About two weeks ago an article in House Beautiful popped up detailing the rise of the “grandmillennial” – a woman in her mid 20s to late 40s whose design aesthetic skews toward the traditional. Her favorites include needlepoint, blue and white, wicker, chintz, and classic elements considered by some to be outdated but when styled with the edited eye of a grandmillennial accomplish a dynamic and layered look that tells a story of her personality and life adventures. If you haven’t read the article yet, or better yet taken the Are You A Grandmillennial Quiz, then hop on this link and do so! If you fit the mold of the grandmillennial then perhaps you should use this guide as a way to treat yourself! Or if you’re searching for a little something to gift to your favorite grandmillennial, I hope you’ll find it here.
Caftan– See also kaftan, kurta, or tunic, I guarantee the grandmillennial in your life loves a loungy frock. One of my favorite brands for just this type of garment is Roller Rabbit. I’ve been eyeing this citrus caftan for a while, and the tassels on this tunic win me over. But the price on the practically famous Amazon “nightgown” dress is hard to beat. I am loving the leopard option for fall.
Makeup Towel– Linens are her love language and these make-up towels are no exception. The first time I learned of the black towel #lifehack for removing makeup was from my MIL. I’d been relying on Target’s selection to get me through when these playful Weezie Towels ($40) stopped me in my tracks! The eyelashes especially are so fun! If the grandmillennial in your life knows the difference between a guest towel and a hand towel then my guess is that linens of any kind will be a home run. An SMU alum and friend of mine started her beautiful line of custom linens out in Dallas and her guest towels especially make wonderful gifts. You can shop her linens at The Loveliest or Ellis Hill.
Personalized Stationary – A go-to grandmillennial gift, she is sure to love stationary of any kind, especially monogrammed. There are paper companies big and small to get just what you want. This monogrammed option can get to her in just a few days from Amazon. Katie Corley also has calling cards for that extra grandmillennial flair.
Letter Opener – After losing my beloved letter opener that I found at Dallas treasure trove, Dolly Python, I’ve been eyeing this Michael Michaud fern design, currently on sale. Amazon has this more traditional design that can be engraved and on the doorstep in just a few days. It’s practical, pretty, and a tool from yesteryear – a grandmillennial trifecta!
Headband – I’m going to throw out a statistic that is in no way scientific but I’m willing to bet the percentage of grandmillennials who have hopped back on the headband train is around 90%, so if you gift a headband the odds are in your favor that it will be well received. Perhaps more accurately, they never hopped off the headband train. I dusted off my beauties from highschool and have been incorporating them into my current wardrobe here and there, but that wasn’t enough to get my fix and I succumbed to the beautiful Lele Sadoughi selections. And soon to arrive to my doorstep is this leopard beauty from J.Crew. Amazon has also embraced this trend and there are a ton of affordable options like this three-pack.
Toiletry Bag – My guess is that the grandmillennial in your life loves a good bag in a bag situation and will love a new addition to her collection. My husband recently splurged on some Walker Valentine bags for me from Ellis Hill in Dallas and I am loving the jewelry bag in particular. The fabric and monogramming are customizable and the plastic coated design means they’ll hold up for ages. These little mini-zips from D. Porthault come in precious prints and are also durable. This Truffle mini-bag is a favorite gift of mine and can be used for pretty much anything!
Glasses Case – Yet another way to live the bag in bag life, help protect her lenses in true grandmillennial style with these monogrammed leather beauties from Mark and Graham. I also love the endless options from Barrington.
Glasses Chain – These are a life-saver and are quickly becoming one of my go-to gift recommendations, so for the grandmillennial who has everything, add some pizzazz and practicality to her specs with statement eyewear pieces from Veronica Deore. I have the gold ones seen below and am eyeing the tortoise shell! Bonus: Any baby in your life will love playing with them. Catherine is obsessed.
Vintage Costume Jewelry – Chances are the grandmillennial in your life doesn’t shy away from second hand stores and pre-loved items. Might I recommend a pair of vintage statement earrings? I frequent Etsy for cravings like this. I absolutely love Oscar de la Renta but they are definitely in the splurge category for me. So when I see something I like from brands like those I put them on my list for Santa and then I do a quick Etsy or Ebay search with associated key words. I have had a ton of success this way. Think about the grandmillennial you’re shopping for. Is her vibe “weathered shingle cottage on Nantucket”? Type in vintage seashell earrings. Or is she more “Dorthy Draper in Palm Beach”? Then look for “vintage palm leaf earrings”. This kind of gift might be more of a gamble, and take the right grandmillennial recipient -but my guess is she’ll love layering her current style with a treasure of times past.
