24 Cool 25th Birthday Gift Ideas They'll Actually Be Excited to Unwrap
Fun items the twentysomething in your life will love.
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Not quite 30 but well past 21, turning 25 is a milestone that celebrates true adulting. Whether the 25-year-old in your life has moved out on their own, is advancing in their career or taking the next step in their education, they deserve a birthday present that reflects who they are now. That’s where we come in.
Our curated list of unique, cool and practical 25th birthday gift ideas will meet them right where they are, with items they’ll actually use and love. Our top gift picks for twentysomethings range from home decor staples and kitchen essentials to sentimental keychains and bracelets they can cherish forever. We’ve also included some viral products they’ve likely seen on TikTok and a few festive foodie gifts for those with a sweet tooth.
Whether you're gift shopping for your boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, brother or best friend, you can count on these picks to make them feel special on their big day.
Want more age-specific gift inspiration? Check out these guides:
Gifts for Women in Their 20s | Gifts for Men in Their 20s | Best 30th Birthday Gifts | Best 21st Birthday Gifts
Lululemon's versatile fanny pack has become a hot commodity in recent years for its affordability and deceptively roomy storage. (Our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab even ranked it as the best overall belt bag.) This version, featuring metal hardware, is currently available in three colors, but other styles come in a variety of different shades. (And don't forget to check out the brand's "We Made Too Much" section for special prices!)
Their 25th birthday deserves a card with more pizzazz than a standard drugstore greeting. This keepsake-worthy pick also includes a separate note card for you to write a personalized message.
Jewelry girlies will love this simple bracelet that's both stylish and sentimental. It features 25 sterling silver- or rose gold-dipped beads on a dainty, adjustable cord and comes displayed on a cute card.
A viral fragrance that lives up to the hype, Sol De Janeiro's Cheirosa '62 Hair and Body Mist, which features notes of caramel, sandalwood and vanilla, will surely become their new go-to fragrance. This gift-worthy set includes a travel-size bottle along with the brand's equally-as-popular Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and Brazilian 4Play Body Wash.
The Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, a.k.a. the Stanley cup, is one of the most popular tumblers on the market right now, but if the birthday girl or boy loves to travel, the experts in our GH Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab recommend Stanley's IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler, which comes in four different sizes and over 30 colorways.
"I love that it has a higher capacity than most water bottles, but still fits in the same cup holders thanks to its shape, making it perfect for road trips, air travel and hiking," said one of our testers
RELATED: The Best Stanley Cup Accessories to Personalize Your Tumbler
Sambas have been the "it" sneaker for decades, and for good reason: The classic black-and-white style looks cool with everyday basics and dressier outfits, too. Even celebs like Katie Holmes and Jennifer Lawrence agree!
Celebrate the year they were born with this customizable number sweatshirt. Available in five colors, this Amazon seller offers a t-shirt version, too.
If they're always on-the-go, they'll appreciate a carry-on upgrade. BÉIS' stylish weekender — a top pick on the Good Housekeeping Institute's list of the best weekender bags — features a classic shape and an especially thoughtful design, with easy-to-access interior and exterior pockets, as well as a separate shoe compartment on the bottom.
A cupcake for each year they've been alive? Yes, please! This pack of 25 mini cupcakes come in an assortment of delicious flavors. You you can pick from vegan and gluten free options, too.
According to TikTok star DeAndre Brown, "an espresso martini is the elite's go-to. I don't want to be anywhere that doesn't have it." If your recipient shares this sentiment, they'll appreciate this gift set that provides everything they need to enjoy their favorite drink at home.
Upgrade their at-home movie nights with this affordable mini projector that will let them watch all of their favorites right from their laptop, smart phone, tablet, USB drive, XBox or PS5. With over 2,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, reviewers praise its image and sound quality and say it's great quality for the price.
With a gift card from CozyMeal they can treat themselves to an impressive array of food-based experiences, from cooking classes, to guided food and drink tours to actual cookware recommended by top chefs. Gift cards never expire and any amount of your choosing.
Whether or not they're a fan of astrology, this hand-poured candle is a personalized gift that will make them feel extra special. Each birthdate features a custom scent inspired by the recipient's character traits and their unique horoscope reading for the year ahead. You can even add their name to the front of the label.
If the wine enthusiast in your life is always looking to expand their glass collection, consider gifting this charming pink set for their birthday (it was featured in the Barbie movie!)
RELATED: Unique Wine Gifts That Are Better Than Another Bottle of Pinot
Help them breeze through their morning routine with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's top pick for best overall hair dryer brush. Our testers praised it for delivering a voluminous, salon-quality blowout while being quiet and providing gentle heat.
If skincare is their thing, they'll love this set of four face masks from Dr. Jart+ that target dryness, redness and dullness. "It's incredible how much of a visible difference they make in only 20 to 30 minutes," wrote one Sephora reviewer. "They leave my skin feeling soothed and hydrated for days."
Sugar fiends won't be able to resist a delicious tin of Milk Bar cookies. This assortment includes six unique flavors: Compost, Corn, Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow, Confetti, Chocolate Confetti and Blueberry and Cream.
Everyone needs a classic pair of shades. This fashionable pair is part of a collab with TikToker Monet McMichael, who is known for her on-point style. They come in chocolate, silver, red and black.
RELATED: The Best Sunglasses for Women, According to Our Editors
Streamline their morning smoothie routine with top-tested personal blender. Not only will the popular Beast Blender look good on their kitchen counter, our Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab testers report that it lives up to the hype, thanks to its powerful performance and versatility.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tested the Viral Beast Blender, and Here Are My Honest Thoughts
By the age of 25, he should have a signature scent, and this mature fragrance from Cremo is just the thing. Walmart reviewers say they love that it's long-lasting and smells much more expensive than its affordable price tag might lead you to believe.
RELATED: The Best Colognes for Men That Are Daring and Different
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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