26 Birthday Gifts for Friends That are Better Than Cash in a Card

Need a great present, like, now? We've got plenty of cute and creative gift ideas for all your friends' birthdays.

Photos, from clockwise: Uncommon Goods, Uncommon Goods, Anthropologie, ModPawsUS

Updated Oct 04, 2024

You wouldn't want to do life without your circle of friends. They're the ones who celebrate your successes, show you a great time every time you go out and pick you up when you're feeling down. That's why, when their birthdays pop up on your calendar, you're super motivated to find the best birthday gifts for friends.

Whether you like to splash out for your friend group or keep things simple with a smaller, more meaningful gift, we've created a roundup of some of the best gifts to give friends on their birthdays. You'll certainly find all the inspo you need right here, so start browsing!

In this article:

What's the Best Birthday Gift for a Friend?
Good Birthday Gift Ideas for Friends

What's the Best Birthday Gift for a Friend?

Of course, there's no hard and fast rule for choosing gifts for a friend's birthday. The best way to shop for a great gift is to be a good listener and get to know your friend well. That way, you learn their tastes and preferences, likes and dislikes. Once you've done this, you'll likely start to spot perfect gifts whenever you're out and about.

But if you have a new friend or someone who doesn't open up much, finding a birthday gift for this friend can be more difficult. That's when our list can come in handy. And don't forget—giving experiences, like a fun dinner out or making a scrapbook together, can be a great birthday gift for a friend as well.

Good Birthday Gift Ideas for Friends

Here, you'll find our roundup of 26 of our favorite birthday gifts to consider when a good friend's birthday rolls around. Happy shopping!

Quotes by Iconic Women Bookends

For the extraordinary woman in your life, this set of wood, block-shaped bookends features popular quotes from iconic females like Jane Austen and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Each bookend in the set of two is made from distressed pine and features a full-color illustration.

$50 | Uncommon Goods

Birth Month Flower Scarf

If you're looking for great gifts to give friends for a birthday, a scarf always makes a wonderful option. This pretty scarf is made of soft, lightweight modal cotton for an easy, breezy look. Each is adorned with a different birth month flower, making it a perfect birthday gift for a friend.

$48 | Uncommon Goods

Sol de Janeiro Gift Set

This brand is totally having its moment right now, which is why we love this set as a birthday gift for your friend. With a tiny shower gel, a pot of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and the fan-favorite body spray, this set allows your friend to smell delicious from head to toe, whether at home or on vacay.

$32 | Ulta

Thistle Butterfly Puddler

One of the more unique gifts for a friend's birthday that you'll find on our list is this butterfly puddler. A tiny well holds a teaspoon of water and rock salt, which quickly dissolves to leave behind crystals that butterflies can't get enough of. Beautiful on its own, it'll attract butterflies to your friend's garden as well, for a total win-win.

$45 | Uncommon Goods

Leather Toiletry Bag

This beautiful leather bag is a great birthday gift for a friend who loves to travel. A canvas bag and plastic pockets are generously sized to hold travel essentials, and a genuine leather wrap encircles the kit for added protection. A buckle closure ensures everything stays in the right place. Personalize the outside with your friend's initials for a custom birthday gift they're sure to love. This also makes a great wedding gift for a friend.

$133 | Etsy

Stanley Cup

Hydrating and setting trends at the same time is your friend's vibe, and that's why they'll love opening this 40-ounce Stanley tumbler for their birthday this year. Available in an array of colors and vacuum insulated to keep beverages cold for hours, this top-of-the-line tumbler makes a great birthday gift for a friend.

$45 | Amazon

Custom Pet Socks

If you're in search of funny gift ideas for your friend's birthday, look no further than these adorable socks featuring images of their actual pet! Imagine their surprise when they unwrap them and see their favorite furry friend's face all over. Choose from several different colors in sizing from small to large.

From $19 | Etsy

Popcorn Gift Set

Elevate your friend's next movie night with this set of popcorn and seasonings from Urban Accents. They'll receive three bags of popcorn kernels along with five yummy seasonings to try. This is a great last-minute birthday gift for a friend: gift it alone or along with a bottle of wine or a cozy throw blanket for their next movie night. It also doubles as a fun engagement gift for a friend.

$22 | Amazon

Block Initial Necklace

This multi-colored necklace from BaubleBar would make a great birthday gift for a friend who loves funky jewelry. Semi-precious stones are strung alongside a single gold initial for a personalized look. The necklace hangs 18 inches from the neck and features a lobster claw clasp for added security.

$58 | BaubleBar

Acrylic Picture Frame

This rectangular acrylic picture frame sure is a cute birthday gift for friends. The hot pink hue is flirty and fun, which means it's likely to become a staple on their shelf. A magnetic closure is a fun way to easily switch out photos, and you can even add your own message to the bottom of the frame.

