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The 50th birthday is a biggie. Your loved one has just completed fifty laps around the sun and amassed a whopping half a century of life experience.
So, it goes without saying, this special occasion deserves celebrating. And what better way to do so than with a thoughtful gift?
Whether you’re trying to find a good 50th birthday present for a parent, colleague, boss, or friend – this list of our favorite 50th birthday gift ideas is bound to provide you with some much-needed inspiration.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in into the best 50th birthday ideas…
The Gift of Nostalgia
Fifty years on this planet equates to fifty years spent with loved ones, making memories, and watching the times change. So, at 50, it’s not uncommon to fondly remise upon your childhood and see yourself reflected in your children and maybe, even grandchildren.
With that in mind, why not use this landmark birthday to celebrate the memories you’ve made together? Here are a few ideas to help gift them that warm feeling of nostalgia:
Personalized Gift – Photo Album
All your favourite moments in a beautifully printed, high-quality Photo Book, to give as the perfect gift (or a treat for yourself). Get creative with the design, write special messages and add decorative touches.
If you’re close to the birthday recipient, why not get them a thoughtful birthday gift like a photo album, and fill it with a few of your favorite memories together? While storing photos online and on hard drives is increasingly common, it doesn’t come close to the charm of flipping through a physical scrapbook.
If this is a gift you’re considering, Photobox has a fabulous range of personalized photo books – so be sure to check them out!
Personalized Calendar
These high quality personalised calendars come in four different sizes and can start from any month. Simply choose your favourite template, select your size - then get creative and upload your best pictures and/or text to each month.
A traditional calendar isn’t just a great way of keeping track of appointments and important dates; it’s also a great way of jazzing up an otherwise bland-looking wall.
Those born around 1970 will still appreciate the convenience of calendars. So, why not gift a personalized one? There are tons of places online where you can upload your own photos or designs to make each month reflect a treasured moment from their past.
To help get the ball rolling, Funky Pigeon has a great selection of calendars you can personalize!
Gift a Playlist
Play the songs from the year of your birth with The Birth Year Mixtape gift box. Choose from 4 different year designs: black background, white background, green background or green background using a photo of your choice.
With the rise of music streaming platforms, the traditional mixtape might have gone out of fashion. But why not put together a playlist of songs that were popular while they were growing up?
The right songs will transport them straight back to the seventies and eighties. Creating a playlist on Spotify is as easy as pie. And if you wanted to amp up this gift, send the recipient their personalized playlist in a card and retro-style mixtape packaging.
Your Life in Pictures Book
Whether its Christmas or a special birthday, this beautifully bound book takes the recipient through those important and memorable news stories and world wide moments shown in iconic photographs, from every year of their life, starting from the day they were born!
Prezzybox asks for the year the birthday boy or girl was born and then creates a ‘your life in pictures’ book, capturing the most significant global events to have happened in their lives.
It’s a really neat 50th birthday present idea, and a great way to travel back through time, reminiscing about all they’ve experienced and how the world’s grown with them. To top it off, you can include personalized messages inside to give it that little something extra!
Personalized Jewelry – Three Generation Necklace
Celebrate three generations of love and family with this beautiful triple birthstone necklace, representing Grandmother, Mother and Daughter together in one special piece to treasure forever.
This beautiful necklace features three pendants that represent the birthstones of three generations which is truly a thoughtful birthday gift. The necklace can be personalized and is a charming and unique gift, especially when grandchildren are already in the picture.
It’s an excellent way to commemorate the passage of time and the wisdom gained with age. We especially like this one, from JOY BY CORRINE SMITH, from Not on The High Street.
Gifts for the Home
At fifty, most people are settled into their lives and routines. Many own their houses, enjoying the calm domesticity and take care of their home as one of their proudest assets.
In light of that, you can’t go wrong with a gift to compliment their house. Be it apparel, decor, or kitchen utensils, there are plenty of thoughtful birthday gift ideas that center around the home that are sure to delight them.
Windowsill Planters
Windowsill planters are a great way of bringing life to the kitchen. Growing a small herb garden from the convenience of their windowsill is a fun little pastime that doesn’t take too much effort, and if your loved one’s a foodie, all the better. They’ll have fresh herbs on hand for when they whip up their culinary delights.
