We asked young adults what they really want for this milestone birthday that's traditionally about a bar crawl — but doesn't have to be!
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When my eldest turned 21 last summer, my gift to them was an iPhone 15 — a sorely needed upgrade, since they were still on their iPhone 8 from high school. (The back of it was fully shattered, barely hanging together in a phone case.) But when I surveyed a half-dozen twenty-somethings to put together this list of the best 21st birthday gift ideas, they had a lot of unique gift ideas beyond tech essentials to share (and more affordable ones as well!).
In addition to talking with my own 21-year-old and a mix of other young adults, I also reached out to parents and grandparents of 21-year-olds to come up with a range of present ideas for all types of interests and at all price points. Of course, a lot of these gifts revolve around alcohol since 21 is when American kids can legally drink, and celebrations often include a bar crawl or a round of margaritas. But 21-year-olds are also starting to seriously adult, and when I spoke to the parents and grandparents, many said that they gifted their kids things for their kitchens or apartments. Another popular gift? Jewelry that marks the milestone. Many feel that 21 is the last "big" birthday on the way to 30, so it's a fun one!
If you're looking for even more ideas, check out the gift guides below, because there are even more giftable gems to be found:
The Best Gifts for Men of All Ages | The Best College Graduation Gifts | The Best Gifts for Women in Their 20s
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Personalized Gift Idea
Birthdate Co. Personalized Astrological Birth Chart Book
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Personalized Gift Idea
Birthdate Co. Personalized Astrological Birth Chart Book
If you know they're nuts for astrology, this fabric-bound, fully customized book is a beautiful and engrossing read of the birthday celebrant's chart. Order in advance and allow a few days for it to be created and shipped. Looking for something a bit more affordable? Check out Birthdate Co.'s Birthdate Candles, which feature fragrances aligned to the specific day they were born and can be personalized with their name.
RELATED: The Best Astrology Gift Ideas for Zodiac Lovers
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Pretty Keepsake
Birth Month Flower Glass
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Pretty Keepsake
Birth Month Flower Glass
Commemorate their 21st birthday with one of these beautiful glasses featuring their birth flower. Uncommon Goods has an option for each month (this is September's aster) and they're all dishwasher-safe.
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Unique Birthday Gift on Amazon
1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The World as You've Never Seen It Before
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Unique Birthday Gift on Amazon
1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The World as You've Never Seen It Before
Now 45% Off
If you want to see this kid/adult really go places, inspire them with what we'd call travel p*rn: The deluxe hardcover edition of this well-loved guide featuring gorgeous photography.
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A Little Something for Her
Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit
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A Little Something for Her
Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit
A glittery little pouch that contains everything she'll need for a night out, including double-sided tape, dental floss, lip balm, stain remover, extra earring backs and lots more.
if you suspect they've been skating by with a pretend birthday you can rib them a bit with this stemless glass which ships in a gift box. One grandma who reviewed it on Amazon says she put some rolled cash inside — now that's a nice gift!
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Any Guy Will Appreciate This
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
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Any Guy Will Appreciate This
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
They can stream their favorite music through this wireless, waterproof Bose, which is the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab's top pick for best wireless speaker. It's got a long (12 hour!) battery life and a little hook that makes it easy to attach to a backpack.
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Gift This to Your Best Friend
Reusable Cooling Gel Eye Mask
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Gift This to Your Best Friend
Reusable Cooling Gel Eye Mask
If they do hit the bars, they might need this the next day to calm a headache, de-stress or de-puff. It's got more than 18,000 five-star Amazon reviews and comes in 11 colors. To make it work they just need to store it in the freezer for about a half-hour before using.
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For Their First Apartment
Bissell AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum
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For Their First Apartment
Bissell AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum
They've officially reached the age when they'll be excited to receive a cleaning appliance as a gift. With over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this handheld vacuum is ideal for quick pick-ups on hard surfaces and comes with a two-in-one brush and crevice tool that can swiftly take care of crumbs on their laptop or in between couch crevices.
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I am a bit of a zealot about these tracker tags and have given them to both my 21-year-old and my teen. They help people track laptops, backpacks, purses, keys (if you also buy a keyring) and luggage — all the stuff that is kind of a disaster when lost.
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For the Young Professional
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote
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For the Young Professional
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote
If you want to be the hero who gifts a young woman with her first real grown-up tote, suitable for taking on job interviews, Longchamp is the current hot brand, according to my 20-something sources. This comes in a beautiful navy version, too.
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If you know the new 21-year-old will be going out with friends, this T-shirt is a cute birthday announcement and a memento especially if everyone signs the shirt. It's more fun than a birthday card!
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Keep Them Hydrated
Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
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Keep Them Hydrated
Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
For every glass of wine, a glass of water! But a Stanley tumbler doesn't have to be about drinking alcohol, even if this is their 21st birthday — people of every age seem to want this durable straw cup. A friend of mine recently bought one for her 21-year-old and then bought one for herself!