Gift Ideas
70+ Best 21st Birthday Gift Ideas – The Complete 2023 Guide
A 21st birthday is an exciting day! Make it better by giving that special person the perfect 21st birthday gift. Check out these best 21st birthday gift ideas.
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Your 21st birthday is a time for fun, but it can also be difficult for some. A lot of 21-year-olds are just graduating college, and they’re moving on to a new stage of their lives.
I created this list with both thoughts of having fun and also becoming a true professional in your career in mind. I added gifts that I thought were classy and timeless, but also some that are just fun for the 21st birthday celebration.
Here’s a list of the best 21st birthday gifts!
In this post:
21st Birthday Gift Ideas for Him
1. HOT SEAT Board Game
This is a great way to learn all the gritty details about your friends while having a good time. This game is great to play along with some drinks, so people will be more likely to tell the truth.
2. Shot Glass Roulette Drinking Game
Wha happens in Vegas, now happens in your own home. This is the ultimate party game for the big birthday.
There is no best way to welcome him into adulthood than with a fun drinking game that involves shots and a roulette. Need I say more?
You can get all your friends involved in this one and keep the party rolling for the whole night. You will definitely create memories for life.
3. Timberland Wallet
Turning 21 warrants getting a fancy new wallet. This leather Timberland wallet is slim and has quality stitching. It also has the two necessities of credit card slots and a pocket for bills.
4. Clarks Dress Shoes
These shoes are known for being extremely comfortable while maintaining the style, and they go great with a suit.
They feature a discreet elastic gore panels for an easier fit without distracting from its elevated profile.
They are perfect for any occasion so your boyfriend or that special man in your life that is about to kick off adulthood will absolutely love them.
5. Vans Sneakers
Everyone needs a pair of comfortable but stylish sneakers. This pair is the quintessential Vans style.
It matches any outfit, but it can be worn on more dressy occasions than most other sneakers.
6. A Nice Watch
This GOLDEN HOUR quartz watch has a sleek design. It’s black with gold arms. It costs less than most watches, but it’s of great quality and looks amazing. Japanese imported quartz analog movement and battery, provide precise time and long-term running.
A genuine band is used to make the strap, which is cozy, plush, and permeable. 304 steel case, stainless steel mesh band, mineral glasses, suitable for a variety of events.
7. A Gold Chain
A classic golden chain can go a long way. This chain costs barely anything compared to others and it is a best-seller.
It is made of stainless steel, 18k real gold plated/black metal plated. Very safe and comfortable to skin.
8. A Ring
This FINREZIO ring is gold plated with a design carved in black. It has the look of a vintage ring. It’s classy and will match any outfit.
Stainless steel of the highest quality and 18K gold plating, 100% hypoallergenic, never rusts or fades, and never causes allergies. His finger won't ever turn green from it.
9. A Knife
Many guys would like a knife. I, personally, know a few family members and friends with knife collections.
This knife not only looks cool – it’s very sharp, and cuts easily. The blade also opens smoothly.
10. Gaming Chair
You don’t have to like gaming to like this chair. It’s deemed universally comfortable for most people. It can be enjoyed while studying, writing, or doing whatever he’s interested in.
It will be a great addition to your office or game room.
11. The Art of Shaving Kit
This shaving kit contains all the basic necessities with a sandalwood scent. This is great for the guys who obsess over beard grooming.
12. Beer Brewing Kit
Sometimes learning the process of something can be so interesting. This beer brewing kit contains one gallon of starter to create IPAs.
It’s better than a bigger kit in case the guy loses interest.
13. Liquor Dispenser
Hosting a party just became a lot easier! This four-bottle liquor dispenser can help create the vibe of a bar in his apartment. All he needs is to quickly install it and all his friends will want to come over to chill!
14. Cologne
15. Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Every guy needs a cool pair of shades. These Ray-Bans have the classic, effortless aviator look.
16. A Tool Set
This is great for the guy that loves to fix things. It’s also a great beginner set for anybody moving away from home or college.
Everyone should know how to do basic repairs.
17. Shorts
This might look like underwear, but it isn’t. Short liners are ideal for exercise – they are airy and provide comfort.
18. Polo Shirt
A basic polo shirt can go a long way. This cotton polo comes in almost 60 colors. It dresses up any outfit.
