If you have a friend about to turn 30, you may be putting a lot more thought than usual into getting them the perfect gift. Maybe they’re feeling anxious about the milestone. Or maybe they’re the kind of person who seemingly has their life together, making it hard to know what to buy them. Whether they’re a big kid or a budding Brompton owner, we’ve got you covered with a range of suggestions for every type of person about to hit the big 3-0.
For the friend who misses museums (and their gift shops)
Since you can’t visit the Barbican shop, these copper-and-concrete coasters may be a good alternative.
For the friend who already has plenty of coasters
For the friend you went to Oceana with at uni
Or how about this nonalcoholic spirit, which comes recommended by bartenders?
For the friend who cooked for your houseshare at uni
This Le Creuset dupe in a bright-blue hue would be perfect for dinner parties.
For the friend who acts way older than 30
For the friend who acts way younger than 30
For the friend who is over sourdough
Kombucha (a kind of fermented tea) uses the same process (and is kind of good for you, too).
For the friend who can’t go to Bilbao this year
Gift them a cheerful platter for their next wine-and-cheese night.
For the friend who can’t go to Sicily this year
For the friend whose BBQs are hit-and-miss
For the friend who gets their meat from Turner & George
If they’re happier in the kitchen than out at a restaurant, give them the right tools for the job.
For the friend with a soft spot for modernism
Get them this interiors book about Charles and Ray Eames (they designed the iconic chair of the same name).
For the friend with more than a soft spot for modernism
This LEGO set of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house is perfect for design nerds.
For the friend who is obsessed with tracking their sleep
A weighted blanket should ensure they get a decent’s night kip. Note: It’s recommended to choose a weighted blanket that’s around 7 to 12 percent of your body weight. For example, someone who weighs 60 kg could use any blanket between 4.2 kg and 7.2 kg.
For the friend who is obsessed with Co-Star
If they’ve been studying their Jupiter in Taurus, they may want to get into stargazing; this telescope is great for beginners.
For the friend who wants (or needs) to be more chill this decade
Incense sticks are a great alternative to candles for the bedroom.
Here’s a sleek holder for their incense, too.
For the friend who’s (comfortably) single
Several of our experts said this German vibrator is one of the best.
For the friend who’s (comfortably) coupled up
A hobby they can do together — like life-drawing with these charcoal pencils — would be a nice gift.
For the friend who doesn’t stream music (or anything, for that matter)
How about a vinyl player that’s also a nice living-room accent.
For the friend who doesn’t get dressed til 1 p.m.
If they’re going to slounge, they can at least do it in something comfy.
For the friend who’s at the farmer’s market at 10 a.m. every Saturday
Those heirloom tomatoes and courgettes would taste even better drizzled with a fancy olive oil, like this award-winning one from Tuscany.
For the friend who always sets the table (even for takeaway)
We like this simple candle stand, which looks like something from H&M Home or Arket.
Here are some candles to go in them.
For the friend who eats dinner alfresco
For the friend who takes minimalism a bit too seriously
This jazz poster is bursting with colour and would look great in their flat.
For the friend who sings in the shower
This speaker has a six-hour battery life (that’s a lot of “Savage Love” on repeat).
For the friend who’s staycationing this year
This candle will remind them of the Cornish coast.
For the friend who just got into Audible
For the friend who prefers physical books
This book exploring A Tribe Called Quest, by critic and academic Hanif Abdurraqib, is a must-read.
For the friend who has too many VSCO presets
For the friend who works too hard
This massage pillow (a favourite among Strategist staff) will relax them.
For the friend with an enviable crop of carrots
If they’ve already got into growing their own produce, then this composter would be right up their street.
For the friend who already composts
This wormery is neat enough for a small garden and will result in higher-quality compost.
For the friend who’s too old for skateboarding
For the friend who just got into ‘proper’ coffee
This Scandinavian cafetière will add a touch of class to their morning java.
And while there are tons of independent roasters, you can’t go wrong with Taylors.
For the friend who has a watering schedule
For the friend with an (enviable) balcony
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
This mini–exercise bike means they can get a workout in while they’re working from home.
For the friend whose martini glasses are gathering dust
A Champagne saucer is a far more versatile piece of glassware.
For the friend who always gets a birthday bouquet
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 still has eight Zooms a day
This scale model of the solar system (RIP Pluto) would be nice to gaze at (just make sure their video is turned off).