Best 21st birthday gifts to celebrate the milestone, for every taste and budget

This gift is a real keeper – mark their 21st with a lovingly personalised photo book. This is a great way of gathering together photos that mean something to you both – perhaps of a holiday you shared or ones spanning many years.

Holding between 24 and 120 pages, these books can be designed to suit almost any requirement with a range of size and layout options. You can also add text and even photo effects throughout. We used the offline editor to make ours but there’s also an online version and it was easy enough to use, if a little time-consuming to get every photo the size and shape we wanted. We’d definitely recommend using the Smart Assistant to get a head-start on the layout and save time – you may not even need to edit much at all once that’s worked its magic.

If that sounds like too much effort, consider the photo tiles instead (from £6.99, Vistaprint.co.uk). These are really easy to make and we were impressed by the quality. Plus, they come with double-sided adhesive, so they can be hung on the wall in no time.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, a birthday cake is always welcome. This one is a great choice if you’re sending from far away, as it’s packaged in a fun pink-leopard-print box that can fit through a letterbox, so they won’t even need to be at home to receive it. It comes with a free personalised gift message and you can even add a pair of socks in the same leopard print (for an extra cost), if you fancy.

The giant slab of brownie itself weighs almost a kilo and is chocoholic heaven. It’s a rich fudgy dark chocolate smothered in vegan sprinkles and glitter with “happy birthday” spelled out in white chocolate letters on the top. Best of all, it tastes delicious – we’d be delighted to receive this on our birthday.

Left your shopping to the last minute? No judgement here and we may have the solution. This gift voucher can be used to buy almost anything from Buyagift, so your giftee can choose something they will really love. The voucher can also be emailed instantly to the recipient – no last-minute panic here – or, if you’ve planned ahead, it can be posted in an attractive gift box.

The voucher can be redeemed against a huge range of options, including spa days, football stadium tours, activities such as ziplining and paintballing, theatre tickets and even photography courses and perfume-making experiences. There are activities around the country and the voucher is valid for 24 months – we swapped ours for a lavish afternoon tea and it was very straightforward to arrange. It’s impossible to go wrong with this one.

This box features – wait for it – 21 bottles and cans of beer in a range of styles and strengths from a selection of different independent UK breweries. It’s a great chance to discover new beers they might otherwise never try, but, of course, it’s essential to make sure the recipient is a beer drinker first.

Our box included a great selection of IPAs, pale ales, pilsners, lagers and even a bottle of farmers vanilla stout from Bradfield Brewery in Sheffield. We’d definitely buy some of them again now that we’ve had the chance to sample them.

It’s worth noting that, apart from the number of beers in the box, there’s no reference to this being a 21st birthday gift inside, so, it would make a great present for a beer drinker of any age.

Personalised presents can be pricey (and not always worth it). This pretty necklace, however, shows you’ve really considered the recipient, yet it’s still a real bargain.

Choose a delicate silver, champagne-gold or rose-gold chain (available in different lengths) then personalise further with up to six integrated 6mm Swarovski crystals representing birthstones. We chose aquamarine, amethyst, moonstone and peridot – you could specify suitable stones to represent friends or family members. The necklace also comes with a ribbon-tied gift box and a “happy birthday” card for extra wow factor.

If you have no clue where to start, old-school luxury never disappoints. This smart gift box from Hampers.com can be delivered straight to your giftee’s door the very next day and includes a free gift message, so you can pretend you didn’t leave it right until the last minute.

Though there are all kinds of hampers to choose from, this is an outright classic. Inside, there’s a box of salted caramel dark chocolate truffles from The Chocolatier, plus a full-size bottle of Bollinger champagne to bring a real fizz to their big day. Silky smooth with fine elegant bubbles, it’s a beautifully complex wine full of flavours of pear, brioche, honey and walnuts, produced by one of the few remaining independent family-owned champagne houses. There’s no better way to celebrate a special occasion.

Known for its tropical scents and bright colours, Sol de Janeiro already has major Gen Z appeal, so, a new bottle should be a no-brainer birthday gift.

This is no fusty old woman’s fragrance, either. Cheirosa 48 smells like a holiday in a bottle, with bright zingy notes of guava nectar, coconut water, pink musk and lemon – the fragrance is named after the year the bikini was first spotted in Brazil. As it’s a mist rather than a heavier perfume, it can be spritzed everywhere. If you prefer to choose something better suited to nights out, opt for the brand’s Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 76 perfume mist (£24, Asos.com), which is scented with jasmine, blackcurrant and woody amber.

It’s not an understatement to say this gift will be the ultimate game changer for any keen traveller. The tiny gadget functions as a wireless transmitter and receiver, and is the hand-luggage hero your giftee never knew they needed. It plugs into the headphone jack of an aeroplane TV, so you can watch the in-flight entertainment without resorting to the airline’s own flimsy and uncomfortable headphones.

