31 Gifts You Can Send To Friends Celebrating Birthdays On Lockdown
The Zoom birthday chat is about to get lit.
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1. A '90s-themed candle with a personalized birthday gift box from Otherland, so they can channel an era of childhood birthday parties that, quite frankly, will never be beat.
The '90s-themed candle collection includes Dreamlight, Blue Jean Baby, and Glosspop, reminiscent of era-specific scents like freesias, worn-out jeans, and lip gloss. Tamagotchi and Lion King-themed pinata not included.
Get it from Otherland for $36 (available in three scents).
2. A dozen Magnolia Bakery cupcakes with frosting so buttery and decadent they'll be gone within the hour, whether your friend is socially-distancing with family or all on their own.
Each birthday dozen comes with six vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing, complete with assorted birthday decorations and sprinkles 🧁.
Get a dozen from Goldbelly for $65.
(I feel it is my duty as a dessert consumer to inform you that you can also buy a giant vat of Magnolia Bakery's famous banana pudding for $54, if that's more your friend's speed.)
3. A fast-growing birth month flower grow kit that will thrive indoors just like the rest of us finally getting through our Netflix queues — plus, once it gets big enough to plant outside, your friend can use the glass grower as a beautiful vase.
Promising review: "Daughter-in-law is a tad difficult to buy for--she's very undemanding and pleased with anything. I wanted to get her something that showed I was thinking about her specifically, and this flower grow kit was perfect for that. It was personal in that it was tailored to her birth month, and also worked well because her home is filled with plants. When I saw her recently, she was pleased that the flowers had already started to sprout, and I could tell she really enjoyed the gift." —Virginia
Get it from UncommonGoods for $34.
4. A birthday cake in a mug complete with its own candle, so your friend can light it and boomie it for the perfect #StayHome birthday 'gram, and have the ideal mug for all future microwaveable cake needs.
Promising review: "THANK YOU UncommonGoods for getting these items out so quickly to my local friends isolated at home due to self-quarantine on their birthdays this month! My friends loved them & the Birthday Cake Mugs really cheered them up. Now I am ordering them for my friends across the country who I can never be with to celebrate on their birthdays. What a great gift!" —UncommonGoods Customer
Get it from UncommonGoods for $20.
5. A personalized Disney cup because birthdays are great, but glitter-filled hydrated birthdays are better. (Although I personally would not judge any birthday-haver for using this for bathtub wine.)
Promising review: "Such good quality. Better than expected and she put the most adorable little Micky mouse confetti and matching tissue paper. Presentation with packaging was unexpected and so cute. I love it so much. Bought for a friend and I already know she's gonna love it." —Shelby
Get it from Lillybelle On Main from Etsy for $19+ (available in Mickey and Minnie and two different font styles).
6. A Friends photo frame mug that lets you put a pic of the two of you in it — a way of saying 🎶I'll be there for you 🎵even when you gotta say it from afar.
A perfect gift for when your friend has to "PIVOT!!!" their b-day plans.
Get it from Firebox for $15.99.
7. Plus a two-pack of birthday celebration tea — one full of rainbow sprinkles, and the other full of POPPING CANDY. The ideal quaran-tea to sip on your day of birth.
8. A Rose Apothecary sweater for the friend who just used social distancing as an excuse to re-watch Schitt's Creek all the way through for the fifth time (LOVE that journey for them!).
9. A birthday card full of confetti, because nothing says "love" quite like glitter-bombing your unsuspecting friends.
10. A colorful Harry Potter sorting hat bath bomb that fizzles out to reveal not only what house your friend is, but a little pin they can wear as a badge(r?)* of honor.
(*I'm a Hufflepuff, sue me.)
Plus, if your friend already knows their house in their heart, you can opt to get a specific one!
Promising review: "Not only was this the coolest present I have found for a friend, and not only does it smell amazing, but the seller went out of their way to make sure it would get here in time and was so wonderful through the whole process. I would highly recommend purchasing from this shop due to the wonderful service and high quality of products!" —Catherine
11. A "because social distancing" wine glass they can use to toast to everyone in the Zoom birthday chat after y'all sing "Happy Birthday" in nine different (but no less enthusiastic!!) keys.
Get it from Red Lines Designs on Etsy for $7.99+ (available in 35 colors, including *glitter* options!).
12. A super soft Baby Yoda T-shirt that is, quite truly, a big BFH (Birthday From Home) mood.
13. A personalized long-distance BFF keychain to remind them you're not just thinking of them on their special day, but every day y'all are apart ❤️.
These keychains are super customizable — you can get messages like the one above, or get creative with inside jokes or cheeky phrases like "I hope your day is as nice as your butt."
