30th Birthday Gift Ideas for the Millennial Who Thinks the ’90s Were 10 Years Ago

Some birthdays call for a little more fanfare. If someone you love is celebrating their 30th soon, make sure you go the extra mile to make them feel special. That doesn’t mean you have to spend big – sometimes the best presents are the smallest tokens that simply show how well you know a friend or family member. The sweet spot for thoughtful gifting is finding something that you think they would already own but don’t. Leaning into hobbies or remembering what they lingered looking at the last time you went shopping is another safe bet.

It’s no secret that we’re fans of Nonna’s Grocer’s signature fruit-and-veg-shaped candles at Broadsheet. From eggs to avos, they make the perfect token gift. Lean into tomato girl summer vibes for any upcoming birthdays with this set. From $29/nonnasgrocer.com

Bare walls are boring. But committing to art can be a big deal. Melbourne artist Libby Haines offers prints of some of her best-loved original pieces that bring a dose of dopamine to kitchens, living spaces and bedroom walls. The stylised tablescapes and still life settings depict all the best things in life – from Negronis and natural wines to shellfish, cakes and seasonal florals. From $55/libbyhaines.com

There’s no denying that hangovers set in harder after the big three-zero. Whether your mate is sober curious or has already cut back on their booze intake, Etota’s zero per cent aperitivo is a thoughtful addition to their home bar. The ruby red tipple is made in the Northern Rivers and has all the flavour without the headache. $50/etotadrinks.com

A cavernous tote that you can take to the office, beach or on a weekend away, Pan After’s signature striped bags really do the heavy lifting. They’re made from 100 per cent recycled nylon and have a zip-top closure to keep belongings safe. Due to the handmade nature of these pieces, there can be some subtle differences in colour, but we think this just adds to the charm. $65/panafter.com.au

For the friend who believes breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Soft Edge Studio’s Sunny Side Up egg cup is the ultimate indulgence. Handmade in Byron Bay, these porcelain pieces come in colourful glazed finishes: cream, eucalyptus, lemon, lilac and royal blue. You could add a coordinating (or mismatched) rolled rim plate to make it an extra special set. $55/softedge.studio

Take their self-care routine up a notch with Susanne Kaufmann’s botanical-forward bubble bath. A true luxury, it’s scented with lavender to help with relaxation and calm. Sage oil, vitamin E, cedarwood oil and mallow extract all claim to nourish and hydrate skin as you soak. $98/mecca.com

Fill their to-read pile with new Australian and international releases courtesy of Well Read’s expert curation. You can gift a one-off book or sign them up for subscriptions of three, six, nine or 12 months. A new title will be delivered to their door each month, accompanied by reading notes and access to the brand’s Facebook group, which acts as a digital book club of sorts. From $110/wellread.com.au

Treat them to a new signature scent from Australian perfumery Who Is Elijah. The The Collective set includes six travel-friendly vials of the brand’s most-loved perfumes: Nomad, Morning After, Haze, Her, Muse and Nightcap. The 10-mil size is the perfect tester to make sure they find the right fragrance fit. If you know which notes they prefer, you could try one of the brand’s latest launches: Ocean Eyes, Wall Street or Rebel Rose, which have been designed to layer together. $120/whoiselijah.com.au

We all have that favourite sleeping T-shirt that should probably become a dusting rag at this point of its life. Nudge them in the right direction with a new pair of PJs from Kat the Label. Echoing the Melbourne brand’s signature lace-trimmed lingerie, this delicate sleep set comes in a rich espresso brown colourway. $120/katthelabel.com

Designed for “movement lovers”, Fold Up’s signature mat is a lightweight yet extra-thick yoga mat that folds up in numerous ways – and ultimately into a compact 1.2-kilogram square – making it more comfortable during workouts, as well as when carrying to and from the studio. The brand also sells a coordinating backpack, which fits the mat, a laptop and daily essentials. The yogi in your life will love this one. $129/foldup.com.au

Gentle Habits deliver the chicest snorkel for diving enthusiasts. There’s nothing dorky about these sleek mask, snorkel and fin sets, which come in a neon pink and khaki colourway, as well as classic white. This is the ultimate present for the person you used to play mermaids with at the local pool. $169/gentlehabits.com.au

If their personal motto is “no hat, no play” they’ll appreciate receiving Lucy Folk’s embroidered canvas design. The stitched and beaded star shapes add a charming touch to the bucket style. $275/lucyfolk.com

Jewellery is a great way to commemorate a milestone birthday. And Sarah & Sebastian’s birthstone necklaces offer an extra special touch. The brand breaks down what each month’s stone represents in the product notes. You can customise the length, number of stones and chain material for a bespoke piece. $350/sarahandsebastian.com

If they pronounce microwave like Nigella Lawson, a Crumble Dutch oven will make a winning present. The classic round pot holds 5.2 litres, making it perfect for roasting a chook, slow-cooking casseroles and even deep-frying. Make sure you get a standing invite to Sunday dinner. The Melbourne-born brand offers a range of colourful cast iron and non-stick cookware to kit out their kitchen. $399/crumble.co

The walkie-talkies of your childhood games have had a glow-up: Tumo’s Milo Action Communicator is a compact device designed for outdoor adventures. Enabling hands-free, multi-way group chats, you don’t need a phone or wi-fi to make Milo work. You can connect to Bluetooth or wired headphones if you like, but the noise-cancelling, low-distortion microphone means you don’t have to. Make sure you get yourself one too so you don’t miss out on the fun. $399/tumo.com.au

The Danish do a lot of things well: Lego, hygge, minimalist wardrobes. Bang & Olufsen’s range of speakers also falls into this category. And the Beosound Explore model is the perfect pick for adventurers. Waterproof and offering a 27-hour battery life, it’s the ultimate companion for overnight hikes, weekend fishing trips and days spent at the beach. $400/bang-olufsen.com

Roomie’s colourful sheets suit night owls and morning people alike. Made from organic cotton, these super-soft sets feature helpful details like tags on fitted sheets that read “I’m the short side” and “I’m the long side” (they’re almost as good as having a second set of hands to help you make the bed). Duvet covers are complete with inner corner ties, to avoid the dreaded quilt sag-to-the-bottom saga. The receiver of this bedding bundle will think about how much you love them every time they tuck themselves in. From $480/weareroomie.com

Gift them good hair days for years to come with Dyson’s cult Supersonic hair dryer. The brand has made the science behind its tools a selling point. And while all hair is different, intelligent heat control and faster drying times help to protect dry, damaged or coloured hair. This dryer is lightweight and less noisy than traditional models, and the rave reviews speak for themselves – and there's a new "colour-pop" iteration to lust after. $649/dyson.com.au

This article was first published on October 17, 2023 and has since been updated.

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