The 23rd birthday marks an exciting new chapter as your loved one steps into the prime of young adulthood. This major life milestone calls for unique and thoughtful gift ideas that really wow!
Whether they love traveling the world, conquering their career, or just cherishing time with loved ones, there are so many ways to make their 23rd birthday celebration special. Check out this list of memorable 23rd Birthday Gift Ideas to inspire the perfect pick.
Experience Gifts for 23 Year Olds Birthday
Create once-in-a-lifetime memories with these exciting experience gifts:
Hot air balloon ride – For breathtaking views, book a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride. Float peacefully over landscapes and then champagne toast the birthday.
Indoor skydiving – Give thrill-seekers the sensation of skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel. Look for special first-timer packages.
Firearms experience – For the shooting enthusiast, arrange a session at a shooting range to try firing different pistols and rifles. Offer private lessons for newbies.
Horseback riding – Take them on guided trail rides through nature for a fun outdoor adventure. Look for winery rides that end with wine tasting.
Glass blowing class – Unleash their artistic side with beginner glass blowing workshops to turn molten glass into bowls, vases, and sculptures.
Foodie Gifts for 23 Year Olds Birthday
Satisfy their appetite and taste for adventure with gourmet gifts:
Mixology course – Up their bartender skills with in-depth mixology classes teaching how to shake, stir and garnish craft cocktails.
Wine or beer tasting – Tour local wineries or breweries for an insider look at the wine/beer making process and tastings of unique varietals or brews.
Cheese making class – Led by artisan experts, learn to make various cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, ricotta and more from scratch.
Chocolate tasting – Indulge their sweet tooth by sampling gourmet chocolates from around the world, guided by a chocolate sommelier.
Gourmet food tours – Explore Chinatown, Little Italy or other local ethnic food enclaves, stopping for guided tastings at restaurants, markets and shops.
Pampering Gift Ideas for 23 Year Old Women
Every woman deserves to be pampered on her birthday. Treat her to luxurious self-care:
Spa package – Let her indulge with massages, facials, body treatments, mani/pedis and more at a premier resort spa. Add boutique hotel stay.
Blowout and makeup – Arrange for a talented stylist to come to her home and create gorgeous blowout hairstyles along with professional makeup application.
Personal stylist session – Work with a personal stylist for a head-to-toe wardrobe overhaul. The stylist will find pieces tailored to her body and style.
Lash extensions – Long, lush eyelash extensions give her glam eyes for weeks. Find a trusted technician for safe application and maintenance tips.
Fitness classes – Give her new gym motivation with a 10-pack of classes at trendy studios like Barry’s Bootcamp, Pure Barre or SoulCycle.
Romantic Birthday Gifts for a 23 Year Old Girlfriend
Show your love and appreciation for the special birthday girl with romantic gifts:
Couples massage – Enjoy side-by-side massages, facials and relaxing treatments in a couples suite at the spa. Schedule champagne and chocolates too.
Weekend getaway – Plan a romantic weekend escaping to a charming bed and breakfast, winery retreat or mountain cabin rental. Take care of all the planning and details.
Hot air balloon at sunrise – Watch the sunrise together from the basket of a hot air balloon, floating peacefully above the landscape. Follow with a champagne picnic.
Cooking class date night – Create delicious meals and memories at a couples cooking class learning new recipes to master at home. Opt for cuisine you’ve always wanted to try.
Art museum visit – Make a day of culture and romance exploring exhibits hand-in-hand at an acclaimed art museum. Plan lunch or drinks after.
Fun Birthday Gift Ideas for a 23 Year Old Guy
Help the birthday guy embrace life’s adventures with fun and unique gifts:
Hang gliding adventure – Fulfill dreams of flight with tandem hang gliding. Take off from mountain peaks for a thrilling ride.
Go-kart racing – Tap into his need for speed at an indoor or outdoor go-kart racing track. Give a multi-race package for him and friends.
Beer making kit – Beer lovers will enjoy getting to brew their own custom batch of craft beer from an at-home beer making starter kit.
Axe throwing – Channel your inner lumberjack at an indoor axe throwing range for a high-energy (and safe!) group activity.
Video games – Fuel his competitive spirit with the latest video games and gaming gear like high-tech controllers, gaming headset and PlayStation/Xbox store gift cards.
Tech Gifts for 23rd Birthday
Keep their gadget game strong with the latest tech:
Noise-canceling headphones – Whether commuting or studying, noise-canceling headphones from Bose or Sony block out distractions.
Smart watch – Smart watches like Apple Watch track activity and sync with their phone to view notifications and alerts on the go.
Portable charger – Ensure their phone never runs out of juice with a slim power bank that fits in a pocket or purse. Quickly charge phones and devices.
Wireless security camera – Keep their home or apartment secure with indoor/outdoor wireless cameras they can monitor via smartphone app.
Bluetooth tracker – Never misplace keys, wallets or bags again with a clever Bluetooth tracker that attaches to belongings and locates items using a phone app.
Travel Gifts for 23 Year Olds Birthday
Inspire new adventures with travel-themed gifts:
Luggage set – For frequent jet-setters, upgrade their travel gear with a new luggage collection designed for their needs. Add monogramming.
National parks pass – The national parks pass provides access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites from coast to coast for a year of exploring.
