30 of the Best Birthday Gift Ideas for Friends and Family
Updated: Jan. 25, 2024
Find the perfect present for anyone on your list, from foodies to travelers. We have birthday gift ideas anyone would love to unwrap.
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We get it—birthdays roll around fast and it’s normal to fret over exactly what to get family or friends. Do you go all out with a big-ticket item on their wishlist? Or do you play it cool with a sweet delivery to celebrate their special day? While big milestones like 50th birthdays call for splurge-worthy gifts, it’s hard to nail birthday gift-giving every year. The good news is our shopping pros curated top-notch birthday gift ideas to impress anyone on your list—including grandparents, boyfriends, sisters and giftees who are simply impossible to shop for. You’ll never wonder what they want again thanks to this expert-recommended guide.
For the Timeless Birthday Girl: Flower Bouquet
The best way to put a smile on the birthday girl’s or guy’s face? Three words: birthday gift delivery. There’s just something about receiving a special delivery on your birthday, and a flower bouquet is a classic gift. This picturesque arrangement from Urban Stems—aka one of our favorite destinations for flower delivery—features spray roses, ruscus, hypericum berries and cocculus. Pair it with a glass vase for a show-stopping arrangement guaranteed to last more than one week (trust us, we’ve tried so many Urban Stems bouquets). How’s that for easy birthday gift ideas?
For the Zodiac-Obsessed: Birthdate Candle
Crafted for the exact day they were born, Birthdate Candles don’t just make the birthday girl or guy feel special—they’re a beloved gift they’ll cherish year after year (especially when they choose to heat it under a candle warmer lamp instead of lighting it). Every detail, from the scent to the description and horoscope is customized to their birthdate, helping them unlock their inner spirit. Read our Birthdate Candle review for the full scoop.
For the Aesthetic Home Cook: Perfect Pot
By now, the aesthetic home cook probably has the internet-famous Always Pan, but what about Our Place’s Perfect Pot? The 5.5-quart pot is ideal for whipping up everything from soup to pasta and stews. Just like its beloved counterpart, the Perfect Pot comes in nearly a dozen fun colorways to dress up their stove.
As a home cook myself, I was ecstatic when my partner gifted me this gorgeous pot. It’s one of those big-ticket items I kept putting off treating myself to, which is why it’s one of the best birthday gift ideas. I seriously look forward to experimenting with new recipes and showing off the pot to my dinner party guests. This pick also comes in an adorable mini version, too.
For Under $35: Instant Birthday Celebration Drink
Birthday gift ideas don’t have to break the bank. For $30, This instant celebration drink kit turns any beverage, boozy or not, into a festive drink (confetti cake martini, anyone?). We’ll raise a birthday toast to that!
For the Grandparents: Cookie of the Month Club
Gift grandma or grandpa something sweet to look forward to with a cookie of the month club. As one of our favorite gift of the month clubs, they’ll score a one-pound signature cookie tin. A new flavor is featured every month, starting with double chocolate chunk and sugar cookies for January, peanut butter chip in February, assorted flavors for March and so on. Choose from a three-, six-, nine- or 12-month subscription.
For Long Distance Loved Ones: Personalized Care Package
Don’t fret over last-minute birthday gift ideas thanks to Greetabl, the personalized greeting card meets care package. As someone who lives in a different city than most of my friends and family, Greetabl is my go-to affordable birthday gift (read my Greetabl review).
Start by choosing a card design then fill it with giftables like a candle, bath bomb, fuzzy socks—you name it. Finish it off with a gift card and a custom message. The Greetabl box arrives at their door in a few short days, with the gift box packaging doubling as the card. It’s a thoughtful way to show, “I’m thinking of you,” without having to fret over whether they’ll like it or not (because trust me, they’ll love the thought behind it).
For the Entertainer: Monogram Cheese Board
Help them craft the charcuterie board of their Pinterest dreams with this elegant acacia wood and marble cheese board. You can have it monogrammed with their initials or personalized with their last name for an added touch. For an even better surprise? Make them a birthday board!
