I'm A Lifestyle Shopping Editor, And I Found The 38 Best Birthday Gifts For Her

Forbes

5 days ago

While finding the best birthday gifts for her can be challenging (especially if she seemingly has it all), consider the recipient's hobbies and the items she may not splurge on herself—but definitely has on her wishlist. As a lifestyle editor and product researcher, I drew on my own experiences and considered gifts from both established and emerging brands before narrowing down our curated list. From a ready-to-eat charcuterie board to a gorgeous pair of earrings to custom wine glasses, these presents are thoughtful, fun and will make the birthday girl feel extra special on her big day.
The best birthday gifts for her are as thoughtful and unique as she is. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Regardless of who you're shopping for, the best birthday gift for her is one that is tailored to her interests and personality. A custom gift, whether it's a monogrammed robe or a hand-poured birthday candle with her astrological details is always a good idea and feels more thoughtful. Below, the best birthday gifts for her that are stylish, unique and sure to delight. For more shopping inspiration, check out our guides to the best luxury gifts and the best gifts for women.
While cake or cupcakes are traditionally seen at birthday festivities, if you're looking for a slightly more unique treat, you can't go wrong with this pre-assembled cheese and charcuterie board by Boarderie. It features 19 hand-selected cheeses, meats, nuts, dried fruits and chocolate. It even comes with a pack of rainbow birthday candles, so she can make her wish.
This sweet, handmade cake plate will make the birthday girl feel extra special on her big day. The words, 'Hip hip hooray, it's your birthday,' are written in colorful letters with a handful of stars scattered around the middle of the plate. While it is dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended to maintain it over time.
What's better than receiving fresh flowers on your birthday? Well, flowers and cookies. Spoil the birthday girl with the cheerful Nantucket Bouquet by UrbanStems, which features coastal-inspired blooms, plus an eight-pack of Levain Bakery cookies. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
Help the birthday girl unwind after a long day with this soft and breathable pajama set from Cozy Earth. The soft-knit fabric feels cool throughout the night (even if you're a hot sleeper), and the contrast piping adds a touch of elegance. I appreciate that the pants have side pockets and come in a tall size.
If she's an avid runner or walker, this well-cushioned Hoka sneaker will help her log more miles in the coming year. The streamlined style features an added 3mm of heel cushioning, along with a dual-density molded EVA sole that keeps your feet stabilized and supported throughout your run.
A watch is a wonderful gift that she can wear every day. This timepiece features a stainless steel, gold-plated watch dial, quartz mechanism and leather strap (the leather straps that are part of the Icon Watch Collection are also interchangeable, so she can purchase another color to switch things up).
These popular earrings from Jenny Bird create the illusion of two chunky hoop earrings stacked together, making them an excellent choice for a more dramatic look. They have a high-polished finish and come in gold and silver. (If you think she'll prefer a more understated look, the Mini Florence Earrings will be your best bet.)
This cashmere cardigan by Reformation is the perfect weight for year-round layering, and it comes in over 15 fun colors and patterns. I find myself reaching for this sweater constantly, and the relaxed fit feels comfortable, even with a long-sleeve tee underneath.
This breezy linen button-down is a versatile (and sophisticated) wardrobe staple that she can wear to work, while grabbing coffee with friends or even pack in her carry-on for an upcoming trip. The linen fabric is incredibly soft, and the shell buttons are a nice touch.
This hand-poured candle can be customized with the recipient's name and features a unique blend, crafted with the help of a master perfumer, that coincides with the recipient's birth date. The front label features cool details, including her astrological sign, ruling number, ruling planet and her emblematic tarot card.
No matter how old she is, a customizable photo book featuring photos of friends, family, favorite trips and more, is sure to be a winning gift. Using Papier's online editor, you can select an image for the front cover, as well as for each page in the book (up to 100 pages).
