If you are looking for the perfect gift for your adult children, I hope this guide can help you! Whether you’re shopping for Christmas gifts or birthday gifts, this list of meaningful gifts are sure to appeal to your adult kids.
As the holiday season approaches and you begin brainstorming gift ideas for your adult children, it can feel like a challenge to come up with ideas that they’ll actually love. You want to give them something that means something to them and shows you care about who they are as a person.
Whether they live far away and you don’t see them often, or you see them often but live in separate homes with little overlap in interests, it can be hard to find the perfect gift for young adults.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the perfect gift!
These ideas will help you strike a balance between practical and sentimental without breaking the bank or feeling like too much work!
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Tips For Finding Best Gifts For Grown-Up Kids
When coming up with a great gift idea for your adult children you’ll probably veer towards practical gifts like restaurant gift cards or funny gifts that will make them laugh.
Those are great ideas, and are a great place to start when you’re thinking up of a unique gift for the best son or daughter in your life!
When I’m thinking of gift ideas for my siblings (they are so much younger than me, and my kids are still small) I often have to think of a few things such as:
- Their current needs. Are they going to university or starting a new job? Do they have a new partner in their life? Are they getting married soon? Taking a look at where they are in their life can really help bring the gift idea to life.
- What are their hobbies? Does the adult child in your life like to create things, skate, or travel? Whatever they’re into, that’s always a good way to get thinking of gift ideas for anyone!
- Is there a subscription service they can use monthly? I personally love monthly subscription services such as hellofresh, and the young adult in your life may love it too. There’s also Audible subscriptions, Amazon Magazine Subscriptions, Amazon Prime Video, an amazon prime membership and, Amazon Music all make a great choice.
Creative Ways To Give A Gift Card
Gift cards can be a great gift for many occasions. They are an easy and convenient way to give someone a small amount of money. They are also an easy way to show someone you care by giving them a gift that they can use.
Another reason to give gift cards is to save money. You can buy gift cards at most stores and online sites like Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com. When you buy a gift card in advance, you can get the best price.
Here are some creative ways to gift a gift card:
- Wrap it in wrapping paper
- Add a cute ribbon
- Origami gift card holder (here is a tutorial)
- grab a gift bag
- Use a gift card box like this
Experience Gifts
An experience gift is a gift that will provide your adult child with some quality time with the entire family or with their spouse or partner. These are usually the best and most unique gifts you’ll find on this gift guide!
- Date Night
- Gift Certificate to Their Favorite Restaurant
- Broadway Show Tickets
- Tickets To An Art Show
- Concert Tickets
- Sky Diving Certificate
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Paid For Spa Day
- Planned Road Trip
Date Night
Whether it’s just the two of them or a night out with the whole family, a date night for your grown child is always a good idea. This can be as simple as dinner at their favorite restaurant (or one that you’ve never been to before). Or if they’re getting married soon, maybe take them out for an anniversary date night (because it’s not really over until it’s over).
Gift Certificate to Their Favorite Restaurant
If you know where your child likes to eat or shop, then this can make for a nice gift idea. You could even get creative and get them something like a $50 certificate to their favorite restaurant so they can go out with their significant other or friends if they want to.
Broadway Show Tickets
Going to see a Broadway show is always fun, especially when someone else pays (and you don’t have to worry about traffic afterward!). If your child loves theater and has always wanted to see something on Broadway, then this could be an amazing gift idea!
Tickets To An Art Show
If your child is into art, consider getting them tickets to an art show or gallery opening. This way they will be able to enjoy something they love while spending time with their family and friends.
Concert Tickets
For any music lover in your life, concert tickets are a great gift idea. They’ll get to see their favorite artist perform live, which is always exciting! You can also make it a date night by taking them out before or after the concert so they have fun with their friends as well as family members.
Skydiving Certificate
For those who have always dreamed of skydiving but never had the opportunity or money, this is a great gift idea! If they’re still not quite ready to take the leap themselves, then this certificate will allow them to do something exhilarating!
Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon ride can be a memorable and fun experience for both you and your grown child. You can even make it into a trip and get in early on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day!
Paid For Spa Day
Grown children love pampering themselves with a paid for spa day. From massages to manicures and pedicures, there are many options that are sure to please your son or daughter.
Planned Road Trip
Planning a road trip with your grown children is another great way to spend time together. You can plan a route that takes you through different states, or even countries if they’re willing!
Sentimental Gifts
- Picture Frames ( A Nice Frame or Customized One)
- Journal
- Watch
- Cross Necklace
- Recipe Book With Handed Down Recipes
- Customized Blanket
- Navy Blue Matching Football Shirts
- Plaster Kit For Casting Hands
- Customized Lamp Like This
Picture Frames ( A Nice Frame or Customized One)
A picture frame is a great way to display photos of your family and friends. You can choose an elaborate frame or simple one. You can also have the frame customized with the person’s name and birth date on it.
