65+ birthday gifts to add to your wish list
Kids aren’t the only ones who get excited about birthday gifts. You can be a full-grown adult and still lose your shit when you open up the gift that topped your wish list. But as you get older, it does become a little more difficult to come up with a list of birthday gift ideas. You can’t just ask for all the coolest new toys anymore. Well, you can if you want — we’re not going to stop you.
If your birthday is coming up and you’re struggling to think of what you want, don’t sweat it. We compiled the ultimate birthday wish list, with gifts ranging from tech to outdoor essentials to home goods. To make your search easier, we’ve separated our gift ideas into categories: Our current favorite birthday gifts, gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts $50 to $150, and gifts $150+.
Read on for some birthday inspo and start casually dropping hints to your friends and family. And hey, happy birthday!
Our top picks
Color-changing smart light bulbs
I have put a Hue light bulb in every lamp in my apartment, and it’s so rare that I use the Big Light now. These color-changing bulbs let me dim the lights when I want to relax or emit fun colors while I’m watching a movie. And the best part is, I don’t have to get out of bed to turn the lights off at night.
A digital camera that captures film-style photos
I love taking and having film photos, but 1) film is expensive, and 2) all of the film cameras I have are chunky. The Camp Snap camera is an amazing alternative. It’s digital and incredibly lightweight — and the pictures truly do look like they were taken on film. They’re clear yet stylized enough to give that vintage feel. And you can take multiple versions of the same shot without feeling like you’re wasting film.
Coffee from around the world
I personally don’t drink coffee, but my dad is a big coffee guy. I got him and his wife a three-month subscription to Atlas Coffee Club for Christmas and they freakin’ loved it. They sent me a text every month to let me know where their coffee came from, and they love trying new roasts from around the world. Each month, you get coffee beans and a postcard from different countries, so you get to try beans you can’t get from your grocery store. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.
A new Kindle
Listen, I used to be such a physical books-only kind of person. Then I bought a Kindle Paperwhite, and it changed my reading game for good. I’m able to easily take the e-reader on the plane, to the beach, or even in the bathtub (shoutout to the Paperwhite being waterproof). Plus, I can read library books for free from the Libby app. If you’re a reader, trust me when I say a Kindle should be at the top of your birthday list this year.
A gorgeous TV that doubles as art
Samsung’s The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that’s worth it.
Birthday gifts under $25
Elevate your cooking game
We love a multi-functional product, and this 2-in-1 oil dispenser would be a great addition to your kitchen. It pours and sprays, so you can drizzle olive oil or coat a pan for cooking without reaching for two separate bottles.
Whatever you want from Amazon
If your Amazon wish list is calling your name, ask for an Amazon gift card for your birthday. Get the present you’ve been dreaming of on someone else’s dime.
Learn something new
You’ve successfully completed one more trip around the sun, so to celebrate, develop a new skill or indulge a passion by taking an IRL class on the subject of your choice. Coursehorse partners with real-world instructors and schools in major cities to offer nearly 70,000 classes in subjects such as art, language, music, cooking, self-defense, gardening, and anything else you could possibly want.
Simple Lego flowers
Lego sets can be pretty freakin’ expensive, but if you’re looking for some more budget-friendly building kits for your birthday list, we’ve found a fun one. It includes two buildable roses that you can display after you’ve put them together. Wilting not included!
A delicious-smelling candle
Paddywax candles are unbeatable. They smell amazing, have cute designs, and won’t break the bank. Scents range from fruity to savory to musky to floral. I personally love the wisteria & willow and fresh air & sea salt scents.
A puzzle with a few tricks up its sleeve
Magic Puzzle Company makes incredibly fun 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles that have a secret envelope for you to open when you’re done. This surprise envelope unlocks a “magical twist ending,” so placing that final piece will be even more exciting. The intricate designs feature tons of little Easter eggs, like puzzle pieces in the shape of items in the scene. The Big Rock City puzzle has a hot dog-shaped piece and music note-shaped piece to name a couple.
Somewhere to put your headphones
Rather than laying your headphones throughout your home or having them clutter up your desk, ask for a universal headphone stand for your birthday. This one is compatible with almost any pair of over-ear headphones or gaming headsets — and it has a pretty sleek look, too.
A stylish candle warmer lamp
Big candle fan? Then a candle warmer should be on your birthday list. It helps your candle last longer and you don’t need an open flame burning in your home. And if you’re going to ask for a candle warmer, make it a cute one. With a glass lamp shade, this warmer blends seamlessly into your home decor.