Jewelry – If buying second-hand seems too risky but you feel like a special accessory is just right, I personally have these Susan Gordon Pottery Bee Studs on my list. Hannah Matthew is as talented as she is sweet. Her interiors are gorgeous and her earrings are a great gift for anyone. Clearly I am on an insect kick because I love her ladybug option. St. Armands Designs, located right near me in sunny Sarasota has these beautiful retro daisy drops that are so light and fun with a clear reference to the floral trend. And I couldn’t have been more thrilled with these $7 Amazon finds – a fun way to add another texture to my look and fun earrings always help me feel pulled together.
Trinket Dish – A trinket for her trinkets, is there anything more grandmillennial? I love this Mottahedeh one I found at one of my favorite Dallas gift stores, Madison but this is also something you can find at your local thrift store or Etsy as well, like this brass butterfly and painted shell. I’ve also gifted these monogrammed Herend dishes that can be used in a variety of ways. The scalloped edges and monogramming are a total grandmillennial win. If you need a trinket dish in a day, there are always great options you can prime from Amazon like this one.
Needlepoint Keychain – She can take her grandmillennial style with her wherever she goes. Both Curtis and I each have a Smathers & Branson one with displaying our alma maters! Now that the tennis bug is back for me, this one has my eye. I also stumbled upon this precious Frenchie one from Good Threads, which was founded to employ the parents of the children at the Joan Rose Foundation in Haiti. This was just one of so many cute options they had and I love that they are mission-driven.
Picture Frames – More than chintz and needlepoint she treasures the people and memories in her life. The sentimental grandmillennial will love a picture frame and these wicker Aerin options are to die for. And bamboo is never a bad idea! I have a few of this classic style scattered around our house.
Book – Ever a sucker for nostalgia, the grandmillennial in your life may be more likely to read a paperback than an e-reader. No matter her preferred mode, she’ll appreciate one of the classics like Gone With The Wind, To Kill A Mockingbird, or Little Women.
Tissue Box Cover – Yet another opportunity to bring in a print and add layer to the style of her space. I love a tissue box cover and D. Porthault is always on the grandmillennial radar. Another of my favorite home stores, with a knack for applying an edited eye to classic prints and aesthetics, Madre, has fabulous options as well. A grandmillennial haven – Etsy is a go-to for a monogrammed variety. I personally love Silver Spool for many embroidery needs.
Luggage Tag – Speaking of a monogram, a personalized luggage tag is total grandmillennial vibes. This Mark & Graham option has tassels which is a double win! She can add this to her valise when she’s headed on yet another adventure where she is sure to need yet another suitcase for all the special treasures she’s found at whatever local flea markets she forced upon her travel companions.
Pen – A penchant for the antiquated, as I type this very blog post waxing poetic for the traditional and timeless, I wonder is there anything more traditional than something handwritten? I’m betting your favorite grandmillennial loves writing and receiving a note and might even be known to hoard thoughtful messages written on beautiful stationary. Perhaps she has such a large collection of wedding and shower invitations acquired over time that some people accuse her of being a hoarder? If this sounds like someone you know, then she might enjoy a set of my favorite pens, Le Pen. A great way to add a pop of color to her stationary, or liven up her journal. A truly special occasion calls for a very special pen and when our dear friend was opening up her private practice we celebrated with a classic Tiffany option like this. This Kate Spade one is also super cheerful and would be a welcome addition to the writing desk of your loved one.
Signature Scent– If “Most Likely To Have A Signature Scent” was a superlative, the grandmillennial in your life probably would’ve won it. Something with peony, or maybe an offering from Chanel because it reminds her of her grandmother. Whatever it is, gift her with something in her favorite aroma. One of my favorite gifts to give is a luxury soap- something you might not buy yourself. Maybe the occasion doesn’t call for a $100+ bottle of perfume (or maybe it does) but if you’re searching for a smaller token, I think special soap or cream is perfect, since her grandmillennial hands need some love after all that needlepointing. My personal favorite splurge soap is this Bulgari. Formerly the signature soap of all Ritz-Carlton properties, this soap is a getaway in a bottle. I also love to give and receive, bars of Chanel Mademoiselle and sweet little monogrammed options like these.
Love it! I want that leopard headband!