If they're big on cookouts but small on yard space, perhaps a compact fold-up grill could be the answer. Easy to take with them on whatever adventures they have in store, and a bag of charcoal will last forever with this thing.
What better gift for a 50th birthday (or any birthday really) than the power of creation? Ideal for the 50-year-old who loves to tinker in the garage, paint, build sculptures or who has ever aspired to build themselves a new house, or own a yacht – now they can just print it! (Ok, it’s maybe not quite that simple…)
If money’s no object and your recipient has a large hootenanny sized space in their house just waiting to be filled, look no further than this luxury musical gift. With a host of instruments and thousands of songs to choose from, your 50-year-old will be partying away every night! Note: their neighbors might not be quite so thrilled.
Does your coworker seem to have far too much time on their hands? Get them this futuristic cooking contraption, that swirls the water as it heats it, or heats it as it cooks it, or something… to be honest, we’re not quite sure what it does (no one is), but foodies and MasterChef fans will love it. Check out our Guide to Sous Vide Cooking to learn more about this underutilized method of cooking.
Budding bartender or maestro mixologist on your hands? They’ll love this clever little kitchen gadget to help them make the perfect drink every time. In fact, we think they’ll be so impressed, you’ll never have to make your own drinks again. Ever. And we can’t think of a better reason to buy this as a gift for your favorite 40-year-old.
Don’t let your sister be a slave to the stove! Unshackle her from food prep duty for at least one night with this helpful, nourishing dinner in a box. Well-balanced and simple, this hearty gift delivers immediate gratification and pure pleasure. “Soup”erbly delicious and comforting, why make meals more complicated than they need to be? Slurp away and enjoy!
If they’re losing sleep over turning 40 and running out of sheep to count, NASA has had a real light bulb moment and thought of a way to help with this, er, light bulb! It’s designed to make sure they get the right amount of sleep and, let’s be honest, now they’re getting older, beauty sleep might be getting a little more important.
You could buy them a 17 man band that could live in the corner of their den and serenade them every day, or you could just go with this unique piece of furniture that can play 17 instruments at once. Plus this pneumatically controlled Hootenanny can remember how to play 13,000 songs.
For the 50-year-old who’s always dragging you to sushi restaurants on your nights out, then casually spearing bits of rice and fish with chopsticks and speaking Japanese, this make-your-own sushi tool is the perfect 50th birthday gift. Now, they’ll be able to invite you over to their house to casually spear rice and fish and speak Japanese. At least you’ll save money.
Different people learn in different ways. Not respecting those differences is a major reason the public education system has failed us so terribly. Some people learn visually, some learn by mimicking, and some learn by beer. This book is for the last group.
Since the invention of the original legos, kids have only been able to imagine what their creations would be like if they were life-sized. But not anymore. Giant legos make it possible to experience the dream of a world composed of lego buildings, lego furniture, and human sized lego robots. And it’s not only kids that are getting in on the action. Giant legos are used to create temporary offices, modular furniture, interior decor, exhibits and retail displays, and a lot more. Except the adults like to call them “modular blocks” to make it sound more grown up. But we all know they’re giant legos.
For all the hardcore, dinosaur-loving 50-year-olds out there! (And we do mean, hardcore.) They’ll need to eat, sleep and breathe dinosaurs, as well as own at least a small mansion with a 15 x 40ft space for a Tyrannosaurus Rex. You’ll need to be a multi-millionaire, and prepared to splash some cash on hugely impressive, but ultimately useless gifts.
Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, or maybe just gives you PTSD. Either way, it’s better than dead. Here’s a book that can help the owner avoid the dead category for a little longer, even when things get hairy. Rough world we live in.
Sometimes 21 year olds haven’t really developed a refined appreciation for art yet. That’s why so many people that age do things like hang beer ads and rock band posters on their walls. This 21st birthday gift idea allows them explore the world of art and change the display on demand. They might just learn something and it will make their room look much classier than that neon PBR light.
