14 50th Birthday Gift Ideas to Celebrate a New Decade
Updated: Nov. 28, 2023
Looking for memorable 50th birthday gift ideas? We have a bunch to commemorate the milestone.
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So, it’s the big 5-0 for your significant other, sibling, parent, friend or some other important person in your life. Naturally, you want to make their day extra special, complete with a party, birthday cake and the best gift. Maybe you’ve got the perfect gift ideas in mind—maybe not—and that’s okay. After all, finding the right present can be a tricky challenge even for the best of gift givers. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the top 50th birthday gift ideas. While you’re at it, don’t forget the party favors for adults!
For the Hungry Foodie: Birthday Charcuterie & Sweets Gift Box
Not sure what to get someone for their 50th birthday? You can’t go wrong with food! And this birthday charcuterie box from Hickory Farms has a little something for everyone. They’ll love digging into summer sausage, cheddar, hot pepper bacon jam, gourmet crackers, confetti cookies and pineapple rings, among other delicacies.
For the Tech-Savvy: Smart Table Lamp
For the tech lover in your life, this smart table lamp is one of the best 50th birthday gift ideas. It easily connects to Wi-Fi and operates from iOS and Android apps. Plus, through Google Home or Amazon Alexa, they can control the lamp’s hue and intensity with their voice. We love the fact there are literally 16 million colors available to light a space and set the mood.
For the Nostalgic Gamer: Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch makes it easy to transport any adult back to the good ole days of their childhood through video games. The compatible games with this console offer a super immersive, wonderfully imaginative experience like no other. Bonus: The system is instantly portable once removed from its home dock and can be enjoyed anywhere.
For the Spa Lover: Paraffin Wax Bath
Anyone who loves the spa would probably love to bring the spa home for pampering anytime. With this paraffin wax bath, now they can. This one’s on our 50th birthday gift ideas list because it softens and soothes the hands, feet and elbows. The heat therapy it provides can help relieve arthritis and improve mobility. This is just the beginning of wow-worthy birthday gift for her.
For the Crafty Maker: Soy Candle-Making Kit
If your birthday person is crafty at heart, you can’t go wrong with this soy candle-making kit. Not only will it feed their creative soul, but the finished products will bring some zen and tranquility to their space—and, let’s face it, many folks can always use more of that. The kit comes with everything needed to create beautiful candles, including wicks and wick holders, glue stickers, fragrance oils, dye blocks and easy-to-follow instructions.
For the Mixologist: Novelty Bartender Set
This professional bartender set is just the thing for anyone who loves a cocktail. It comes with all they need to get the job done: a stand, shaker, stirrer, jigger, bottle opener and coasters. We love the fun boat shape, too. It’s ideal for anyone who’s ready to sail into a new chapter of their life. Plus, it can be personalized for a special touch.
For the Coffee Fiend: Nepresso Espresso Machine
Get their birthday (and every day) started with a cuppa java using a quality espresso machine that does the trick each morning. This compact Nespresso model suits tight spaces and heats up in a quick 25 seconds. It comes with a milk frother, auto shut-off to save energy and (the best part in our book) a set of Nespresso capsules to get started.
For the One on the Go: Insulated Drinking Bottle
Whether at the gym, on a road trip, or on a long hike in the woods, your gift recipient needs to stay hydrated. Why not help them do it efficiently and in style with this elegant YETI water bottle? Leakproof and sweatproof, it’s available in sizes up to 64 ounces, and keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours on end.
For the Calm Seeker: Voluspa Candle
This large, clean-burning, vegan Baltic Amber candle from fan-favorite Voluspa is a scrumptious blend of hand-poured amber resin, sandalwood and vanilla orchid. It’s poured into a beautiful glass jar that many would love to decorate their space with. It burns a long 100 hours, so the lucky recipient can lapse in luxury—uninterrupted. Send this birthday gift on its own, or as part of a care package or gift basket.
For the Design Nerd: Architectural Digest 100th Anniversary Book
This visual history of Architectural Digest celebrates the design authority’s 100th anniversary, and is a testament to its best of the best. It covers many topics, renowned designers, like David Hicks, Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright, and high-profile celebrities, including the Obamas, David Bowie and Michael Kors. Your design-loving birthday pal will just love it, as we do.
For the Stylish Sophisticate: Fossil Leather Bag and Wallet Set
The soft Jolie leather crossbody purse and Liza slim bifold wallet from Fossil make the handbag set for the person in your life who exudes calm, casual, sophisticated elegance in their everyday look. We love that the pieces are super versatile (the bag can also be worn over the shoulder) and come with plenty of interior pockets for the ultimate organized life. All you have to do is choose from the wide range of colors.
For the Outdoor Relaxer: Portable Hammock
Whether in their own backyard or deep in the off-grid woods, this portable nylon hammock provides a relaxing hour or two (or more!) in the fresh air for just about anyone. It made our 50th birthday gift ideas list because it fits two people and is incredibly easy and fast to set up and take down—it just takes a couple of minutes!
For the DIYer: 12-in-1 Multitool
For the handy do-it-yourselfer who loves to fix anything, anywhere, this compact multitool cane be kept at home, in a vehicle or in a pocket. Totally multipurpose and versatile, it contains 12 durable stainless steel tools, including a hammer, saw, pliers, sharp knife, wire cutter, bottle opener and more—all in one lightweight gadget. Talk about a practical birthday gift for him!
For the Person Who Loves a Good Story: Humans of New York Book
If your birthday bud is one of the more than 12 million fans who follow Humans of New York on Instagram—or just a fan of NYC itself—you can’t go wrong with this beautiful photography book under the same name. It’s a visual journey of creator Brandon Stanton’s quest to tell the stories of New Yorkers in a vibrant, inspiring, heartfelt blog. If they love the city and don’t know about this collection, they’ll soon love it, too.
Originally Published: February 21, 2023
