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Are you searching for gift ideas for male friends over 50?
Sometimes, a thoughtful gift can make all the difference.
From a personalized photo collage to an elegant bottle of wine, these thoughtful presents will really show your appreciation for them.
I’ve listed some amazing 50th birthday gift ideas for men that are sure to make them feel cherished and loved.
Let’s get started and find a great gift idea for Father’s Day, Christmas, or any other special occasion!
The Importance of Personalization and Practicality
What better way to mark a special occasion than by giving the ultimate gift? It isn’t just because you want to show off, but it’s how you express your love.
I always prefer receiving personalized and practical gifts because I find them more useful.
After going through the different thoughtful gift ideas for females over 50, I knew it was high time I also looked for my male friends.
Personalizing Gifts for a Stronger Connection
I love giving and receiving personalized gifts because it shows how well you know the other person.
With many products out there, it’s always so easy to grab and pack one as a gift. But for personalized ones? You must think long and hard about what your special someone might appreciate.
It could be as simple as a personalized cutting board or as fancy as jewelry. Regardless of what it is, a personalized gift always creates a strong bond and connection.
Each time they use your gift, they’ll always think of you!
Choosing Practical Gifts for Long-term Use
You never go wrong with giving a practical gift. Unlike some generic gift ideas, it’ll never go to waste. They’ll always have some use over it now or in the future!
This is especially true if you give them useful and highly durable gifts. Take the case of grilling tools, which could be used for many years to come.
Remember, the perfect gift doesn’t always have to look flashy. The best birthday gift ideas will always find a place in the receiver’s life.
Not to mention practical gifts also help receivers save money instead of buying them themselves.
Top Gifts Ideas for Male Friends Over 50
I recall many times I’ve run out of birthday gift ideas to give. It certainly was a challenge I didn’t know how to avoid.
To prevent that from happening again, I’ve listed various gift ideas you should consider. I listed different categories to help you find only the best.
1. Health and Wellness Gifts
When I turned 50, I made it a point to prioritize my health and wellness. It adds extra years to my life, and I get a good laugh from what I do.
On several occasions, I received several health and wellness-related gifts. I enjoyed them a lot because they gave me something new to do!
At the same time, it challenged me to stay healthy and fit.
Fitness Equipment
Giving fitness equipment as a gift is perfect for Father’s Day. It’s a fun gift for dads aged 50 and up who love working out. It can even benefit the whole family and inspire everyone to stay healthy!
Some of the best fitness equipment you can get for their own home includes the following:
- Barbell and weight plates
- Dumbells and kettlebells
- Heavy punching bag
- Suspension trainer
- Workout bench
These are some of the must-have fitness equipment every gym dad needs. You can find most of them on Amazon.com for a great deal.
One incredible gift for 50 year old man who has everything and is interested in fitness and wellness is the Somadome for his home gym.
Massagers and Relaxation Tools
I’ve asked my male friends what they want for their birthdays. They all gave the same answer: peace and quiet.
What better way to achieve this than by giving them massagers and relaxation tools?
They don’t have to leave their house anymore.
It’s the perfect solution to reduce their stress and anxiety! Here are some of my suggestions I’m sure they’ll love:
- Heated pads
- Massage oils and essential oils
- Massage therapy chairs
- Scalp massager
- Weighted blanket made of premium quality fabric
These gift ideas will give them a good night’s sleep! Add some comfy clothing to your list of gift ideas, like pajamas and boxers, and they’re all set for a good night.
Healthy Subscription Boxes
You can never go wrong when you give healthy subscription boxes. There’s a good selection of products out there that would make a perfect Father’s Day gift.
I love that these subscription boxes are packed with awesome things. When I once subscribed for myself, the box contained items like:
- Dehydrated fruit and vegetable snacks
- Essential oils
- Heated eye mask
- Juices
- Vouchers for gym memberships
What makes this an awesome gift is its assorted contents. Whoever you give it to will have a blast trying out everything inside.
One of the more unique 50th birthday presents for him is a one-off shipment of delicious ingredients for cooking at home. My older brother is into a rustic lifestyle and lives in an isolated cabin (still accessible by Fedex!). He loves it when I send him fresh fish and seafood from Sizzlefish on special occasions.
