Our Favorite Gifts for 30-Year-Olds

Lately, we’ve been thinking about non-dorky hiking gear, from billowy hiking pants to jaunty sun hats like this one from Banana Republic. It’d look nice in your hiking friend’s next photo dump.

Lipsticks are typically a “no-no” when it comes to gift-giving, but I’d say Clinique’s universally flattering Black Honey is an exception. In the words of our deals writer Martha Tuber, its “goth-tinged deep-raisin color of the stick is actually nothing more than a sheer veil of color when applied,” making it perfect for the birthday girl going for the “no-makeup makeup” look.

Our Best in Class yoga mat is grippy and soft, and it breaks in very well. Even if they’re practicing in their living room, the mat “provides cushioning for the joints without sacrificing stability in standing postures,” private yoga instructor Alexandria Brzenk says.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s signature Selima Optiques may cost half a grand, but these ones from Le Specs make a pretty convincing dupe for less than a fifth of the price.

I recently replaced my juicer with this one from Dreamfarm that squeezes citrus in half rather than pressing it, and I’ve been impressed. It’s easy to use and quick to juice, and it catches every stray seed — meaning no surprises in your margarita.

With thread, needles, pins, an embroidery hoop, and instructions, this kit includes everything your friend needs to finally learn how to embroider.

Here’s the “the gold standard in wine decanters,” according to actual sommeliers and winemakers.

The next best thing to being in the shower is wrapping yourself in a toasty towel right after the shower.

For anyone who has wondered if they can pair, say, the lacquer-red socks, kelly-green skirt, and kabocha-orange blouse sitting in their closet.

This is technically a lip balm, but it’s our beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst’s favorite lip gloss. “I can apply the Nécessaire lip balm straight to dry lips and trust that my lips aren’t drying out underneath,” she says. And while the brand advertises a semi-gloss finish, she says, “It gives me full-gloss shine, which is likely due to how much I apply.”

Best for separating socks and undies from tees and pajamas. I’m charmed by this “carrots and berries” duo that features strawberries and carrots.

When we interviewed tasteful people about what they would have done differently when it came to beauty and wellness in their 20s and 30s, just about everyone mentioned wearing more sunscreen. Our favorite face sunscreen is lightweight and noncomedogenic, but it’s also pricey, so it’d make a nice gift.

If your friend is looking for advice about wrinkles — many say hands are the giveaway when it comes to aging — this retinol hand cream is your best bet. It comes in a rather sculptural refillable container that fits right into an aesthetically pleasing nightstand. I slather it on every night and wake up with smooth, soft hands.

Rather than, say, drain the liquid out of their tofu with a paper towel, they can use this compact tofu press to squeeze it while they prepare the marinade. Even better: The liquid drains right into the container for easy cleanup.

It’s lightweight yet powerful enough to blow out thicker, curlier, or coarser hair types. Our writer Dominique Pariso recently named it our favorite blow-dryer brush and says, “The nylon and tufted bristles moved through my hair easily without snagging and created a bouncy, shiny, frizz-free blowout.”

Whether or not the Le Labo convinced them to finally join, the very best massage gun (according to us) is powerful yet quiet enough to tend to their sore muscles while watching TV.

“You can just absolutely shovel them into your tub without the guilt of squandering more expensive salts,” our senior editor Hilary Reid says about these salts she’s been using since last summer.

For those who haven’t heard about the Brick: It’s an NFC-enabled square you have to be physically near to lock and unlock the most addictive apps on your phone. Anyone with an Instagram addiction probably knows about it (and probably has considered buying one).

Now that they have more time on their hands, they might fill it with some board games, like this one that’s best for game nights. After dividing into two teams, the groups compete to see who can best guess where clues fall on creative spectrums, like “underrated movie” versus “overrated movie” and “smells good” versus “smells bad.”

If their vice is plastic, consider this permanent-microplastic-free cutting board that’s made with “natural clay minerals and biodegradable biopolymers derived from plants,” according to our senior kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman. It has a pleasing, pebbled texture and is my current cutting board of choice.

When Wartzman hosts movie nights, this floor cushion is the most coveted spot in her living room — even more than the couch.

The adorable (and arguably iconic) duck-shaped handle is actually lightweight and easy to grip, too.

MacKenzie-Childs’s new acrylic pitcher is certainly cheaper than a Courtly Check teapot. It’s outdoor-dining friendly, too.

For anyone on the fence about weighted vests, Stakt made a decidedly sleek version that can be adjusted from six to eight pounds and has a zip-off washable liner.

Whenever they pull out these fruity cocktail napkins, they’ll think of you (and maybe even pour you a drink).

After she used Shark’s CryoGlow mask for four months, even Strategist writer Dominique Pariso’s dad noticed her skin was clearer. It’s outfitted with under-eye cooling pads and a preset routine that cycles through blue, red, and infrared light.

The subway tropical season is approaching. What better way for them to trek through the Times Square station than with Paris Hilton’s preferred (bejeweled) handheld fan?

If they already have a subscription to Gabby George’s “bridal arms” series, these buzzy wrist weights will help them tone their arms in style.

This belt comes recommended by Chris Chavez, the founder of the running-commentary website and podcast network Citius Mag who uses it to carry his phone and other essentials.

During our recent “Wrinkles Week,” we learned about this hydration mist from dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, M.D. “You don’t need to do a whole skin-care routine in that tiny airplane sink,” she says, but if you’d like some hydration, she recommends this face mist.

During a recent camping trip across southern Africa, Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie used these binoculars during her game drives in national parks like Chobe and Kruger. They’re waterproof and rubberized for extra durability.

This small but mighty white-noise machine has 16 soothing sounds to choose from, 32 noise levels, and a USB-C charging port. As Gillespie says, “Because falling asleep in a new place is hard, no matter how much you splurged on a nice hotel room.”

Our tech writer Jordan McMahon is — believe or not — trying to minimize his screen time. Most recently, he’s been taking notes on reMarkable’s new mini e-ink tablet that feels like writing on paper.

He’s also been using his Oura ring that fits underneath his kickboxing gloves, so he can track his metrics while throwing punches.

This mobile controller, which is outfitted with joysticks and actual controls, makes playing games on your phone feel like a Switch. “Its improved ergonomics and more premium controls make long gaming sessions more enjoyable, and its Bluetooth connectivity allows me to switch from playing on my phone at my gate to playing on my iPad mid-flight,” reports McMahon.