19. Hot Sauce Roulette
This hot sauce game is not for the weak-hearted. The sauces get hotter and hotter as you go along. Wait until everyone breaks a sweat to see who wins!
20. Travel Cocktail Kit
This is great for the guys who like to booze it up.
This little kit is great for cocktails on the go.
He can choose from a variety of different cocktails, and each box contains at least 6 drinks!
This Old Fashioned cocktail kit includes real bitters for cocktails, lemon zest, sugar cubes, bar muddler spoon, and a handwoven cocktail napkin.
Related: 51 Genius 21st Birthday Ideas That Will Make Your Day Unforgettable
21st Birthday Gift Ideas for Her
21. Wine Tumbler
This insulated wine tumbler is perfect for keeping drinks cool. It can be taken to the beach, a picnic, etc.
22. Truth or Drink
This card game is perfect for those adult sleepovers with the girls. It’s guaranteed to create lots of laughs.
23. Toughergun Wallet
Sometimes carrying a huge bag around just isn’t necessary. You want a place to put all the cards you need in one place.
This compact wallet comes in an array of colors, and it’s just big enough to fit an ID, some credit cards, and some bills. It also has a coin pouch for spare change.
24. Longchamp Bag
This was the first bag I ever received as a gift, and it’s amazing. It’s a simple bag, with only one little pocket on the inside, but it’s stylish and of great quality.
It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t carry much around. It can be used for regular wear, or it can be taken out partying.
25. Feel Better Herbal Tea
This is great for those post-hangover mornings. It’s packed with vitamin C, and it’s an immune booster.
With the pandemic still affecting the world, the thought of immunity tea sounds like the best thing ever!
This herbal tea is great for whenever your friend is feeling under the weather and just needs a vitamin boost.
The tea bags are packed with immune-boosting herbs, antioxidants, and vitamins that help support any immune system.
The tea includes extracts from lemongrass, echinacea, decaffeinated green tea, goldenseal, elderberry, and ginseng.
Those all seem pretty amazing to me, and they make me believe that this tea would be the perfect gift for any college girl!
26. Oversized Crewneck
I love a nice cozy crewneck. It’s easy to wear when hanging out with friends, and the shape is simple enough to match anything. It’s made of terry fabric that is breathable for any weather.
27. Nine West Watch
This black watch has a minimalist-but-sleek design. The gold accents the black perfectly. This watch can dress up a casual outfit, and it adds professionalism to work clothes.
28. Gold Hoops
A nice pair of hoop earrings can last forever. They are a statement piece that matches any outfit. Be the person that gives her this staple piece, and she’ll remember it forever!
29. Sports Bra
30. Yoga Mat
This yoga mat has a “grippy top layer that helps you find balance.” It doesn’t have to just be for yoga! I’ve tried yoga (and failed), but I still use mine for my ab workouts.
31. Winter Coat
Is a Canada Goose jacket too expensive? This Amazon Essential puffer coat has you covered. It has overall positive reviews, citing warmth and style for a fraction of the price.
32. Mirror
I don’t wear makeup, but I consistently use this mirror.
You can see every single hair and pore up close. It’s great for eyebrow grooming, and let’s face it, pimple popping.
33. Makeup Brush Kit
While she may have her own brushes already, this set provides a wide range for every use.
This synthetic brush set includes 15 pieces for eye shadow, blush, concealer, and so on.
The brushes are soft to touch and they are dense and shaped well. Cover all your makeup needs with these top-rated brushes.
34. Columbia Hiking Boots
Is your girlfriend into hiking? Then, this waterproof hiking boot is a must for her.
It features a lightweight, durable midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return as well as an advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement on rough ground.
They are also incredibly stylish, come in a lot of colors and will last forever.
35. Weekender Bag
The bag may seem small at first, but I’ve been able to fit a whole week's worth of clothes inside! It’s slightly larger than the average duffel bag. I especially like this bag because it will match any other luggage she may have.
36. Barsys Smart Coaster
This coaster allows her to input a cocktail of her choice. As she pours the ingredients, it will notify her with light when she puts enough.
No more second-guessing, and her drinks will taste great!
37. Shower Bombs
38. Portable LED Bluetooth Speaker
This speaker is of great quality! I was unsure at first because it was so cheap, but it plays music very nicely. It also has fun flashing lights. Compared to more expensive speakers, this is a great bargain. It has a long battery life, and it’s also waterproof.
