The best 50th birthday gift ideas for women and men that they'll use and appreciate

RRP: $69 | If your recipient is an avid follower of astrology, this dazzling Ephemeris talisman bracelet is sure to impress. All you'll need is her birthdate and time of birth to create a one-of-a-kind charm based on her astrology birth chart. It also comes with three personalized reports, including a 2022 horoscope that'll prepare the birthday gal for her year ahead.

RRP: $36 | A 50th birthday is also known as a golden jubilee. Help her commemorate this incredible milestone (and appeal to her sweet tooth) with these fancy lollipops that contain flecks of edible 24K gold on the inside. They'd also make great party favors if you're planning to throw a 50th birthday bash. 

RRP: $20 | Your giftee's night skincare routine may need to change as she enters her 50s. This pair of rejuvenating, hydrating products from Youth to the People is a great place to start. The Glow to Sleep Set includes an overnight face mask plus an eye cream, each formulated with YTTP's proprietary blend of antioxidant-rich berries that'll make her complexion absolutely radiant.

RRP: From $40 | Everyone could use a reminder every now and again about how amazing they are. Create a personalized canvas that outlines the 50 reasons why the birthday gal is beloved, which she can look at whenever she needs a hit of positive affirmation. (The hardest part will likely be whittling the list of reasons down to 50.) Multiple sizes are available.

RRP: $58 | Blowing out candles on the cake and making a wish is becoming outdated due to Covid. But birthday wish-making doesn't have to go away completely. This intention necklace has a small compartment where she can store a small slip of paper that contains her dreams for the next decade. Top it off with her favorite gemstone out of lapis lazuli, rose quartz, coral jade or agate.

RRP: $170 | If the birthday lady has expressed an interest in improving her health and wellness upon turning 50, gift her one of the best fitness trackers so she can easily keep tabs on her progress. The Versa 3 is one of the best Fitbits on the market right now and monitors everything from sleep quality and stress levels to heart rate and total steps walked. Best of all, it's very user-friendly so even the least tech-savvy individual will have no trouble setting it up. 

RRP: From $45 per month | The voracious reader (who also enjoys caffeine) will enjoy receiving a BookBrews subscription box every month. Each box contains the best books from her favorite genre, a high-quality chocolate bar and a sample of either coffee or tea. It's the best way for her to find new favorites to consume.

RRP: From $50 | Spafinder gift cards are the best 50th birthday gift idea for the lady who is long overdue for a day of primping and pampering. They can be redeemed at thousands of spa and salon locations across the USA, including major chains like Hand & Stone, the Ritz-Carlton and Bliss Spa.  

RRP: $70 | The Echo Show 8 is a smart speaker-cum-display with Amazon's reliable Alexa voice assistant built in. It will allow her to call up and follow recipes, play music and make video calls to faraway friends and family. Of course, she'll also be able to watch her favourite TV shows on the 8-inch HD screen too.

RRP: $36 | Sleeping on a satin pillowcase can reduce skin irritation and hair damage. With this 3-piece satin sleep gift set, she'll not only wake up refreshed but she also won't have to spend as much time fixing her hair or face in the morning. It comes with a pillowcase, eye mask, and scrunchie in four color choices. 

RRP: From $50 | Whether she plans to stay in a mountain cabin or has her sights set on renting a private island, an Airbnb gift card will help fund whatever grand vacation plans she has. If she's still hesitant to travel at the moment, no worries — Airbnb gift cards never expire so she can redeem hers as soon as she's ready to go.

RRP: $200 | Massage guns are one of the best gifts for runners, but they're also practical for anyone who needs ample recovery after an intense workout or even just a long day out. Theragun is a brand that's trusted among some of the world's top athletes, and this handheld model is portable enough to bring anywhere. It comes with a carry case, ball attachment, and power adapter.   

RRP: $20 | A new decade of life means there are plenty of opportunities to create more everlasting memories. If she needs some inspiration for making her 50s her best era yet, this assortment of bucket list items will point her in the right direction. It includes 25 wooden prompt sticks plus a pencil so she can commemorate the date on which she made one of her dreams a reality. 