Able Objects is a female-founded, small business with a beautiful assortment of minimalistic jewelry, ranging from delicate earrings to pendants. I've always admired the brand's Tilt Signet Ring, which features an angled oval face, a modern iteration of the classic design. Choose from sterling silver or 14K yellow gold, and personalization requests (such as custom engraving) can be made via email.
This practical tote bag is sure to be a big hit—you can select the size, tote color and monogram color for a bag that matches her personality and style. It's made from sturdy cotton canvas with a snap closure, and has an internal pocket and key loop to ensure she never loses her keys.
Help her toast to her birthday with these stemless wine glasses that can be laser-engraved with a name, letter or set of initials. They're crafted from BPA-free, shatterproof plastic that's virtually unbreakable, and they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
A custom art print is a thoughtful option that will remind her of her special day (and the gift giver) whenever she looks at it. You can frame a sentimental note, family recipe, wedding vows or anything else that's meaningful to her.
Everyone needs a sweet treat on their birthday, so spoil her with this 25-pack of mini Baked By Melissa cupcakes hand-selected by an astrologer. Each pack is customized based on the zodiac sign, but some of the flavors in the assortment include cookie dough, red velvet and triple chocolate fudge. Note that these cupcakes contain nuts.
Frequent travelers will appreciate this stylish aluminum suitcase, which is ideal for mid-length trips around six to eight days. The hard, durable shell protects your belongings packed inside, and it comes with a generous lifetime warranty that covers any damage that may occur. (This suitcase earned a top spot in our guide to the best luggage .)
Help her achieve glowing skin with this flexible red light therapy mask, which we reviewed in our comprehensive guide to the best LED face masks . It's easy to use and only requires three to five 10-minute treatments each week. I typically wear my mask in the morning while I check my emails and make tea; it has helped me establish a calming morning routine that encourages self-care.
This compact bucket bag is the ideal size for storing essentials, such as a phone, wallet, keys, lip gloss and even a small camera. I've owned this bag for almost a year and use it constantly; it can fit a surprising amount inside, and I appreciate the adjustable strap, which allows for cross-body wear.
This gorgeous diamond necklace by Frank Darling will be a gift she reaches for time and again. You can choose your diamond (natural or lab-grown) and your metal (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum) for a fully customizable piece. The delicate cable chain is also adjustable, allowing her to wear it higher or lower on her neck.
Jennifer Behr crafts elegant and timeless accessories (headpieces, jewelry, scarves and more) by hand with the highest quality materials—and the Natasha Headband is no exception. The two-inch-wide headband base is covered with hand-draped silk that has the perfect amount of luster. You can choose from various colors, including cream and sage green.
Help her create a serene environment with this oversized ceramic candle from Blueme, a female-founded company that creates candles and diffusers with an elevated, minimalist design. This refreshing scent combines notes of eucalyptus, lime, apple, rose and jasmine.
Give her the gift of an expanded closet with Vivrelle, which allows you to rent a designer handbag or piece of jewelry for as long as you want before swapping it for another item. The gift card value will be applied towards the membership pricing, and if the recipient doesn't have a Vivrelle account, they can easily create one online (gift card applicants will be eligible to skip the waitlist and have their applications reviewed within a few days, which is a nice perk).
This thoughtful calendar, which can be customized with 12 photos, will be a constant reminder of the birthday girl's most cherished memories. The printed calendar sheets sit on a solid brass easel (with the option of a hand-dipped matte black easel), and you can choose a foil design for the writing, which adds an extra special touch.
Even if she doesn't have a green thumb, this Fiddle Leaf Fig, which comes nestled within a planter of your choice, is easy to care for. You can choose from three different sizes, and it only requires watering once a week or every other week. Keep in mind that this plant prefers bright indirect light, but The Sill has a huge selection of low-light plants if that's a better option for the recipient's lifestyle.