For Your Sister: Bamboo Pajamas
The gift of restful sleep? Now that’s a birthday gift they won’t stop thanking you for. The secret is Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas. Customize their new go-to-sleep set, whether they prefer short or long sleeves, and choose from a dozen cozy colorways. The temperature-regulating bamboo material is ideal for the best night’s sleep ever. Trust us, we tried Cozy Earth pajamas and can’t stop wearing them.
For the Pet Parent: Custom Pet Portrait
Spoil the pet parent with a watercolor portrait of their furry best friend. Simply upload their favorite photo of their best guy or girl and wait for them to be dazzled by the finished product on their birthday.
For the Homebody: Slippers
If your friend’s ideal Friday night looks like sweatpants and popcorn on the couch watching Yellowstone reruns, they’ll love adding these classic Ugg slippers to their night-in uniform. Equal parts cozy and chic, they go from lounging on the couch to running errands or taking the pup for a walk in no time.
For the Best Friend: Milk Bar Birthday Cake
For your bestie’s birthday bash, an ordinary cake just won’t do. Go the extra mile with the iconic Milk Bar birthday cake. Boasting three tiers of funfetti cake layered with decadent frosting, the photo-worthy treat is ideal for birthday celebrations big or small. Just a fair warning, after they try this indulgent birthday cake, they’ll ask for it every year.
For the Active Guy or Gal: Belt Bag
Whether they love to hike, travel or are simply always on the go, a belt bag is a total game changer. As the travel companion they didn’t know they needed, it boasts a roomy yet slim interior perfect for stashing keys, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, their wallet and snacks. Plus, it comes in six styles to match their aesthetic.
For Under $50: Birth Month Flower Dish
When in doubt, birthday gift ideas personalized with the recipient’s birth month flower make beautiful gifts that make it look like you spent a fortune without actually dishing out the big bucks. We love this jewelry dish (that can also be used as a spoon rest) for the occasion. Handmade in Canada, their birth month flower is painted in vivid colors and is sure to last longer than any bouquet.
For the Person Who’s Impossible to Shop For: Sugarwish
For when birthday gift ideas leave you stumped, let the giftee choose exactly what they want with Sugarwish. From candy to cookies, popcorn, candles or wine, the birthday girl or guy hand-picks the goodies they’re craving. It arrives on their doorstep in gift-worthy packaging complete with a custom note. Talk about the easiest birthday gift ever! For the full scoop, read our Sugarwish review.
For the Lounger: Personalized Blanket
There are ordinary blankets, and then there’s Baublebar custom blankets. Personalized with the giftee’s name, this colorful blanket is ultra soft for the best night’s sleep or cozy cuddles all day long. It’s one of our favorite blankets for a reason as it spices up the bedroom or living room with a custom piece they always grab after a long day.
For the Sweet Tooth: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Who wouldn’t want chocolate-covered strawberries for their birthday? Adorned with a “happy birthday” message, the birthday guy or gal will swoon over this sweet delivery. It includes a dozen of the juiciest strawberries dipped in rich, Belgian dark chocolate. Um, yum!
For the Wine Lover: Colored Glassware
Handblown by artisans in Poland, this six-piece set of Estelle Colored Glass is the ultimate gift for wine lovers who appreciate the finer things in life. Whether they’re hosting a dinner party or pouring one out on a Wednesday, this colorful set adds some pizazz to any occasion—big or small.
For the Gadget Guru: Smart Meat Thermometer
There are meat thermometers and then there are smart meat thermometers, like the Meater+. With Bluetooth connectivity and a 165-foot range (so you don’t even have to be standing near the grill while you cook), it makes finding the right temperature for your steaks, chicken and everything else a breeze. It’s one of our favorite birthday gifts for him!