For 50 years, they’ve been mixing their own cocktails, the old-fashioned way. All that free-pouring. All that guesswork. The amount of times they’ve served a Cosmo that was too orangey, or a Mojito that was almost pure rum (ah, what a night that was!) Happily, technology can now control this part of our lives as well.
If they don’t know how to do these things by now, chances are they’re too embarrassed to ask. How to change a tire? How to make scrambled eggs? How can any self-respecting 50-year-old ask these questions and not be mocked? Give them this book on the sly, and you could save them from their hidden shame.
Nothing says, “congratulations on getting older” like helping them relive childhood memories and wonder when they got too old for them. Questions like: “Was this always so fast?” and “Are we sure this is secure?” really help to put the 30-year-old in your life back in their place.
Add a touch of taste to your sister’s dated interior with some inspirational, one-of-a-kind pieces that will provoke greater creativity in her everyday doings. She might not be schooled enough to discern the Picassos from the Pollocks, but it sure is a step up from “painting by numbers.” Give a timeless present that not only supports the starving artists of the world, but also raises the aesthetic standard on the domestic stage.
Why bother with messy paints and long drying times when there’s a perfectly good computer to paint on? The digital paintbrush mimics the flexibility and feel of the real thing, and even leaves brush stokes. It can simulate painting in oil, acrylic, watercolor or charcoal and is compatible with most touchscreen devices.
If you’re struggling to find a gift for your open-mouthed, boggle-eyed coworker – the one that looks a bit like that guy in The Human Centipede 2 (if you haven’t seen it, don’t) – how about a nice fisheye smartphone camera lens, so they can finally take photos that reflect the distorted, screwed-up way they see the world?
We like this because it looks all sci-fi while also actually being kind of sci-fi. It is a cordless neck and shoulder heating wrap that can warm sore bones for up to an hour per charge. Get them up off the couch and looking like a space villain at the same time.
Are they getting cold feet over getting older? Unfortunately, it’s inevitable but these sheepskin insoles should do the trick to help them feel better about it. Perfect for someone who’s getting older and who’s circulation is inevitably going to get downgraded, leaving them with cold feet, quite literally.
Everyone loves pizza, which means you literally can’t go wrong with this culinary gift! Well, we mean, in an ideal world, they probably would have preferred a trip to Italy, to stroll along the Amalfi Coast, bathing in Mediterranean sunshine and stopping at a traditional pizzeria for their 50th birthday meal, but hey – we do what we can.
This plush vest might look like the latest in Star Wars costume design, but don’t let its stately appearance fool you! With this regal pain reliever wrapped around her shoulders, your sister will feel like she’s been elevated to a higher state of being that doesn’t involve tight muscles, stiff joints and embarrassing posture. Neck tension doesn’t have to be a crippling experience with this portable masseuse on the job. Pain relief just got really stylish.
It won’t defend them against the barrage of over he hill jokes they’re going to be subjected to, but it will make sure that they’re prepared for any more sinister situations. Our best advice if you’re buying this gift, though, is to be nice to them for, well, forever after giving it to them.
Make them feel like they’re dining out in a posh restaurant every night with the gift of this giant peppermill. If you’re feeling really generous, you could even be their waiter for the evening, as a special 50th birthday treat - ‘More pepper, sir? Fine or coarse?’
Nemo, is that you? You’ve found him! That’s what your co-worker will be gleefully exclaiming when you hand over the gift of this giant flying fish. Perfect for marine biologists and pescatarians, this fun toy will love flying around your workplace – and, you’ve already got next year’s gift in the bag. Dory!
The ripe old age of 40 is a time when a lot of people start to watch their waistline for the sake of their health. Make the diet a bit more enjoyable with some drinks in disguise, with the help of this clever little keg kit. It’s a great idea if you’re planning a 40th birthday party that’s one-in-a-melon (sorry!) too.