Promising review: "I absolutely loved this! It came out very neat and my boyfriend cried when I gave it to him. Thank you so much for making this lovely personal gift!!" —vctigie
Get it from Bees Hand Stamped Gifts on Etsy for $14.76+.
14. A Baked By Melissa birthday cupcake pack perfect for anyone whose favorite cake flavor is "all of them."
Each 25-pack of cupcakes comes with your choice of an assortment of Baked By Melissa's vast flavors of cupcakes (may I aggressively recommend PB&J, chocolate chip pancake, and cookie dough, which will be the names of my three firstborn children).
Get it from Baked By Melissa for $42.
15. A Tom Nook plush for the friend who is celebrating their birthday on a virtual island and can't be bothered to cut any birthday cake until they've assembled enough bells to pay rent.
*sighs* Time to go catch myself a few red snappers...
Get it from Box Lunch for $16.90.
16. A little astrology-based book on self-care tailored to their sign, so they can unwind however the stars intended (*crosses fingers that "watch Netflix in the bath tub" is included*).
Each book starts out with an explanation of what self-care is, what the different types of it are (and aren't!), and how it relates to astrology before diving in deep on all the ways each sign can take care of themselves and the people around them ✨.
Get all 12 astrological signs from Barnes & Noble for $12.99 each.
17. A confetti glitter birthday soap with a UNICORN in it 🦄that you can fully customize, from the type of scent to how strong the scent is to whether or not you want glitter in it (my answer to that is either "yes" or "HECK YES").
Promising review: "These are absolutely adorable!! I let her pick out my scents and she did great! They're both beautiful and smell yummy! Recommend!" —Carrie
Get it from Cindy's Bath Creations on Etsy for $5.98+ each (available in 39 scents).
18. A mesmerizing handblown glass birthstone wine stopper, so when they pop a bottle open on the Zoom party, they can seal the leftover Pinot in style.
19. A personalized cookie cutter of their furriest friend, because now that we're all baking our way through every recipe on the internet your friend will appreciate it more than ever.
Promising review: "Absolutely love it (and Roo is a huge fan too)! Ivan made a beautiful cutter and picked up on Roo’s unique features. It was so quick and accurate. Can’t wait to make cookies soon!" —Patricia
Get it from Bakers Street Cutters on Etsy for $27.
Psst — the seller even includes a cookie recipe to make sure it stays in shape while it bakes!
20. An assortment of Milk Bar cookies from the iconic New York-based bakery, aka the ultimate birthday bragging right — ordinarily you have to stand in line for a bajillion years for one of these!
This set comes complete with *takes a deep breath* one Compost Cookie, one Cornflake-Marshmallow-Chocolate-Chip Cookie, one Corn Cookie, one Blueberry & Cream Cookie, one Chocolate-Chocolate Cookie, and one Confetti Cookie. I would fight you for any one of them.
Get a set of six cookies from Milk Bar for $20.
21. A sloth tea infuser, since they'll be spending their birthday just ~hanging around~ the house anyway.
This heat-resistant, slow brew infuser also is designed to seal tightly so loose tea leaves don't escape (*Trelawney voice* "My dear ... you have the GRIM!!").
Get it from Aerie for $9.95.
22. A cocktail subscription box so they can craft themselves a birthday drink so perfectly-tailored to their tastebuds that it'll rival anything they could have gotten out at a bar.
Each kit comes with ingredients to make four servings of a craft cocktail, with a different theme and surprise ingredients every month. (Psst — April's box includes a mashup that bourbon + apricot fans will love!) You can opt to get one box as a gift, or gift them with several boxes as part of a subscription!
Promising review: "I got my first box (the ginger orange with mezcal and gin martinis) the drinks were easy to prepare and, frankly, the best part was that despite the fact that it was 7 p.m., I was in my PJs, in my living room, toddlers finally put to sleep, taking a sip of the drink (out of a plastic cup instead of a proper glass) transported me IMMEDIATELY back to my previous life as a decked out, dressed up, single twenty/thirty-something with a social life at the cool & and amazingly interesting bars and restaurants of NYC. I never thought I'd have that experience again — of having a really, really interesting and delicious drink just because I felt like it — and yet, here I was, re-experiencing my previous life in the comfort of my own home, without even having to hail a cab, hire a babysitter. Really fun and tasty. Thank you!" —Rebecca S.
Get one box from Cratejoy for $27.99 without the alcohol, and $37.99 with the alcohol included.
23. A set of two 300-piece Bob Ross puzzles that comes complete with a little book of Bob Ross wisdoms, so they can spend their birthday making ~happy little masterpieces~.
Get it from Firebox for $9.99.
24. A pack of 18 colorful Dylan's Candy Bar chocolate squares, so they can kick back all through their birthday month with flavors ranging from S'mores to Milk Toffee Crunch to Dark Raspberry.
