The Best 50th Birthday Gift Ideas That Perfectly Mark The Milestone (2024)

A 50th birthday is kind of a big deal. We’re talking about a half-century of experiences and five decades of fun all leading up to this one special celebration. And since finding the right birthday present for an important person in your life can be tough enough as it is, figuring out the best 50th birthday gift ideas can be intimidating, even for the most experienced shoppers. At this point in their life, they have acquired a lot of meaningful things on their own, so the question is—what will be memorable and different enough for this important occasion?

The key is to focus on who you’re shopping for and hone in on their hobbies, collections and passions. Try to find something that feels like them—perhaps a upgraded Bluetooth speaker for the guy who enjoys listening to music or a cheeky card game for your fun-loving friend. Yes, turning 50 is a big milestone, but it’s also a time to celebrate and show your appreciation for the person you know and love. To get you started, we rounded up a list of 40 thoughtful 50th birthday gift ideas, fit for family, friends and everyone in between.

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Best 50th Birthday Gift Ideas, At A Glance

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Women

A Set of Luxuriously Scented Soaps

MOST POPULAR

Flamingo Estate Night Blooming Jasmine & Rose Body Duo

Flamingo Estate’s body duo boasts a gorgeous fragrance of jasmine blooms and citrus that create the perfect at-home spa moment for the lady of the day. The hand soap has essential oils like rosehip seed oil to defend against dryness, while the body wash has a castile-like consistency that feels smooth and silky.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Men

A Rugged Bag He’ll Take Everywhere

Mark & Graham Waxed Canvas Weekender Bag

He’ll happily ditch his dingy gym duffel for this sophisticated waxed canvas bag. Sure, it looks cool, but the coating also makes the canvas more durable and helps it to age beautifully. Shoulder straps take it from a tote to shoulder bag in seconds, and you can add an embroidered monogram or single initial to help commemorate the big birthday in style.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Husband

A Timeless Watch Upgrade

Nixon Sentry Leather Watch

Watches tend to skew super fancy or very casual, which is why this one is so special. It’s somewhere in between, so it works for any occasion—weddings, work, errand-running, you name it. This piece has a stainless steel frame, Japanese quartz movement and an intricate top-stitching on the leather band that gives it a handcrafted look. If your husband’s a bit accident-prone, fear not—it’s also water resistant up to 100 meters (over 300 feet).

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Wife

A Chic Little Locket

Catbird Yellow Gold Dollhouse Locket

When it comes to sentimental gifts, lockets are a sure thing. This dainty 14kt gold stunner by Catbird can be engraved with a letter or number of your choice and is basically an instant heirloom. Just insert a teeny tiny picture of you, your kids or your dog (the favorite kid) to commemorate the life she has built.

Best Personalized 50th Birthday Gift

A Deliciously Personal Piece Of Art

Laura Row Studio Custom Restaurant Matchbook Art

Showcase their favorite places to eat with this print featuring eight restaurant matchbooks of your choice. Fill it with memorable locations like their go-to coffee shop, a family-favorite diner or the fancy five-star eatery they got engaged at. Rest assured, they won’t already have this.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Mom

A Portable Printer For Instant Momentos

Kodak Step Instant Photo Printer

Mom has access to your shared photo groups, family Shutterfly album and your Instagram, but sometimes it’s nice to have those special moments printed to admire off-screen. She just has to pair this travel-sized 6-inch x 4-inch printer with any Bluetooth device and download the Kodak app to instantly (under 60 seconds) print her faves onto a 2-inch x 3-inch sticker. It also has Zink Zero Ink technology, so she won’t have to keep replacing expensive cartridges.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Dad

A Vintage-Inspired Speaker For His Tunes

Marshall Action III Bluetooth Speaker

Marshall has been an iconic speaker brand since the 1960s, and was probably a big part of your dad’s peak teen angst rock years. This speaker looks just like the one he had growing up, but it has kept up with the times and now offers Bluetooth capabilities and a 45-20,000 Hz frequency range. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to tell your dad to turn his music down.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Sister

A Patterned Paddle To Up Her Game

Tangerine Pickleball Paddle

If she’s a pickleball pro, this chic racquet is sure to be a grand slam gift. Tangerine paddles rock an elongated face for added power, a fiberglass surface for durability and a textured grip for easy handling. They also come in tons of retro-inspired patterns, a subtle jab at her half-century status. It is your sister, after all.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Brother

A Bar Tool He Definitely Doesn’t Have

Uncommon Goods Personalized Whiskey Barrel

If your brother likes to kick back with a good glass of hooch at the end of the night, he’ll have a barrel of fun with this. The tiny cask, which comes in five liters or two liters, can be personalized with your brother’s name. He can use it to quickly age his favorite drinks to perfection or make his own whiskey with an add-on flavor kit. Cheers!

