We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    36 Fun Birthday Gift Ideas That Are All Under $20

    These playful gifts are *guaranteed* to put a smile on their face.

    1. An air freshener that'll give them the gift of looking at your lovely face every day during their commute. What could be better than that?

    air freshener featuring someone's face hanging on car mirror

    2. A celestial-inspired journal for jotting down their thoughts, to-do lists, and more. The packaging makes this journal feel ~expensive~, with gilded page edging, a hubbed spine, a ribbon bookmark, and ornate cover details.

    3. A ticket stub diary so they can look back and remember all the fun events they've been to over the years, from movies and concerts to sporting events, museums, and more.

    the diary opened to reveal different ticket stubs

    4. A set of Africa stud earrings made of resin and 24-karat gold flakes — they'll be thrilled to add this stunning pair to their jewelry collection.

    5. A ceramic mug with their favorite animal at the bottom, ready to appear as they finish their hot beverage.

    stack of mugs with different animals at the bottom of each

    6. A striking set of tarot-inspired tapestries for your astrology-obsessed friend who desperately needs new wall art.

    7. A dainty layered necklace so simple, they can wear it with any outfit. This cute gold-plated chain will likely become their go-to, so get ready to see them wearing it on the reg.

    model wearing the layered necklace

    8. Tequila Mockingbird, a fun cocktail book for your favorite English major who enjoys classic novels and martinis equally. It delivers 65 delicious drink recipes for them to try along with literary commentary, drinking games, and whimsical illustrations throughout.

    The book cover for Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a literary twist featuring a mockingbird perched on a martini glass

    9. Or a blackberry gin smash cocktail kit that comes with everything they need to make a gorgeous and refreshing cocktail (minus the alcohol itself), perfect for gatherings or just pretending you're at a fancy garden party.

    10. An actually affordable jar humidor for storing cigars so they can count on them to stay fresh for months.

    reviewer image of cigars stored in the jar humidor

    11. Multichrome nail polish so they can give themselves a salon-level mani on the fly. The colors shift based on the angle, creating an effect that's so pretty, they'll be staring at their nails all day long.

    model holding the nail polish bottle with shiny iridescent blue nails

    12. ChocoVine, a concoction combining two of the best things ever: chocolate and wine. A full-bodied French cabernet blended with premium Dutch chocolate, ChocoVine is a rich, silky drink that's even *better* when paired with dessert, coffee, or fruit.

    Bottle of ChocoVine next to a wine glass filled with the chocolate wine drink

    13. A DIY bath bomb kit to let them craft their own relaxing blend. It comes with everything they need to make pretty, fragrant bath bombs, including a little guide book with recipe ideas.

    14. A tarot card set complete with a full 78-card deck and a 112-page full-color guidebook that explains all the fortune-telling elements, history, and lore behind the cards.

    reviewer image of the tarot card set spread out on table

    15. A calligraphy how-to book for crafty, artsy folks or anyone looking to get into journaling, giving them tips, tricks, and practice for improving their lettering. Basically, their thank-you card (and anything else they write to you in the future) will be so pretty, you'll want to hold onto it forever.

    16. And an initial wax stamp to assist with all those hand-written letters and cards they'll be writing, adding an extra level of personalization that feels *so* satisfying.

    17. A loose tea subscription box for someone who loves nothing more than curling up with a cup of tea and a book. With a fun mix of blends to try, it'll help them expand their palate and maybe even discover a new favorite flavor.

    https://www.instagram.com/simplicityteas/

    18. A set of hydrocolloid-infused pimple patches cute enough to wear out in public while working their magic underneath, drawing out impurities and shrinking blemishes.

    different fun-shaped patches spread out on table

    19. A pair of darling tie-dye socks, because at a practical level, anyone could always use more socks, and on a *fun* level, these are cute enough to show off as part of their outfit.

    model wearing purple/pink tie-dye socks with heeled sandals

    20. A sparkly eye shadow so they can sparkle on their birthday as they absolutely should. The shimmery formula glides on to leave a glittery sheen without any creases, perfect for daily wear or any special occasions.