Every quarter, she'll receive a new FabFitFun box filled with items from various lifestyle categories, including beauty, fashion and home. There's also a lot of flexibility when it comes to selecting items, so she'll only receive products she's interested in, and she can always choose to swap a box for credit instead. (FabFitFun was named the best lifestyle subscription for women in our guide to the best subscription boxes for women )
Book lovers will be excited about this book nook, which serves as a convenient place to store their latest read and provides a helpful spot to set down a mug and reading glasses. It even has space for her phone, so it's nearby but out of sight when you're reading.
Help the birthday girl look her best for her celebration with this curated assortment of Saie's most popular products. This set includes a full-size Dew Blush (liquid blush) and Glossybounce (high-shine lip gloss), as well as a travel-size bottle of Super Glowy Gel (multipurpose illuminator), all tucked inside a lavender jelly bag. All of Saie's products are incredibly user-friendly and will give your skin a natural, luminous glow without looking overdone.
Dr. Dennis Gross Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask
These powerful sheet masks by Dr. Dennis Gross are easy to use (simply remove the mask, unfold it and align it to your face) and will give her skin an instant pick-me-up. The hero ingredients include vitamin C, lactic acid and niacinamide, which work together to target dark spots, boost hydration and more.
These hydrating and nourishing lip balms by Cocokind are packed with ceramides and peptides to keep lips looking (and feeling) their best. The formula is also an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin, as it contains no fragrance, flavor or other common irritants. Another benefit? The built-in ring on the cap can hold charms or be attached to the outside of a purse or handbag.
Regardless of her skin type, this bundle of Tower 28 skincare products is sure to leave her complexion clean, glowing and healthy. Three full-size products are included: a gentle gel cleanser, a daily rescue facial spray (ideal for use after workouts) and a barrier recovery cream.
This large claw clip will keep her hair out of her face and add a pop of color to her look. I own this clip and appreciate that it gently sweeps my hair up without any pulling or tugging. Plus, you can find this style in a ton of fun colors and prints if pink isn't her thing.
Elevate her self-care routine with this Bur Bur massaging and detangling brush, crafted from beech wood and featuring flexible nylon bristles that help smooth and style hair. The bundle also comes with a full-size bottle of hair oil to help repair damage, nourish the scalp and leave each strand feeling soft and silky. The oil functions as a re-shower treatment, an overnight hair mask for added hydration or a finishing product to tame frizz.
When she's getting ready for work or enjoying a slow Saturday morning at home, she's bound to reach for this long and cozy bath robe. It has large pockets so she can stash her phone or simply keep her hands warm, and the roll-and-button sleeves are a helpful feature that keeps them dry. We also love the contrast piping and optional embroidery.
These soft, breathable sheets from Boll & Branch will upgrade her bedroom and help her achieve a restful night's sleep. The cotton construction will keep her cool and comfortable throughout the night, and the fabric has a delicate sheen that will make her feel as though she's staying in a 5-star hotel.
If she has an extensive collection of makeup or skincare products, this faux leather vanity case will keep everything organized and easy to find when she's getting ready. There are two main compartments, an included compact mirror and a removable insert that helps keep smaller items separate.
Journelle Journelle Kaia Pant
For weekends, weeknights or anytime she's ready to relax and unwind at home, she'll love to slip on these soft, wide-leg lounge pants. The cotton-modal fabric is stretchy, machine washable and drapes perfectly. Pair them with the Kaia Bralette for a stylish set that she won't want to take off.
If she's always complaining that her coffee or tea is cold, this mug is the ideal solution. It can heat beverages for up to 90 minutes or keep them warm all day when the mug is resting on the charging coaster. With the app, you can also select a specific temperature, and the LED indicator lights will alert you when the temperature has been reached.
The best gift to give her on her birthday is something that caters to her particular interests or needs. For example, if she enjoys running or walking, the Hoka Arahi 8 sneakers are sure to get a lot of use, while travel lovers will love the splurge-worthy Rimowa Original Cabin Suitcase. You can also opt for a personalized gift, such as the Birthdate Co. The Birthday Candle, BaubleBar Custom Alpha Tote or Able Objects Tilt Signet Ring, which feels extra thoughtful.