I may not have the "popular opinion" when it comes to Christmas shopping, but I don't think it's that hard to shop for people my age. What we want is to be comfortable, content, and energized, and there are all sorts of gifts that fulfill these requirements. Keep it simple, keep it classy, and keep it practical.
(This list is meant to be for ALL 20-somethings, regardless of gender.)
1. Bedding
Even though I work more than forty hours a week, I spend a lot of time in my bed. I eat there, hang out there, sleep there, watch Scandal there, engage in adult activities there, and more. For any person in their twenties, your bed is incredibly important. How you sleep can make a huge difference in your life.
2. Kitchen Toys
Hands down, kitchen stuff makes me feel the most "adult." When people come to my apartment and I have enough dishes to throw a mini-dinner party, I feel so grown up. No one buys young people kitchen stuff, but please do. Really, we need it.
3. New Notebooks
I'm a writer, so I'm constantly looking for the perfect notebook. But when it comes down to it, we all need places to write things down. Journaling, list-making, idea-keeping, these are all ways to keep your twenty-something's life on track.
4. Alcohol-related Items
I asked the people I work with, "what do you want for Christmas?" At least half the answers were alcohol-related. My list included the phrase "WHITE WINE ON WHITE WINE" and I know my friends are all hoping for the same.
5. Comfortable Clothing
If I could, I would wear sweatpants all the time. I have six pairs, most of which are designed to not look like sweatpants. As much as we all complain about getting socks and pajamas, if you do it right, these gifts can be the ones that will be used the most often. (And that's a big if— please do not buy hats with animals on them or anything that looks like it should be worn by children.)
These ^ are super unisex. I have a small pair I wear every week, and my boyfriend loves wearing them too.
6. Accessories for Their Technology
Basically everyone at this point has a cell phone and a computer. If they don't, think about helping fundraise to get those things. If they already have them, buy something unique for your twentysomething to add to their tech-cessories.
7. Semi-spendy Hygiene Products
This is one of those things that people my age are NOT likely to buy for themselves. We buy Head & Shoulders, Dove and everything boring that we can find for a low, low price at Walmart. YOU could buy lots-of-ply toilet paper, or you could go with the following items.
Seriously, though.
8. MONEY
You can't go wrong throwing money at a young person. As impersonal as it is, it works.
If this list doesn't work, you're dealing with someone way more fussy than I could ever be, and I'm so so sorry.
