It’s all happening! Someone you love is turning 21, and it’s time to find them the perfect birthday gift.
Let’s not beat around the bush: For many people, 21 is the official birthday of booze, so a booze-related gift may be in order. Luckily, there are plenty of possibilities here, from pretty wine stoppers to classic cocktail books.
Not everyone wants to ring in 21 with a cocktail, though. For non-drinkers and drinkers alike, 21 is also an opportunity to fully embrace adulthood in all its messy glory. This might mean a fun and goofy gift or a staple gift designed to last a lifetime — whatever you think will set your favorite 21-year-old up for success as they approach their most important birthday. This is, of course, 22, when they’ll get to sing that Taylor Swift song for 24 hours straight.
Here are our picks for the best 21st birthday gifts.
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag
Credit: Baggu / Amazon
For the Fashion-Forward Friend: Grab them a versatile nylon Baggu in their favorite color — we especially like Candy Apple and Lapis. This size will hold their keys, wallet, a book, and a small water bottle, making it a great everyday bag.
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The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails
Credit: Cider Mill Press / Amazon
For the Host: Send them into their 21st year with a wealth of cocktail knowledge. This comprehensive book includes recipes for classics (think martinis and Manhattans) as well as funkier, more modern options.
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The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (Second Edition): Over 400 Classic Drink Recipes With Great Writing from The New York
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$39.95
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Folkulture Wine Stoppers, Set of 2
Credit: Folkulture / Amazon
For the Wine Lover: If they’ll be drinking wine, they’ll need wine stoppers — and you can’t get much cuter than a little pair of golden lemons. Of course, we recommend gifting these alongside an actual bottle for maximum celebratory effect.
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iRobot Roomba j7
Credit: iRobot / Amazon
For the Busy Bee: If you really want to make their twenties easier (and if you’re ready to splurge), take a chore off their plate with a Roomba. This one works well on hard floors and carpets and is especially clutch for cleaning up pet hair. It’s also adept at avoiding obstacles like cords.
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Thyme & Table Scalloped Shot Glass Set
Credit: Thyme & Table / Walmart
For the Decorator: Help them get their home bar setup started with this pretty set of scalloped shot glasses with elegant gold rims. They’re attractive enough to display on a bar cart, so they’re great for people with an eye for design and limited cabinet space.
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Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones
Credit: Bose / Amazon
For the Introvert: A key lesson of early adulthood: Sometimes, you just need to drown out the noise. Help them get there with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. This particular pair is known for being extra comfortable, so they can be worn for long stretches without the dreaded headphones headache.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Credit: Apple / Amazon
For the Apple Fan: Or, if they’re more of an earbuds person, grab them a pair of second-gen AirPods. They have noise-canceling and “transparency” modes, so users can choose how much of the world they want to let in.
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The I Love Trader Joe’s Cookbook
Credit: Ulysses Press / Amazon
For the TJ’s Encyclopedia: Trader Joe’s fans take their favorite grocery store very seriously. Help them make the most of this week’s finds with this collection of 150 budget-friendly recipes. (We’re especially intrigued by the brie and pear galette.)
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Yeti Rambler Wine Tumbler with MagSlider Lid
Credit: Yeti / Amazon
For the Picnicker: This Yeti tumbler will let them enjoy their wine outdoors without worrying about breaking a delicate glass. In true Yeti fashion, it’ll also keep cold drinks cold for hours — which means it’s also great for iced coffee or tea.
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Outset Stainless Steel Cocktail Rimmer
Credit: Outset / Amazon
For the Margarita Drinker: Margarita nights will reach new heights with this stainless steel cocktail rimmer, which will help them crank out perfectly salty glasses with ease. They can toss it right in the dishwasher when the party’s over.
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Yeti Rambler Wine Chiller
Credit: Yeti / Amazon
For the Backyard Chiller: If they’re entertaining outside, help them keep a bottle cold with this Yeti wine chiller. (Yes, it fits most champagne bottles.) We particularly like the silicone ring at its base, which keeps it from slipping and sliding around the table.
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MUMI Packing Cubes, Set of 5
Credit: MUMI / Amazon
For the Efficient Traveler: If they’re spending their early twenties jet-setting — or planning a long-distance move — help them pack efficiently with a set of nylon packing cubes. This set of five will fit neatly into most carry-on bags.
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Sol de Janeiro Jet Set
Credit: Sol de Janeiro / Amazon
For the Jetsetter: For the jet-setting skincare enthusiast, consider this scented body care set from Sol de Janeiro, which includes body wash, cream, and perfume mist in a travel case — all in TSA-friendly sizes, naturally.
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Hydro Flask Cooler Cup
Credit: Hydro Flask / Amazon
For the Hard Seltzer Fan: As an insulator, this cooler cup from Hydro Flask can fit most cans and bottles of beer, seltzer, and soda. It can also be used as a cup on its own, is dishwasher-safe on the top rack, and can fit into most cupholders.
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Pinch Provisions Be Kind UnWind Kit
Credit: Pinch Provisions / Amazon
For the Always-Prepared: They might need a little TLC after their 21st birthday bash — no shame in that. This “unwind” kit includes all the essentials for relaxation, including a sleep mask, pillow spray, bookmark, silk scrunchie, face roller, shower steamer, and facial towelettes.
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Nintendo Switch Lite
Credit: Nintendo / Amazon
For the Gamer: The Nintendo Switch Lite is the ultimate console for gaming on the go. It’s lightweight, cute, and packable. Just grab them a copy of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley along with the console, and they’ll be in business.
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Casio Vintage-Style Watch
Credit: Casio / Amazon
For the Chronically Late: Help them become a watch person with this gold-tone Casio number. It has alarm and timer features — subtle hints to the friend who just can’t seem to make it to any social gathering on time.
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Moleskine Cahier Journal
Credit: Moleskine / Amazon
For the Writer: Gift them a handsome little Moleskine notebook — which comes in dotted, plain, ruled, and squared versions — to jot down their innermost 21-year-old thoughts. Or their acceptance speech.
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JBL Clip 5 Speaker
Credit: JBL / Amazon
For the Playlist Maker: This handy little speaker is waterproof, which makes it ideal for the pool or the beach. It also has a built-in carabiner, so they can hook it to their backpack, bike, camp chair, or — if they’re feeling bold — their belt loop.
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Glass Ice Bucket
Credit: Le’raze / Amazon
For the Fancy Friend: Another elegant addition to their home bar setup is this glass ice bucket, which comes with a gold pair of ice tongs. It doubles as a nice piece of home decor when they’re not constantly chilling champagne bottles (understandable at this age).
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Pendleton Outdoor Packable Blanket
Credit: Pendleton / Amazon
For the Picnicker: If they love a good picnic in the park, consider this packable blanket from Pendleton, which folds nicely into a tote for easy transport. It also has two big pockets in case they need to tote around a few other supplies.
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