The full flavor lineup includes Caramel, S'mores, Cookies & Cream, Milk Toffee Crunch, Dark Raspberry, Hazelnut, Almond, Dark Espresso. No, YOU'RE crying.
Get it from Dylan's Candy Bar for $25.
25. A personalized bracelet from BaubleBar you can customize with a message up to 12 characters (I personally recommend making four that say BEATS, BEARS, BATTLESTAR, and GALACTICA, but to each their own).
Get it from BaubleBar for $36.
26. A set of puppy earrings so they can look doggone adorable when their coworkers surprise Skype call them to wish them a happy birthday.
Get them from ModCloth for $19.
27. A Birchbox x BuzzFeed limited edition beauty box, which comes with all the skincare, haircare, and beauty bargains they need to make FaceTime a time for their face to shine.
Get it from Birchbox for $62 (a $205 value, plus get $10 off when you use the code BUZZFEED at checkout!).
Here's everything the lucky birthday boss will get:
💫 Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask (travel size): a treatment for dry or damaged hair that you can apply in the shower to get those luscious post-quarantine locks — especially now that most of us aren't blow-drying or styling our hair as often! (Retails for $12.)
💫Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer (travel size): a primer that helps minimize pores whether or not you're wearing makeup, and will help products roll on more smoothly. (Retails for $15.)
💫First Aid Beauty Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask (full size): A moisturizing treatment for dry indoor skin — time to socially-distance any uncomfy dryness from your friend's face! (Retails for $32.)
💫Saturday Skin Pretty Pop Probiotic Power Whipped Cream (full size): This cloud-like moisturizer comes encapsulated probiotics that will help skin feel firm and supple, so your friend can get that coveted ~Zoom glow~. (Retails for $57).
💫Glamsquad The Untamed Texturizing Finishing Spray (travel size): A residue-free hairspray that not only adds texture and volume to your hair, but will strengthen it — all your friend has to do is spray and tousle. (Retails for $12, or $22 for the full size.)
💫Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Liquid Liner: An easy-to-use, opaque eyeliner that stays in place — no smudging, skipping, or streaking during all those at-home mini workouts, and perfect for practicing the perfect cat-eye. (Retails for $35.)
💫Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer (full size): A super light leave-in hair treatment that not only de-frizzes and detangles dry or damaged hair, but also protects it from heat and breakage. (Retails for $28.)
💫Glamglow Bubblesheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask: Y'all, this mask FOAMS, so it's like giving your face a bubble bath. Except this bubble bath also deep cleanses your skin and leaves your face feeling totally refreshed. (Retails for $9.)
💫ColourPop Cosmetics Lippie Stix in Love Life: A matte red lipstick with a pen-like applicator to give a little pop of color and instantly turn any "blah" day into one full of colorful birthday selfies abound. (Retails for $6.)
28. A pair of snuggly USB-powered heated slippers to keep their toes toasty during their Everything Cozy Forever And Always-themed birthday party.
Promising review: "Got this gift for my significant other, who is a profound puppy lover. She adored them very much and uses them a lot more than she thought I might. They heat up a lot more than expected and although they are very large, the footbed is as snug as a glove." —heverlybills
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $31 (originally $35; available in three styles).
29. A Tamagotchi, so they can channel their birthdays of '90s yore and celebrate by mopping up after a tiny digital creature that fits in the palm of their hand.
Promising review: "These bring me back!!! So glad Urban Outfitters is carrying these. I love the one I got and since they're all unique my friends and I all have different ones." —blondielala
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $20 (originally $25; colors vary).
30. A two-piece glittering face mask that will make them feel like ~birthday royalty~ as they mask their way to hydrated, glowy skin.
This face mask contains hyaluronic acid, green tea, and caffeine that doesn't just hydrate, but also energizes skin. GET THAT BIRTHDAY VIBE ALL DAY LONG!!
Promising review: "This is the best mask I have ever used. I previously used Glamglow’s super mud treatment which I also love, but this mask was another level. My skin was so smooth and well-hydrated for weeks after using it. Highly recommend. I rarely write reviews but this product is incredible." —jllupi
Get it from Sephora for $10.
31. A "Calm The Chaos" journal for a friend who wants to turn some fresh pages for the next year of their life, or just needs a calming way to unwind these days.
Each day of this journal comes with guided suggestions for ways to check in with themselves, their priorities, and how to best take care of themselves and people they love.
Promising review: "I was surprised at how these simple prompts help me to reflect on simple moments of joy and blessings through my day, and also helps me to set goals and purpose for the following day! It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete each day and has become a peaceful ritual I look forward to before bedtime. 5 stars from me :)" —MissKriss
Get it from Anthropologie for $14.95.
Your grateful BBFF (Birthday Best Friend For Life) after you surprise them with one of these thoughtful gifts:
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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