You can enjoy the LED light show when you are using the portable wireless Bluetooth speaker, and with its 7 patterns of LED lights, your life will become more interesting!
39. Jewelry Holder
I love this ceramic jewelry holder! I have a similar one with a sculpted alpaca and a cactus.
It holds a lot of rings on the cactus, and I put earrings and bracelets on the bottom part. It doesn’t take up lots of desk space, either.
Related: 60 Best 19th Birthday Ideas For a Very Special Day
Personalized 21st Birthday Gift Ideas
40. Personalized Shot Glass Set
Everyone has shot glasses, but not everyone has shot glasses with their name on them. Make the occasion special by noting it on the glasses – it makes for a great gift!
41. Water Bottle
This sixteen-ounce stainless steel water bottle is top-rated. It comes in a variety of fonts and colors. If you’re going to start drinking, you have to keep hydrated in between!
42. Beer Mug
A cold beer mug is a great gift for any beer lover. It is a novelty that can commemorate the special occasion. This cup holds 25 ounces, so you’re sure not to run dry. If a special person in your life is reaching a milestone, they should be celebrated.
Give this legendary beer glass to help make that momentous occasion even more memorable. It's a thoughtful and entertaining present.
43. Flask
Is there an event you need to sneak alcohol into? This eight-ounce flask is perfect for that. The label is reminiscent of old whiskey logos, and is customizable.
44. Friends Wine Glass
This glass is customized with the classic Friends name layout. It’s a simple gift for any Friends fan.
45. Custom Pair of Nike Sneakers
What is better than customized nike shoes! These shoes are trending now.
You can make this classic your own with a color palette inspired by the ‘80s and ‘90s and premium materials including smooth and rippled leather and a new, matching sidewall selection.
They can be worn by anyone, and they come in a multitude of colors and designs.
46. Photobook
This is one of the easiest and most thoughtful personalized gifts to give.
I suggest picking photos from childhood and arranging them chronologically up until age 21.
47. Business Cards
This may sound like a strange gift; however, it may be beneficial depending on the birthday girl/guy’s career.
If this person is already semi-established, giving them business cards can help them with networking.
48. Custom Mug
When the recipient opens this gift, they will think it’s a simple mug. However, once heated up, it reveals a picture of your choice.
Include a 21st birthday design or a picture of friends to spice it up.
49. Blanket
This fleece throw blanket can be printed with up to 9 pictures. Reviews say the colors are vivid and the pictures retain quality.
21st Birthday Gift Ideas That Are Actually Useful
50. Docking Station
I always get home and dump my pockets out on my bed. That mess can be avoided with this incredible wooden organizer.
It has a phone charging station for your smartphones and a hook to hold watches, as well as little compartments for other objects such as glasses and wallets.
It is one of the most useful gifts you can guy for that special person in your life.
51. A Nice Journal
You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get a nice journal. This faux leather journal has a minimalist bee design on the front.
I journal, and I find it important to recall information and gauge my development as a person. Especially at 21, life will begin to change drastically, and journaling is great for processing that change.
52. Rollerball Perfume
Carrying around a whole bottle of perfume everywhere you go is no necessity.
This Michael Kors rollerball perfume is small and perfect for carrying in a purse. It’s great for a quick application on the go.
53. Suit for Interviews
A lot of 21-year-olds are graduating college and searching for their first “big” job. This certainly warrants a nice suit!
54. Adjustable Dumbbells
This gift saves tons of space, because it doesn’t require an entire rack of dumbbells. It comes with the original dumbbell bar, which you can adjust to make it heavier.
55. Briefcase
Depending on the birthday guy/girl’s career, a briefcase may come in handy.
This briefcase is made of leather and has a sleek design. It also expands depending on the contents inside.
56. Wireless Headphones
These wireless headphones are way cheaper than the competitors’, usually clocking in at 50 dollars. They have over 240,000 reviews, most rating them 5 stars. They are waterproof and BlueTooth compatible, and bass enhanced. They may not cost a lot, but they are certainly luxurious!
57. Powerbank
58. George Foreman Grill
This grill is great because it’s so small, and it cooks for four. He can pull a Michael Scott and make anything from morning bacon to burgers on it.
59. Beginner’s Guide to DIY
Anyone moving out may have a small grasp of how to do home improvement. Help the giftee save hundreds on basic repairs by giving them this book!