Backup battery for your phone
This portable charger from Anker is great for travel or being out on the town all day. It has enough juice to recharge your phone a couple of times, and it comes in four colors.
Cold hard cash
You really can’t beat the gift of cold, hard cash — or a gift card. A Visa card is a perfect birthday gift because you can spend it on literally whatever you want; buy yourself something fun or get some help with groceries. Best of all, you don’t need to decide exactly what you want before your birthday. The gift card starts at $10.
New reading materials
Support independent bookstores from around the country with a gift card to Bookshop. Starting at $10, the gift cards can either be used to buy books from a specific shop you love, or the purchase can feed the site’s profit-sharing pool to benefit all of Bookshop’s partner stores.
Gifts $25 to $50
A way to keep track of your keys
In our opinion, the first thing you add to your keyring should be an AirTag. You can monitor where they are in Apple’s Find My app, and you’ll get an alert on your phone if you ever leave them behind somewhere.
The viral Owala FreeSip reusable water bottle
The Owala FreeSip is a fan-favorite and Mashable staff-favorite reusable water bottle. The innovative spout lets you sip like a straw or chug like a cup. Plus, the bottles come in super cute color combinations.
A personalized Yeti mug
This Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug is a great size for both true coffee lovers and beer drinkers. It can also hold two Moscow mules, according to Yeti, if that’s more your speed. The Rambler is available in an array of fun and neutral colors. Plus, you can customize it with an etched design or monogram. For just $6 to $10, you can choose designs from Yeti’s library or upload your own file.
Our favorite incense
I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of the incense smell you’d experience in your local Earth Magic shop. However, I’ve become obsessed with Seth Rogen’s incense droplets from the Houseplant x ripple collab. The scents are room-filling without being overpowering, and they smell amazing. My apartment feels so cozy every time I light one of these little incense cones. I’ll definitely be buying more once I run out, and giving these as gifts to everyone I know.
Mini zodiac cupcakes
Birthday cake is the standard, but might we suggest this fun alternative: mini cupcakes selected by an astrologer specifically for your zodiac sign. This Baked by Melissa offering comes with 25 cupcakes, and the flavors vary depending on your sign — though there are some fan-favorites that show up in each zodiac variation. These also make for a great last-minute ask if you’re in Manhattan or Boston, as there’s same-day delivery for select locations.
A cast iron skillet
A cast iron skillet is the true sign that you’re graduating from cheap nonstick cookware and all mismatched plates. It’s something you probably want, but don’t particularly want to spend the money on. Lodge has different sizes depending on what you want to cook.
A Lego set that doubles as decor
One of our favorite gifts under $50 is this Lego Orchid that’s fun to build and adds a nice touch of greenery to your space that feels more unique than a plastic plant. This set is part of the Lego Icons line, which also features succulents, a bonsai tree, and a bouquet, in case orchids aren’t your thing.
A smart speaker
Find yourself wondering out loud what the weather will be like today, or how to convert cups to liters? Add an Echo device into your home and get answers to all of your formerly rhetorical musings. The Echo Dot is also a decent low-key speaker.
A media streaming stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming devices we’ve tested, and it’s also one of our favorite birthday gift ideas. It can turn your old TV into a smart TV, or take it on vacation to access your streaming services without logging in on the Airbnb TV.
The delicious scent without the fire hazard
If candles are a no-go, opt for a Bluetooth-enabled diffuser to make any room in your home smell divine. The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser holds two fragrances and is controlled entirely through the app. Schedule one scent to wake up to and one to fall asleep to with the in-app calendar feature. Pura collaborates with brands like NEST, Anthropologie, Disney, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to source their scents, so whatever the occasion calls for, they’ve got your back.
Gifts $50 to $150
A custom neon sign
Pick out a funny phrase, inside joke, or family name and get a custom sign in as little as one week. It might sound too good to be true, but Mashable editors have ordered from this Amazon storefront before and had a great experience. In fact, this is one of our favorite undiscovered gems on Amazon.
Coffee from around the world
Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription that sends you coffee beans and postcards from a different country each month. So, you get to try roasts you probably can’t get from your grocery store, and you get to learn about a new place — and maybe get some travel inspo. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.
A personal blender for morning and night
Make protein shakes, smoothies, or margaritas with ease with the Ninja Blast Max portable blender. It holds up to 22 ounces, and the blending cup detaches so you can drink right out of it. The Blast Max comes in fun shades like blue raspberry, pink lemon, moss green, and lavender.
