stars, reminding us of our connection to everyone and everything in the universe. Pyrrha pieces have been spotted on Gen X icons such as Sarah McLachlan, Ryan Gosling, Jeremy Renner and Patricia Arquette.

8. Ring

Plated in 14K gold and featuring a deep onyx green gem, the Sable ring ($68) from Olive & Piper is sure to attract attention. Olive & Piper is a small business based in Vancouver that makes affordable jewellery suitable for everyday wear, weddings and everything in between.

Food & Drink

9. Wine

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of vino from Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery, located in Osoyoos. Oenophile favourites include the Storytellers Talon ($30), which blends syrah, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot noir, and the Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay ($33), with its notes of butterscotch, melon and tropical fruits.

10. Candy

Karameller sells Swedish candy that contains no GMOs, trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup, which means each candy flavour can shine through without being overpowered by sweetness. The Vancouver-based company has something for every candy-holic, from a small mixed candy jar ($15) to a large mixed candy jar ($24), or a candy subscription ($36/month). Who wouldn’t welcome monthly candy deliveries?

11. Coffee

Know a hockey-loving Gen Xer who can’t get moving without a morning cuppa joe? Vancouver-based Breakout Coffee Co. has just launched with four flavourful options: sweet and delicate Game On Medium; smooth and versatile Coast to Coast Espresso; full-bodied Heritage Dark; and Short Side Decaf, which has notes of toffee, maple and hazelnuts. Prices start at $20 per bag, and for each one sold $1 goes to Hockey Helps the Homeless.

Pampering Products

12. Eye Cream

Given that Gen Xers are now aged 45 to 60, it’s hard to think of anyone in this cohort who wouldn’t appreciate some Wake Up Call caffeine and peptide eye cream ($135) from EOL Medical Skincare. Lightweight and fragrance-free, this hydrating cream stimulates circulation in the delicate area around the eyes and helps boost collagen production. EOL was founded by medical aesthetician Leah Corrin, owner of Essence of L Medi Spa in White Rock.

13. Soap

RavenSong Soap and Candle’s products are handcrafted in small batches in Campbell River following traditional Indigenous practices. The Indigenous-owned company finds inspiration in the land and the ocean for all its soaps, candles and bath salts, which are made using organic, ethical and wildcrafted essential oils. Although the artisan products may sound yummy enough to eat, try to avoid nibbling on the Snow Mint soap ($12), Mint Nanaimo Bar soap ($14) and O’ Christmas Tree soap ($14).

14. Personal Care Gift Set

Ever since The Body Shop was founded in 1976, Gen Xers have had a soft spot for the UK brand. As of 2024, The Body Shop Canada is completely Canadian owned, and it’s been opening stores country-wide. On December 3, the newest flagship is opening in Vancouver’s Pacific Centre with great fanfare: free advent calendars for the first 100 shoppers, $50 gift cards for the next 50, and caramel lattes and hot cranberry ciders throughout the day. Shoppers can find gift sets such as the Cranberry Crush Essentials ($41), which includes body butter, hand cream and shower gel.

Gadgets & Electronics

15. Gear Dryer

The Hedgehog Buddy ($249) from Best Buy can quickly dry damp boots, shoes, winter gloves, hockey gloves, boxing gloves and more. Items go from soaking wet to completely dry in under half an hour thanks to high air pressure produced by the unit’s turbo technology, and an ionic purifier helps to banish funky odours. Adjustable heat means that even leather boots can be dried using this handy device.

16. Pour Over Coffee Set

Whether your favourite Gen Xer is snowshoeing in the backcountry, hiking on a trail or working outdoors, you can help them craft the perfect cup of java with a VSSL Nest Pour Over Coffee Set ($65) from MEC. This streamlined set is just slightly bigger than a typical travel mug, making it easy to transport and simple to use. Based in Abbotsford, VSSL makes innovative outdoor gear.

17. Wireless Speaker

The Acton III wireless speaker ($250) from Marshall (available at Best Buy) delivers powerful sound in a petite package. Its brass control knobs seem delightfully nostalgic, while Bluetooth makes connectivity a breeze.

18. Paper Tablet

Perfectly combining the old-school feel of a paper notebook with the high-tech benefits of a tablet, the reMarkable 2 paper tablet ($650) from Best Buy has a long battery life, a glare- and backlight-free display and the ability to convert handwriting into text.

Other Cool Stuff

19. Memoir

Beloved Vancouverite Michael J. Fox, star of ’80s touchstones Back to the Future and Family Ties, has penned a memoir with Nelle Fortenberry that describes what it was like to portray Marty McFly and Alex P. Keaton simultaneously. Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum ($19) chronicles how, for months on end in 1985, he filmed the sitcom by day and the Robert Zemeckis movie by night, snatching whatever sleep he could during the daily drives between a Paramount soundstage and the Universal Studios backlot.

20. LEGO Set

“Goonies never say die!” Your fave Gen Xer can relive the adventures of Mikey, Mouth, Chunk, Andy, Data, Sloth and the rest of the crew with a 2,912-piece LEGO set of The Goonies ($380). It boasts hidden traps, secret chambers and Easter eggs, not to mention a pirate ship wreck.

21. Luggage

Vancouver company Monos has teamed up with Brooklyn Coachworks on the Arles Blue collection of six suitcases. Each one comes in the same high-gloss blue hue as a one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender 90 created specifically for Monos. Suitcase sizes range from a carry-on ($335) to a large check-in bag ($475).

22. Can Insulator

The YETI Rambler Colster 2.0 can insulator ($35) from Sport Chek keeps a standard 12-ounce drink cool, without sweating. It’s a must-have for any boat, campsite or cabin.