There’s no doubt about it: Turning 30 is a big deal, and if you have a friend approaching the milestone, you may be putting a lot more thought than usual into finding the perfect gift. Whether they’re feeling anxious about leaving their 20s behind, or are chill about the whole thing, we’ve got you covered, with a range of suggestions for every type of person about to hit the big 3-0. Our suggestions range from tasteful homeware to tech and fitness gifts, as well as a few items from the Strategist archives. While most of these gifts are available on Amazon, we’ve found some options elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around.
For the friend who loves hosting
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For the friend you went to Oceana with at uni
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Sure, you could gift a grown-up bottle of bourbon. But this Scotch bonnet tequila rum from Fiyah Wata is a little more interesting.
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Or how about this nonalcoholic spirit, which comes recommended by bartenders?
For the friend who loves a mooch around a flea market
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Gift them a cheerful side plate for their next dinner-party night.
For the friend who cooked for your house share at uni
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This highly rated, affordable alternative to a Le Creuset would be perfect for dinner parties.
For the friend who acts way older than 30
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For the friend who has embraced minimalism
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Sunspel T-shirts might be more expensive than the ones in Uniqlo, but they are in our Best in Class roundup for a reason.
For the friend who takes minimalism a bit too seriously
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This jazz poster is bursting with colour and would look great in their flat.
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For the friend who acts way younger than 30
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For the friend who is over sourdough
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Kombucha (a kind of fermented tea) uses the same process (and is kind of good for you, too).
For the friend that knows their Jarritos from their San Pellegrinos
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If they’re a fiend for anything fizzy, now they can do it themselves at home (and even brew up their own flavours).
For the friend whose BBQs are hit-and-miss
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Get them a grown-up (and expert-recommended) alternative to the disposable barbecues they’ve been relying on in their 20s.
For the friend who gets their meat from Turner & George
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If they’re happier in the kitchen than out at a restaurant, give them the right tools for the job.
For the friend who’s always wanted to perfect their own tagliatelle
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This inexpensive pasta-maker, recommended by Strategist writer Chris Mandle, will get them well on their way.
For the friend who reads Furniture for All
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Get them this interiors book about mid-century modern design, including the work of Charles and Ray Eames (they designed the iconic chair of the same name).
For the friend with more than a soft spot for modernism
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This LEGO set of the Guggenheim is perfect for design nerds.
For the friend that will passionately defend brutalism against any naysayer
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This highly giftable hardback will look a treat on their coffee table.
For the friend who’s (comfortably) single
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For the friend who’s (comfortably) coupled up
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A hobby they can do together — like life-drawing with these charcoal pencils — would be a nice gift.
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For the friend who only listens to vinyl
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How about a vinyl record that’s also a nice living-room accent?
For the friend who doesn’t get dressed ’til 1 p.m.
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If they’re going to slounge, they can at least do it in something comfy.
For the friend that turns up their nose at instant coffee
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Give them a new way to make coffee — if they use an Aeropress, for example, consider giving them a Chemex, so they can learn to make pour-over.
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Subscriptions make nice gifts because they last long after the big day. I get a Hard Lines coffee subscription myself and always get excited when my parcel arrives, whether it contains a Peru La Danta or Rwandan Kilimbi. You can see some of our other favourite subscription boxes here.
For the friend who’s at Brockley farmers’ market every Saturday
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Those heirloom tomatoes and courgettes would taste even better drizzled with a fancy olive oil. This one comes in a terra-cotta bottle, which keeps the olive oil protected from sunlight.
For the friend who always sets the table (even for takeaway)
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We like these simple candle stands, which looks like something from H&M Home or Arket.
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Here are some candles to go in them.
For the friend who savours their fancy candles
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If there were ever a time to give someone their favourite (expensive) candle, it would be now.
For the friend who sings in the shower
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This speaker has a six-hour battery life (that’s a lot of “Break My Soul” on repeat).
For the friend who wants to relocate to Margate
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Give them credit for the nicest seafood restaurant in town.
For the friend who just lost their AirPods (again)
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These hard-to-lose wireless earbuds came recommended by dancer William Bracewell.
For the friend who never misses an episode of Switched on Pop
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This book by critic and academic Hanif Abdurraqib explores A Tribe Called Quest’s legacy in truly granular detail.
For the friend who has too many VSCO presets
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For the friend who works too hard
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For the friend with an enviable crop of carrots
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If they’ve already got into growing their own produce, then this composter would be right up their street.
For the friend who’s too old for skateboarding
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Skate mag Thrasher is design-y enough to leave on a coffee table.
For the friend who has a watering schedule
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A decidedly sculpturesque watering can would look perfect next to a snake plant or two.
For the friend with an (enviable) balcony
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This deck-chair set looks like something from the Conran Shop (and would be great for a laid-back cocktail hour).
For the friend who’s (still) on the waitlist for a Brompton
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This mini–exercise bike means they can get a workout in while they’re working from home.
For the friend who’s (still) doing Yoga With Adriene
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We recently named these workout leggings Best in Class, and think any fitness enthusiast would be thrilled to open them on their big day.
For the friend whose martini glasses are gathering dust
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A Champagne saucer is a far more versatile piece of glassware.
For the friend who always gets a birthday bouquet
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If they’re the type to get a lot of fresh flowers, make sure they have something nice to keep them in.
For the friend who has given up on meal planning
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For the friend who has got into writing notes
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These classy-looking cards from Papier are a more affordable alternative to Smythson.
For the friend who insists they don’t want anything
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The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.