An endless supply of veggies and herbs
Whether you’re an enthusiastic home chef, like a bit of greenery, or simply can’t stand running to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for some cilantro, a hydroponic garden is a great way to keep veggies and herbs on hand, even if you don’t have a green thumb.
Film vibes from a digital camera
Film photos are back in a big way, but not all of us have the patience to fill up an entire roll and then wait for it to get developed. Camp Snap is a really neat camera that takes film-esque photos and stores them on an SD card so you can pull them to your computer or phone and post them immediately. It’s super lightweight and has a pretty low profile compared to film cameras, making it easy to slip into your purse or pocket on a night out.
A tea and coffee lover’s best friend
There’s a certain electric gooseneck kettle that’s beloved by design nerds, but that’s also a tad overpriced (more than a tad, really). Instead, make the smart choice and opt for the infinitely more practical Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. It still has plenty of charm — not to mention pre-set buttons for tea, coffee, and boiling water.
A pack of disposable cameras
We have a couple of camera options on this list, but sometimes you really just want that classic disposable camera experience. You’ll capture some fun, in-the-moment memories with no do-overs. A three-pack of disposable cameras costs $79.99 (these have become kind of expensive since the invention of digital/phone cameras).
Fancy olive oils
This is one of our favorite gifts to give someone who’s difficult to shop for, so it also makes a great gift to ask for when you aren’t sure what you want. Brightland makes infused olive oils that come in super cute bottles. This set includes four mini bottles of chili, garlic, lemon, and basil-flavored olive oils. Your kitchen will feel elevated with these on display and in your cooking rotation.
Our favorite creator mic
The DJI Mic Mini is wildly popular amongst creators on TikTok, and for good reason. It’s easy to use and actually sounds great. It’s maybe not ideal for large productions, but for social video, it’s awesome.
Color-changing smart light bulbs
Turn your bedroom into a party with these color-changing smart light bulbs. You can control the lights from your phone and set whatever mood you’re feeling. This kit includes two smart Bluetooth bulbs.
Something to make your life a little more eco-friendly
Whether you’re packing your lunch or storing leftovers, using plastic bags should be your last resort. Heck, you should be trying to stay away from all single-use plastics if you’re able to. But, if you want to start small, these Stasher bags are a great option to make your daily life more eco-friendly. These silicone bags are secure and completely reusable — either wash them by hand or stuff them in the dishwasher. Grab a starter pack for $99.99.
A beginner-friendly sewing machine
Sewing has become a popular hobby amongst TikTokkers, and whether you’ve never touched a sewing machine in your life or you’re just in need of a new one, the Singer M1150 is a solid machine for sewists of all levels. It hits all your basics at a reasonable price point.
A year of ad-free music
Maybe a Spotify Premium membership isn’t in your budget this year, or maybe it’s a monthly bill you’d just rather have someone else foot for you. Whatever the case, add a 12-month Spotify subscription gift card to your b-day list. It’s especially great if you’ve got someone shopping for you who notoriously waits until the last minute to buy gifts, since it can be delivered via email or text.
Luxurious towels
Multiple Mashable staff members revere Brooklinen towels as the softest towels ever. The brand’s bath sheets are bigger than a standard bath towel, meaning you feel more coziness and less cold air as you step out of the shower.
The smart temperature-controlled mug
There’s a lot of debate about what makes a good gift, but getting something that is a) practical and b) something just extravagant enough that you’d never get it for yourself may be the infallibly perfect combo. We think for coffee and tea drinkers, that combo is found in the Ember Mug 2. This temperature-controlled mug may be unnecessary, but boy, does it feel good to take a hot sip of coffee after forgetting you poured it an hour ago.
A cute travel bag
You’ve probably seen Baboon to the Moon bags if you’ve been online in the last half-decade. They’re bright and colorful (or muted and neutral if you’d rather), and come in three sizes to fit your travel needs.
The gift of clean air
We know, we know, an air purifier is not the sexiest gift, but it is a practical one. The Levoit Core 300S is a smart air purifier with a companion app that lets you control the device and see real-time stats about your home’s air quality. It’s suitable for spaces up to 1,095 square feet.
A portable, waterproof speaker
Beach days and outdoor adventures are made complete with your favorite playlist. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker that can handle the elements while still providing stellar sound quality. It’s waterproof, rust- and drop-resistant, and even floats. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. For even bigger sound, try the Bose SoundLink Max.