2. Hobbies and Interests
A great birthday gift for your loved one could include things related to their hobbies and interests. It’s always a great addition to their collection because they’ll have some use for it.
This is especially true if your father, for example, loves to collect certain things.
Books and Reading Accessories
Books don’t mean much to some people. But for a book lover, it could mean the world to them! Reading has always been one of the best past times because it transports you to a different world.
It’s also a great way to add some wisdom to our life. Having lived for half a century, I still embrace every wisdom and insight I get from books.
There are different ways you can do to make books a memorable gift:
- Give a book written by their favorite author (a signed copy will be better)
- Give a new book they haven’t read under the genre they love
- Select a book for them to read that you think they’ll love
Who knows? You might even pick up on the hobby of reading! You could also consider this a test of how well you know your male friend.
But as a funny gag, you can add a few silly books they would never read.
Workshop or Craft Supplies
Is your dad crafty? Then you better stock up on some of his favorite workshop or craft supplies. This is in my list of 50th birthday gift ideas, which I know to be practical and personal.
You can give your dad some wood chips or a knife sharpener if your dad has a steel or wood workshop. You could also give stained glasses for the murals he plans to make.
Another special gift is a unique set of art supplies. This could include one-of-a-kind paintbrushes and paper. Each time they paint with your gift, they’ll think about you!
You can even go so far as to have their name engraved on the brushes! Now this will make an amazing gift.
Gardening Tools and Accessories
Gardening tools and accessories make a great gift set for people with a green thumb. They’ll always have some use for it right in their home. Some might find this gift set common and general, but I don’t think so.
If it’s for someone who takes up gardening as their hobby, they’ll have a use for it. While others might not use it because they want to display them instead.
One way to make this a unique gift idea is by giving them a flower or plant. They can plant your gift in their garden and tend to it through the years! This is a great representation of your friendship and how it takes years of work to blossom into such a good one.
You can mark a special occasion through this gift by giving a one-of-a-kind plant. Make it special, and plant it together!
3. Technology and Gadgets
In this day and age, technology and gadgets are a necessity and not a luxury. Nearly everyone has a handheld device to connect with everything.
They’re so accessible, and you can find practically different gadgets for your needs. Whether it’s as simple as a smart home or as fancy as a self-cooking rice cooker, there’s always a technology for that.
I love gadgets because it helps me keep in touch with the time. I get to explore this new modern world right in the comforts of my home.
Consider technology and gadgets one of the best 50th birthday gift ideas. There’s no age to being techy!
Smart Home Devices
If I had a choice, I’d ask most of my friends to give me smart home devices as a birthday gift. New technology adds a ton of convenience to my life.
A great gift idea is to give a reliable Smart Home System. This is perfect for elderly men who live alone. It adds a ton of security to their home, thanks to its 24/7 monitoring feature.
The gift could also be as simple as a new television and soundbar. This gift set will level up their entertainment experience at home. They can play music and feel the sounds surrounding them.
The only problem with these gifts is they tend to be expensive. It can set you back a few dollars, but it is worth it for your birthday boy. He’ll love exploring the different features of their new smart devices.
Wearable Tech
There’s a lot of wearable technology these days. One of my favorites is smartwatches. It’s the perfect gift idea if your male friends want to stay on top of their activity levels.
These days, smartwatches have more functions than just timekeeping.
You can connect it to your phone to receive calls and messages and track how many steps you’ve done in a day.
If you have a daily step goal, smartwatches will make a perfect companion for you. It fits perfectly on your wrist if you adjust the straps properly.
Besides this, some of my favorite features of wearable technology include the following:
- Monitors and reports heart rate and oxygen saturation
- Notifies you of any loud environments harmful to your heart
- Automatically calls emergency services with a button or if it detects accidents.
These features are perfect for older people and make an excellent gift! It may appear simple, but it can certainly do a lot for your loved one.
Noise-canceling Headphones
A great gift to give audiophiles is noise-canceling headphones.
