The festive season is often portrayed as a time of endless joy, generosity, and social energy, but for Gen Z, it is also a period of conscious choices, financial awareness, and boundary setting. Between gifting expectations, constant social invitations, and the pressure of online visibility, this generation is redefining what celebration, love, and balance look like.
BusinessDay GenZ pick December 2025 poll explores how Gen Z is navigating social life this season, capturing their attitudes toward gifting, events, online pressure, and personal priorities, while centering their voices and lived experiences.
Gifting this season reflects both love and restraint for Gen Z. Half of our Gen Z audience (50%) says they are on a budget but still find meaningful ways to show love to family and friends, signalling intentional spending amid economic realities. A further 21% admit that gifting feels stressful given the many engagements tied to the season, yet they are determined to manage it. Meanwhile, 14.3% say they only give gifts to people they are close to, narrowing their circles to protect emotional and financial energy, while another 14.3% say they genuinely love giving and plan to gift more in the future. Together, these responses show a generation balancing generosity with realism.
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The Christmas season is packed with weddings, birthdays, pop-ups, and hangouts—a period many call “vibes on vibes.” Despite the buzz, an overwhelming 85.7% majority of Gen Z are intentionally “selective” in their attendance, carefully choosing events that align with their time and interest. This signals a major shift away from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and toward JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out).Only 7.1% say they are ghosting most events entirely, while another 7.1% cite low energy and too many invites as reasons for pulling back. This highlights a shift away from social overload toward intentional participation and self-preservation.
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Gift inspiration is driven more by relationships and reality than by trends. The highest percentage here is 42.9% pointed at personal connections and inside jokes as the main motivation for giving. This implies that Gen Z sees gifting as an emotional language, not a performative act. However, the fact that 35.7% say their bank account’s mood influences their gifts cannot be ignored. Financial awareness is shaping emotional expression. The remaining 21.4% who lean toward creative or personalised ideas show that effort and thoughtfulness still matter, even when money is limited. Notably, social media trends rank low, signalling a shift away from trend-led consumption.
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Cash is emerging as the most practical and emotionally neutral gift. With 64.3% choosing cash or transfers, Gen Z is clearly prioritising ease, flexibility, and reduced stress, for both the giver and receiver. This high percentage implies a rejection of the pressure to impress through physical gifts. Experiences like concerts and trips attract 14.3%, suggesting that shared memories still matter but are reserved for special connections. Another 14.3% prefer lifestyle items, indicating that functionality and personal utility are valued over novelty. The smallest group seeking thoughtful surprises reinforces that meaning matters, but simplicity is winning.
Gen Z is increasingly comfortable enjoying moments without posting them online. A strong 64.3% say they feel no pressure to post gifts or events, which implies growing digital maturity and a desire to reclaim offline experiences. For this group, validation no longer comes from likes or views. The 21.4% who say it depends on the vibe reflect a balanced approach that social media is optional, not mandatory. Only 14.3% see online posting as essential, showing that while digital culture still influences behaviour, it no longer dominates how Gen Z experiences joy.
Financial stability is the defining priority of the season. With 61.5% ranking saving and financial sanity as their top focus, Gen Z is sending a clear message: survival and stability come before celebration. This suggests that economic realities are shaping lifestyle choices more than tradition or peer pressure. The 23.1% prioritising memories and soft life moments indicate that rest and enjoyment are still important but only when they feel sustainable. The final 15.4% focused on growth and opportunities reflects a forward-looking mindset, where December is seen not as an endpoint, but as preparation for what comes next.
saving money, being more intentional with time, and reducing stress appeared repeatedly, reinforcing the quantitative findings. At the same time, responses such as “actually going out” and “Dirty December” remind us that Gen Z is not monolithic, some are still leaning into the season’s energy. When describing what showing love means, answers ranged from practical support and friendliness to presence and consistency, with cash transfers appearing alongside emotional gestures. These varied voices underline a central theme: love is being expressed in multiple forms, depending on capacity, connection, and context.
Overall, the poll shows a generation navigating December with clarity and self-awareness. The large percentages point to dominant behaviours, while the smaller ones reveal important subcultures and tensions within Gen Z. Together, they tell a story of a generation learning how to celebrate without burnout, give without excess, and connect without losing themselves in the process.
