45 Best 30th Birthday Gifts for a Special Start to a New Decade
Celebrate their major milestone with one of these thoughtful presents.
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Turning 30 can feel like a huge deal — and it is! Once you've reached your thirties, you typically have more responsibilities and less time for socializing than in your twenties, but that doesn't mean this decade is a total no-fun zone. Remind them of all they have to look forward to by celebrating this major milestone with a unique 30th birthday gift they'll love.
But what exactly are you supposed to get someone turning the big 3-0, you ask? Our gift editors have found that the most meaningful gifts often reflect the recipient's personality and interests, as well as your relationship to them — after all, personal and thoughtful touches can make any gift special! This might mean upgrading your boyfriend's favorite tech gadgets, giving an experience gift like a spa day to your friend or sister who really needs it or going the more sentimental route for your husband or wife.
To help get your wheels turning, we've put together this guide to our favorite gift ideas for people turning 30, including a wide range of options to fit every budget, including gifts under $50 and luxury presents if you're looking to splurge on something that will make their special day, well, even more special. Just don't forget to include a cute "Happy Birthday" card while you're at it!
Interested in more age-specific gifts? Check these out:
Gifts for Women in Their 20s | Gifts for Women in Their 30s | Gifts for Women in Their 40s | Gifts for Women in Their 50s
If you just want to give them a little something, go with this cool card that highlights all the major moments and trends from the year that they were born.
Help them start planning their next adventure with this book that comes with 1,000 "bucket list" ideas that'll carry them through the next decade.
Is there any 30-year-old more iconic than Jenna Rink? We think not. The card is blank inside, so you can write a personalized birthday message to your friend.
We're sure he has a ton of techy gadgets he loves, but we bet this one made his list yet. To use, all he has to do is place his phone in the right spot, and it will be protected onto a bigger screen for easier watching.
Get them hyped for the big 3-0 with this custom 44-page book that's filled with fun facts about their life and the year they were born. Upload personal photos and inside jokes, and in less than 48 hours, it'll be printed, shipped and on its way to their doorstep.
Make them feel extra special by sending this over-the-top ready-to-eat cheese board that includes a variety of hand-selected artisan cheeses, dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, crackers and jam — plus a set of rainbow birthday candles.
With this cool art print, they can time travel back to the year they were born and learn all about what the world was like, including popular events, movies, music and facts from that time. Although it comes unframed, it fits into any 8x10" frame easily.
Mark a milestone occasion in a major way by creating a custom book that plays a personalized video montage. The gift comes fully charged and the video will play automatically when they open the cover. Cue the tears!
Artwork is one of the best gifts you can give, especially when it has a custom touch to it. Here, you can pick any city — where they were born, where you two meet, etc. — and a get a cool map poster created.
With a cool retro design, this gift can be put to use right away, capturing all of their 30th birthday party shenanigans.
Going out every night is for your twenties — your thirties is all about staying in! Help them cozy up their pad with a candle warmer. The lamp heats up the candle's wick so it can emit those fragrant aromas sans flame. This popular pick from Cozyberry comes in pink, black and white.
They might have less time to focus on themselves the older they get, but with this journal, all it takes is five minutes to practice a bit of mindfulness.
Help keep them safe with this personal safety alarm that flashes a light and sets off a siren when activated. In their tests, our product experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute noted that this gadget is easy to use and lightweight.
Make a gift of wine extra special — and extra Instagrammable! — by transforming ordinary bottles with custom 30th birthday labels. Just pick up a few of their favorite bottles to complete the gift.
A cool way to honor their age without it being too obvious, is with this sweet necklace. It features 30 beads, and will instantly become a treasured keepsake.
What better time to cleanse and purify your energy than the start of a new decade? This handmade kit is designed to do just that, with everything they need for a simple, personal ritual.
Their thirties will come with extra stressors, so give them a way to relax and unwind at home. This bathtub tray can hold everything from their iPad to a much-needed glass of wine.
They're probably cooking a lot more at home these days, so help them bring any dish to life with an indoor herb garden that's just the right size for a kitchen windowsill.
Feeling totally stumped on what to get them? This candle is personalized to their birthdate! The brand combines astrology, numerology and tarot to craft each unique formulation.
They will LOL as soon as they unwrap this gag gift, but in a pinch, they can actally really use it to, er, do their business.
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