These can help them listen to their music without hearing any external noise. Your male friends can enjoy the pure sounds of the music without cranking up the volume.
Their world will appear more peaceful with their headphones on! Plus, they could get lost in the sounds and allow their mind to wander.
Now that sounds like a perfect birthday gift for me. Noise-canceling headphones come in different styles, so be sure to find the perfect one for the birthday boy.
Just be sure to caution them of the disadvantages of wearing noise-canceling headphones. They might enjoy the headphones too much and refuse to remove them entirely.
This could lead to problems like the following:
- Dizziness
- Ear pressure
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
The last thing I want is to cause them any of these problems.
4. Travel and Experiences
Nothing can beat giving the birthday boy a travel-related gift. Who wouldn’t want to embark on an adventure to a new place? This is not a traditional gift people give out.
That being said, it’s best reserved for the most special occasion. This could be a milestone birthday gift or a Christmas gift.
Travel Accessories
For someone who’s a frequent traveler, travel accessories are always a thoughtful gift. It just shows how much you know them and their needs.
The beauty of travel accessories is they’re always useful. It’s always a good addition to their bag regardless of where they’re going, near or far.
Some of the usual must-have travel accessories you can give include the following:
- Ear plugs
- Luggage scale
- Neck pillows
- Passport holder
- Travel toiletry bag
This is always an ideal gift that can bring joy to frequent travelers. No matter how simple they seem, they are always great gift ideas if it’s practical and usable.
Experience Gifts and Certificates
I’ve received several experiential gifts, and nothing ever tops them. You get to try out new activities, some of which are probably one of the last things you’d do on your own.
Through these activities, I was able to meet new friends and build lifelong buddies! It was one of the best ways to celebrate my milestone birthday.
There are various experiential gifts you can check out. It could be as simple as a coffee or wine tasting for men who love these drinks.
You could even treat them to a nice parachute ride, which might just be at the top of their bucket list. You could be remembered as the person who gave the best birthday gift ever.
Or, if you’re looking for a funny gag gift, why not a once-in-a-lifetime skydiving experience? It’s one way to get them flying in the air and get their hearts pumping!
Weekend Getaways
If you’ve got some spare time, treat your male friends to a weekend getaway together! It could be in a vineyard close to your home, where you can drink from one barrel of wine to another.
You could also head for the beach and enjoy the sun’s heat. Bask under the sun with your favorite beer in hand and relax. Plan a birthday celebration during the getaway, and enjoy.
This gift is usually hard to pull off because it takes much planning. You have to free up your friend’s schedule so you can push through with the getaway.
5. Luxury and Unique Items
Nothing stops you from pulling out the big guns and buying the best luxurious birthday gift. You’ll leave their jaws on the floor during their birthday party!
Let’s review some of the best and most luxurious 50th birthday gift ideas you should consider.
Personalized Canvases or Portraits
Personalized portraits are at the top of my list as one of the best 50th birthday gift ideas that scream luxury.
Few would consider doing this for their friends so that you could be the first. It’s a birthday gift they could hang on their walls at home that always reminds them of you. They could even hang it in their home bar if they want!
You can start by choosing a good photo of your friend. Something that highlights their good features, like their beautiful smile or bright-colored eyes.
More importantly, commission a really good artist for the job. The only way for this to be the best gift is if the artist can deliver the portrait with great accuracy and skill.
Fair warning, commissioning a portrait might take time. I highly recommend you have it done several months before the birthday party.
Custom Bar Cart or Grilling Set
Men always love pouring themselves a good drink. It’s one of the best ways to cap their long and tiring day. Some men enjoy drinking their favorite whiskey in their home bar.
Make this experience unique and gift them their home bar cart. It’s a great way for them to store their favorite drinks, whiskey stones, and snacks. It should be an all-in-one cart they can grab and go for their nightcap.
You can even add a personal touch by including your favorite whiskey. I’m sure they’ll love getting to know the kinds of drinks you like.
If they aren’t fond of drinking, another awesome 50th birthday gift idea is a custom grilling set. All you need is a gift box engraved with their name and some grilling tools inside.
