Birthday gifts for friends tend to be some of the most fun to give — you (hopefully, at the very least) know their interests, which shrinks the pool significantly. That said: it can still be a challenge to find something that they don’t already own. Perhaps your friend loves gardening, but they already have the watering can and shears — what then? Or maybe they’ve gotten into virtual workouts and already have all of the necessary dumbbells and mats — how to find something delightfully unexpected? To help you find the ideal birthday gift for your friend, we’ve rounded up some favorite products we’ve written about, and have also surfaced some new ones — read on for worthy presents for pals of all kinds, from the one who just got into gardening, to the one who finds cleaning “meditative.”
For the friend who’s a vintage record collector
Ziggy Marley gifted musician Angélique Kidjo this wireless turntable, which she says has a wonderful sound. “The warmth and crispness you get from vinyl is unlike anything else,” she says. “There’s a certain magic to it.”
For the friend who’s also a dog parent
If your friend likes to peek in on their pups shenanigans throughout the day, the Furbo would make an ideal birthday gift online. It comes recommended by Strategist writer Chloe Anello, who recently purchased it so she can talk to her dog while grocery shopping and shoot him treats when they’ve been away for a while.
For the friend who’s nostalgic for their cheerleader days
Senior Strategist editor Simone Kitchens (who is also a former cheerleader) swears by these Soffe shorts for lounging, which come in a rainbow of colors and are, as Simone puts it, “an acceptable dupe for Patagonia Baggies or the Outdoor Voices Relay Short.
For the friend who has a brown thumb
Fiddle leaf figs are notoriously fickle because they need very specific conditions to thrive. This faux one won’t die on you and looks natural thanks to natural color variations and creasing — just like the real deal.
For the friend who eats sad desk salads for lunch
Chef and restaurateur David Laris likes this bowl-based cookbook, which solves the what-to-eat-for-lunch dilemma with recipes for plant-based, gluten-free bowls. “It is for people who want to put together great meals on a regular basis and draw from ingredients they should have in a healthy fridge,” he says.
For the friend planning a birthday picnic
When we checked in with picnic experts about their go-to supplies for a day in the park, they agreed that when it comes to a picnic blanket, the bigger the better. One recommended this waterproof number, which will keep picnic guests comfortable and dry, while providing ample room to spread out, thanks to its generous 60” by 78” dimensions.
For the friend who’s sworn off shoes with laces
If your friend has whole-heartedly embraced the slides movement, you can’t go wrong by giving a pair of the most classic lace-free shoes of all time: Birkenstock Boston clogs. They were a favorite of our panel of stylish slides lovers, too: Justin Berkowitz, Men’s Fashion Director at Bloomingdale’s, called them “quite possibly the most comfortable and versatile shoes I own.”
For the friend who’s getting into gardening
Watering cans, shears, gardening clogs — the list of worthy gifts for gardeners is long. But you can’t plant a garden without some seeds, and we love the idea of giving a mix of packets that will grow into a lovely bouquet. Better yet, these seeds grow into flowers that we’ve heard make excellent options for flower pressing.
For the friend with a perfectly-appointed desk
Your friend might be spending a bit more time at their desk at home these days, which means it might be time to upgrade the desk lamp they’ve had since college. Gift them this one simple yet stylish one, which Shannon Retseck, the founder of textile and home-goods line Cuttalossa, told us she loves for its “fun hue [that] brings a pop of color to the office, which can often be a sterile space.”
For the friend who could use a good night’s sleep
Most people could use some extra sleep these days, and if your friend has been tossing and turning, they’ll appreciate this blackout sleep eye mask, which kept Strategist writer Rio Viera-Newton asleep until noon on a Saturday.
For the friend who’s having a beach birthday party
Cheerful cabana stripes are especially festive, and if your friend is opting for an outdoor bash on the beach, they’ll be grateful to have a few extra towels where guests can spread out.
For the friend who takes grooming seriously
File this one under least expensive gifts from the most expensive brands: Your well-groomed friend will appreciate the Mason Pearson name, and this pocket comb will look as handsome on their bathroom counter, as it will be practical for taking on the go.
For the friend who loves to tidy
If a day spent cleaning feels more zen than annoying, give them this Japanese monk-approved broom. It’s especially good for sweeping outside: it’s strong enough to clear away even stubborn debris, and is surprisingly nice to look at, too.
For the friend who will do anything for the shot
Give them the gift of perfect lighting with this ring light, which comes with a tripod and multiple dimmer settings.
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