If you’re looking for something for your Mom, you can’t go wrong with this windowsill planter by ALWcrafts over on Etsy. If you opt for the ‘complete set,’ you’ll get the planter (like the one pictured below), seed packets (a choice of herb or Chilli), and seed name sticks.
Discover the unique items that ALWcrafts creates. Shop, Create, And Be Inspired By Unique Items You Can't Find Anywhere Else.
If you go for the herby option, you’ll receive basil, mint, and coriander seeds. Alternatively, if your loved one can handle the spice, opt for the chili seeds to plant anaheim, jalapeño M, and scotch bonnet reds.
Grow Your Own Bonsai Kit
Bonsai trees are small, manageable, and beautiful. Not only is this a lovely new hobby to gift the birthday person, but these plants also work wonders for adding character to any home.
There are tons of kits out there that provide everything you need to get started; seeds, pots, compost discs, and manuals on how to care for a Bonsai. There are a couple of kits over on Menkind that we love the look of! However, Menkind doesn’t ship to the USA.
Bird Nest Boxes
Position these roosting pockets in ivy, bushes or hedges to give birds somewhere cosy to shelter. The sphere-shaped Anita offers a larger cavity perfect for small species who roost together.
Those with a garden and a passion for bird spotting might enjoy one of these bird nest boxes. These are fantastic for drawing wildlife into green spaces so that the person you’re celebrating can spend time doing what they love the most, engaging with the woodland creatures they adore.
If the person you’re buying for has a particular passion for birds, then why not purchase a birdbox from the RSPB? They have a beautiful range of nest boxes, and some of the money goes towards conserving birdlife habitats – win-win!
Campervan Miniature Clock
Is the person you’re gifting for a lover of classic cars? Then this campervan miniature clock could be a much-appreciated addition to their home. This charming design feels retro and fun and would look great on any desk or mantlepiece. We love this duck egg blue one from Menkind. Check out its super cool detailing along its sides in the snap below!
Ship in a Bottle Kit
Well she’s sinking, with a total of 5 lifeboats with paddles on both side.
With age comes wisdom and patience, and at fifty, your loved one might have those qualities in abundance. If that sounds like them, hobby kits that take time and precision could make for the perfect gift.
Encourage the birthday boy or girl to discover their crafty side by taking to a new project. A ship in a bottle kit encourages them to try something new and will leave them with a lovely piece to display in their home that they can be proud of.
If your loved one’s also a fan of the film Titanic, why not go for this ‘Make Your Own TITANIC SHIP in a Bottle Kit!.’ This one’s produced by shoretrader and sold over on Etsy. Cute, right?
A Personalized Wooden Cheeseboard Set
The perfect gift for father's day! This cheeseboard is a high quality item. Made from only the finest wood and finished to perfection with a durable foodsafe laquer. A gift that will last a lifetime.
This wooden cheeseboard set is as mature as they are! If they’re a cheese lover (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), this great gift allows them to indulge in style. You can personalize this cheese board to display their name. Plus, it stores three cheese knives and a cheese fork – beautiful and practical, what could be better?
Lewis Barbecue Sauce Sets
Who doesn’t love a good barbecue? Is your loved one always slaving over the charcoal at family cookouts? If so, add a bit of spice and flavor to the birthday celebrations by gifting them this barbecue sauce set. This includes original barbecue sauce, tangy barbecue sauce, and hatch green chile barbecue sauce. Yum!
The Gift of Relaxation
It’s not uncommon for fifty years to bring its own aches and discomforts as the body starts to age. While unavoidable, there are plenty of gift ideas that can help your loved one relax and unwind…
A Neck and Shoulder Massager
Save your precious time and hard earned money with a RESTECK shiatsu massager kit. Minimize acute pains that would hinder your every move and enjoy life to the fullest. Ease neck stiffness, eliminate constant fatigue, soothe aching muscles and promote proper blood circulation.
