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There's no birthday more iconic than the big 2-1, and I stand by that. Yes, your 18th birthday is when you technically become an official adult. But 21? Not only does the world see you as an even adultier adult—but drinking alcohol is now legal, too! That's big time! So, if you have a person in your life who is about to hit this semi-chaotic yet wonderful age, we've got a big list of 21st birthday gift ideas (boozy gifts and wine-themed gifts included) that are useful, sentimental, and obviously, party-appropriate.
You might be tempted to pick up the fanciest-looking bottle in the liquor store within the $20-$30 range, stick a bow on it, and call it a day. But you can do better than that—we recommend a drinking card game and a hangover kit to celebrate their first legal sip. Also, your options aren't limited to alcohol, especially if drinking isn't their thing. You could also help them stock up on boring-yet-necessary things for their new apartment or career like a coffee maker, a tool kit, and a designer tote bag.
Basically, any gift that makes your newly-minted 21-year-old feel grown is sure to be a win. Ahead, the best 21st birthday gifts to help them celebrate this milestone birthday in style.
Make sure their memories are being captured with a dependable camera. This version from Kodak requires no ink cartridges, toner, or film and will print out pics just moments after you take them.
This little pouch contains everything they’ll need to stave off a hangover—gum, mints, sanitizing wipes, electrolytes, Advil, and more.
If they're newly 21, I'd bet that they love a good movie night but don't have a great TV system set up. I'd even bet that they're probably just watching movies on their laptop. A smart projector like this one transforms any blank wall into an at-home cinema.
Dating in your twenties is...something else, to say the least. Help them navigate this interesting time with this lighthearted read that's full of ~wisdom~.
The iconic Lululemon belt bag is the perfect gift for a 21 year old. They'll love using it for hikes, hot girl walks, and hands-free beer crawls!
A regular lip gloss will disappear after a cocktail or two, but this TikTok-approved lip stain will last all night long (it’s drink-proof and smooch-proof, just FYI).
Petite, leak-proof, and oh-so-pretty, this sparkly flask is sure to become a 21-year-old's new fave accessory.
Hydration boosters that have probiotics and don't taste super salty? Sign me up. They can use these while prepping for the half-marathon that every twenty-something inevitably runs, as a hangover cure, or even as a cocktail mixer.
Nothing says, "I'm 21, and I'm an adult!" like a mature, chic tote.
From the people who brought you the one and only What Do You Meme? comes Buzzed, a hilarious drinking card game that’ll get everyone laughing and thoroughly tipsy. Important!
The kids (and when I say kids I do also mean the 21-year olds) love, love, love Sambas. Just trust me on this one.
What's a 21st birthday celebration without a dance party? Make sure the music is taken care of by gifting them this five-star rated (!!) speaker. They'll be using it alllll night and for years to come!
Help them transition into cooking their own meals with this guide to making yummy viral recipes like pancake cereal, whipped matcha lattes, and pizza in a mug.
This scrunchie drink cover (as seen on Shark Tank!) pops right onto a cup to prevent spiking and comes in the cutest shades of pink, purple, and blue. It’s not the most fun, but it’ll definitely give the user some peace of mind.
Being 21 means they're really grown now. And if they don't have a tool kit yet, first off, OMG. Second, buy them one STAT. It may not be the cutest gift, but trust that they'll be super appreciative of it!
This little bag (seriously, it can probs fit in the palm of their hand) contains everything from extra earring backs and buttons to safety pins, stain remover, double-sided tape, and deodorant towelettes for any and every emergency that comes their way.
So they're probs still not that great at cooking (speaking from personal experience) and need a lil help. Enter: this cute and affordable air fryer that'll do all the chef work for them (with practically any food) in minutes.
This sweet champagne-infused treat is the perfect non-alcoholic nod to their newly legal status. The giftable set comes with five boxes of gummy bears and bubbles.
Just because they aren't a big drinker doesn't mean they can't pop some bubbly to celebrate 21! This alcohol-free sparkling wine won an award at the 2023 World Sparkling Awards and has notes of pear, white flowers, and spicy citrus.
If they've been wanting to get a coffee maker for their home but felt like they didn't have the space for it, treat them to this one from Keurig. It's literally less than five (!!) inches wide and it'll make them a mean cup of Joe whenever they please. (Also, goodbye to spending hella $$ on coffee from the cafe!)
Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
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