What do women really want? That’s the question that many of us find ourselves asking as a friend approaches her 50th birthday.

After all, 50 today is not what it was a generation or two ago. 50-year-old women today are vibrant, passionate, and active. Most of them are still enjoying their careers, although they may have begun to dream about retirement.

Well, since we have over 150,000 women over 50 in our community, I hope that we can help to answer this age-old question together.

What Is the Best Gift for a Woman on Her 50th Birthday?

Is it best to go with something that reflects one of her passions? Or would most women appreciate something more relaxing, like a spa treatment or massage? Should you mark the passing of her 50th birthday with something memorable, like a piece of jewelry? Or should you give her something handmade and personal?

Here are 21 50th birthday present ideas for her:

Something Involving One of Her Passions

Subscription to Masterclass Online Classes

Masterclass is an online platform with thousands of classes and lessons from world-renowned professionals. She can take photography tips and tricks from Annie Liebovitz, cooking advice from Gordon Ramsey, or even a creative writing class from Margaret Atwood (plus so much more).

It works on a monthly or yearly subscription, and she can have access to all the classes. We’re never too old to learn!

Craft Store Gift Card

Is your friend crafty? Why not get her a gift card at a craft store. Sometimes we don’t want to splurge on our hobbies, so this way she can go in and pick what she needs to pursue her crafting.

Classes – Pottery/Candle Making/Painting

Check the local class offerings in her area and book classes for something that you know she truly enjoys.

Sports Club Membership

Is she into sports and training? Why not pay for her gym membership for the year for her 50th birthday.

An Adventure/Experience

Sometimes gifts don’t have to be physical things or objects. Online businesses, like Tinggly, offer vouchers that the recipients can exchange for an experience or activity of their choice. There are more than 400 options to choose from and the number is always growing. Tinggly offers activities in more than 100 countries!

Something Travel-Related

So you have a travel-loving birthday girl celebrating her 50th soon? Here are some ideas for the traveling woman on your list.

Note: Check travel and health restrictions before booking trips.

Weekend Getaway

Who doesn’t enjoy going away for a weekend? It can be a short car ride away or a plane trip to another country. We all need those alone times, but don’t always find the time to do it. This way, if it’s planned out for her, there’s no excuse not to go.

A Cruise

Cruises are extremely popular, especially as we get older. Now would be a great time to offer the birthday girl a cruise vacation. Why not go with her if you can?

Bucket-list Trip

How well do you know the birthday girl turning 50? Almost everyone has a bucket list of things that they would like to do or accomplish before they… well, kick the bucket. You may be aware of some things on her list and surprising her with one of them for her 50th would be memorable!

Luggage

All good travelers love their luggage. Why not get her a brand new set of luggage. Another great traveling accessory that well-seasoned adventurers appreciate is packing cubes.

A Celebration with Friends and Family

Big Surprise Party

Throwing a surprise party takes some planning and organizing. But it’s always fun to see the person’s face when they walk in and have no idea that they are getting a surprise party. Look for event planners in your area to help with putting the party together.

Close Friends and Family Picnic/Backyard Lunch

Is your friend quiet and not into big parties? A backyard BBQ or a picnic in a park with friends and family may be exactly what she would love for her 50th.

Fancy Dinner Out

We don’t always like to splurge on expensive meals. But we only turn 50 once, so why not go for it!

Theme Party

Theme parties are a lot of fun. Did she enjoy the 80s? How about a black & white party? Or even a beach party in the middle of winter!

Something Practical

A Domestic Item

Has your friend mentioned that an appliance broke in her kitchen or that she needs something for her home? Maybe her car broke down? Possibly, she can’t afford to replace it at the moment.

For more expensive items, you can pool together with friends and family to make the purchase.

Something Personal and Handmade

Photo Book

Gather photos of her through the years and make a photo book. You can either craft it yourself or send the digital photos to a printing service, like Shutterfly, that can design the book and ship it directly to her on her birthday.

Handmade Drawing/Painting

You can offer something that you made yourself. You can also hire an artist to make a drawing or a painting of her.

Something Soothing

Because we all love to be pampered!

Luxury Night at a Hotel

A luxurious night at a fancy hotel including room service can very well be what your friend needs.

Massage

Gift her a massage if you know she enjoys massages.

Spa Treatment

Spafinder will help her find the best spa in her area.

Something Memorable

Engraved Watch or Jewelry

Check with your local jewelers and engravers to commemorate her big 50 with something that she can cherish forever.

A Life-changing Book

Books have the power to change your life. Here is a list of inspiring life-changing books:

• Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Here is a list of 40 inspirational books all women should read in their lifetime.

Something Else (Please Add in the Comments)

One thing is clear. Even if we don’t need gifts from our friends and family, it’s always nice to know that people care! If you know a woman who is turning 50 soon, don’t forget to reach out and tell her how much she means to you!

Did we miss any important gift categories? What do you think are the best 50th birthday gifts for women? What is the best gift that you have ever received? Please join the conversation. Let’s Have a Conversation!