Fifty years can be a heavyweight on anyone’s shoulders, so it’s unsurprising that neck and back pain is a common problem. This is where a neck and shoulder massager comes into its own. It’s a luxurious gift that offers relief from their occasional aches and strains, and all from the comfort of their own home.
There are plenty of high-quality massagers over on Amazon, so if you’re unsure where to find one, it’s a great place to kickstart your search.
Bath and Body Gift Sets
Let them unwind with our bath gift sets, which feature products from some of our favourite ranges – Coconut and Shea Butter to name a few.
A bath set is an excellent 50th birthday gift idea for anyone of any age. You don’t need to know the person too well to gift them a fragrant and relaxing spa set to use at home. This sweet, casual gift allows them to unwind in style and will undoubtedly be appreciated. This could be the perfect gift for a colleague or neighbor who’s broaching the big five-oh.
The Bodyshop offers a variety of bath and body gift sets for you to choose from. We can’t get enough of their British rose scent; it’s gorgeous!
V&A Tea Selection
Are you on the hunt for the perfect gift for the tea-lover in your life? If so, tea sets are great for any occasion. If you have a friend you regularly meet up for a cuppa and a catch up with, this is an incredibly thoughtful present – and who knows, perhaps they’ll make you a mug so you can sample one of their new teabags?
This tea selection by John Lewis is beautiful to look at and includes six classic flavors. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with this!
Gentlemen Jon Wet Shave Kit for the Birthday Man
Shaving is a ritual, not a chore and it's time to grow up. Toss the cheap cartridge razors & aerosol foams and upgrade to Gentleman Jon shaving products to see what it feels like to shave like a man.
This vintage shaving kit is luxurious, fun, and exudes that old-time feel. It’s a great gift for those classy gentlemen for whom shaving is a ritual. This excellent 50th birthday gift kit includes a badger hairbrush, a safety razor, a stainless steel shave bowl, shave soap, and Astra razor blades for a smooth finish. Everything your 50 year old man needs to shave in style for his 50th birthday!
Party Gifts
For those still wild at heart, these party-inspired gifts provide a sophisticated twist, making them perfect for marking anyone’s 50th birthday, especially when given on a fiftieth birthday party.
A Personalized Champagne Bottle is Always a Perfect birthday gift idea
A 50th birthday celebration always warrants a few bubbles. But, instead of toasting with any old champagne, why not gift them a personalized champagne bottle? You can have their name and a message featured on the label, so they know you’ve bought something just for them.
If you like the sound of that, Say it with Champers offers various personalized sparkling wines which can be found here. All of which, looks divine!
Fabulous 50th birthday gifts
A Gin Taster Giftbox
At age fifty, chances are your loved one has already developed a set taste in alcohol. If they’re gin lovers, why not surprise them with a gift box boasting a variety of novel flavors? This is a unique gift for anyone who likes something a little different. Prezzybox offers a fabulous gin taster box, complete with six honey-themed flavors. Delicious! However, this box only ships to the UK.
Tumbler Glass with Iceball Mould
Fifty is a good year to start aiming for that sophisticated look. With this fancy tumbler glass and iceball mold, they can enjoy swirling their drink around in style. This present is bound to make classy, intimate get-togethers more impressive. It’s perfect anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned scotch on the rocks.
This clever glass is fitted with a special rock at the bottom, and is a particular shape so that the solid ice ball just naturally roles around the glass! As you move the glass the ball rolls around it and cools the drink down to take the edge off a warm scotch or brandy.
Home Brewing Kits for Beer, Wine or Cider
Is your friend or relative a fan of beers, ciders, or wine love? With a home brewing kit, you can gift them the chance to make their own. This is a fun experiment with tasty results, for newbie and veteran brewers alike.
Take a look at some of The Home Brew Shop’s kits, there are tons to choose from, so if this idea’s piqued your interest, you’re bound to find something that fits the bill!
Artisan Gin Making Kit
For the refined gin lover, gift this artisan gin making kit so they can experiment with outrageous flavors and produce gins that complement their unique tastes. The package is elegant to look at, making for a beautiful gift. Included is a stainless steel funnel and sieve, a 500ml artisan bottle, and a label for the finished gin and juniper berries and a botanical mix.