A 3-in-1 portable fan
Beat the summer heat with Shark’s 3-in-1 portable fan. It has 10 fan speeds, a misting attachment, and a cooling plate attachment. Whether your warmer months are filled with outdoor concerts or buildings without AC, you’re going to want to add the Shark ChillPill to your birthday list.
Gifts $150+
A new Kindle
The Mashable team has tested every Kindle e-reader, and we think the Kindle Paperwhite is the right e-reader for most people. Instead of asking for a book, ask for a Kindle for your birthday and save yourself money and space. Sure, it doesn’t smell the same as a new book, but now you’ll have no excuses for not keeping up with your yearly reading resolutions.
The viral Hatch alarm clock
Intrigued by sleepmaxxing? The Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock could help you get a better night’s rest. It’s designed to help you create a bedtime routine to help you fall asleep more easily. It’s packed with different sleep sounds and light levels to ease you in and out of sleep.
Sleep earbuds that also track your sleep
The Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds are our top pick for the best sleep earbuds. Our tester liked their noise cancellation, comfort and fit, reliable performance, and sleep data. The sleep tracking was more accurate than data from a sleep-tracking phone app.
A desk you can take anywhere
If you work remotely, you gotta get this portable desk from Logitech. The Casa Pop-Up Desk includes a wireless keyboard, wireless trackpad, and a desk stand that doubles as a discreet and stylish carrying case. It comes in three colors, so you can match your aesthetic. This is an especially great tool if you like working from coffee shops or moving around while you work.
A new comforter
Comforters, like a mattress, shouldn’t be an item you cheap out on. They’re supposed to last you a while, so why not have something a little more luxurious? The Buffy Cloud comforter is a sustainable comforter made from recycled fiber and eucalyptus. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart reviewed it, calling it “the first piece of bedding I’ve used that actually feels kind of dreamy.”
Sony’s bass-heavy headphones
Sony’s ULT Power Sound lineup is for true bass lovers. The ULT Wears have Sony’s impressive sound quality and noise cancellation, and are made even more impressive by the addition of the ULT button, which punches up the bass two additional levels. These headphones are booming, and the best part is they’re relatively budget-friendly.
A pressure cooker and air fryer in one
Your new favorite kitchen appliance: a pressure cooker that can air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, slow cook, prepare rice, steam, sauté, and more. Impress guests with your culinary skills (that are in fact just throwing all the ingredients listed in the recipe into this thing and then waiting a few hours).
A trusty pet camera
If you’re anything like us, you view your pet like it’s your actual child. We support that. Now, you can up your pet parent game by picking up a Furbo pet camera. Not only does it livestream what your pet is up to while you aren’t home straight to your phone, but it also has the ability to toss treats and produce two-way audio for quick check-ins.
Design-friendly humidifier
There’s something to be said for a product that can marry form and function, and this Vitruvi humidifier does just that. Admittedly, $229 is probably a hefty price for a humidifier you’re buying for yourself, but it’s a great splurge gift if you prefer your household appliances not be eyesores.
Your own personal ice cream maker
If you’re as chronically online as we are, you’ve likely seen people whipping up frozen treat concoctions with the Ninja Creami. The countertop ice cream maker has presets for gelato, ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and mix-ins if you want to channel your inner Dairy Queen. You do need to freeze your ingredients beforehand, so it’s not an instantaneous sweet treat fix, but you have creative freedom to try out whichever flavors your sweet tooth desires.
A portable, smokeless fire pit
Whether you’re a hardcore camper or you just like unwinding with a few beers by the fire, Solo Stove’s Ranger fire pit is a fantastic gift to ask for. It’s designed to be smokeless and portable, making it great for balconies, backyards, beach hangs, or camping trips. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel reviewed the larger Solo Stove Bonfire and wrote that it burns “beautiful, clean fires when conditions are right.” The best part? The Ranger is typically on sale for $199.99, so whoever gifts it has 30 extra dollars to spend on your birthday.
A Bluetooth record player
Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel called Sony’s Bluetooth turntable the “perfect record player for beginners.” It’s stylish and super simple to use, and you can connect it to a wireless speaker, soundbar, or wireless headphones via Bluetooth.
A pair of AirPods Pro
When you already own a pair of earbuds, it can be hard to justify splurging on a new pair — even if you really, really want to. And that’s why the AirPods Pro (Gen 3) earbuds are an ideal birthday present. Apple stepped up its audio game with these buds, which feature improved sound quality and active noise cancellation. For a cheaper alternative, ask for the latest 4th Gen AirPods, which are $129 without ANC or $179 with ANC.