Best 50th Birthday Gift For Friends

A Custom Tasty Treat

Uncommon Goods Custom Message Shortbread Cookies

How about a sweet message delivered via an equally sweet vehicle? DeLight bakery, based in Los Angeles, can imprint your favorite inside joke, quote, date or short birthday note on 24 of their delicious vanilla shortbread cookies and send them straight to your friend’s door.

Best Luxury 50th Birthday Gift

A Pro-Level Indoor Pizza Maker

Ooni Volt Indoor & Outdoor Pizza Oven

This pricey piece is the ideal gift for the pizza snob in your life—or really, anyone who gets impatient with takeout. It’s a portable indoor-outdoor pizza oven that can reach 850 degrees in just 20 minutes and cooks Neapolitan-style pizza in 90 seconds. Now, they can have a slice any time they’d like, from the comfort of their own kitchen or backyard.

Best Birthstone 50th Birthday Gift

A Semi-Precious Necklace Featuring Their Beloved Gem

BaubleBar Semi-Precious Teardrop Birthstone Necklace

Whether or not they typically sport their birthstone, it’s hard not to love BaubleBar’s semi-precious teardrop necklace, a present that manages to be both thoughtful and pretty. The charm is strung on a very contemporary and wearable gold chain, and whether you opt for their actual birthstone or just choose their favorite color, your secret’s safe with us.

Best Unique 50th Birthday Gift

A Nostalgic co*cktail Class

Thirsty Throwback: '80s co*cktail Class

It’s time to get out their spandex pants and neon tops. This gift offers a delicious deep dive into the ‘80s with a 90-minute live class led by pro bartender Kat Olson. They can schedule it at their leisure, and she’ll teach the “students” how to make three ridiculously ‘80s-style drinks including a Blue Hawaiian, amaretto sour and tequila sunrise. It’s totally tubular.

Best Funny 50th Birthday Gift

A Pillow That Says It All

Furbish Patience Needlepoint Pillow

Remember when needlepoint pillows were the stuff of grandmas? Now, they’re a go-to décor gift thanks to their modern makeover with snarkier messages. This one, which reads: “I had my patience tested, I’m negative” is a great gift for a quick-witted friend or sarcastic sibling. Plus, it’s pretty!

Best Useful 50th Birthday Gift

An At-Home Massage

Therabody Theragun Mini

A milestone this big should be celebrated with fun, family and friends, and definitely not with neck and shoulder pain. The Theragun Mini is a pocket-sized tool they can use to relieve aches and pains at a moment's notice. Plus, there’s no thought or physical therapy experience required–it’s Bluetooth-enabled and can access a huge library of wellness routines.

Best Food 50th Birthday Gift

An Artful Bouquet Of Cupcakes

We Take The Cake Spring Bouquet Mini Cakes

Sure, flowers are pretty, but sugary sweet flowers are pretty and tasty. We Take The Cake, a beloved Fort Lauderdale-based bakery, makes this set of eight cupcakes covered in a beautiful buttercream garden. Four are golden butter-flavored and four are rich chocolate, but all eight will be happily eaten by the end of the birthday celebration.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Globetrotter

A Comfy Flight Accessory

Ostrich Pillow Go Travel Pillow

High density foam core and a 360-degree brace-like design make this the most luxurious and supportive travel pillow around. When not in use, it can be compressed by 60%, so they can bring it on every trip without wasting precious carry-on space.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Wine Connoisseur

A Set For Drinking Their Favorite Red Or White

Viski Crystal Bordeaux Glasses & Gold Corkscrew Gift Box Set

A 50th birthday is certainly worthy of a toast. And with this set from Viski, the wine drinker in your life can keep the “cheers” coming long after their special day. The boxed set includes two stemmed glasses made from lead-free crystal, as well as a sleek gold-plated stainless steel corkscrew. Top things off by throwing in a bottle of their favorite blend.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Life Of The Party

A Cheeky Card Game

Brass Monkey I’ve Venn Thinking Card Game

We’ve all played Cards Against Humanity and Uno, but this boxed set is about to kick game night up a notch. They’ll just draw the red and blue circle cards to make unexpected pairings, you know, like a Venn Diagram. Then they’ll compete with other players to find the funniest thing the two cards have in common.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Décor Enthusiast

