25 unique gift ideas to celebrate a 50th birthday

8 Inch Chef Knife with Engraving, available at Made In, $129-$179

Best for: The chef

Treat the chef in your life to a practical kitchen accessory with a personal touch. This seriously sharp chef's knife is perfect for slicing, dicing, chopping, and more. The custom engraving makes it all the more special.

Francesca Earrings, available at BaubleBar, $42

Best for: The trendsetter

With four freshwater pearls strung together by a dainty gold chain, these are a fun, modern iteration of the classic pearl earrings. They're sure to add a sophisticated and chic touch to any look. 

Philips SmartSleep Wake Up Alarm Clock, available at Amazon, $49.99

Best for: The aspirational early bird 

They may not be an early bird yet, but this alarm clock can get them one step closer. The device simulates sunrise and uses gradual sound to wake them up more naturally than a regular alarm clock. 

Maldon Salt Bulk Tub, available at Amazon, $24.78

Best for: The gourmet baker

Any home cook or baker worth their salt will appreciate this giant tub of crispy, crunchy, saltiness. Maldon salt is the perfect finishing touch to pretty much every dish — from savory to sweet — so you can be sure they'll make use of this often. 

Corkcicle Insulated Coffee Mug, available at Amazon, $34.95

Best for: The caffeine lover

Whether their commute involves a car, train, or a walk to the kitchen, this insulated mug will keep their morning coffee hot without any spills thanks to a sip-through lid. It's even shatterproof for extra durability.

Sonos One SL Wireless Smart Speaker, available at Best Buy, $199.99

Best for: The audiophile

Treat your favorite audiophile to the gift of rich sound with a new speaker. If they already have a Sonos speaker, they can easily add this one to the collection and connect them all to create a whole home sound system.

Kindle Paperwhite, available at Amazon, $139.99

Best for: The traveling reader

Give them the ability to keep a library on them at all times with a Kindle. The lightweight device can store thousands of books and it's portable enough to take with them everywhere they go, so they can always keep up with their favorite titles. 

Minimal Sport Watch in Pacific Mist, available at MVMT, $128

Best for: The avid walker

Help them keep track of time in style with this sleek watch. Not only does it boast a minimalist aesthetic, but it has a 100-meter water rating and is made with surgical-grade stainless steel for ultimate durability.

Modern Sprout Brass & Glass Mister, available at Food52, $30

Best for: The proud plant parent  

This gorgeous glass and brass mister will make caring for their plants all the more pleasing. The fine mist spout makes it easy to give their plants just the right amount of water, whether it's a lot or a little. 

"The Book of Terribly Awesome Dad Jokes" by Dan Gilden, available at Amazon, $7.95

Best for: The jokester

They don't need to be a dad to appreciate a good dad joke. This book has over 200 of them and makes a great gift for anyone with a sense of humor.

Coyuchi Organic Waffle Robe, available at Coyuchi, $128

Best for: The lover of lounging

There's something about throwing on a nice robe after a shower that just feels luxurious. Give them that little luxury with this waffle robe from Coyuchi. It's made of an airy weave and pre-tumbled for a soft feel that gets better with every wash.

Le Labo Santal 26 Classic Candle, available at Nordstrom, $82

Best for: The candle collector

Le Labo's iconic Santal 26 fragrance boasts notes of amber, sandalwood, cedar, and vanilla. Not only will it fill their space with a subtle smokiness, but the thick glass vessel brings an industrial chic touch to their room too.

Language Subscription, available at Babbel, from $49

Best for: The lifelong learner

Learning a new language is exciting and keeps the mind sharp. Whether they've been talking about how they wish they never stopped taking Spanish classes in college or they have a trip to Italy on the horizon, a subscription to Babbel's language-learning platform is a practical and thoughtful gift. 

Ugg Fluff Yeah Slide, available at Zappos, $99.95

Best for: The fan of extreme comfort

These plush slippers will have them looking and feeling like they're walking on a colorful cloud. We could tell you how soft they are, but the thousands of five-star reviews speak for themselves.

Keith Haring Backgammon & Checkers Game, available at MoMA Design Store, $42

Best for: The board gamer

A piece of decor and a few great activities all wrapped up in one, this set is sure to appeal to board game lovers and artsy types alike. It works as both a backgammon and checkers board and features Keith Haring's iconic, bold iconography.

Airbnb Experiences, available at Airbnb, price varies

Best for: The future vacationer 

For the person who has everything or hates getting gifts, go for an experience. Airbnb Experiences makes gifting an experience easy, with a variety of in-person and virtual activities led by experts. From food tours, horseback rides, photography sessions, and more, the platform has something for everyone. 

Three Wishes, available at The Bouqs Co., $74

Best for: The classic gift lover

Flowers are a great gift for any occasion. Regular bouquets are wonderful, but orchids last much longer and are known to bring good luck and wishes — perfect for a birthday celebration.

The Essential Cashmere Sweater, available at Naadam, $75 for men and women

Best for: The minimalist

This 100% cashmere sweater is so soft that it's hard to believe it's just $75. The crewneck fit is a classic that anyone, regardless of their sense of style, can appreciate. Plus, it comes in a range of brights and neutrals so there's something for everyone. 

Breville Barista Pro, available at Williams Sonoma and Amazon, $849.95

Best for: The espresso aficionado 

While pricey, gifting this Breville Espresso Machine is like getting them their very own barista. It does everything from grinding the beans to brewing the perfect espresso and frothing milk for the final touch. 

Birthday Cake, available at Milk Bar Store, $62

Best for: The cake connoisseur 

Any birthday is made sweeter with a Milk Bar Birthday Cake. It tastes like a gourmet version of boxed confetti cake and is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Aura Mason Smart Digital Picture Frame, available at Amazon, $199

Best for: The nostalgist 

For the sentimental one who has so many pictures they want to display, give them a digital frame. They can send over 10,000 photos straight from their phone and even invite friends and family all over the world to share photos of their own, making it all the more special.

Custom Pet Portrait Phone Case, available at West & Willow, $50

Best for: Their pet's #1 fan

Their pet is their personality trait – and who could blame them? A personalized phone case featuring an illustration of their furry family member is cute, thoughtful, and sure to make any pet owner smile. 

Theragun Mini, available at Therabody, $199

Best for: The sore athlete

This mini Theragun can go with them everywhere for relief at any time. It can fit in their pocket to help soothe cramps, knots, and muscle tension whether they're on the slopes, coming back from a hike, or laying on the couch at home. 

Recycled Nylon Bike Frame Bag, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

Best for: The cyclist 

This cool bag can keep any biker's essentials within arm's reach without getting in the way. It's handmade in Colorado from recycled nylon tents and awnings.

Glass Topper Cocktail Smoker, available at Uncommon Goods, $100

Best for: The at-home bartender

If they already have all the cocktail-making essentials, help them take their mixology up a notch with a cocktail smoker. This one is easy to use and a fun way to experiment with new recipes and flavors.