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30 Best 50th Birthday Gifts for Anyone Born in 1973

This midlife milestone merits an extra special present.

Headshot of Samantha LawyerBy Samantha Lawyer
1973 birthday card and birthday edition bookpinterest icon

If a special someone in your life is turning 50, you’ll likely want to play a part in this significant milestone. A 50th birthday can be a time to look back on everything they’ve accomplished, as well as to look forward to all that's ahead. They might be hitting great strides in their career, moving into a less strenuous phase of parenthood, or finally getting around to crossing off some coveted items on their bucket list. However you look at it, there’s so much to celebrate at this age, and buying a thoughtful 50th birthday gift is a great way to contribute to the fun.

Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, start by considering what this day means to them specifically. If they're feeling stressed out or even joking about going through a "midlife crisis," you're going to want to get them something to help them unwind and live in the moment. Or, if they are feeling like they're just hitting their stride, honor that with perhaps a luxury gift that elevate their everyday life.

In addition to interest-based gifts, our list also includes some options that can appeal to anyone, including memorabilia from their childhood, personalized 50th birthday keepsakes, and other sentimental gestures that speak to the occasion. With any of these gifts, along with some sweet birthday wishes and a delicious birthday cake, it’ll be an event they won’t soon forget.

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Cool Birthday Card

50th Birthday Card

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50th Birthday Card
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Cool Birthday Card

50th Birthday Card

Now 14% Off
$6 at Amazon

What's really cool about this card is that it walks them through what was most popular during the year they were born, so they get a little trivia as well as a sentimental message from you.

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Best Cheap 50th Birthday Gift

Time Traveling to 1973: Celebrating a Special Year

Best Seller
Time Traveling to 1973: Celebrating a Special Year
2
Best Cheap 50th Birthday Gift

Time Traveling to 1973: Celebrating a Special Year

Let them sit back and enjoy over 100 pages filled with colorful photos, vintage ads and more all from the year they were born. "This book was an emotional experience for me, I found myself transported back in time to that special year. It was a time of both joy and sorrow for me, and the book brought back all sorts of memories and emotions. It was a wonderful journey that reminded me of the people and experiences that have been important in my life," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

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Best 50th Birthday Gift

1970s Candy Gift Box

1970s Candy Gift Box
3
Best 50th Birthday Gift

1970s Candy Gift Box

This curated box offers a blast from the past through a sampling of popular candies from the '70s. The selection includes iconic brands such as Smarties, Bazooka Gum, Pop Rocks, Razzles, Red Hots, and more.

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50th Birthday Keepsake

My Life Story So Far

My Life Story So Far
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50th Birthday Keepsake

My Life Story So Far

Credit: Uncommon Goods

Turning 50 inspires all sorts of reflections, and this book offers various prompts to help the recipient record their memories and wisdom. They'll enjoy taking a trip down memory lane, and it will also become a treasure your family can cherish for years to come.

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If They're Going Through a "Midlife Crisis"

The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50

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The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50
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If They're Going Through a "Midlife Crisis"

The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50

Now 11% Off
Credit: Picador

In The Happiness Curve, journalist Jonathan Rauch draws upon cutting-edge research to illustrate how happiness tends to rise during our 50s, as priorities shift from competition to compassion. It's a thoughtful gift for avid readers, or anyone feeling lost during the transition into their next chapter.

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Funny 50th Birthday Gift For Him

Vintage Original Parts 1973 T-Shirt

Vintage Original Parts 1973 T-Shirt
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Funny 50th Birthday Gift For Him

Vintage Original Parts 1973 T-Shirt

Credit: ShirtInvaders

This cotton T-shirt is casual enough that he'll be able to wear it out often, and is perfect for the guy who enjoys a good laugh. The auto-inspired 1973 label includes the description that it comes with all the "original parts."

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7
Unique 50th Birthday Gift

New York Times Custom Birthday Book

New York Times Custom Birthday Book
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Unique 50th Birthday Gift

New York Times Custom Birthday Book

Credit: New York Times

This stylish coffee table book commemorates their birthday with front pages from the New York Times, starting at their birth year all the way up to the most recent one. It provides an interesting historical snapshot, and can also be customized with their name and date of birth on the front cover.

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Luxury Birthday Gift for Her

Kendra Scott Short Pendant Necklace

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Short Pendant Necklace
8
Luxury Birthday Gift for Her

Kendra Scott Short Pendant Necklace

Available in all birthstones, you can't go wrong with a necklace by Kendra Scott, who is known for beautiful pieces. There are over 61 options to pick from, including gold and silver finishes.