We tried it out on a long-haul flight to South Africa and were connected in minutes, so, we could use our own noise-cancelling earbuds to watch films. The gizmo comes in a small pouch with a charging cable but has a battery life of around 16 hours, so it should survive even the longest flights.

The recipient won’t need to pack away this nifty gadget once home, either. The transmitter can also be used in older cars without Bluetooth, when gaming or even on gym equipment to exercise without cords getting in the way. We tried ours on an older TV, to listen on our wireless headphones when we previously couldn’t, and it worked a treat.

You could buy a bog-standard box of choccies but a big birthday deserves the chocolate hamper of dreams. This one from Lindt comes in a heavy, luxurious brown box tied with a ribbon and is absolutely crammed with treats from the Swiss chocolatiers.

We were staggered by the array of goodies squeezed inside, including three 200g boxes of Lindt’s famous truffles; another three full-size boxes of chocs, including a master chocolatier collection; 100g bars of white vanilla, dark 70 per cent and milk extra creamy; and even a jar of Lindt dark chocolate spread. The real showstopper is the box of Lindt pick and mix, which you can choose to fill with individual chocolates to include flavours they might fancy, such as cheesecake, matcha white chocolate, coconut, raspberry and cream, and (our favourite) stracciatella.

Don’t buy them something that will be stuffed in the back of a cupboard and never used. This practical gift set includes all the basics they’ll need for a top-to-toe overhaul, even if they’re never likely to faff with fancy (or pricey) skincare.

Inside, there’s a shower gel, moisturiser, face wash, body spray and antiperspirant, all with a fresh and subtle scent that was designed with one of the world’s top fragrance houses and won’t over power. All are vegan-friendly, free from micro-beads and parabens and made in the UK. Plus, all come in generously sized bottles, so they’ll last long after your giftee’s birthday hangover.

If you know your recipient well enough to pick clothing for them, a new outfit will always be warmly welcomed. This dress got a thumbs-up from our female tester, who liked its go-anywhere style, cool linen look and lace-up back, which makes it more than just another pretty dress. We reckon it would be a great choice for anyone heading off travelling, as it will roll up and never need ironing and can be worn everywhere from the beach to a club. Plus, it comes in a bright punchy red, if they want to make even more of an entrance.

Just because they’re 21 doesn’t mean they’ve grown out of toys, so, any gadget-lover will be thrilled to get their hands on this drone. It can be controlled to a distance of around 30 metres, can fly for up to 18 minutes per charge and can even do 360-degree flips. We found it surprisingly easy to operate – we didn’t even lose the drone on the first go, as we feared we would – with two speed settings, chunky joysticks and a one-key return function, for extra peace of mind. Both our testers couldn’t wait to get it outside and have a go.

Best of all, the drone has a built-in HD camera, which captures astonishing photos and videos in real time and feeds results back to the controller, to help get the perfect shot to show off on social media. This will be the most fun present they receive, guaranteed.

There’s not much that will floor them like opening diamonds on their big day. If you’re going all-out to impress – or really want to indulge them with something they’ll love forever – these earrings are unbeatable and had our female tester smitten.

They’re made by London-based jewellers The Diamond Store, which was first established in Hatton Garden in the 1950s and now leads the way with its innovative practices. Half its collection features sustainable, lab-grown diamonds – the ethical way to get some sparkle in your life. These are chemically and optically identical to natural diamonds, but don’t come from mines.

These earrings feature five lab-grown diamonds each, handcrafted in polished white gold and presented in beautiful packaging to make this gift extra-special. Subtle but sparkling, they look beautiful when worn, and their timeless design means they’ll still look the part for decades to come. There’s a matching necklace, if you’re ever feeling generous in future, too. Certainly, this is one way to be sure they’ll never forget turning 21.

Are they a sucker for a sancerre or partial to a pinot grigio? Dedicated white wine drinkers are in for a treat with this wooden gift case of three bestselling whites from Virgin Wines.

A real cut above buying them any old bottle from the supermarket, the wines included are all exceptional. They include a weighty South African chenin blanc chock-full of pear and apple flavours; a crisp, citrus-laced pinot grigio and – our favourite – a super-dry Spanish viura, which has summery peach aromas and a delightful freshness. Who wouldn’t want this to turn up on their doorstep?

Both our testers said Apple products would always be very welcome birthday gifts. While the latest phones are particularly pricey, an iPad could make a great – and cheaper – alternative and is less likely to duplicate tech they already have. Both our testers already had phones and laptops but neither owned an iPad and were excited to try this one, saying it would be particularly useful when travelling abroad or commuting.