    21. A gemstone pin matching their birthday month that they can pop onto a denim jacket or backpack for a colorful accessory.

    product shot of different pins shaped like gem stones

    22. A gorgeous eyeshadow palette inspired by The Mandalorian, with nine ultra-pigmented shades inspired by the galactic hero. Buttery mattes and shimmering metallics in a range of neutral and earth-toned shades make this mini palette one they can get plenty of use out of — plus the packaging is just darling.

    A nine-shade eyeshadow palette with neutrals and earth tones

    23. Legendary Ladies, an inspiring book that delves into the mythology around 50 legendary goddesses, depicted with gorgeous illustrations alongside descriptions of why they're extraordinary.

    The book cover for Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You, featuring some of the goddesses

    24. A can filled with gummies for the friend whose sweet tooth knows no bounds. If sour candies are their ultimate weakness, this variety pack from Dylan's Candy Bar will really satisfy their taste buds.

    Pucker Up paint can filled with different sour gummies

    25. A stretchy bracelet set they can wear all together or mix and match based on the day, with layers of rhinestones, jewels, metallics, and stone beads creating a stunning, textured look. The set is available in a ton of different colors, so you're sure to find one that suits their style.

    26. A neon rainbow light to brighten up any rainy, gloomy day. They can set it up on a desk or hang it on a wall!

    rainbow light

    27. A nonstick pizza and pastry prep mat for your favorite star baker — or that friend who could eat pizza every single day and be happy. The silicone mat won't slip around as they're rolling out dough, and circular guidelines let them know how wide their dough is; plus, it displays all sorts of handy info like weight conversions, baking pan substitutions, and more!

    pizza mat

    28. Shake & Shot face masks so they can pamper their skin and enjoy some much-deserved R&R. These rubbery modeling masks are inspired by Korean spa techniques and designed to deeply hydrate your skin for a dewy-looking complexion.

    29. A large sideways initial necklace for a dainty yet statement piece of jewelry that goes with literally any outfit.

    30. A pillow cover that'll definitely become a conversation piece in their home — and give any fans of The Office a good chuckle.

    pillow cover that says "Dwight, you ignorant slut"

    31. A macaroni and cheese sticker for those who consider cheesy pasta to be a lifestyle — what better way to flaunt their love than with this ode to the ultimate comfort dish?

    illustrated mac and cheese box sticker

    32. Home Comforts, a comprehensive guide to all things home-related, perfect for new home owners or renters who are discovering allllll the little things that go into the upkeep of a home — no matter the size. From taking care of plants to cleaning tips and choosing fabrics, this little book will turn them into a true expert, so much so they'll probably start passing tips onto you!

    cover of "Home Comforts"

    33. A deck of encouragement cards, because all of us could use an extra dose of motivation on the reg. They can post these around their home and also pass them out to others to make their day a little brighter. There's also room to write personal messages on the back of each card!

    different cards with illustrations and kind messages laid out

    34. A fun and hilarious Rick and Morty card game based on the show's "Total Rickall" episode, where Rick and fam must find and eliminate parasites who have infiltrated their home pretending to be friends and family by implanting fake memories into people's heads. It's a blast and sure to be a hit at their next game night!

    reviewer image of the Rick and Morty card game

    35. A record display shelf for *that* friend whose most-prized possession is their enviable vinyl collection. This'll give them a fun way to display their latest fave while also doubling as wall art they can switch out at any time.

    36. Finally, a sweet fill-in-the-blank book you can fill with all the reasons why you love them! They'll treasure it for years and look back on its pages with a smile whenever they think about you.

    reviewer pic of the fill-in-the-blank book

    Actual footage of them opening your gift:

    Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

    illustrated gift guide