These Are the Best 21st Birthday Gifts for Your Boyfriend (Trust Us)

So, your boyfriend's 21st birthday is coming up, and it's kinda a big deal. He's at an age where he's spreading his wings, exploring the world and ping-ponging (beer-ponging, really) between work and play all day, every day. Life is buzzing, so a 21st birthday gift for your boyfriend should be just as lit. You'll want to start your shopping by honing in on what makes your guy tick—aka all the little or big things he's into—and using that as a guide. Does he nerd out over gaming or anything high-tech? Does he constantly have at least one game on in the background? Do his playlists give him life?

Not every guy drops hints about what he's been bookmarking or abandoning in his cart over the last few months, but if you've been paying attention, you should have some breadcrumbs to follow. If not, we've got a slew of awesome gift ideas guaranteed to get your birthday boy amped.

1. Bottle Opener

Photo: 321 Simple Creations

He's finally 21, which means he'll need a dedicated bottle opener at the ready for every social event on the calendar. Come in clutch with this custom aluminum bottle opener keychain from Etsy. You can opt for stamping on one or both sides, with multiple font styles to choose from. "Cheers to turning 21, Love [Your Name]" is our favorite inscription, but "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" also makes a good impression if you're gifting in a new relationship.

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2. Bar Tool Set

Photo: West Elm

A high-end at-home bar may still be a few years away, but that doesn't mean you can't get him started with a trendy tool set that includes a strainer, bottle opener, jigger, muddler, stirring spoon, tongs and bucket. With this sleek and modern bar tool set sitting proudly on his counter, he can shake, stir and swirl his favorite cocktails with ease, impressing friends and family alike. It's a stylish, yet practical gift that'll take his mixology efforts to new heights.

3. Sherpa Gaming Blanket

Photo: Shop Harlow Boutique

A good throw blanket is life-changing, but when it comes to gifts for gamer boyfriends, regular old fleece is no dice. Instead, level up his couch cocoon with a comfy minky blanket lined with Sherpa fleece. You can even personalize the plush with his name for an extra $10.

4. Charging Crashpad

Photo: Courant

Like we said earlier, life is busy in your 20's. Your S.O. might be going to class and hustling at his campus job during the day and then hanging with friends from Thursday through Sunday, so he'll need to have all his devices juiced up before heading out the door. This handsome 2-in-1 charging zone lets him charge his iPhone and AirPods simultaneously, while the increased tray space (available in linen or leather) gives him a tidy spot to stow his everyday essentials (wallet, keys, swipe cards, glasses, etc.). There's even an extra USB-C port on the back to plug in another device, like an Apple Watch.

5. All-Star Sippers

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Scouting a new favorite game-day accessory for your baller boyfriend? These oversized cups make for a perfect 21st birthday gift for your boyfriend. They aren't just a whimsical addition to their breakfast spread for your child at heart—they also hold the power to make him put down the remote or put a pin in his sports podcast (temporarily, of course) and enjoy his morning brew or cereal in style. The idea for the multi-use mugs came from an 8-year-old little boy who firmly believed the world would be a better place if we could play with our food.

6. Rugged Rucksack

Photo: State Bags

This backpack is a real champ when it comes to melding form and function. It's got all the compartments and pockets your guy needs to stay organized, plus a padded sleeve to keep his laptop safe. The sleek black design and durable nylon material make it perfect for any adventure, whether he's interning in the city, heading home to his parents for the weekend or adventuring abroad for a semester. You can even add his monogram on the side or front panel and a heart (available in 11 different colorways) for a personalized, 'I love you' kind of touch.

7. Moonshine-Infused Munchies

Photo: Man Crates

You know that old phrase "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" It's not hype, it's a fact—which makes this sweet and savory snack crate a spot-on 21st birthday gift for your boyfriend. The mason jar is stuffed with 24 ounces of chocolate-covered pretzels and cereal bits that have been soaked in moonshine. They're absolutely delicious and the perfect pre-game snack for any stud who drools over puppy chow.

8. Legal-At-Last Hoodie

Photo: Glorious Apparel

It took him 21 years to get to this moment, and he won't let you forget it (especially if his birthday comes before yours). To celebrate the birthday boy on his special day, get him this roomy sweatshirt emblazoned with the words "Finally Legal To Do All The Sh*t I've Been Doing For Years." It comes in sizes S-3XL and you can choose from six colorways—but the Heather Grey is **chef's kiss.**

9. Insta-Famous Insta Camera

Photo: Amazon

Even if your BF was never really a "picture" guy before, a gift like this is more than enough to make him change his tune. With its sleek design and effortlessly cool retro vibes, the Polaroid Now Generation 2i-Type Instant Camera is perfect for capturing life's unforgettable moments. It's a great match if your beau is adventurous, always seeking out his next thrilling experience. Plus, it instantly prints pictures, helping him fill his wall with memories and giving his place a much-needed dose of personality.

10. Next-Gen Notebook

Photo: Amazon

Is your love a total bookworm or, better yet, someone who loves to take notes during his daily reading session? If so, the Kindle Scribe is going to be your best splurge ever. It's not just an e-reader, it's a digital notebook too, allowing your guy to read, write, journal and sketch, all in one place. With a stunning 10.2-inch glare-free display and the ability to convert handwritten notes to text, he'll be able to read and write as naturally as if he were using pen and paper. Plus, it has the longest battery life of any Kindle device, so he can enjoy weeks of reading and writing on a single charge.