A Chic Design Book To Spark New Ideas

The Art Of Home By Shea McGee

Interior designer Shea McGee has a TV show, a Target line and now, a second book. This new coffee table book, The Art of Home, is packed with beautiful spaces and inspiring ideas for every room, but possibly the coolest part is the guides section in the back. She takes readers through the ins and outs of everything from upholstery fabric to countertop materials. It’s an incredible resource for anyone but an especially great gift for those who live and breathe design.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Fitness Guru

A Smart Piece Of Jewelry

Oura Ring

Since you really like them (and it is their birthday), put a ring on it. A smart ring, that is. The Oura Ring comes in two styles and four finishes and is sleek enough to function as regular jewelry, but it’s actually a smart ring that can monitor sleep, activity and biometric signals. Health is the greatest gift of all, and this unexpected present will help them feel their best.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Plant Lover

A Standout Option For Their Collection

The Sill Aglaonema Wishes Plant

For the person that makes plant parenthood look easy, this colorful cultivar will be the jewel of their indoor garden. The pink-tinted plant is said to bring good luck, good fortune and positivity to the grower. It’s easy, too: It can thrive in medium to bright indirect sunlight and only needs watering every one to two weeks.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Coffee Lover

A Smart Mug That Keeps Cappuccinos Hot

Ember Gen 2 Heating Mug

Latte lovers or flat white fans all struggle with the same issue—getting the chance to finish their cup of joy before it cools down and becomes much less appealing. This mug fixes that problem thanks to a built-in battery that keeps beverages at their desired temperature. They can control it with the Ember app, and while the cup itself has a 90-minute battery life, the charging coaster will keep their cup hot all day.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Pet Parent

A Cute Paw-trait Of Their Fur Baby

Crown & Paw Modern Pet Portrait

A framed portrait of their furry BFF is the perfect addition to a gallery wall and a guaranteed way to make it to favorite gift status. Crown & Paw can use a photo of the quinquagenarian’s (yes, that’s really the word) cat or dog as a reference to create a one-of-a-kind, hand-designed piece they’ll treasure.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Homebody

A Tabletop Fire Pit That Burns Clean

Flikr Fire Personal Concrete Fireplace

If there’s nowhere they’d rather be than on their couch in loungewear, this portable indoor fireplace will inspire their next staycation. The 5-inch x 5-inch concrete fire pit fits on a tabletop and burns indoor-safe isopropyl alcohol. Five ounces will give them 50 minutes of flickering flames that burn clean without any mess. S’mores, anyone?

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Home Chef

A Collector’s Cookbook Worthy Of Display

Joy Of Cooking Cookbook, Black Leather Edition

There are few cookbooks as iconic as Joy of Cooking, which was first published in 1931 and has since been released in various editions all over the world. It’s a staple in any cookbook collection, but this black leather version with painted edges is a celebration-worthy take on the beloved classic. Any home chef will be thrilled to get their oven mitts on it.

Best Self-Care 50th Birthday Gift

A Dreamy Body Butter That Will Have Them Glowing

Fount Society Body Butter

If their skincare collection is their pride and joy, an ultra-hydrating body butter will be a welcome addition. Fount Society’s lightweight, fragrance-free formula is infused with a hydrating blend of shea butter, sea fennel and squalane that locks in moisture for hours. Soft, smooth skin? Now that’s the ultimate birthday present.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Tech Lover

A Smart Notebook To Digitize Their Thoughts

Moleskin Smart Writing Set

Moleskin’s classic leather notebooks are a great gift on their own, but this smart version is a present worthy of a big birthday. The set comes with a notebook, smart pen and charger, and as they write down their thoughts and memories, a digital copy is instantly created on the Moleskin Notes app. They’ll never misplace a to-do list again.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Aspiring Mixologist

High End Tools For Their Drinkable Masterpieces

Crafthouse By Fortessa Bar Tool Set

Many of us have that friend who can whip up a Negroni in under a minute. These experts likely already have the standard shaker and jigger duo, so dazzle them with this black walnut and stainless set from Fortessa. It includes a bar board, bar knife, peeler and channel knife. They’ll think of you every time they attempt a lemon twist.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Candle Collector

A Fresh Scent With Luxe Packaging

Baobab Collection Black Pearls Candle

A candle is always a welcome gift, especially when it’s as beautifully designed as this one. Baobab’s luxurious fragrances are handmade and then placed in a unique hand-blown vessel that can be reused long after the candle is finished. The Black Pearls Candle has refreshing notes of grapefruit, ginger and rose, and a burn time of 60 hours.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Tailgating Pro