RRP: $190 | The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best eReaders you can buy. The Signature Edition comes with 32GB of internal storage and an auto-adjusting front light so she'll be able to see what she's reading no matter how bright or dim her surroundings are. And it's super lightweight at 7 oz., perfect for enjoying eBooks during her morning commute, while lounging on the beach or just before she goes to bed.

RRP: $369 | Matcha is one of the best healthy drinks for a quick pick-me-up thanks to its rich antioxidants. With this kit, she'll become a matcha maven in no time — and perhaps turn it into a fun new hobby, too. This electric grinder yields results identical to the more painstaking process of using a bamboo whisk and stone mill. The matcha can be poured into milk, sparkling water, or even a cocktail.

RRP: From $109 | A practical gift that comes into its own when someone reaches the menopause, help her fight potential hot flashes with this copper-infused cooling pillow from Layla. It's filled with kapok fibers and shredded memory foam, which can be added for a fuller pillow or removed for those who prefer thin pillows, meaning it's totally customizable for the recipient to find their perfect height and comfort level. 

RRP: $15 | FOMO (or Fear Of Missing Out) tends to be a younger person's problem. But as we become older and wiser, we begin to experience JOMO — the Joy Of Missing Out. This journal serves as a reminder that it's okay to decline those nights out with friends or after work parties so we can focus on the most important person in our lives: ourselves. One of the best self-help books that doesn't posit itself as such.

RRP: From $36 | The five rings on this necklace symbolize each full decade of a person's life. It's a subtle way to celebrate a full life lived so far and embrace the next chapter of life ahead. Choose from two chain lengths plus four finishes — we'd recommend selecting gold, which is the traditional gift for a 50th birthday. There's also a small initial tag, which you can personalize with her first initial. 

RRP: $45 | Harry & David is known for their gourmet goodies, but especially their pears. This tasty (and healthy) gift includes seven Royal Verano pears — including one wrapped in gold foil for a nod to traditional 50th birthday gifting. You can express your best wishes to the recipient via the included Happy Birthday placard. 

RRP: $169 | She'll be able to replicate salon quality 'dos with the GHD Glide hot brush. If she laments that her hair could use more body and shine, this is the best straightening brush to get the job done. Its ceramic-coated paddle will give her locks plenty of sheen and body. It'll also help keep frizzies at bay. 

RRP: $50 | For the man who indulges in Hot Ones on YouTube, this kit will allow him to concoct his very own sauces for dabbing. It includes ancho pasillas, chipotle, habanero and a ghost pepper — along with bottles, labels and a recipe book. Just make sure he already has one of the best blenders so he can seamlessly blend everything together. 

RRP: $40 | This fashionable bracelet is more than good looks. It features a multi-functional knife with a flat head screwdriver on the tip. So no matter where he goes he'll be able to cut open boxes, slice fruit, fix a loose doorknob and much more. No need to worry about getting it wet, either, as it's made from rust-resistant stainless steel. 

RRP: $40 | He'll never have to worry about ingrown hairs or razor bumps again with this battery-powered deep cleansing brush from The Art of Shaving. Whether he's still rocking that quarantine-era beard or prefers just a small bit of stubble, this device will make maintaining his desired look a lot easier. (And maybe he'll stop borrowing your best facial cleansing brush in the process.)

RRP: From $49 | Here's a creative way to celebrate a special guy's first 50 years of life. You'll be able to share 20 to 85 of your favorite photos together, depending on the size of the print. (Six sizes are available — from 8x10" to 24x36".) You can further customize it with a special birthday message at the bottom, as well. 

RRP: $19 | Perhaps he's spent the last several decades going full throttle, never finding any time to relax and be one with nature. With this Nature Meditations Deck, he'll be able to connect with the outdoors—and himself. It includes 60 prompts to encourage mindfulness, meditation, and visualization. Watch all of his stress and worries melt away.

RRP: $200 | The Jabra Elite 85t Earbuds are among the best on the market right now. With 11 levels of noise cancellation, he can listen to his favorite songs or podcasts while also being mindful of his surroundings — a huge plus if he's commuting or exercising outdoors. Other features include six built-in mics for crystal clear call quality plus up to 31 hours of battery life.

RRP: From $59 per month | If he has a keen interest in mixology this subscription box is a fantastic way to introduce him to an array of new concoctions. Each box contains three drink recipes sourced from top bartenders plus enough ingredients to make 12 drinks. Every month features a different type of liquor as the theme; he can opt to skip any he doesn't fancy and wait until the following month.