Watch opposing armies fight for supremacy on the living room wall with this piece of functional art. Grandmasters and novice players alike will appreciate checking their opponents on the most unique game board in their home. Framed like a picture, this chessboard makes a lovely 21st birthday present for anyone who loves to play games.
Much less painful to stand on than the real kind if your coworker happens to drop one on the floor, these edible Lego candy blocks make a great gift idea for any overgrown child in your building (every workplace has one, and if you think yours doesn’t, it’s probably you. So, enjoy!)
The perfect gift for your friend who struggles to leave their fluffy unicorn slippers at home in the morning- cough, um, did we say unicorn? We meant stylish sheepskin moccasins, obviously. Anyway, these cozy shoe liners will make them feel nice and warm and sleepy… oh no, Jeff’s fallen asleep at his desk again.
Floaties are optional for this therapeutic bath. Stimulate your sister to the core with an out-of-this-world flotation experience. Safe, peaceful and restorative, this water treatment capsule will help to wash away her tension and debilitating pain as the healing waters rejuvenate her from within. Give your sister the gift of good health. Water is life.
Supporting technology and educating people about aerodynamics…and let’s be honest; the real reason to buy this is to obstruct people’s paths. “Oh, what’s that? You wanted to open the fridge? Well, Flounder here didn’t get them memo.” This gift’s also great for circling people, but be careful or their revenge might go just as swimmingly.
Nothing beats a pizza cooked in a wood-fired stone oven, but a giant pizza oven is a little difficult to give as gift. This stovetop version is a lot easier to wrap and delivers the same great flavor as its big brother.
You’ll have to explain to them that this is the modern-day equivalent of feeding up your carrier pigeon to make him speedier… ok, maybe not. But on a serious note, this is the kind of practical gift that anyone living in the 21st Century (and in sunny climes) is sure to appreciate, including your 50-year-old.
Who doesn’t appreciate a hug every once in a while? It may have never occurred to you, but our feet don’t often get the love they need. Well, someone’s feet are going to be in for a real treat now with this pair of custom insoles. Up til now they’ve probably always been crammed into ready-made factory-produced shoes. It’s no wonder they’re getting so ornery. These custom molded insoles fit like a glove (we’d say “like a sock”, but these are light years better than socks), help prevent injuries, and ease foot fatigue and associated pain.
Did you know that 18 is old enough to fly a plane solo and obtain a private pilot's license? Leaving the earth and relying on your own wits to return in one piece is something every young adult should experience. Help them give the middle finger to gravity with a few introductory flying lessons.
Have the last few dinner parties hosted by your 50-year-old been a bit, well, lackluster? It’s time to take charge and change this forever by giving them the awesome gift of a fondue maker! They’ll feel obliged to use it when you visit, and how could a pot of communal melted cheese or chocolate not improve any social situation?
Now this is a handheld shower massager your sister can really wrap her hands around. A cleaning tool that will exceed her wildest expectations, this hardworking brush will tackle those hard-to-reach spots with perfect execution and unrivaled efficiency. No job is too ambitious for this zealous wand. A dirt-loving devil with a thirst for grime, domestic duties will be done in no time!
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like pizza, so buying them this personal pizzeria will really top their birthday off nicely. Even if they are a bit more health conscious now that age is less on their side, make sure they maintain a well-rounded diet by giving them something that will help them create authentic, stone-baked pizzas, just like the Italians make them.
People love venturing into nature for the near mystical experience of being connected with our pre-civilized roots. We feel a strong, implacable pull toward wild places like the desert and the forest. The problem is, nature really just wants to eat you. This book tells you how not to let that happen.
Kombucha is the ancient art of making tea into something half the people who try it will love and the other half will vomit back onto your carpet. The people who love it are objectively correct, because it makes you live forever (almost). Anyone who has fallen head over heels for it will do the same for you if you buy them this homebrew kit.