$58 | BaubleBar

Fun iPhone Case

Why not gift your good friend a pretty new iPhone case for their birthday? This one from BaubleBar comes in an array of funky, two-tone color combinations: a base color, then a second color that outlines their name. Choose from sizes for iPhone models from 13 to 16, and personalize the case with their name up to 12 characters.

$72 | BaubleBar

Upscale Jewelry Box

This jewelry box from Anthropologie is simply stunning, which is why we think it would make the perfect birthday gift for a friend who has everything. Choose from two elegant color combinations: cream and tan, or hunter green and pink. A delicate gold stand and slim profile give this jewelry box a chic, modern vibe, while the inside provides ample space for all their favorite baubles.

$198 | Anthropologie

Pure Silk Scrunchies

Sometimes, it's the practical gifts that come in clutch on a good friend's birthday. This set of four slip scrunchies is a must-have for anyone who doesn't want to damage their tresses when they pull their hair back from their face. Available in seven colors, your friend will consider themselves lucky to receive this great birthday gift.

$29 | Anthropologie

Bouquet of Flowers

Need a good last-minute birthday gift for a friend? A pretty bouquet of flowers always makes a great choice. This arrangement includes sunflowers, hot pink roses and orange lilies with a festive happy birthday banner.

From $57 | 1-800-Flowers

Minimalist Name Necklace

This necklace makes a unique gift for a friend's birthday. The minimalist design takes each letter of your friend's name and cleverly incorporates them into a symbol that becomes their very own. Choose from a variety of finishes and chain lengths.

From $120 | Etsy

Unisex Perfume

This musky vanilla scent from the iconic brand Tom Ford is a heady fragrance that's suitable for any gender, making it a great gift to give friends on their birthday. Notes of vanilla combine with tonka bean and sandalwood for a scent they're sure to love.

$255 | Nordstrom

Stylish Beanie

Here's a great gift idea if you're looking for something small to wrap for your friend on his or her birthday. This warm beanie is trendy and stylish and comes in several colors with options for either gender. A prominent logo patch adds a touch of style to this machine-washable beanie.

$25 | Nordstrom

Hilarious Wearable Blanket

This silly blanket is all over Instagram and TikTok! It's hilarious and cozy at the same time, making it a funny birthday gift for your friend that's sure to garner a few laughs. Available in heights up to 70 inches, this wearable blanket is perfect for anyone who just.can't.even.

From $28 | Amazon

Heart-Shaped Planter

A perfect birthday gift for a friend with a green thumb is this heart-shaped wall-hanging planter from Terrain. It's a great way to add a touch of rustic elegance to a room and is the perfect habitat for small, vining greenery like ivy or creeping thyme. A plastic liner keeps roots moist and prevents leaking.

Text: $32 | Terrain

Spa Gift Box

This handcrafted spa gift box sure makes a nice birthday gift for friends. Handmade soap, a bath bomb and beautiful jars of scrub and body cream are just a few of the goodies they'll unwrap when you send this their way. It's a perfect birthday gift for a friend who lives far away: it's like wrapping them in a hug right on their doorstep. Choose from a bunch of yummy scents.

From $43 | Etsy

Body Care Trio

Another upscale option on your friend's birthday this year is to wrap this trio of body products from the small brand Naked Goat. They'll receive three delectable products made in the brand's signature scent, which includes heavenly notes of cactus blossom. This set includes a full-size bar of handcrafted soap, a jar of sugar scrub and a container of body oil for an all-over glow. The trio also makes a lovely thank you gift for a friend.

$95 | Naked Goat

Friendship Mug

Looking for an inexpensive birthday gift for a friend? This personalized mug is where it's at. The sweet phrase, "Friendship is what gets you through the bad times and helps you enjoy the good times" is written on one side of the mug. Personalize with your own message on the other side.

$20 | Personalization Mall

Sweet Treat

Tempt your friend's tummy with this variety box of caramel candies from Sur La Table. It's chock full of caramels in a bunch of different delectable flavors, all made from real, fair-trade ingredients. We're certain your friend will feel loved on their special day when they open this birthday gift.

$40 | Sur La Table

Amazon Gift Card

Not sure what to buy as a birthday gift for a friend who has everything? Why not let them choose? This Amazon gift card comes in a cute cupcake-shaped tin and allows you to select any denomination from $25 to $2,000 as a birthday gift for a friend.

Price Varies | Amazon

Temperature-Regulating Coffee Mug

For the friend who lives for that first cup of joe in the morning (and really, who doesn't?) the Ember mug might just make the perfect birthday gift. This mug rests on a matching saucer and is app-enabled to ensure their coffee stays at exactly the right temp for hours on end. Consider us jealous!

From $130 | Wayfair

Mini Photo Printer

Bring their favorite memories to life with this tiny printer from Canon. It allows your friend to print their favorite pictures from their phone in full color on the included pack of glossy, 2x3-inch photo paper. One of our favorite creative birthday gifts for a friend, this printer is compatible with both iPhones and Android devices.

$160 | Amazon