A Modern Cooler That Brings The Party Anywhere

Igloo Party Bar Wheeled Cooler

Yes, it’s their birthday, but what they’re really focused on is game day. Give them more to love about their pre-game rituals with the best tailgating cooler out there. It has heavy duty wheels, an insulated interior and can hold 121 cans at a time. The coolest part? Just add in the dividers, open the lid and you’ve got a true mobile bar.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The GOAT

A Unisex Sweater That Declares Their Beloved Status

Nadaam Cashmere GOAT Sweater

Are you shopping for the greatest 50-year-old of all time? Of course you are, and that’s exactly why you should give them this genderless cashmere sweater from Nadaam. The relaxed crewneck style is, naturally, emblazoned with “GOAT” across the chest, so now the whole world will know how special they are—on their birthday and beyond.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Fragrance Lover

A Set Of Genderless Scents Meant To Evoke Favorite Memories

Maison Margiela Replica Mini Coffret Set

Why give them one fragrance on their birthday when you can give them five? With this Maison Margiela gift set, you can treat them to one scent per decade lived. The box includes miniature bottles of the brand’s popular unisex Replica fragrances (Beach Walk, Jazz Club, Lazy Sunday Morning, By the Fireplace and Bubble Bath), each of which is inspired by life’s precious moments and meant to evoke sweet memories.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Guy Who Travels

A Timeless Passport Case For His Adventures

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Burnished Calfskin Passport Case

It doesn’t matter whether he travels for work or play; the jet-setting 50-year-old should be doing it in style. That’s where Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s ultra-classic passport case comes in. Made from burnished full-grain calfskin in a rich chestnut hue, it has a passport slip pocket as well as six card slots, so he’ll be as organized as he is stylish at the airport.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Busy Bee

A Sling Bag To Stay Hands-Free

MZ Wallace Black Metro Sling

A belt bag is always a great gift idea—especially for the person who’s always on the move. This MZ Wallace sling style is lightweight, adjustable and has plenty of room to stay organized with pockets for days (four interior, two exterior). It also comes in a bunch of colors, so choose wisely; they’ll be wearing this everywhere they want to feel unencumbered, from the grocery store to the airport. For something a bit more dressed-up that’s still hands-free, look no further than the brand’s eye-catching take on the everyday crossbody.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Runner

A State-Of-The-Art Pair Of Sneakers

Hoka Cielo X1

Why not celebrate their new year of life with a new pair of running shoes? Your favorite fitness enthusiast will be quite pleased to receive Hoka’s newest—and most-advanced—sneaker to date. The all-gender Cielo X1 is ultra-lightweight, breathable and, like all of the brand’s shoes, bold in design. It’s bound to impress thanks to a dynamic winged carbon fiber plate, a springy foam midsole and a marathon-ready rocker shape.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Jewelry Lover

A Pair Of Dazzling Drop Earrings

Uno De 50 Kingdom Drop Earrings

With a brand name that translates to “one of fifty,” a birthday gift from Uno de 50 feels especially appropriate for the occasion. There’s something inherently unique about each piece, and these 18kt gold-plated crystal drop earrings are certainly cause for a celebration. She’ll feel special every time she puts them on.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Beachgoer

A Chic Vacation-Ready Kaftan

Alicia Bell Angel Lace Cover-Up Kaftan

If she lives on the coast or has tropical vacation plans in the works, chances are, she could use another beach cover-up. Alicia Bell’s lacy black kaftan is made from breezy cotton and features gold-embellished tassels and flattering flutter sleeves, as well as easy side slits and strategically placed cutouts. It’ll have her looking and feeling cool whenever she hits the sand.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For An Outdoor Adventurer

A Trusted Camp Blanket

Pendleton Yakima Camp Throw

Pendleton is a beloved American brand that has been making rugged wool blankets since 1876. When it's cold at the campout, a trusted blanket is a lifesaver (just ask any camping enthusiast who has used the same one for decades). As a bonus, this style works just as well thrown over a couch when the recipient isn’t out there roughing it.

Best 50th Birthday Gift For The Skincare Guru

A Game-Changing LED Eye Mask

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite LED EyeCare Max Pro

A quality skincare regimen is important at any age, and at 50, we think they’ve earned the right to have some fun with their routine. Enter Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s hands-free LED light therapy device. When the notably cool-looking eye mask is worn for three minutes per day, it reduces puffiness and dark circles, firms skin and targets fine lines and crow’s feet. Refreshing, indeed.

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The Best 50th Birthday Gift Ideas That Perfectly Mark The Milestone (2024)
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