For the Beauty Guru: Osea Skincare
Whether they’re obsessed with skincare or just getting started, Osea’s best-selling skin essentials are the ultimate treat. The four-piece travel set includes algae body oil, hyaluronic sea serum, seabiotic water cream and ocean cleanser. The seaweed-infused products are packed with anti-aging and moisturizing properties to make the birthday girl or guy glow from the inside out.
For the Mixologist: DIY Whiskey Cocktail-Making Kit
Sure, you could head to your neighborhood bar and order a drink, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, mix up your own at home with this DIY whiskey cocktail-making kit. It has everything you need to create a delicious whiskey drink, like different types of oak, herbs and botanicals. Talk about a fun birthday gift idea!
For the Person Who Works From Home: Temperature Controlled Mug
Lukewarm coffee is a thing of the past with the Ember smart mug. Brew up one of these copycat coffee shop drinks, then keep it piping hot all morning (and afternoon) with the temperature control technology you can monitor from your phone. Read our Ember mug review for the full scoop.
For the Baker: Marble Rolling Pin
Upgrade their baking utensil arsenal with this elegant marble rolling pin. Not only does it have ergonomic handles to make it more comfortable, but it also looks stunning sitting in its wooden stand on display. Time for them to start working their way through these baking bucket list recipes.
For the Boyfriend: Projector
Whether he’s a movie buff or you simply don’t know what he wants, a projector is my go-to for unique birthday gift ideas. I love this pick for its affordable price point and high-quality display. It connects to Wi-Fi, HDMI or USB cables to stream his favorite shows while the up to 200-inch display makes him feel like he’s at the movies.
For Mom: Shark Flexstyle Hair Styling System
There’s an easier (and faster) way to style hair without having to go to the salon every few weeks, and the secret is the Shark Flexstyle hair styling system. Complete with a blowout brush, straightening brush, a smoother and two curling wands, the styling set turns any bathroom into a salon. Yes, it’s a splurge-worthy gift, but it’s a special treat for the woman in your life who’s obsessed with the latest and greatest beauty gadgets that make styling their hair a breeze.
For the Coffee Connoisseur: Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Box
Coffee with a side of chocolate? Yes, please! You’ll be their favorite gift-giver at the birthday bash when you arrive with this coffee and chocolate-tasting box that makes them want to wake up in the morning. As one of our favorite java destinations, BeanBox coffee is the ultimate gift for the caffeine-obsessed.
For the Crafter: Cricut Explore 3
When it comes to gifts for the craft lover in your life, the Cricut Explore 3 is at the top of the list. The cult-favorite machine allows you to create custom designs for anything and everything—perfect for that friend who dreams of starting their own Etsy shop of monogrammed tumblers one day.
For the Grill Master: Hickory Grilling Crate
It’s beginning to look a lot like backyard barbecue season thanks to this hickory grilling crate. But no matter the season, this crate transforms any food into a mouth-watering feast thanks to spice rubs, barbecue sauce, seasoning salt, wood chips and a stainless steel smoker box. It’s one of the best gifts for grillers who have everything.
For the Reader: Kindle Paperwhite
Whether they’re cracking open the latest Colleen Hoover novel or rereading the entire Harry Potter series, they can find it all—and thousands of other titles—on the Kindle Paperwhite. With varying levels of illumination and a glare-free screen, your book-loving friend can read anytime, anywhere.
For the Outdoor Enthusiast: Tabletop Fire Pit
Shopping for a birthday guy or gal who practically lives outside? Gift a smokeless fire pit. This tabletop-sized pit is ideal for backyard patios or camping as it comes with a carrying case that’s easy to stash in their backpack. The real kicker is the smokeless flame. Meaning, no more bonfire-scented clothes. Hello, s’mores season!
For the Sentimental One: Handwritten Recipe Cutting Board
Whether it’s one of grandma’s favorite dishes or that one secret family recipe that’s been passed down for generations, preserve it (and display it) with this custom cutting board. You can have the recipe engraved in the original owner’s handwriting for an extra special present. This is a mom-approved gift.
Additional research contributed by Amanda Tarlton, contributing lifestyle writer
Originally Published: February 13, 2023