We had this one up and running in moments and were seriously impressed with its crystal-clear 10.2in retina display and lightning-fast operating speed. It also works with the Apple pencil and smart keyboard, for even more versatility – particularly useful if they like to sketch out ideas or make notes. It’s perfect for gaming on-the-go, bringing to meetings, or watching TV while travelling, with a long battery life and decent 64GB of memory. Plus, you can sit back and be smug that you’ve bought their favourite gift by far.

Both our testers agreed new trainers would always have a place on their birthday wishlist. With so many styles and colours to choose from, these were the pair both decided were a can’t-go-wrong buy that would go with everything.

They come in a huge range of colourways, but white leather is a classic that will never date. These have a canvas upper with stitched overlays, a foam midsole and leather accents, but they don’t just look good. The trainers have distinctive Nike air technology to provide major cushioning that our tester said would make these his daily go-to pair. We especially loved the vast selection of sizes available (up to size 15) – just be sure to check which is the right one for your giftee.

If you’re buying for someone who is forever moaning about the time they spend straightening their hair each morning, this gift will change their life. Our female tester couldn’t wait to give it a try and said it would save her huge amounts of time.

These space-age straighteners use high-pressure airflow and pioneering technology to straighten hair as it dries, meaning there’s no need to dry your hair first before getting nifty with the straighteners. As well as cutting down serious arm ache, the airstrait projects air evenly as it styles, without using extreme heat, to prevent hair damage and protect natural shine. Our tester said she styled her hair in half the time and felt it looked far healthier, with fewer flyaways. Our one major gripe is that it is very expensive but, if you’re looking to splurge for the big birthday, you can’t really put a price on good hair.

A distinctive cream bag from Jo Malone tied with a smart black ribbon is sure to brighten any birthday. We reckon you could buy almost anything from the famously luxe brand and it would be well received on the big day, but this body cream is our pick of the high-end products.

It comes in a hefty glass jar for showing off in the bathroom and is divine to use, with cocoa butter and sweet almond oil for major skin-softening. As a gift, it’s less risky than perfume but chicer than a shower gel, and is likely something they’d never treat themselves to. Plus, if they already use other Jo Malone fragrances, it layers well with several – including bestsellers lime, basil and mandarin, and wood, sage and sea salt – so, they can personalise their scent. It also smells amazing, with the fruity freshness of pears, delicate sweetness of freesias and a woody hint of patchouli that lingers all day.

Whether they’re about to start their first full-time job or will just never say no to a new accessory, this Fiorelli bag is a bonus in any wardrobe. It comes in black, tan or white, so, it will work with almost anything else they already own, instantly upgrading their look.

Made of faux leather, it has an adjustable crossbody strap, Fiorelli-branded lining and a zip closure, to keep their essentials safe during a night out. We loved the unusual curved shape and were surprised by just how much we could cram inside, including a water bottle, wallet, phone and even a dinky umbrella. If they need even more room to carry their essentials when commuting, try the Anna crossbody bag (was £39, now £19.50, Fiorelli.com), which we loved in easy-to-wear grey.

Clogau was founded after local man William Roberts discovered an abandoned gold mine in the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales. The rare Welsh gold found there is still used in the company’s jewellery today and has also been used to make generations of the Royal Family’s wedding rings from Queen Elizabeth II to The Duchess of Cambridge. Every piece of Clogau jewellery is now guaranteed to contain the same gold and is made using traditional techniques before being hand-finished to create a future heirloom that will stun any lucky 21-year-old.

This tennis bracelet is made of sterling silver and set with sparkling topaz, with one stone ringed with 9ct Welsh rose gold for a cool, contemporary look that will never date. It’s stunning in the flesh and a sure-fire conversation starter. Plus, if you love the look but want to spend a bit less, there’s a matching ring (£119, Clogau.co.uk) and earrings (£99, Clogau.co.uk) available. We’d love any (or all) of them.

If they’re starting out in a new home, chances are they’re more concerned about the electricity bill than nice-to-have accessories. Swerve practicality and treat them to something lovely to make their new home a nicer place to be. This mini essential oil diffuser comes in baby pink or black and is small enough to be used anywhere, from their WFH desk to a bedside table.

It’s completely waterless and wireless once it’s charged, so, all they’ll need to do is screw in an essential oil blend, sit back and enjoy. They can adjust the intensity to suit or even change the oil for different moments, whether they need help sleeping, de-stressing or feeling more content. The scent is strong enough to fill an entire room yet the diffuser rarely needs recharging and it made us feel like we were in a spa in our own bedroom. Just remember that it doesn’t come with oil, so, if you’re feeling really generous, you could also throw in a wellbeing essential oil blends collection (£72, Neomwellbeing.com), a set of four heavenly-scented oils to get them started.

Birthdays are the best time to treat someone to items they would never buy themselves. Of course, they may already have a cheap toiletry bag they’ve carted between student houses, festivals and holidays abroad, but their 21st is a good excuse to present them with a proper, grown-up alternative.

