Best gifts for best friends 50th birthday

Birthday gifts can be tough to shop for–especially when it comes to a milestone birthday like the big 5-0. If you're trying to come up with a 50th birthday gift idea for someone special in your life, you might wonder if any present could be good enough–or if they'll even want a reminder of time's passing. Ree Drummond certainly didn't! When she turned 50 in 2019, she wanted to pretend her birthday wasn't even happening. 😂

Thankfully, Ladd didn't listen and threw her a surprise party at The Merc. It wasn't exactly a small affair—Ree's sister, Betsy, flew to Pawhuska from Seattle, and her childhood friends came in from San Diego, Dallas, Kansas City, and Atlanta. They celebrated with lots of food from The Mercantile, including cream puffs, lobster bites, arancini, and—of course—a floral cake. The best gift? A bejeweled cowboy hat (!) from Ree's friend Jenn.

Even if a big surprise bash isn't in the cards for your loved one this year, you can still go big on presents! From jewelry to books to flowers, here are 25 unique, thoughtful gifts that are perfect for celebrating the start of a new decade. Ree's go-to gifts include perfume, bubble baths, and pretty candles, but if all else fails, just shop like she shops for Ladd. "Food and wine is the universal love language, so that’s an easy thing to fall back on," she says. This gallery is also a great resource for birthday gifts for men who are impossible to shop for and birthday gifts for her that are almost as special as she is. Whether you want to keep the celebrations simple or splurge for the special day, you're sure to find plenty of ideas they'll love right here.

Milestone gifts can be tough to buy. While it's the thought that counts, it's way better to be thoughtful.

Having recently celebrated my milestone half-decade birthday, I was the fortunate recipient of lovely 50th birthday gifts. And given that many of my friends are my contemporaries, there continues to be an onslaught of 50th birthdays to honor in the coming year.

Milestone birthday gifts can be tough to buy. Yes, it’s the thought that counts. But it counts even more when you find gifts that are creative and personal.

Consider your recipient’s personality, sense of humor, hobbies and style. It’s a great time to do a group gift, where people can pool resources for something extraordinary. (Speaking from experience: One over-the-top gift versus 10 small gifts? Yes, please.)

Here’s a curated list of birthday gifts, ranging from $5 to $500, for those achieving membership into the five-zero club. After all, five decades deserves to be noticed with something special.

• 1. 1969 – Back in the Day Almanac and 50 Things to Do When You Turn 50

1969 Back In The Day - 24-page Greeting Card / Booklet with Envelope

Amazon

50 Things to Do When You Turn 50 Third Edition (Milestone)

Amazon

Target

Barnes and Noble

This almanac booklet is a time capsule of memories filled with funny greeting cards that reminds you of everything that was important in 1969. Pair it with “50 Things to Do When You Turn 50,” a book that helps the birthday celebrant make the most of their milestone year. (And, all royalties of the book benefit cancer research.)

• 2. Moment iPhone Camera Lens and Moment Photography Case

Moment - New Tele 58mm Phone Lens

Amazon

Moment Photo Phone Case in Walnut Wood

Amazon

B&H Photo

This lens is a game changer for photographer wannabes who want to up their run-of-the-mill iPhone pic game. You also need to get the case in order to to attach the lens.

• 3. Paper Plane Monogrammed Stationery – 20 for $36, Paper Source

Paper Plane Stationery

Paper Source

Personalized stationery is generally something people don’t buy for themselves. The design options are endless, but we like the Paper Plane symbolism for any newly-minted 50 year old: “It’s your time to fly!”

• 4. Elle Jolie Diamond Bangle, $379, Neiman Marcus

Elle Jolie Diamond Bangle

Sarah Chloe

Sarah Chloe

Statement jewelry. Who doesn’t love it? Several of my own best girlfriends pooled together to get me this lovely gem, with my initials on it. We also love this less expensive bangle from the same brand.

• 5. Vintage Tom Seaver Mets Jersey, $120, Fanatics

Tom Seaver New York Mets Majestic Cooperstown Jersey

Fanatics

Amazon

For the baseball fan, this vintage Tom Seaver jersey is a nod to the World Series champions of 1969, the New York Mets. Seaver, known as Tom Terrific and The Franchise, pitched during the series and years later got into the MLB Hall of Fame. Perfect, because entering the 5-0 club is kind of its own hall of fame.

• 6. Personalized Johnnie Walker Whisky Bottle, $229, Johnnie Walker; Bitter Housewife Old Fashioned Cocktail Gift Set, $33, Williams-Sonoma

Johnnie Walker Custom Engraved Bottle

Reserve Bar

Bitter Housewife Old Fashioned Cocktail Gift Set

Williams Sonoma

The engraved whiskey bottle will be the star of someone’s bar cart. And go ahead and make that subtle jab (“You are so old fashioned!”) with this cocktail kit. Just add whiskey and say “Cheers”.

• 7. Samsonite Luggage, 3-piece, $302 ($570), Amazon

Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion 3 Piece Spinner Luggage Set

Amazon

Bed Bath & Beyond

With all the hassles of flying these days, there is a source of comfort in having sturdy, functional, stylish luggage. (Matching luggage is instant traveler cred.) Samsonite does it with this set that has all the features – hardsided, zero-effort spinner wheels, and retractable handle.

• 8. Custom Vans, $75, Vans

Custom Vans sneakers

Vans

Who doesn’t love a custom pair of shoes? Vans come in all different styles for men and women and you can go crazy with color combinations, patterns and personalizations. We like the idea of adding “50” to the heel backs as a celebratory nod.

• 9. 1969 Barware glasses, $15, Amazon

50th Birthday- Vintage 1969 Beer Can Glass

Amazon

Toast that special 50 year old with “Vintage — Aged to Perfection” glassware that comes in either a beer glass, a tumbler or a wine glass.

• 10. Monogrammed PJs, $59 (usually $75), Mark & Graham

Monogrammed Satin Pajama Top

Mark & Graham

Because, isn’t it about time to retire that old, oversized Van Halen concert sleep shirt? There is something about satin PJs that just make you feel established. And we love this set with its simple, modern monogram.

Editor's note: For a more affordable option, we love these monogrammed pajamas on Etsy for $32.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out:

• Gifts for Mom
• Gifts for Dad
• Gifts for Grandma
• Gifts for Grandpa

Kavita Varma-White is a Senior Editor for TODAY Parents, Digital. After raising her two kids (ages 22 and 20) in South Florida and the Pacific Northwest, she is taking on the 'empty nest' adventure in the Midwest, residing with her husband and pup in Columbus, Ohio. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

What is the traditional gift for a 50th birthday?

What can I do for my friend's 50th birthday?

What can you gift a 50 year old woman?

What can I gift my bestie on her birthday?