I recommend adding a recipe book, which he’ll love reading. He could always learn a thing or two about what to cook on his grill.
High-quality Watches
Nothing screams luxury more than some of the best high-quality watches on the market. It tops the 50th birthday gift ideas for men that could celebrate half a decade of their life!
High-quality watches can come in different price points. Some could cost you millions, especially if you buy luxury brands like Rolex and Vacheron Constantin.
What a happy birthday indeed for your male friend! There’s nothing wrong with splurging a birthday gift as grand as this. This is true, especially if you’ve known each other long and your friendship runs deep.
However, do note that there are also some reasonably priced high-quality watches in the market. They’re reliable and well-loved, making them the best gifts out there.
Regardless of what you choose, remember that you can’t put a price on friendship. There’s no such thing as a better gift just because they’re the most expensive.
Tips for Selecting Gifts for Men Who Have Everything
I have several male friends for whom I have difficulty finding gifts. They have everything they want and need, and it’s hard to tell what else to give them.
Don’t worry because all hope is not lost. Sometimes, it’s not just about buying the first thing you see in stores. In some cases, the best birthday gifts are those that have a deep meaning in them.
1. Listening to Their Needs and Wants
It pays to be attentive to your friend’s wants and needs. They might drop hints of what they want and need without you knowing it.
Sometimes, all it takes is actively listening to the conversation and watching for clues. The birthday gift doesn’t always have to be grand.
It could be as simple as wanting to have someone join them for their birthday and share their favorite drink.
You could even take your friend out for some fresh air before their birthday party, especially if they’re stressed! Simple birthday gifts such as this one are irreplaceable. This could rank first in your friend’s 50th birthday gift ideas.
2. Focusing on Creating Memories
What better way to deepen your friendship than by creating new memories? Start their 50th birthday right with an unforgettable hangout.
If both of you love beer, you could go to your favorite bar and have a few drinks. Reminisce on the good times and talk about how much each of you has grown.
Consider every day an opportunity to give your friend the best birthday gift. Maximize your time together and always be there for one another.
Nothing will ever beat true friendship for some of the best gift ideas in the world.
3. Considering Functional Upgrades
Your male friends will always appreciate functional upgrades as a perfect gift. It’s one of the best ways to add value to what they already have, like their car!
If your friend loves his car so much, a great birthday gift is to upgrade his car’s stereo system or tire mags! There will always be a piece of you in the things he loves.
Another awesome example is by upgrading your friend’s current home security system. Theirs might already be outdated and require some security changes.
A simple upgrade could help them feel safer at home, especially if they’re alone. Now that’s a perfect gift that could put a smile on their face.
Frequently Asked Questions
In compiling some of the best 50th birthday gift ideas, I encountered several FAQs from different people.
I’ve listed some of them here, which should help you find the best birthday gifts.
What Are Some Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas for Male Friends Over 50?
You don’t have to worry about not finding the best birthday gift, even if you’re working with a budget. You’d be surprised by the number of gift ideas for men that are affordable but certainly one of a kind.
Here are some affordable birthday gift ideas you should check out:
- Poker set – the perfect gift for men who love playing poker
- Indulgent gift box – contains a great assortment of treats to feast on
- Cigar cutter – ideal for your cigar-loving friends
- Specialty coffee – a great way to introduce new coffee flavors to your coffee-crazed friends
- Whisky-making kit – a fun and unique way to get them to know their favorite drink
Make sure to choose a birthday gift that your friend is interested in. This will get them excited to use your gift.
How Can I Make a Gift for My Male Friend Over 50 More Thoughtful and Personal?
I noticed that many people have up their game trying to get the best-personalized gift. Unfortunately, some may not know where to begin.
A great way to start is to narrow down your birthday gift ideas to things related to their hobbies and interests. Birthday gifts like these are always useful. Plus, they’re very exciting to unbox.
In the past, I gifted my friend with a gold ring engraved with their birth year. Rest assured; they loved it because it’s unique and personal.
If you’ve got some spare time, you can even make their birthday gift. If you’re feeling artsy, you can paint a portrait of them.