Scratch map – As they visit new states and countries, they can scratch off locations on a scratchable map to display where they’ve been.
Travel journal – Document adventures in a fine leather journal. Include fun scrapbooking supplies like stickers, mementos from past trips and a nice pen.
Packing cubes – Take the hassle out of packing with a set of packing cubes that neatly organize clothing, shoes and toiletries in their suitcase.
23rd Birthday Gift Ideas for Homeowner
Help them settle into their first home with functional home gifts:
Tool kit – Start their DIY needs off right with a starter toolkit including essentials like a hammer, screwdriver, wrenches, level, tape measure and more.
Stand mixer – The kitchen staple simplifies baking cakes, whipping cream, kneading dough and more with the flip of a switch. Give attachments to make pasta, sausage, ice cream and more.
Gas grill – Grilling opens up easy dinner options. Choose a gas model that ignites with the push of a button. Give grilling tools too.
Smart speaker – Smart speakers from Amazon or Google offer hands-free voice control for playing music, setting timers and reminders, checking the weather and more.
Security system – Help protect their home with an easy to install security system including sensors for doors and motion detectors. Remote access via smartphone.
Gifts for 23 Year Old Graduates
Celebrate their academic achievement with gifts to inspire their career and beyond:
Leather portfolio – A luxe leather padfolio will hold resumes and papers for job interviews. Choose a rich color and monogram their initials.
Interview outfit – Give confidence with a stylish interview-ready outfit, like a perfectly tailored suit, shift dress or slim blouse and trousers.
Handbag – An elegant leather satchel, tote or backpack keeps work or school essentials organized. Go for classic styling in black, brown or tan.
Engraved business card holder – For new grads starting a career, an engraved case adds a sophisticated touch when exchanging business cards. Pick a motivational quote or phrase.
Career books – Guide their path with books on networking, salary negotiation, building confidence, and interview skills. Add an inspiring memoir or novel too.
Sentimental Birthday Gifts for a 23 Year Old
Select a heartfelt gift that shows what they mean to you:
Scrapbook or photo book – Gather special photos from over the years and create a sentimental scrapbook celebrating their life and memories.
Personalized throw blanket – Custom photo blankets keep favorite snapshots or cherished sayings close. A cozy way to remember happy times.
Engraved jewelry – An engraved necklace, bracelet, watch or ring can be inscribed with a short meaningful phrase, quote or coordinates of a special place.
Birth flower piece – The traditional birth flowers for 23 year olds are Hollyhock and Aster. Preserve their flowers in resin jewelry, paperweights or canvas art prints.
Heartfelt letter – Handwrite a sincere, emotional letter sharing your favorite memories together, funny stories and hopes for their bright future ahead.
Unique Birthday Gift Ideas for 23 Year Olds
Think outside the box and give a present with panache:
Hot sauce making kit – Make the birthday heat seeker their own signature hot sauce with a DIY kit for infusing peppers and customizing spice levels.
Indoor gardening kit – Give green thumbs everything they need to grow herbs, greens and plants indoors no matter the weather or season. Great for small spaces.
Cocktail chemistry kit – Mixologists can experiment with molecular cocktail making using unique ingredients like flavored foams, powders, flavored glass rims and more.
Glamping dome stay – Go camping in serious comfort and style by booking a night in a decked out geodesic dome “glamping” site with comfy beds, furnishings and often amazing views.
Virtual reality headset – Experience immersive VR worlds and games with a smartphone-compatible headset like Oculus Go. Amazing gift for techies.
Final Words
The 23rd birthday opens exciting new possibilities. With unique gift ideas from gourmet adventures to dream career gifts, you can find a thoughtful option to make their milestone year memorable.
Look for experiences that create lifelong memories, pampering to unwind and recharge, travel gifts to inspire, and practical items for new home owners and career builders. With some creativity and personalization, you’re sure to give 23rd Birthday Gift Ideas they’ll cherish.
FAQs About 23rd Birthday Gifts
What are good 23rd birthday gifts for your girlfriend?
For girlfriends, think romantic getaways, pampering spa packages, personalized jewelry, concert or event tickets for things she’d love, and heartfelt scrapbooks or picture frames of your relationship memories.
What should I get my 23 year old sister for her birthday?
Great 23rd birthday gifts for sisters are things to make her world a little brighter like cozy wearable blankets, monthly subscriptions for makeup or self-care, customized mugs or water bottles, fitness trackers, and fun pajamas or slipper socks.
What do you give a 23 year old guy for his birthday?
Top 23rd birthday gift ideas for guys include grilling tools, tech gadgets like headphones or gaming gear, tickets to see his favorite sports teams, beer making kits, hang gliding or racing car experiences, tool kits, and personalized sports memorabilia.
What are good 23rd birthday gifts on a budget?
Thoughtful 23rd birthday gifts that won’t break the bank are photo albums or frames, soft blankets or sweatshirts, baking together a homemade birthday cake, indoor picnic with their favorite foods, museum or park memberships, board games, and movie or concert tickets.
What traditional gift is given for a 23rd birthday?
There aren’t many strong traditions around 23rd birthday gifts, but some ideas are a bottle of their first “adult” red wine or whiskey, scratch-off lottery tickets, and gag or novelty gifts related to surviving their early 20s.