Many people spend a lot on money on gifts for 21st birthdays (particularly parents), but presents don't have to be expensive – often meaningful and memorable is more special. Below are some suggestions for all budgets for both guys and girls.
Cheap 21st Birthday Gifts for Him ($5-$50)
Personalized Items – monogrammed beer glasses, personalized magazine covers, engraved key chain or pocket knife.
Something Collectible – a sports card, book or video game he's been wanting.
A Food and Drink Gift Basket – guys can never get enough of that stuff!
Mid-range 21st Presents for Him ($50-$150)
Concert or Sports Tickets – A fun and memorable idea if his favourite band or team is playing around the time of his birthday.
Extreme Sports – A bungy jump, ride in a race car ( NASCAR Experience), skydiving, jet boating. These activities range greatly in cost, but there should be something to suit your budget.
Expensive 21st Gifts for Him ($150+)
Vacation/Holiday – Everyone loves a good vacation. Las Vegas, New York, Tokyo, Hawaii, Great Barrier Reef.
Private Plane or Helicopter Ride – Certainly something he'll never forget!
Electronics – Okay, so it's now particularly personal, but just about any boy would love a new computer, 42" TV or stereo for his birthday.
Car – If you really want to splurge out!
Cheap 21st Birthday Gifts for Her ($5-$50)
Personalized Items – Personalized coins, initialed shot/martini glasses, pendant or other jewelry with her name on (this could also be an idea for a more expensive gift depending on the type of jewelry).
Manicure/Pedicure – Definitely a nice way to relax (and look good) before the big birthday celebration.
Girly Gifts – If she's a girly girl, she'll love things like nail polish, make-up, a teddy bear, chick flicks and chick lit (DVD's and book's). You could even put several of these items together in a gift pack.
Mid-range 21st Presents for Her ($50-$150)
Spa Treatment – Massages, Facials... Something almost every girl would love!
Shopping Spree – What more needs to be said!?
Expensive 21st Gifts for Her ($150+)
Vacation – A trip on a cruise ship, Miami, Caribbean, Paris, London, Rome, Melbourne.
Spa Day – While single spa treatments can be kept under $200, anything longer than an hour or more deluxe generally can't. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from in this category.
Electronics and Expensive Toys – Like boys, girls love their laptops, iPods and cameras. Perhaps a new iPad or the latest cell phone?
While this is only a brief overview of birthday gifts, many of these ideas can be used as a base for a more personal gift suited to the individual you're buying for. Many of the gifts listed under 'him' will also be suitable for girls and visa versa – at least to some extent! In the end, it all depends on the individual, and it is always more special to tailor the gift to specifically meet his or her interests.
Elise Franklin - I'm a university student studying Politics and Criminology. I also have qualifications in Travel and Tourism. I love to travel, and have ...
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