Funny Gifts
Finding a funny gift that brings a smile to your loved one’s face could be more your thing. These gifts might not always be the most practical, but the giggles will undoubtedly bring a splash of humor to help kickstart the 50th birthday celebrations.
The VERY Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes
This book is excellent for any Dad that thinks puns and wordplay are hilarious. If your Dad or Grandad is about to turn 50 and takes great joy in embarrassing their children and grandchildren at public functions with their ‘funny’ jokes, this could be the gift for them.
Lean into your parent’s ironic sense of humor and gift them the chance to crack even more ‘hilarious’ jokes in the future.
Personalized Head Chef Hat
Is your giftee the master of the kitchen or the barbecue? If they’ve delighted you with fantastic food on many occasions (and might even be cooking the food for their own 50th birthday party), commemorate their skill with this fun personalized head chef hat. One size fits most, and you can include a name up to 14 characters on the front!
Happy 20th Anniversary of Your 30th Birthday Mug
A fun and colourful personalised mug for the person who doesn't like to admit their real age! This 50th birthday mug will give anyone celebrating the age of 50 a good giggle and you can personalise it with your own special message on the reverse.
Of course, there are plenty of hilarious mugs you could gift your loved one, but we love this ‘Happy 20th Anniversary of your 30th birthday’ cup available at the gift experience. Funny, right?
Gift an Experience
Gifting an experience is a great way to commemorate the 50th birthday. Give the birthday boy or girl something they’ll remember for years to come by encouraging them to try something they’ve never done before. Here are a few experience-based gifts you can find online…
A 12-month Rosetta Stone Subscriptions
Trusted for 25+ years by top organizations. Rosetta Stone is the best way to learn a foreign language. The award-winning language solution combines proven learning methods.
Perhaps you know they’re planning a trip abroad? Or maybe they’ve always wanted to learn a new language? Either way, gifting a Rosetta Stone subscription could be a really thoughtful present. With 24 languages available, they’ll soon pick up a language to enhance their travel experience. After all, it’s never too late to learn something new!
A Hot Air Balloon Journey
Spend some time researching whether hot air balloon journeys are available in your area. If they are, this novelty 50th birthday gift idea is ideal for those that value new experiences (and aren’t afraid of heights). Gift them and their spouse this enchanting adventure for a truly memorable day out.
A Full-Day Spa Package
A day to wind down and relax is a great experience and a great 50th birthday gift for tense mom, dad or a friend. So, why not gift them a spa package where they’ll be pampered just like they deserve on their 50th birthday? You can shop spa experiences here, or look up spa gifts in your area to see if any deals are on!
FAQ
Last but not least, we’re wrapping up this article with the answers to a few FAQs concerning 50th birthday gift-giving
First and foremost, the general rule with any birthday gift is to spend what you’re comfortable with. There’s no strict guideline that should inform your expenses. After all, a thoughtful gift doesn’t need to be pricey. Let your knowledge of the person guide you. Typically, $50 – $100 is a reasonable price for a 50th birthday gift.
Most people, when they turn fifty, want to celebrate with their loved ones around them. So, be prepared to spoil them on their special day, so they don’t have to do any work!
Fifty is a special age. It’s when most of us consider ourselves to be ‘over the hill’ and settled in our lives. At fifty, hobbies, interests, and a sense of humor are set in place, and we no longer feel worried about proving ourselves. They enjoy stability in their career and are respected members of their communities. Keep these priorities in mind as you pick gifts for them on their birthday!
There are many places on the web that will meet your gift-giving needs. Check out Prezzybox and Mankind for a variety of fun gift ideas. If you have something specific in mind, Amazon will stock it. Finally, for home-decor inspiration and quirky gifts, Etsy or Not on the High Street.
Have You Spotted the Perfect 50th Birthday Gift?
We hope you enjoyed our selection of 50th birthday gift ideas. Celebrate this vital birthday by choosing a special gift for your parent, colleague, or friend. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, you don’t need to spend lots of money to put a smile on their face. Often small, personalized gifts make the best presents.
Bets of luck with your birthday shopping and don’t forget that Happy Birthday card!