This beautiful bag is made by family-owned brand Ettinger. One of the last remaining leather manufacturers in the UK, it has been producing luxury goods for 90 years and was granted a Royal Warrant in 1996. The bag comes in a choice of five colours – including black, tan and a deep red – and is made of water-resistant grained-leather, which disguises any small scratches.

It comes complete with grey jacquard lining, can be easily wiped down and fits a surprising amount inside (we tend to carry our entire bathroom cupboard when travelling). We especially liked the smaller exterior pocket, which is really useful for smaller items that are easily lost on holiday – we’re looking at you, tweezers. Honestly, they won’t believe they own something so swish.

Okay, we know it’s not the most glamorous present but if your soon-to-be-21-year-old is heading off travelling, or just spends all summer at festivals, this is a great choice.

Available in black, blue or pale green, the 65l rucksack is super sturdy but lightweight enough to be carried easily, even on the long walk from the car park to the festival site at Glastonbury. There’s a padded air mesh back, which is surprisingly comfy (and non-sweaty); adjustable straps; and plenty of pockets, so they won’t need to scrabble around for their passport or ticket. We particularly love the fact there’s a hidden rain cover tucked away in a pocket, to protect the bag from sudden downpours.

Everyone likes a hoodie, whether for slinging over gym gear, walking in the park on a weekend, or just cosying up at home with a takeaway. Now they’re 21, why not give them a luxe version they’ll love even more (though likely not splurge on themselves)?

This one from the M&S Autograph range is 100 per cent cashmere and comes in either black, grey or dark olive. Our testers opted to try out the black version and loved the hoodie’s full zip, pockets and super-soft textured design, which they said they’d wear with jeans, but also as loungewear in front of Netflix. It’s super-fine, so won’t add bulk, yet is extremely snug, so, we reckon it would also be a dream for travelling. Better still, it can simply be washed at 40C, so you’re not saddling them with a lifetime of handwashing hassle or dry-cleaning bills.

We usually avoid gifting fragrances, in case the recipient hates the smell we choose, but our testers told us a high-end scent is one of their favourite presents to receive.

At least the odds are in your favour if you opt for Dior sauvage. Available in 30l, 60l, 100l and 200ml sizes to suit your budget, bottles can even be personalised if you want to go the extra mile. They come in plush Dior gift wrapping with complimentary samples, plus our testers were impressed by the fact the 30ml and 100ml bottles can be refilled, to cut down on waste. The scent is a winner, too, with fresh woody top notes cut through with a sharp hit of citrus and pepper that they’ll want to wear every day.

Our 20-something testers told us that looking good was a top priority – and any present to help the cause would always be appreciated, especially if they wouldn’t usually be able to afford it themselves.

These Silhouette sunglasses fit the bill perfectly. A contemporary take on the classic wayfarer style, they come in either gradient grey, blue, brown or black, with a strong top bridge, 100 per cent UV protection and advanced anti-glare coating. Most importantly, they look drop dead gorgeous and are astonishingly lightweight, so you can barely tell you’re wearing sunglasses at all. If your giftee is used to cheapie sunglasses that break in seconds, they won’t believe the difference and will wear these year-round.

If you can’t buy something completely decadent for a 21st birthday, when can you? No one needs a Prada lip balm and few could justify buying one for themselves – which pretty much makes this the perfect birthday present, in our book.

It’s lovely to wear, infused with bifidus extract and jojoba oil for a soft, nourished feel that seems to last longer than with an average budget balm. Just be prepared for the fact it looks pale green in the tube which is slightly peculiar, but the balm actually goes on colourless and leaves a slightly matte finish, for a stylish look. Of course, the real thrill with this gift comes when they slip the sleek silver bullet (emblazoned with Prada’s name) from their bag and swipe it on as their friends look on enviously. Somehow, we have a feeling they won’t be sharing this one.

We’re huge fans of gifting monthly subscriptions, as nothing quite beats a surprise present turning up each month, long after the big day itself. A subscription full of sweet treats is even better, and is guaranteed to keep the birthday buzz going.

Candy’s Cupcakes is a family-run business based in Greater Manchester, and has been making cakes and cookies since 2011. Its subscription box can be ordered for three, six, nine or 12 months, and contains all kinds of goodies that last for days. Don’t expect run-of-the-mill flavours, either.

Each box includes six generously sized vanilla, red velvet and chocolate cupcakes topped with decorated buttercream – ours included Lotus biscoff, Ferrero raffaello and Twix – plus a mountain of baked goods. These might include anything from Jammie Dodger-flavoured blondies to slices of lemon curd cake, but ours had rocky road jam-packed with Kit Kat and marshmallows, Oreo-flavoured donuts, white chocolate cookies and even a Mini Egg cake in a jar. All come beautifully presented in a tissue-wrapped box filled with mini-marshmallows. The goodies are super-fresh and taste fantastic.