Entertainment

Best 50th birthday gifts: Celebrate half a century with the perfect present

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Take it from us: 50 is the new 40. For your special person rounding a half-century on this planet, not just any pretty wrapped parcel will do. Instead, we’ve found 25 of the perfect presents, from things they need but would never think to buy themselves, to gifts that will remind them how much they mean to you.

Oura sleep ring

Credit: Oura / Amazon

Give the gift of sleep data with the Oura ring. They wear it during the day and night and then when they check the app in the am they can see how restful their sleep actually was. Its addictive and educuational!

Heated bleacher seat

Credit: HOPERAN / Amazon

A heated bleacher seat feels decadent until they’re on the sidelines and it’s one of those 42-degree game days at the soccer field. This will be one of the most practical and oft-used gifts they’ve ever received.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro

Credit: Ninja / Amazon

If they haven’t jumped into the air fryer game yet, then ignore everything else we’re suggesting and get them this. It’s the gift of crispy veggies with minimal added fat and the perfect way to heat up last night’s pizza slices. You will change their life in one fell swoop.

Shaved Ice Machine

Credit: shoxil / Amazon

This is way more grown-up than the Snoopy Snow Cone they had as a kid. Flavored, shaved ice is especially tasty when you add a little rum to the concoction.

Hiboy S2 Electric Scooter

Credit: Hiboy / Amazon

Definitely not just for the kiddos! All the coolest Gen Xers are taking to scooters, commuting home from work, hitting the grocery store, you name it. This one has a 17-mile range and can carry up to 220 lbs. Just don’t forget the helmet.

Portable Neck fan

Credit: Gaiatop / Amazon

Such a practical and thoughtful gift at a time in life where their temperature regulation seems perpetually out of whack. They will appreciate the ability to bring cool relief wherever they roam – the garden, on a walk through the neighborhood, amusement parks, anywhere.

If I Live to Be 100

Credit: Welcome Books / Amazon

This milestone celebration is a great time to reflect on the next 50 birthdays to come. This tome includes portraits and interviews from centenarians across the country sharing the wisdom that only 100 birthdays can bring.

Pendelton Glacier National Park Blanket

Credit: Pendleton

A gorgeous (and warm!) addition to their perfectly decorated home, this classic, incredibly well-made blanket with its iconic stripes, sits beautifully on any sofa back or end of bed. Made in the U.S. from 100% pure wool.

Embr Wave Cooling Bracelet

Credit: Embr / Amazon

Hot flashes be gone! This bracelet-like device sends waves of cool just when they need it most. Suggest they wear it to bed in case a sleep-disrupting flash hits – alternatively switch on the heat waves for the ultimately cozy sleep send-off.

Mashable Light Speed

Solo Stove Yukon 2.0

Credit: Solo Stove / Amazon

These days the best nights revolve around a few close friends, free-flowing beverages, and a gorgeous fire. Solo stove makes the last part easy with this 27-inch fire pit, while minimizing smoke.

L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream

Credit: L’Occitane / Amazon

Luxe and incredibly hydrating, this thick cream will instantly find a home in their purse or backpack, wherever they turn most. Apply it to face, hands, and feet. Everything is softer and smoother after an encounter with this cream.

Our Place Dream Cooker

Credit: Our Place / Amazon

The internet darling culinary brand Our Place has a new digital cooker line – perfect for the busy 50-year-old who has (almost) everything. This one slow cooks, sautes, and pressure cooks, plus it will look amazing on their counter.

Keurig K Mini-Plus

Credit: Keurig / Amazon

These single-serve Keurigs come in amazing colors now (we love the green) and that means gifting a second machine for easy caffeine access in their office or bedroom (assuming they already have one in the kitchen) is just what your coffee-obsessed friend ordered.

Pants Stretcher

Credit: CANWUPON / Amazon

Is this a gag gift or for real? The answer is, kind of both. I mean, who among us would not appreciate the ability to stretch their too-tight jeans now and then? It’s also a practical fix for anyone who hates the constricting feel of brand-new jeans and wants to skip to the broken-in part.

Art Deco Coupe Glasses

Credit: LUXULISH / Amazon

Up their martini game with these gorgeous goblets in sherbet colors. Handmade with delicate detailing, package these with your favorite Gimlet recipe and then invite yourself over to sample.

Digital Slide Scanner

Credit: Kodak / Amazon

Whether they have old 35mm negatives or even older vintage slides gathering dust in plastic sleeves, this slide scanner will create digital versions of all those old images so they can more easily sharing and preserve memories. It’s got a great big preview screen so they can see what they’re scanning and it USBs back to their computer for safekeeping.

Meater Plus: Bluetooth Meat Thermometer

Credit: MEATER / Amazon

What’s the doneness temp for a medium rare filet again? What about dark meat chicken? No guesswork or Google searches required when a big green circle pops up on the Meater app with a “Ready!” notification. Got an easily distracted griller on your list? This is for them.

MAONO XLR Condenser Microphone

Credit: Maono / Amazon

Haven’t they always talked about starting a podcast? Give them a gentle nudge in the right direction with the gift of a professional-quality microphone. The mic comes with a pop filter and a desktop stand, but they’ll need to write the first episode themselves.

Movie Night Popcorn Set

Credit: Pop n’Dulge / Amazon

With 16 packs of popcorn and five different seasoning packets, this sampler pack will add some fun and variety to their next Netflix night. Choose from flavors like white cheddar, garlic parmesan, and hot pepper, or make ‘em all and do a popcorn taste test.

LED Flashlight Gloves

person using flashlight gloves while fixing a car

Credit: MOIPEJO / Amazon

File these under things that no one would buy for themselves, but anyone would be pumped to get as a gift. These gloves have embedded super bright LED lights, making them ideal for night running, camping, working on the car, or just about anything else in low light.

Laguiole Steak Knives

Credit: Laguiole Style de Vie / Amazon

A set of six gorgeous steak knives for the red meat lover on your list, each with a beautiful olive wood handle. Hopefully you get an invite when the steaks come off the grill.

3-in1 Charging Station

Credit: EZVALO / Amazon

All the things they need on their bedside table in one calming and pretty package: A glowy nightlight, a Bluetooth speaker, and place to wirelessly charge their phone.

Typewriter Style Wireless Keyboard

Credit: YUNZII / Amazon

They’ll love this retro wireless keyboard that looks like a pretty pink typewriter. Make them feel like a kid again while typing out their next business plan on this thing. (It makes working from home way more fun, too.)

Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set

Credit: PLANTIFIQUE / Amazon

Relaxing, cooling, and helpful in decreasing inflammation, this beautiful jade set that includes both the roller and the Gua Sha tool is great for the skincare-obsessed birthday boy or girl.