40 Best 21st Birthday Gifts They'll Cheers To
With plenty of non-alcohol themed ideas for them.
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A 21st birthday is a huge milestone. You can finally buy a drink legally, you might be graduating from college or starting your first job and you begin to take on a greater sense of responsibility (erm, maybe). But when it comes to the perfect gift for 20-somethings, it can run the gamut — luckily, we can help you narrow it down when it comes to 21st birthday gift ideas.
You can almost guarantee that they won’t be opposed to wine centered presents, beer related gifts or cool drinking glasses. But, if you are looking for more unique options for your sister, best friend, a boyfriend, girlfriend or other Gen Zer who is about to hit the big 21, we have included several ideas that aren’t centered around alcohol, too.
A thoughtful item like decor they can use in their apartment or a practical pick like a brand-new luggage set for all of their upcoming travels are winners in our book. Plus, they’ll love anything that really taps into their interests and hobbies, or makes them feel a little more adult.
With this list that spans a wide range of price points, you are bound to find inspiration to help them celebrate 21 in the best way possible.
Kodak Digital Instant Print Camera
No film or ink cartridges necessary — they can simply load this camera up with Kodak's sticky-backed ZINK photo paper and start capturing memories ASAP.
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!
He's 21 now, so it's time for him to get organized. He can start with all of his grooming gear after you get him this super sleek toiletry bag.
Some say that a key is the custom gift to give to a 21-year-old. And luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money to give a sweet pendant. This is adorable and dainty.
While they're out drinking, you'll want to make sure they're staying safe, and this cute and practical drink cover can help. Reviewers love that it's discreet and easy to use. "I bought this for all of my daughters and their friends. It’s a cute way to keep your drinks safe from predators! I love that is comes in several colors so it’s easier to identify whose drink is whose !!!," an Amazon reviewer said.
If you want to see this kid/adult really go places, inspire them with a deluxe hardcover edition of this well-loved guide featuring gorgeous photography.
Dating at any age can be rough, but at least this book will help them laugh through it. "Aesthetically, the book is BEAUTIFUL and colorful, but the writing is extremely impressive! Tons of voice, humor, heart and WISE, expert-level dating advice," an Amazon reviewer raved.
Want to make them LOL? Look no further than this gift. A bonus is that they'll likely run out of toilet paper, and will be so happy they have this to use.
Wish bracelets are such a nice idea. Basically, they will make a wish before they put it on, and when it eventually falls off, the wish is supposed to come true!
Travel Backpack
They are ready to see the world on their own now, so make sure they can do it as cool and convenient as possible. This viral travel backpack earns high-praise thanks to it's size and the detachable crossbody bag it comes with.
A custom piece without the hefty price. This adorable case features their name and birth flower, making it extra special.
We love a useful gift, and it doesn't get more useful than a bottle opener that can hang on his keys. Sure, it can be used for alcoholic drinks, but it'll also come in handy for other drinks.
When they 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.
No idea what to get him? Try a personalized book! You can pick the cover color, dedication and photos to go in it as it tells all the reasons why he's so special.
He might be moving away from home soon. Or, maybe he's leaving college and heading back home. Either way, you can get him a custom map poster to remind him of the city he loves the most.
Give the gift of a red, white or rosé you think they'd like tucked into this 21st birthday decorative wine bag. It will make the bottle more special!
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're just looking for something small and funny, this drinking game will definitely get the party started.
According to Google, this is one of the most-searched gift ideas of the last year — and it's no wonder, given that it comes in tons of fun designs (including clear and fleece) and it's surprisingly spacious.
Lean into them being legal with this fun way to taste nine different very grown-up wines.
RELATED: The Very Best Wine Delivery Services
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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