Journal
A journal is another great gift idea for a grown child. If you have children who are older than you, they may appreciate receiving something like this as a gift because it allows them to write down their thoughts and feelings in privacy without anyone seeing what they wrote down! A journal can be very therapeutic and help people cope with things that are going on in their lives.
Watch
If your child is into jewelry then getting them a watch would be a good idea! This can be especially useful if they need it for work purposes such as knowing when lunch breaks are or when they need to leave work early (or late).
Cross Necklace
This is a wonderful gift for Christians. It’s simple and elegant, and it can be worn with any outfit.
Recipe Book With Handed Down Recipes
If your child loves cooking, then this is one of the best gifts you can give them. Give them an old recipe book filled with all the recipes that you used to cook when they were young. This will surely take them back to their childhood days and make them feel nostalgic about those days when mom was in charge of cooking food for the whole family!
Customized Blanket
If your child loves sleeping on soft blankets, then this is something they will love getting as a gift from you! You can customize a blanket according to their favorite color or design and give it as a gift!
Navy Blue Matching Football Shirts
The first gift idea is a must-have for football fans of all ages. If you know someone who loves to play and watch the game, this is the perfect gift for them. You can buy personalized football shirts for both you and your friend so that you can cheer on your favorite team together. These shirts are comfortable and stylish at the same time. You can get them from any store with a good selection of sports gear.
Plaster Kit For Casting Hands
If you have a child who loves to draw, then this is a great gift idea for him or her. With this kit, children will be able to create sculptures out of plaster and other materials that they find around the house. The kit comes with all the tools they need to make their own creations while having fun at the same time! It’s perfect for kids who love arts and crafts because it gives them an outlet for their creativity while challenging them at the same time!
Customized Lamp
This next gift idea is perfect if you want to give something that will last long after Christmas has come and gone! With customized lamps, you can choose whatever design or pattern appeals to you most
Practical Gifts
- Gym Membership
- Taking Care Of Car Payments
- Payment On Student Loan
- Costco Membership
- Plants From Local Nursery
- Lawnmower
- Car Maintenance Items
- Tools
Gym Membership
A gym membership can be a great way to encourage your grown child to get in shape and stay healthy.
Taking Care Of Car Payments
If your grown child has car payments, consider gifting them with those payments so they can keep driving their own car. This is an especially nice gesture if your child has recently gotten married or started a family of their own.
Payment On Student Loans
If your child has student loans, paying part of those off will save them thousands of dollars in interest payments over time. It’s also a great way to let them know how proud you are of them for getting through college!
Costco Membership
The Costco membership can be a great gift for any age. For the young adult, it’s a place to buy groceries as well as other household items. The older adult will appreciate getting bulk toilet paper and other necessities without having to worry about running out.
Plants From Local Nursery
If your child already has a green thumb, consider giving them some plants for their garden or patio. You can find a variety of plants at local nurseries or even online. If you’re not sure what kind of plant would be best, why not ask them? They may even have one in mind already that would make a nice addition to their home.
Lawnmower
For an older child who has just moved out on their own, consider getting them a new lawnmower so they don’t have to go borrow one from their parents every time they need to mow the lawn!
Car Maintenance Items
If you have a car-obsessed kid on your hands, why not buy them some car maintenance items? You can get everything from oil filters to wiper blades and even car wash kits. Most people don’t think about these things until they’re needed so this is a nice little surprise for them!
Tools
Another great idea for anyone who loves working with their hands is tools! You can get everything from screwdrivers and pliers to hammers and saws. The possibilities are endless when it comes to tools and there are hundreds of different kinds available at any local hardware store or online retailer.
Tech Gadgets
- Smart Watch
- Smart Bulbs
- Printer
- Laptop
- Online Courses
- Gaming Console
- Virtual Reality Glasses
- Phone Plan
Smart Watch
A smart watch is another good choice if you have an active child or even if they just love technology in general!
Smart Bulbs
If your child has recently moved out, they may not have their own home yet. That means they’ll still be using the same lights and appliances in the house as everyone else does. Smart bulbs can be used to make an ordinary light fixture into something modern and futuristic. You can even get them in different colors!
Printer
As someone who is growing up, your child will likely need to print out important documents and forms from time to time. Having a printer at home makes it easier for them to do this on their own schedule, rather than having to wait for someone else in the family to use it first. It also makes it easier if they need something printed out quickly – like if they’re late for school because they forgot their homework again!
Laptop
A laptop gives your kid all the freedom they could want while still allowing them to stay connected with friends and family around the world via video chat or social media apps like Facebook Messenger or Skype.
Online Courses
A subscription to an online course such as Outschool or Udemy can be a great gift for someone who is interested in learning new skills. You can find a variety of courses on things like programming, design, photography, and even music production. Some sites even offer free courses to try out before you commit to paying for the full version of a course.