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Top Gift

Password Book

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Password Book
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Top Gift

Password Book

They can easily keep their passwords, login information and account numbers safe (a.k.a. off their computer) and organized thanks to this log book.

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10
Sentimental 50th Birthday Gift

Make-a-Mixtape

Make-a-Mixtape
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Sentimental 50th Birthday Gift

Make-a-Mixtape

The first mixtape made its way into the world during the 1970s, so this will really bring a dose of nostalgia to them. But they don't need anything special to play it. All you need to do is create a playlist on a music platform, send the link to the seller, and the finished piece will feature a QR code on the back that can be scanned to instantly play the music.

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Sentimental Gift for Her

5 Circles Necklace

Amazon’s Choice
5 Circles Necklace
11
Sentimental Gift for Her

5 Circles Necklace

Each circle here represents a decade in her life. It's lightweight enough for her to wear every day, but offers a dose of sentiment that makes it really special

12
Cool Experience Gift

The Late Show: Decoding Your Dreams

The Late Show: Decoding Your Dreams
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Cool Experience Gift

The Late Show: Decoding Your Dreams

For a truly unique experience, your friend can individually explore dreamwork with a soul coach and guide. The possibility to decode and find hidden meanings behind their dreams could unlock their true potential.

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13
Luxury Gift for Him or Her

Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow

Original Loft Pillow
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Luxury Gift for Him or Her

Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow

Experts and users alike rave about this pillow because it offers excellent support while still being soft. At this time in their life, sleep might be harder to come by, so they'll need all the help they can get. There's also a cooling version if they are a hot sleeper.

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50th Birthday Gift Under $25

'Limited Edition 1973' Soy Candle

'Limited Edition 1973' Soy Candle
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50th Birthday Gift Under $25

'Limited Edition 1973' Soy Candle

For a cute gesture that won't break the bank, this soy candle offers just enough personalization. The celebratory scent is called "Champagne on Ice," and its label includes their birth year, as well as fun descriptors like "fabulous," "vintage," and "aged to perfection!"

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Personalized Pick

Initial Canvas Tote

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Initial Canvas Tote
15
Personalized Pick

Initial Canvas Tote

Now 33% Off

She can carry nearly anything she needs in this bag, which has thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon. You can go with her initial or astrological sign.

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For Your Husband or Wife

The Big Picture

The Big Picture
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For Your Husband or Wife

The Big Picture

Few presents are as special as a beautiful family photo. Here, you can give them an impressive 11" x 14" framed picture that they can hang anywhere. It's an elegant and sophisticated gift.

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Just a Little Something

Shower Steamers

Shower Steamers
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Just a Little Something

Shower Steamers

Help them unwind after a long day with this set, which features six fragrant shower steamers. Just popping one of these in their tub will make all the difference.

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Better than a bouquet

Best Sellers Duo

Best Sellers Duo
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Better than a bouquet

Best Sellers Duo

Credit: The Sill

A longer lasting alternative to birthday flowers, this plant set includes an air-purifying Snake Plant and a tropical Monstera Plant. The Sill also offers Ceramic Gift Message Pops that can be placed in the planters for a festive addition.

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Travel Gift For 50th Birthday

The Hanging Toiletry Bag

The Hanging Toiletry Bag
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Travel Gift For 50th Birthday

The Hanging Toiletry Bag

Credit: Away

Any upcoming trips will be made more seamless with this hanging toiletry bag. It's water-resistant and features three-interior compartments, including a clear pouch for liquids that can be detached while going through airport security.

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Same-Day Delivery

Rainbow Sprinkle Celebration Cake™

Rainbow Sprinkle Celebration Cake™
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Same-Day Delivery

Rainbow Sprinkle Celebration Cake™

Now 67% Off

When all else fails, say it with a cake. This one comes in a delicious classic vanilla flavor that can feed 8–10 people.

Headshot of Samantha Lawyer
Samantha Lawyer

Sam Lawyer is a lifestyle writer and television producer based in New York City. She’s been contributing to Woman’s Day for nearly five years, and covers a variety of topics from gifting, to health, and entertainment. Her work has additionally been featured in Cosmopolitan, Country Living, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not writing or producing, you can find her binging her favorite Bravo shows or getting walked by her French Bulldog.

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