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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
The title really says it: This classic cookbook covers all the basics and might even keep your 21-year-old from searching the internet for "how do I make mashed potatoes?" This version is updated with photography and will load a new cook with confidence.
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4
A Little Something for Her
Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit
4
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.
5
Pretty Keepsake
Birth Month Flower Glass
5
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.
6
Unique Birthday Gift on Amazon
1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The World as You've Never Seen It Before
6
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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8
Personalized Gift Idea
Birthdate Co. Personalized Astrological Birth Chart Book
8
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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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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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.
15
Any Guy Will Appreciate This
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
15
Any Guy Will Appreciate This
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
Now 13% Off
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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Jewelry for Your Daughter
Kendra Scott Elisa 14k Gold-Plated Brass Necklace
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Jewelry for Your Daughter
Kendra Scott Elisa 14k Gold-Plated Brass Necklace
Layering Kendra Scott necklaces is all the rage with the young women. This classic chain holds a gem that's available in Night Opal (shown), Amethyst, Abalone Shell, many different reds — there are plenty to choose from so you can find the color that suits her.
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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!
18
For When They're Hungover
Bivvclaz 2 Liter Glass Pitcher With Lid
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For When They're Hungover
Bivvclaz 2 Liter Glass Pitcher With Lid
Whether your 21-year-old uses this for iced tea, flavored water or a homemade sangria it's a nice adult-level glass carafe for a bargain price. (Pair this gift with a pack of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier electrolyte drink mix and they'll be even more grateful when they wake up hungover the day after their 21st birthday bash.)
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or opinions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into the different concepts mentioned:
Review Process:
The article mentions that the author has been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. While it's not possible for a single person to have been researching for that long, it's likely a typo or exaggeration. The phrase "independently researching and testing products" suggests that the author has been conducting product reviews and evaluations to provide recommendations to readers. However, without further context or specific information about the author or publication, it's difficult to verify the claim.
21st Birthday Gift Ideas:
The article discusses various gift ideas for individuals celebrating their 21st birthday. It mentions that 21 is a significant milestone in the United States because it is the legal drinking age. As a result, many of the gift ideas revolve around alcohol-related items such as flasks, wine bags, and wine glasses. However, the article also suggests alternative gift ideas beyond alcohol, such as kitchen items, jewelry, books, games, and personalized gifts.
Gift Recommendations:
The article provides a list of gift recommendations for 21st birthdays. Here are some of the items mentioned:
- Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera: This camera allows users to print photos instantly without the need for film or ink cartridges. It uses sticky-backed ZINK photo paper. [[1]]
- BruMate Glitter Flask: A compact stainless steel flask that can easily fit into a bag. [[2]]
- How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman: A classic cookbook that covers various cooking basics. [[3]]
- Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit: A small pouch containing various essentials for a night out, such as double-sided tape, dental floss, lip balm, and stain remover. [[4]]
- Birth Month Flower Glass: Glasses featuring different birth flowers to commemorate the 21st birthday. [[5]]
- 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The World as You've Never Seen It Before: A travel guide featuring beautiful photography. [[6]]
- 21st Birthday Wine Bag: A decorative wine bag to make a bottle of wine more special. [[7]]
- Birthdate Co. Personalized Astrological Birth Chart Book: A fabric-bound, fully customized book based on the birthday celebrant's astrological birth chart. [[8]]
- Mixology & Craft 10-Piece Bartender Kit: A bartender kit for those interested in mixing co*cktails. [[9]]
- These Cards Will Get You Drunk Adult Drinking Game: A drinking game for entertainment. [[10]]
- Adios Fake ID Glass: A stemless glass with a humorous design. [[11]]
- Clear Stadium Bag: A clear bag suitable for events that require clear bags for security purposes. [[12]]
- Kendra Scott Elisa 14k Gold-Plated Brass Necklace: A necklace with a gemstone pendant. [[16]]
- Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler: A durable straw cup suitable for various beverages. [[17]]
- Bivvclaz 2 Liter Glass Pitcher With Lid: A glass pitcher for serving drinks. [[18]]
- Lululemon 2L Everywhere Belt Bag: A versatile belt bag available in different designs. [[19]]
- VINEBOX Dinner Party 9-Pack: A pack of nine different wines for tasting. [[20]]
Please note that the information provided above is based on the snippets from search results and the content of this article. It's always a good idea to research further and read reviews before making any purchasing decisions.