11. Shower Starter Set

Photo: Sephora

Looking for a gift to level up your boyfriend's shower routine (or help him establish one to begin with)? This travel set from Necessaire includes the brand's body wash, body lotion and body serum, all formulated with natural, skin-strengthening ingredients. Even better, the packaging is totally minimal and fuss-free, so he won't feel weird toting it to the communal showers in his dorm.

12. Brekkie Sandwich Maker

Photo: Target

Definitely not attempting to speak for all men here, but once upon a time, I was a 20-year-old girlfriend visiting my 21-year-old boyfriend at school—and he was king of the breakfast sandwich. To make a hot and delicious sausage, egg and cheese in just five minutes is basically the dream for hungry guys on the go. Plus, the built-in timer ensures your man won't have to worry about brown, rubbery eggs. You might want to go ahead and grab a second one for your place, just saying.

13. Shoes That Do It All

Photo: Nordstrom

Have his current pair of kicks seen better days? It happens, but it's also what makes your future purchase that much more exciting. Whether he's heading to class or exploring the city with friends, VANS' UltraRange EXO shoe is the perfect pair to keep up with his active lifestyle. With their lightweight design and added support from the EXO Skeleton, they'll keep him going all day long without sacrificing style. The co-molded UltraCush Lite midsole ensures he can walk or skate (if that's his thing!) in these shoes for hours, while the all-terrain grip makes them suitable for any urban or outdoor adventure he might have in mind.

14. A Team of Trackers

Photo: Amazon

Let's face it, nothing says "I care about your sanity and never-ending quests to find your stuff" like a gift you literally can't lose. With this awesome 4-pack of Bluetooth trackers, your boyfriend will never have to hunt for his keys, phone or wallet again. The free Tile app is compatible with Android, iOS and smart home devices, so it's like he has a personal treasure map with him at all times. Just make sure your boyfriend adds his contact info onto the app; for instance, when items are lost-lost, whoever finds it/them can scan the QR code on the back of the Tile and be connected with its rightful owner.

15. Budget-Friendly Meal Kit

Photo: EveryPlate

Meal kits are great, but not every 21-year-old has the disposable income needed to make subscription services a regular thing. That's what makes an EveryPlate membership such an amazing gift idea. Dinners start at $4.99 each, which is a far cry from their competitors, plus your busy BF can get a delicious dinner on the table in just six easy steps (sometimes less!). The recipes are failsafe and super easy-to-follow, so when 20-something life gets crazy, he'll still have something filling and nutritious to whip up when he has the time.

16. Phone-Operated Paper Airplanes

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Does your parter-in-crime get along well with your younger sibs, cousins and nieces or nephews? Adorable. Now, for their own 21st birthday fun, this paper airplane kit lets them assemble an aircraft using the included paper airplane templates, attach a Bluetooth-enabled device, sync with the compatible app and prepare for takeoff. It's a great find for the techie (and big kid) in your life.

17. Murder Mystery Game

Photo: Target

If your true crime-loving boyfriend needs a new thrill, then Hunt a Killer: Death At the Dive Bar Murder Mystery Game will be an amazing addition to his [birthday] boyfriend care package. Let him channel his inner detective as he unravels the mysterious demise of Nick Webster at the Old Scratch Tavern (a bar, obvs!). With hidden clues, shady suspects and an immersive storyline, this game will keep him entertained for hours. Invite your crew over for a Friday night in, mix up some dive bar-specialty sips and bites and have a blast cracking this case together!

18. Hometown Flask

Photo: Well Told

Having trouble finding a truly unique and personalized gift for your boyfriend's 21st birthday? How about Well Told's Home Town Map Pocket Flask? With a custom-etched map design, you can select any city or town in the U.S. to commemorate where he grew up or another special place that holds significance to him (dare we say, the locale you picked for your first date?). This flask is filled to the brim with nostalgia and thoughtfulness, making it a memorable keepsake he can carry with him wherever he goes.

19. Celestial Projector

Photo: Amazon

If your honey lived for planetarium field trips when he was younger or dreamed of working for NASA one day, he'd probably love a sentimental gift like this galaxy light projector. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also creates a serene and calming ambiance, perfect for soothing his mind after a long day or helping him get to sleep. The Northern Lights effect adds a touch of romance and magic, ideal for setting the mood on a cozy night in with you. And with its customizable features—like the 29 different light cues, 10 types of white noise and a built-in Bluetooth music speaker—he can always curate a stellar atmosphere to match his vibe.

20. Boozy Brain Freeze

Photo: Goldbelly

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift that'll indulge his sweet tooth and satisfy his cocktail cravings at the same time? Enter Tipsy Scoop's boozy ice cream 4-pack. You can choose your quartet of pints from nine intoxicating flavors—from Dark Chocolate Whiskey Salted Caramel to Spiked Mint Chocolate Chip—and then add to cart for delivery, lickety-split. If your boyfriend is long-distance, you can even do an e-gift instead. He'll get an email about your tasty present and then be able to schedule delivery at his earliest convenience.

21. Music Membership

Photo: Spotify

Free streaming makes the world go round, but we're definitely not opposed to Spotify's premium subscription packages. With the "Premium Invididual" upgrade, which your guy can try free for three months (and then you pick up the tab for $10.99/month after that), he'll get perks like ad-free listening, unlimited skips and offline mode for long road trips or subway rides, plus access to 15 hours/month of listening time from the brand's audiobook subscriber catalog. Let him curate his own personal soundtrack to life—at the very least, you'll get some banger gym and/or paper-writing playlists out of it.

22. Card Caddy

Photo: Sugar Crush Co

This personalized beer caddy doubles as a birthday card in the coolest way possible. Customize it with his name upon checkout, then stock it full with his favorite cans or bottles for a classic birthday presentation that he'll want to crack into right away.