Choosing good birthday presents for yourself is pretty hard! Sometimes it can feel much more convenient to just throw in the towel and ask for gift cards. First, you have to decide what it is you actually want to receive. Once you’ve managed to narrow down the list, you now have to think about how to tell people what to get. How do you do that without coming off like a brat?
If you’re asking yourself, “What do I want for my birthday?”, we built you a handy guide that covers some great birthday presents you can ask for. And if you already have something in mind, we also have some great advice on how to ask for it for your birthday, whether subtly or directly!
RELATED: The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide
What Should I Get If I’m Shopping For Me? 10 Great Birthday Present Ideas
Forget answering those vague birthday quizzes; here are 10 items that almost anyone would love to get for their birthday!
1. Bodum’s Chambord Coffee French Press
Perfect For Caffeine Addicts!
Treating yourself to a better cup of coffee whenever you want? Sounds like the perfect gift to us!
Buy it from Myer for $AUD39.95 to $AUD79.95 here.
2. This Cozy Plush Short Robe From Victoria’s Secret
Lounge In Style With This Super-Soft Robe
The mantra of ‘treat yourself’ is perfectly embodied by this plush robe. Forget breezy lingerie – this will keep you warm in style.
Buy it from Victoria’s Secret for $AUD94.85 here.
3. The Fast Flash Facial Set By Pixi Beauty
The Gift Of Blemish-Free, Glowing Skin Is The Best!
Sephora has some of the most popular gifts for women because of their value-for-money sets. Here’s one with three great products from cult fave Pixi, including their bestselling Glow Tonic!
Buy it from Sephora for $AUD35 here.
4. Ultimate Ears’ Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Enjoy Your Favourite Songs On The Go
It can be a little tricky to shop for men, but we’re confident that any guy would be happy to get this portable speaker, which has deep bass settings and allows you to play your music anywhere!
Buy it from Myer for $AUD149 here.
5. Ogilvie & Co’s Black Gold Truffle Gift Pack
The Perfect Luxe Gift For Foodies
Perigord black truffles will give any dish a uniquely earthy taste. Add a touch of richness to your everyday bites with truffle-infused oil, mustard and salt from Ogilvie & Co.!
Buy it from David Jones for $AUD44.95 here.
6. The Mood Management Kit By doTerra
To Help You Calm Down And Manage Stress
Rest and relaxation are the best gifts anyone can get. While no one can give you extra hours to sleep in, you can make your waking moments calmer and more peaceful with this aromatherapy kit from doTerra!
Buy it from doTerra for $AUD165.33 here.
7. The SodaStream Spirit Sparkling Water Maker
This Nifty Gadget Will Infuse Your Water With Flavour
Make daily hydration tasty by crafting your own fruit or herb-infused water! Bonus: you can carbonate your wine in it to turn it into a sparkling tipple!
Buy it from Target for $AUD99 here.
8. Daniel Wellington’s Classic Sheffield Gift Set
A Classic Style That Adds Polish To Every Outfit
A watch is a must-have accessory for both men and women, but it can be tough to find one that goes with everything. The solution? A gift set that has a leather strap for more formal occasions, and a webbed strap for everyday use.
Buy it from The Iconic for $AUD368 here.
9. The Travel Essentials Kit From Grown Alchemist
A Must For Those Who Love To Travel
With this complete kit of their bestselling bath and body essentials, you won’t need to worry about packing your cleanser into an approved bottle size!
Buy it from Mecca for $AUD40 here.
10. The Random Harvest Mini Me Wicked Sweet Tooth Pack
Indulge Your Cravings With This Dessert Sauce Set
Top off your favourite puds or fruit with this set of three rich sauces! Drizzle them on or dunk your chosen treat into this gluten-free set. Our suggestion? Open them all and have a little sampling!
Buy it from David Jones for $AUD10.98 here.
How To Ask For What You Want For Your Birthday
Asking people to get you a specific gift can be a bit awkward. Getting someone a gift that they didn’t request, which they genuinely like or need, is obviously the ideal situation for a birthday. But unfortunately, what we really want, and what our loved ones think we want can be two completely different things!
So sometimes the best solution is to give your friends and family members a bit of a hint on what to get you. There are tons of benefits to this:
- The recipient will genuinely like the present.
- The giver’s shopping experience will be simple and easy.
- The giver won’t spend money on something the recipient may end up disliking.
But how do you show your friends and family a list of things to get you without coming off as demanding? Here are some tips to let them know, the socially-acceptable way.
1. Make A Gift Registry In Stores
This is a nice compromise that allows you to tell people what you want, but preserves the element of surprise when you open the package. Go to stores that allows you list things to ask for on your birthday, then put the link to your list on your invitation or e-vite. Not only does this keep people from accidentally giving you the same gift, it also allows them to pick a gift that fits their budget. And it saves you the stress of going over to the shop to return gifts that are the wrong size, too!
2. No Registry? Put Suggested Gifts On The Invitations
Whether you’re giving printed invitations or creating an online invitation, it’s perfectly fine to give your guests gift ideas amongst the other details. “Gift ideas: I like baking, cats, and soft sweaters!” Simple! This will narrow down their options to choices that you will probably like.
3. Want To Be Subtle? Slip Suggestions Into A Conversation
If you’re not worried about being too direct, mention that you’ve been looking for a particular item, or that you like certain things. It’s easy enough to bring up off-hand in a conversation. For example: “Oh, I’ve been meaning to get a proper French press. Let me know if you see a good one!” Hopefully, they’ll remember this when they go gift-hunting!
4. If You Can Afford To Be Really Direct, Go For It
For those whom you are particularly close to, like your bestie or your partner, it won’t hurt to just tell them what you want! “Hey, if you’re not sure what to get me yet, I’ve been looking at these boots. Can you get me these for my birthday?” Easy as pie. They won’t make any mistakes about size or colour, and they may even be relieved that you’ve made their job easier.
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