What to get best friend for 50th birthday

Milestone gifts can be tough to buy. While it's the thought that counts, it's way better to be thoughtful.

Having recently celebrated my milestone half-decade birthday, I was the fortunate recipient of lovely 50th birthday gifts. And given that many of my friends are my contemporaries, there continues to be an onslaught of 50th birthdays to honor in the coming year.

Milestone birthday gifts can be tough to buy. Yes, it’s the thought that counts. But it counts even more when you find gifts that are creative and personal.

Consider your recipient’s personality, sense of humor, hobbies and style. It’s a great time to do a group gift, where people can pool resources for something extraordinary. (Speaking from experience: One over-the-top gift versus 10 small gifts? Yes, please.)

Here’s a curated list of birthday gifts, ranging from $5 to $500, for those achieving membership into the five-zero club. After all, five decades deserves to be noticed with something special.

• 1. 1969 – Back in the Day Almanac and 50 Things to Do When You Turn 50

1969 Back In The Day - 24-page Greeting Card / Booklet with Envelope

Amazon

50 Things to Do When You Turn 50 Third Edition (Milestone)

Amazon

Target

Barnes and Noble

This almanac booklet is a time capsule of memories filled with funny greeting cards that reminds you of everything that was important in 1969. Pair it with “50 Things to Do When You Turn 50,” a book that helps the birthday celebrant make the most of their milestone year. (And, all royalties of the book benefit cancer research.)

• 2. Moment iPhone Camera Lens and Moment Photography Case

Moment - New Tele 58mm Phone Lens

Amazon

Moment Photo Phone Case in Walnut Wood

Amazon

B&H Photo

This lens is a game changer for photographer wannabes who want to up their run-of-the-mill iPhone pic game. You also need to get the case in order to to attach the lens.

• 3. Paper Plane Monogrammed Stationery – 20 for $36, Paper Source

Paper Plane Stationery

Paper Source

Personalized stationery is generally something people don’t buy for themselves. The design options are endless, but we like the Paper Plane symbolism for any newly-minted 50 year old: “It’s your time to fly!”

• 4. Elle Jolie Diamond Bangle, $379, Neiman Marcus

Elle Jolie Diamond Bangle

Sarah Chloe

Sarah Chloe

Statement jewelry. Who doesn’t love it? Several of my own best girlfriends pooled together to get me this lovely gem, with my initials on it. We also love this less expensive bangle from the same brand.

• 5. Vintage Tom Seaver Mets Jersey, $120, Fanatics

Tom Seaver New York Mets Majestic Cooperstown Jersey

Fanatics

Amazon

For the baseball fan, this vintage Tom Seaver jersey is a nod to the World Series champions of 1969, the New York Mets. Seaver, known as Tom Terrific and The Franchise, pitched during the series and years later got into the MLB Hall of Fame. Perfect, because entering the 5-0 club is kind of its own hall of fame.

• 6. Personalized Johnnie Walker Whisky Bottle, $229, Johnnie Walker; Bitter Housewife Old Fashioned Cocktail Gift Set, $33, Williams-Sonoma

Johnnie Walker Custom Engraved Bottle

Reserve Bar

Bitter Housewife Old Fashioned Cocktail Gift Set

Williams Sonoma

The engraved whiskey bottle will be the star of someone’s bar cart. And go ahead and make that subtle jab (“You are so old fashioned!”) with this cocktail kit. Just add whiskey and say “Cheers”.

• 7. Samsonite Luggage, 3-piece, $302 ($570), Amazon

Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion 3 Piece Spinner Luggage Set

Amazon

Bed Bath & Beyond

With all the hassles of flying these days, there is a source of comfort in having sturdy, functional, stylish luggage. (Matching luggage is instant traveler cred.) Samsonite does it with this set that has all the features – hardsided, zero-effort spinner wheels, and retractable handle.

• 8. Custom Vans, $75, Vans

Custom Vans sneakers

Vans

Who doesn’t love a custom pair of shoes? Vans come in all different styles for men and women and you can go crazy with color combinations, patterns and personalizations. We like the idea of adding “50” to the heel backs as a celebratory nod.

• 9. 1969 Barware glasses, $15, Amazon

50th Birthday- Vintage 1969 Beer Can Glass

Amazon

Toast that special 50 year old with “Vintage — Aged to Perfection” glassware that comes in either a beer glass, a tumbler or a wine glass.

• 10. Monogrammed PJs, $59 (usually $75), Mark & Graham

Monogrammed Satin Pajama Top

Mark & Graham

Because, isn’t it about time to retire that old, oversized Van Halen concert sleep shirt? There is something about satin PJs that just make you feel established. And we love this set with its simple, modern monogram.

Editor's note: For a more affordable option, we love these monogrammed pajamas on Etsy for $32.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out:

• Gifts for Mom
• Gifts for Dad
• Gifts for Grandma
• Gifts for Grandpa

Kavita Varma-White is a Senior Editor for TODAY Parents, Digital. After raising her two kids (ages 22 and 20) in South Florida and the Pacific Northwest, she is taking on the 'empty nest' adventure in the Midwest, residing with her husband and pup in Columbus, Ohio. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

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