Related: 80 Best Romantic Gifts for Him – The Ultimate Guide
Cute 21st Birthday Gift Ideas
60. 21st Birthday Gift Set
This includes a bottle opener, bottle stopper, a metal straw, a pair of socks, two coasters, and a birthday card. It’s a perfect starter kit with cute decorations on each part of it.
61. Back in 2000 Decoration
2021 is a perfect year for gifts, because all of the 21-year-olds were born in 2000. This decoration is printed in blue, and it states facts about the year 2000.
They can hang this on their wall, or keep it as a collectible. It also comes with a nice beer glass.
62. Skyline Wall Hook
Get this cute wall hook as a housewarming gift for the 21-year-old moving into their first apartment!
It’s made of metal with hooks that flip in when not in use. It’s of great quality and a nice addition to a new apartment!
63. Homesick Candle
Our childhood memories include lots of smells. When someone moves away after school, it’s nice to be able to have a remnant of home.
These candles are customizable to different cities and are a nice alternative to regular candles.
64. Royal Birthday Gift Basket
This gift set comes in royal blue and is printed with calligraphy phrases, such as “long live the queen.”
It includes a notebook, a coffee mug, a little tray, a candle, a makeup pouch, two bath bombs, streamers, and a card.
65. Boss Lady Mug and Coasters
Being 21 means pursuing new opportunities. Life is moving quickly – why not give her a mug to remind her she’s the boss?
66. Capsule Messages in a Bottle
Each capsule contains a piece of paper to write a note on. It’s such a cute way to express your appreciation for the person receiving the gift!
67. Recipe Box
This vintage-style recipe box is reminiscent of the ones our grandmothers had.
It includes cards to write favorite recipes on, and there are dividers to organize them in the box.
As we grow older, we have our own interests, and we can hold them in this box.
68. Animal Succulent Pots
These tiny succulent holders come in a set of 6 different animals. They’re great for someone who has no succulents and wants to start, or for someone who has a large collection.
Non-Alcoholic 21st Birthday Gift Ideas
69. Tears of My Enemies Flask
Why give a boring flask as a gift when they could have this? This is a great gag gift for anybody.
It can hold 6oz of your favorite liquid and it is just overall just an awesomely original gift.
It will be a great addition to an office or a dorm.
70. Mocktail Recipe Book
Drinks can be fun without alcohol! This book contains 75 recipes for a variety of drinks, including classics, brunch drinks, and dessert drinks.
71. CraveBox Care Package
If someone doesn’t drink, why not provide snacks? These will last for months.
The box includes sweet treats, such as fruit snacks, and healthier snacks, such as granola bars.
These are perfect for school or the office.
72. Japanese and Korean Snack Pack
Japan is known to offer an insane variety of flavors in its snacks.
This pack is great for someone who already enjoys these snacks, but it’s also a great cultural introduction to something new for the person who hasn’t tried them!
73. Back Massager
Aging comes with more back pain. Alleviate it with this back massager. It’s small and has straps that connect to any chair. It also has a heating mechanism.
74. Non-Alcoholic Wine
This set comes with red and white wine, along with some recipes for cooking.
75. Juice Extractor
This might sound like a strange gift, but bear with me. I’m a person who loves lemonade. I’ve made fresh-squeezed lemonade before and it takes forever!
It’s a lot of squeezing, and it takes a lot of lemons. This juicer will reduce that time and help make delicious lemonade!
76. One-Cup Coffee Maker
This coffee maker is the perfect size for an apartment. It brews 6 to 12 ounces, perfect for a thermos. It’s also easy to clean.
77. Smoothie Cookbook
Everybody likes a good smoothie. This book can help anyone, from the average person to the health nut to the vegan.
Reviews state that there is a great variety of simple, healthy recipes to make.
78. Japanese Soda Drinks
This is an interesting alternative to American soda. It’s a lot more appealing to say “hey, I bought you a nice variety of Japanese sodas!” than “I bought you two bottles of Coca-Cola!”
Related: 80 Best Sentimental Gifts for Best Friends – The Ultimate 2021 Guide
Final Thoughts
Turning 21 can be a time of anxiety for some. Being an adult can be scary, but it’s up to those who are around them to be the greatest source of support. Hopefully, a nice gift can be a source of that support!
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