Gaming Console
If your child is a gamer, then they need a gaming console. The PlayStation 4 or Xbox One X are both good choices if they already own a TV with HDMI ports and surround sound system. If not, then you might want to look into buying them those things as well so that they can play video games on their TV like everyone else does.
Virtual Reality Glasses
Virtual reality glasses are an expensive gift idea but they’re also really cool! These glasses allow users to immerse themselves in an augmented reality world where they can interact with objects around them without moving from their seat. They’re also often used for gaming purposes and other forms of entertainment so it’s worth looking into if you have some extra money lying around!
Handmade Gifts
Everyone loves a homemade gift! Whether it’s a gift to yourself, your honey or anyone else in your life, there’s no greater feeling than giving someone you love something that you’ve made, especially if it’s something that they really needed or wanted. When it comes to handmade gifts for adults, there are plenty of options out there.
You can do what you love and create something that’s meaningful to you and your loved one. You can also buy items that you think will be appreciated, like a new shirt or pair of shoes. Whatever your budget and style is, there are plenty of things to choose from.
- Photo Album
- Command Center
- Monogrammed Mug
- Bookmarks
- Pillows
- Baking
Photo Album
Looking for a great gift for that special child or adult in your life? A handmade album is the perfect place to store all of your most precious memories, and it makes a great gift for anyone who loves to take photos.
Command Center
Could your adult child get a little more organized? Create a killer command center for them whether they are in college or have kids of their own. It’s a very thought ful gift that keeps on giving.
Monogrammed Mug
It’s very simple to get a mug engraved with a custom monogram and it can mean so much for your adult child. It’s a great gift because it’ll likely get used a lot.
Bookmarks
You can make your own bookmarks or grab some from etsy. If you have a book lover in your life, this makes a very nice, small but special gift.
Pillows
do you know how to sew? You can make nice pillow for your adult child’s couch, or their bed. This is gift they can use over and over.
Baking
If you have some talent in the kitchen, baking a nice treat for your young adults can be a great gift idea.
Productivity Gifts
Productivity is a way of life. It’s something you work on every day, even if it’s just taking a few minutes to set up your workspace. Productivity gifts for young adults can help encourage the habit of being productive. They can be anything from a cute desk accessory like a carefully curated mug collection to a professional-grade planner that motivates you to stay organized and on track
- Planner
- Timers
- Notepads
- Calendars
- Standing Desk
- Computer Mouse
- Ergonomic Foot Rest
- Pens, pencils and stickers
Self-Care Gifts
There’s no better gift for a young adult than self care. Whether it’s pampering yourself with a massage, a facial, or a manicure, self care is important both physically and emotionally. Self care can be really relaxing and rewarding, giving you the opportunity to take care of yourself while also relieving some stress. Self care gifts are ideal for any young adult in your life. They can be something as simple as a bathrobe or even a new set of headphones.
Self care gifts can be really thoughtful and meaningful, making them great gifts for any occasion. Self care gifts for young adults don’t have to cost a lot either! You can get all kinds of wonderful self care gift sets that offer various types of self care products all in one place! So whether you’re looking for a spa gift set, beauty products gift set, or even just personal care products gift set, there’s sure to be something for everyone!
- Moisturizer
- Robe
- Face Masks
- Bath Bombs
- Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Positive Affirmation Cards
- Epsom Salts
- Candles
Gifts For Their pets
To find the best gifts for young adults with pets, you should start by checking out local pet shops and online stores. You can also ask your friends if they know of any good gifts. If none of these options work out, there are still some other things that can help. For example, you can check out stores that sell handmade items. You can also check out sites that sell gift cards.
Gifts for The Home
If you’re looking for a gift for a young adult in your life (or if you yourself are one!), there are many options for decorating and furnishing their home. Whether it’s a person who’s just moved out on their own, or someone looking to buy their first house, there are plenty of things to consider when picking out gifts. On the basic level, there are things like furniture and decorative items to outfit the home. If they’re just starting out, or if they just bought their first place, this may be the most important thing to look at. Here are some gift ideas for the home.
- Kitchen Appliance (Air Fryer, Instantpot or Crockpot)
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Computer Mouse Pad
- Furniture
- Shelving
- Clocks
- Rugs
- Artwork
Conclusion
As a parent of adult children, it can sometimes feel like you don’t know what to buy them for Christmas or their birthdays.
Sometimes you’re thinking about home improvement and other times you’re thinking about engagement rings. You’re trying to make a gift that will mean something to them, and you don’t want to be too far off course.
The best gifts for grown-up kids are those that the person who receives them will likely wear often, love, and keep for years to come.
In this guide, you’ll find a variety of gift ideas for your adult children that can be used for any occasion, and that are sure to come in handy. Certain gifts have more meaning than others, and every person has a different idea of what they’d appreciate most.
I hope this list of gift ideas has sparked some excellent ideas for a great gift for your adult son or adult daughter so they will be excited to open your gift on Christmas morning, or on their birthday!