Cooking them a delicious meal at home is also a great and intimate way to celebrate. You can skip the party decorations!
What Kind of Gifts Should Be Avoided for Men in Their 50s?
Now that we know the different 50th birthday gift ideas let’s discuss what you shouldn’t give. Some things are inappropriate and could gather dust in your friend’s cabinet.
Candles
Candles are the bane of my existence. Sure, they’re fragrant. But the number of candles I’ve received can last me a good year.
Unfortunately, candles don’t cut the list of the best 50th birthday gift ideas for men. Not all men will have a use for it, and they might just re-gift it to their female friends.
Cash
Who doesn’t want to receive cash?
For kids, this sounds very enticing and appealing. But for men in their 50’s, it’s just downright thoughtless and ridiculous.
Don’t give cash to your friends, no matter how close you are. There are many birthday gift ideas out there that could be more personal than just giving cash.
If you can’t help it, I highly suggest giving gift cards instead. It could be from their favorite store, so they’ll have a good use for it.
CDs and DVDs
Unfortunately, CDs and DVDs are a thing of the past. With the advent of streaming platforms and download options, CDs and DVDs are hardly used.
Not to mention, there are fewer devices today which let you play CDs and DVDs. Your friend might not have any use for them, especially if they can’t find a player for them.
Household Basics
Household basics are called basic for a reason. They’re in everyone’s home, and it’s usually part of their grocery list. Don’t make your birthday gift someone’s grocery list.
They might find it useful, but it’s certainly an underwhelming gift to open up. Not to mention, your friend might take it the wrong way and think it’s because you find them dirty. Yikes!
Pets
Unless your friend expressly told you they want a pet, please don’t give them one. Having a pet takes a lot of planning and commitment. It’s a living being they must be responsible for and giving an unplanned one is a big no-no.
They might be unable to care for the animal, which isn’t good. There are more gift ideas out there that don’t require this kind of commitment and effort.
Are Experiences Better Than Physical Gifts for Male Friends Over 50?
I’ve asked my male friends about their thoughts, and their answers are split in half.
Some friends prefer physical gifts because they can add them to their collections. They enjoy the feeling of opening their birthday gifts during the celebration.
Plus, they always look forward to these gifts because they’re practical and useful at home.
I also have some friends who prefer experiential gifts. One of their major reasons is to join new activities that might interest them. They can find new hobbies and even friends to do them with!
It boils down to what you think your friend enjoys. I’ve listed several physical and experiential gift ideas for men today, so check them out.
How Can I Make Sure My Male Friend Over 50 Will Appreciate and Enjoy My Gift?
Some of your friends might be more appreciative of your gift than others. I know you might be puzzled because they don’t enjoy it as much as you thought they would.
To prevent this from happening, here are easy ideas to get your friends to love your gift.
Hobby Tools and Supplies
One way to encourage your friends to keep up with their hobbies is by giving them some of their tools and supplies. You can craft a gift box of the things they always need, and they’ll love it immediately.
I also suggest you give them a rare item that’s hard to find in physical and online stores. For example, if they collect shoes, gifting them a limited edition collection will make them smile.
Practical
Giving practical gifts is a safe choice. It’s not exactly the most unique option, but it’s something they’ll find a use for.
You don’t have to worry about the gift collecting clouds of dust at the back of your friend’s cabinet! Instead, they can use it in everyday life and even save a few extra bucks.
Wishlist
You’ll know what’s on your friend’s wishlist if you’re close enough. Never mind the 50th birthday gift ideas for men that you saw. Instead, check their wishlist and find one they don’t have yet.
They’ll be really excited to receive the gift, especially if they’ve wanted that item for a long time. It could be as simple as a new set of golf clubs or new clothing from their favorite brand.
Conclusion
Creating a list of 50th birthday gift ideas for men was challenging. You can give anything under the sun, but not all add a personal touch.
You want a gift that screams, “I know you and what you need.” It’s a great way of showing how much you know them through the years you’ve been together!
One thing’s clear, never underestimate the value of giving practical and personalized gifts. It’s something they can treasure and remember you by.
It could even strengthen your friendship to last the decades to come.
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