RRP: $199 | This is for the gent who wants a smartwatch that boasts a traditional design. It features Wear OS by Google — which means the wearer can call upon Google Assistant to tell the time, answer phone calls or check his fitness stats. He can also use this Fossil smartwatch to make contactless payments via Google Pay, and further customize it with his choice of Always-On Display dials and interchangeable bands.

RRP: From $180 | Whoever said an old dog can't learn new tricks is dead wrong. With a year's subscription to Masterclass, he can take courses from world-renowned pros from numerous fields. From cooking with Gordon Ramsay to scientific problem solving with Bill Nye, the possibilities to expand his abilities and knowledge will be endless.

RRP: $219 | Help him introduce a new decade with a fun, new hobby—like making nitro cold brew at home. And here's an added bonus: he can save time and money by doing it himself instead of hopping over to Starbucks. This kit is one of the best coffee makers for people who want something a little different and comes with everything needed for nitro brewing, with refill kits available so he can keep the coffee flowing. Better still, he can make his cold brew just the way he likes it every time, too.

RRP: $182 | He'll be the hero of every tailgate or camping trip with this portable gas grill from Cuisinart. It features a 9,000 BTU stainless steel burner, a fold-out propane tank, a 154 sq. in. enameled cast iron grate, and a serving/cutting board. The modular design makes it simple for him to tote it from one location to the next.  

RRP: From $10 | No doubt the birthday guy wants to make the most of this sixth decade, but perhaps he could use some inspiration. That's where this handy book comes in. Bear in mind that the tone of this book is less 'bucket list' and more 'life hacks' — but they're all very useful tips, nonetheless. Purchase it in paperback or for Kindle.

RRP: From $50 | Has he ever wanted to drive a stock car or fly a jetpack? With Virgin Experience Gifts, he can take advantage of those experiences and so much more. An eGift card will allow him to choose the activity or getaway he wants most. Best of all, there's no pressure for him to select something if he's not ready to travel right now, because these gift cards never expire.

RRP: From $25 | If he likes to take his drinks on the go, this S'well bottle is one of the best water bottles for a stylish and sustainable choice. This double-walled, vacuum-sealed teakwood bottle keeps drinks warm for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 24. It also has a wide mouth to accommodate ice cubes or bits of frozen fruit. 

RRP: From $55 | If your birthday guy digs puzzles, he'll get a kick out of this gift idea. You can turn the front page of the New York Times from the day he was born into a 500 or 1,000 piece puzzle to put together. Once he completes the puzzle, he can read all of the top headlines from the day he entered the world. 

RRP: From $33 | Treat him to a one-of-a-kind wallet with an engraving that looks like a handwritten message from you. Not only is it unique, but it's also practical — with two money pockets, 10 card slots (including two that are hidden), and a flip-up ID window so he won't have to take out his ID card whilst traveling. Choose from black or brown leather. 

RRP: $169 | Celebrate his golden birthday with a pair of personalized cufflinks featuring a 14K gold vermeil rope border. They also have a satin-finished sterling silver center, which contains an engraving of his initials. Whether he's off to a wedding or a business meeting, these classy cuff links will add a nice final touch to his look. 

RRP: From $49 | If you have plenty of videos featuring the birthday guy, an Heirloom Custom Video Book is an amazing way to share your fondest memories. Choose from a 10 or 20 minute video book, which will loop for up to an hour on a single charge. (A USB charging cable is included.) Best of all, no WiFi or additional equipment is required — he'll just have to open and view.

RRP: From $75 | If your man is re-evaluating his diet upon turning 50, give him the gift of Hungryroot. This all-in-one recipe and grocery service is committed to delivering sustainably-packaged healthy foods based on an individual's dietary needs and preferences. This way, he'll never be too busy to eat mindfully. Purchase up to four weeks' worth of food delivery at a max of $500. 

RRP: From $75 | If he longs for the day of analog, get him a surprise assortment of vinyl records. Just select your budget and fill out a short survey to ensure the selections are in line with his musical tastes. Note that there's currently a 6-week processing time so make sure to order in enough time for it to arrive by his 50th birthday.