A cool drone with a 4K camera
DJI drones have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and the DJI Mini 4K is a great option from the brand. It’s beginner-friendly and suitable for recreational use. You’ll be able to capture stunning 4K scenes.
A heated massage gun
If you pick any massage gun, make it this one. The TheraGun Mini Plus is portable and easy to maneuver over sore muscles. But the absolute best feature is the temperature settings. It has heat built in, which feels amazing on tight muscles and joints. Plus, you can add on a cooling massage head if you prefer cooling therapy instead (or in addition).
Five hair tools in one
Instead of asking for the $600 Dyson Airwrap, you can get a product that performs nearly identically for half the price in the Shark FlexStyle (trust us, we tested them head-to-head). Pick up a version for textured hair or straighter hair for $299.99.
A portable projector
With the Anker Nebula Capsule, you can project up to 120 inches and have movie nights inside or outdoors. The projector is ultra-portable and has decent audio, doubling as a Bluetooth speaker. Our reviewer praised the image quality and compact size.
A red light therapy mask
Mashable writers and editors have tested a number of red light masks, and we think the Shark CryoGlow is the best choice for most people. Our reviewer noticed a “significantly reduced” number of new pimples and improved appearance of forehead fine lines after three months of use. In addition to LED light therapy, the mask features cooling under-eye pads for depuffing during treatments.
An Apple Watch
An Apple Watch lets you access smartphone features conveniently on your wrist. You can control your music, send and receive texts, monitor your health, and tons more. The latest Apple Watch isn’t too different from the previous model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, which we love.
Year-round spa days
You can ask for a day at the spa, or you can ask for the gift of getting a facial whenever you want and from the comfort of your home. In her review of the device, Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern wrote that the TheraFace Pro is “a hell of a lot cheaper than getting regular professional facials, and I truly feel like I’ve received a spa treatment every time I use [it].”
An indoor garden
Yard space is not easy to come by, but you can still have the garden of your dreams. Gardyn is an indoor hydroponic system that lets even the most notorious plant killers grow a thriving harvest. There are three starter kits to choose from: salad lover, budding florist, and chef faves. The smaller Gardyn Studio houses 16 plants, while the larger Gardyn Home holds 30.
A robot vacuum and mop combo
Robot vacuums with roller mops have been the hot trend in 2026. Our robot vacuum expert named the Eufy C28 the best budget roller mop, so you’ll get a great cleaning helper without having to ask someone to drop $1,000+ on your birthday. This robot vacuum has some of the best battery life on the market and impressive debris pickup.
The iPad mini
Our reviewer called the iPad mini 7 the “best choice” if you want a compact tablet, and said it looks better and is a lot more powerful than previous-generation iPad minis. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and we named it the best tablet for reading.
A fancy desk chair
Our favorite type of birthday gift is something you want to buy yourself but just can’t justify spending your own money on. The Verve chair is a prime example of that. It’s super comfy and ergonomic, and it comes in really cute colors, but it’s definitely on the luxury end of pricing. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, put this at the top of your birthday wish list.
A camera to rival your phone
When giving your friends and family birthday gift ideas, it’s usually best to look for gifts under $50. But if you have a partner or parent who really loves you, then it’s okay to dream big.
An easy-to-use mirrorless camera designed with creators in mind, the Nikon Z 30 boasts video, camera, and live streaming capabilities at an affordable price. The camera body can be purchased alone or with one or two kit lenses. There’s also the creators’ accessory bundle, which comes with a mic, tripod grip, and Bluetooth remote.
A handheld gaming console that’s not a Switch
Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry described the Lenovo Legion Go as “beefier and more powerful” than the Nintendo Switch. It has a huge display, solid performance, and all-around great specs. It’s not a one-to-one competitor of the Switch, but rather a portable way into PC gaming that’s “really good at running all kinds of games.”
A new phone
Thinking of upgrading from an iPhone that has a Lightning port? Don’t spend your own money on an expensive phone — have someone who loves you spend their money! The iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099. (Group gift, anyone?)
A TV that blends into your decor
Samsung’s The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that’s worth it.
A MacBook Air
We named the Apple MacBook Air M5 the best MacBook for most people. So, if you’re in the market for a new laptop — and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem — this is the one to ask for on your birthday.
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