The good news is you can still celebrate a 21st birthday in a safe, socially distant manner at home. Of course, there’s Zoom or birthday car parades. No matter how you celebrate the big 2-1—for yourself or for a friend—there are a few good gifts you’ll need to make the celebration feel more authentic. And yes, most of them—though not all of them—are alcohol-related. Bottoms up! Are you, or someone you know, turning 21? Here are some of the best gifts to give someone who’s finally (!!!) of legal drinking age. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Best 21st Birthday Gifts
- Personalized 21st Birthday Wine Label, $11.04 at Etsy Don’t just gift a bottle of wine to your now-21-year-old bestie… Make it extra special with a personalized wine label. 2.21st Birthday Gift Necklace, $42 at Etsy Celebrate the 21-year milestone with a beautiful necklace that will always remind you of the day.
- 2000 Aged To Perfection Vintage Birthday Glass, $14.99 at Etsy Born in 2000? You’re officially vintage! Cheers to 21 years. You’ve been aged to perfection. 4. Hand Painted Wine Glass Shot Gift Box Set, $23 at Etsy Everything a 21-year-old needs to celebrate their birthday… all in one box.
- Personalized Engraved Wooden Bottle Opener Birthday Gift, $11.34 at Etsy Turning 21 in quarantine? This bottle opener appropriately commemorates your Lockdown Birthday.
- Tantra Natural Soy Wax Candle, $22.40 at Saje For those hoping to get lucky on their 21st, there’s the Tantra Soy Wax Candle from Saje. Made from a 100% natural soy wax base with lead-, bleach-, and chemical-free cotton wicks, lighting this candle 100% sparks the mood.
- Finally 21 And The Bars Are Closed T-Shirt, $21.25 at Etsy It may suck, but at least you can get a funny t-shirt out of it!
- Bella Mini Waffle Maker, $19.99 at Macy’s Congratulations—you’re 21! It’s now officially time to become an adult and learn how to make waffles. Just sayin'.
- Vintage 1999 21st Birthday T-Shirt You’re vintage!
- 21st Birthday Letterbox Gift, $14.13 at Etsy A moment of you and your bestie frozen in time.
- Yuwoda 50 Cal Bullet Gold Shot Glass Set Because “21” is synonymous with “shots.”
- The One Where Turns 21 Wine Glass, $14.75 at Etsy For the 21-year-old Friends superfan.
- 21st Birthday Gift Box Set, $59.95 at Etsy This gift box set has everything you need to celebrate a 21st birthday (even in quarantine)—from confetti poppers to champagne with a personalized label.
- 8x10 Back in 2000 Black and Gold Print You’ll need to purchase an 8x10 frame separately, but this Back in 2000 print is an iconic gift the 21-year-old giftee won’t soon forget. It details everything notable from their year of birth—from the top movies and songs of the year to the average price of milk and eggs!
- Birthday Party Candle, $34 at Homesick It literally smells like a birthday cake. Don’t believe us? Take a whiff!
- 21st Birthday 21 AF Shot Glass Enough said!
- Rose Gold Glitter Flask, $22.99 at BrüMate Um, have you ever seen such a pretty flask?!
- These Cards Will Get You Drunk Drinking Game Sometimes you just need a drinking game to get things started.
- Personalized 21st Birthday Milestone Edition Book, $40 at The Book of Everyone This has to be one of the coolest 21st birthday gift ideas ever. In fact, it’s an amazing gift for any birthday. This personalized book details the birthday girl or boy’s most important milestones as they turn the big 2-1.
- 21st Birthday Can Cooler Coozie Sleeves Because if you’re going to drink beer, you deserve cold beer.
- Harden Necklace, $98 at Electric Picks Not every 21st birthday gift has to be booze. One of the hottest fashion trends right now is the gold chain and your 21-year-old bestie will love this one—the Harden Necklace from Electric Picks. Made in NYC, it’s the perfect accessory to your 21st birthday outfit. (Even if it’s only for a pic for the ‘Gram.) 22. Fairly Odd Novelties Shot Glass Roulette Complete Set Drinking Game With shot roulette, you never know what you’re gonna get. And that’s half the fun!
- Birthday Cake, $50 at Milk Bar Keep your 21st birthday gift traditional with a delicious three-tier, rainbow-flecked birthday cake from the fan-favorite bakery, Milk Bar.
- Ruth Shoes, $300 at Ma’am For the 21-year-old feminist ready to rock Supreme Court (or you know, her first job after college), the Ruth from Ma’am is a sustainably made pointed-toe shoe that pays tribute to Notorious RBG.
- Motorola Razr 5G There’s nothing like evoking nostalgia on your 21st birthday. Gift the newly-minted 21-year-old in your life a new take on the classic flip-phone so many of us remember from middle school.
- New Release Sample Pack, $79.90 at Wander + Ivy If you’re turning 21, then what’s better than alcohol? Give the newly-minted wino in your life the gift of a delicious sample pack of Wander + Ivy’s mini wines. The pack features a Limited Edition Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine Blend, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. New Release Sample Pack, $79.90 at Wander Ivy Next up, delicious birthday cocktail recipes to make at home.