This stress-relieving personal masseuse is a budget-friendly way to tell your sister to take a chill pill. Give her the permission to lock herself away and just give relaxation a chance. Foolproof and addictive, this handheld wand will release layers of tension and maybe even give that flat mop of hers some much-needed volume. Whole body wellness starts at home.
For the practical 50-year-old, who likes to be well-prepared in case of emergencies like hurricanes, tsunamis or running out of battery and not being able to FaceTime their friends, this emergency charger and radio is a no-brainer. They’ll be able to safely Snapchat their way through the next natural disaster / zombie apocalypse, all thanks to you.
Grilling doesn’t have to be a seasonal pastime anymore. This creative addition to your barbeque repertoire will bring the oven to the patio and some deliciously baked goods to the chef’s outdoor menu. The irresistible flavor of brick-oven fare will redefine your backyard and inject some home-cooked aroma into the too often smoky, greasy smells of the charcoal circuit. Who knew cooking out could be so refined?
If one of your colleagues just won’t stop bringing in her ‘delicious’ homemade apple cakes (the ones which taste like cider vinegar and make the rest of you gag) take one for the team and gift your other colleagues these natural, taste-altering tablets, so at least you can stagger your visits to the bathroom to ‘recover’.
If they’re anything like us, they’re not wild about some anonymous person manhandling their pork. The problem is, of course, that someone has to turn it into bacon. A make your own bacon kit is the perfect gift for someone who really wants to take control of their lives, starting with the most important parts.
For the colleague who struggles with basic tasks, and who no-one’s quite sure how they’ve managed to hold down a job this long, this informative yet funny book will teach them everything from CPR to how to fight a shark – which you never know, might just come in handy at work one day!
They might feel like their batteries are running a little low as they reach middle age, but at least they can keep their cell phone battery from running low too. This pocket-sized charger is small enough for them to take with them wherever they need to and works brilliantly even when the dark cloud of 40 is looming.
Just what they need to get rid of 50 years of grime on their prized jewels (ok, their wedding ring), this hi-tech jewelry cleaner will ensure their wrists and neck sparkle for years to come. Plus, it can also be used to clean dentures and eyeglasses – which let’s face it, will probably come in handy soon!
An “egg”cellent addition to your sister’s entertaining arsenal, this multi-purpose machine will be sure to meet the daily protein requirement, and then some! Give Denny’s a little competition with the finest scrambled eggs, Western omelette and dropped egg on toast to hit the breakfast-anytime scene. Bring the hatchery home and experience the wealth of dishes that will grace the table of any meal and please guests at every occasion.
At the end of a long working day, all you probably feel like doing is going home, putting your feet up and having your partner rub your shoulders to de-stress. Well, spare a thought for your colleague, Colin, who’s going home to an empty apartment, Chinese takeout (again) and a cat who can’t stand him… he needs this.
It’s no coincidence David Copperfield happens to have a precious metal in his surname. This spellbinding gadget takes all the torture and toxins out of laborious polishing work and frees up more time so your sister can host some high-end tea parties and gaze at her reflection in fingerprint-free finishes. Better than a live-in butler, this hat trick will pass the white glove test every time.
Fondue was all the rage back in the day and if you’re hunting for a vintage gift for a soon-to-be vintage person, this is a modern twist on the old dinner party favorite. Whether you’re in the mood for chocolate or cheese, this is a key ingredient in the perfect recipe for a retro 40th birthday party.
This diffuser will be absolutely essential in helping them relax and they’ll be especially grateful to receive it if the thought of turning 40 is leaving them feeling a little uneasy. It’s convenient and compact enough to be moved around the house so they can use it to help get a restful night’s sleep or to spend a lazy afternoon unwinding on the sofa.
Unless you want your front door to trigger thoughts of Super 8, it’s time to upgrade to smart home living. An economical solution with safety and aesthetics in mind, this full-exposure gatekeeper is a no-brainer replacement for outdated peepholes. Keep tabs on trespassers and trick-or-treaters and censor entry to only those you recognize and trust. Home security made simple!
For that colleague who’s always trying to start debates about the origin of the Universe and the like, this book is the perfect replacement for your faux half-interest. Finally, your deep-thinking co-worker will have some answers to those big questions that keep them awake at night, and can stop bugging you – everybody wins!
Don’t let mother nature’s inability to harness her own electrons cramp their style. Now they can stay connected even when far from civilization. Plus, this little gadget will make them the most popular person on the block when the zombie apocalypse comes.
21st birthday parties tend to get a little crazy, and not everyone comes out of them unscathed. But passing out with your hand in the waffle maker is just part of the rite of passage. Everyone else will be giving them gifts like booze, so go the other way and give them something that will help repair the damage from all those other gifts.
A real conversation starter, this unique 50th birthday gift is made by and supports veterans, and might pique the interest of an ex-military or historically-minded recipient. Now, they can use an actual bullet to crack open a well-deserved beer at the end of the day. Which, surely, is a much better use for it than originally intended.
Different people learn in different ways. Not respecting those differences is a major reason the public education system has failed us so terribly. Some people learn visually, some learn by mimicking, and some learn by beer. This book is for the last group.
If they’re big on cookouts but small on yard space, perhaps a compact fold-up grill could be the answer. Easy to take with them on whatever adventures they have in store, and a bag of charcoal will last forever with this thing.
It may have been a while ago but there will still be things that they miss from their younger years. It could be snacks they used to love, a favorite magazine, books or an activity they used to while away their childhood hours doing. It’s a gift that temporarily turns back the clock and makes them feel young again, which will soften the blow of definitely not being young anymore.
If your sister has always dreamed of wielding a light saber, this powerful beam just might fit her fancy! Best when not pointed in a loved one’s direction, this powerhouse of illumination will penetrate darkness with impeccable precision and provide a clear and safe path out of harm’s way. The weapon of choice for any dark alley, thick forest or deserted road outing, this superhero outperforms any other handheld lanterns on the market today.
There are certain things everyone ‘should’ know how to do, but by a certain age it becomes too late to admit you don’t – and this is how you end up with that colleague who still has no clue how to tie his necktie, despite wearing one for the last 3 years. Revolutionize that guy’s life with this book.
They might have survived for 50 years on a diet of macaroni cheese, mashed potato and McDonalds, but now it’s time to spice up their cooking (literally) with this artisan, culinary gift. They’ll soon be getting hot and sweaty in the kitchen - just be wary about accepting food from them anytime soon.
After 50 years of boring normal water, it’s about time they got something to make it more exciting, and everybody likes fizz, right? Jacuzzis, champagne, lava lamps… bubbles make people happy, and that’s what you want in a 50th birthday gift.
They’ll realize how fortunate they are to have you in their life when you send them these delicious treats with a little added wisdom. The choice is yours, whether to fill them with some guidance on getting on a bit or advice on the inevitable fine lines and wrinkles. They’re a unique way to celebrate entering their forties or to commiserate leaving behind their youth.
You might remember that snow cone maker from when you were a kid with the crank and Snoopy on top. It was disappointing; it was hard to turn and it made tiny snow cones. This thing, though. This makes real deal snow cones and uses electricity. This is not for kids.
Fire pits sure look inviting, but let’s face it, who wants to smell like charred charcoal and smoldering soot when they crawl into bed at night? Experience the beauty of fire with this classy, odor-free design that can complement any extracurricular activity or intimate affair. Toss the pokers and the bellows and clear the table … this stunning centerpiece is on fire!
If there’s anything that can make wine taste better, it’s a little frustration. If you think life in our rapid-delivery consumer culture is just a bit too easy, then teach your coworker a valuable lesson by making them work more than they anticipated for their gift. You’re not only giving the world’s oldest artisan beverage, you’re helping develop life skills.
Help your favorite 21-year-old get away and recharge in a faraway place where nobody knows them and they can act however they want with virtually no longstanding social repercussions. Because when things get tough, evacuation is usually the only solution.