It doesn’t get nearly as much attention as certain other birthdays – sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-one all command much more celebration – but turning 25 is still a monumental juncture in any life. We treat “18” as if it is the turning point between childhood and adulthood, but many will argue that we are still growing and maturing well past that age. It could be that we’re still learning and progressing long after our 25th birthday. Indeed, we hopefully are. But there is still something special about that time in our lives – that period of growing into full-fledged adults and leaving the trivialities (and hormones) of our younger years in the rear-view mirror. It’s a celebration that should matter, and with the birthday gift ideas we’ve outlined below, you’ll be able to make sure that it does.

Four Things You Didn’t Know About Turning 25

It’s the age that the average person gets a job.

You might think that most Americans are out there in the workforce in their teens, saving up money for their summer vacations, but that’s not actually the case. Between job search struggles, educational demands, and other delays, many people do not actually get their first real job until they’re 25. So if you think you’re a late bloomer, you may be in better company than you imagine.

You’re not too old…or too young.

It could be said that turning 25 is the end of all excuses. You are neither too young nor too old to accomplish anything you set your mind to. No one can say that you’re too young anymore, and no one would dare say that you’re too old to chase your dreams. Circumstances obviously differ from person to person, but this is a prime age in any life to go for the gold.

You’re now considered an adult by the United Nations.

While acknowledging that there is no universal consensus among nations as it pertains to the dividing line between childhood and adulthood, the United Nations has defined “youth” as those at least 15 and no older than 24. So if anyone questions whether or not you’re a full adult, you can point them in the direction of the UN. This argument may or may not help.

You could have already rented a car.

One of the most enduring myths in our society is that you have to be 25 to rent a car. This actually isn’t true. Most rental car companies will rent to a 20-year-old, although it may cost a pretty penny to get insurance. If you’ve waited all these years to finally hit up Enterprise, you probably missed some excellent car rental opportunities. Sorry!

Now that we’ve oriented ourselves to this monumental occasion, let’s get right into the meat of the matter. Here are the best 25th birthday gift ideas we could find – we hope you find something special that works for the birthday boy or girl in your life!

13 – Daughter Tiny Heart Necklace

The 25th anniversary of anything is always referred to in terms of “silver,” and what would you know, we happen to have a piece of jewelry that perfectly reflects that symbolism. While this daughter necklace is also available in gold, we recommend going with silver if you’re getting it for your precious (not so) little girl for her 25th birthday. This necklace is not only beautiful by itself with its transformative heart shape, it also comes with a lovely message that can’t help but touch the soul. A great gift for any young woman leaving her childhood behind.

12 – Silver Birthstone Cuff

Some people pay a lot of attention to tradition and meaning when it comes to their birthday; others treat their birthday as an individual celebration that has nothing to do with birthstones and all of that other jazz. The most important tip we can give when shopping for a birthday gift is to know the recipient. If you know they attach meaning to birthstones, for instance, you might consider getting them a silver bracelet or cuff that comes with their particular stone embedded. Or, if they are into astrology, you might substitute a Zodiac sign for the birthstone. There are a lot of ways you can play a gift like this, so don’t hesitate to let your imagination run wild!

11 – A Plush Robe

25 is about that age when you realize that life isn’t all about staying out late and partying every night of the week. If you know an adult that is beginning to settle down – the kind who appreciates the gentle beauty of relaxing after dinner (or while drinking coffee on a lazy Saturday morning) – they are sure to love a plush, comfy robe. You can buy robes in stores and online that are every bit as wonderful as those you find in 5-star accommodations, and you can even have them monogrammed to make them that much more special. A great gift for a woman or a man!

10 – Rental Car Gift Card

Okay, okay, we know: We dispelled the myth that you have to be 25 to rent a car in our opening section. But the truth is that no matter how much these myths are shown up to the light, they will persist in our culture through urban legends and popular wisdom. Therefore, it may make sense to throw a nod toward this mistaken belief by getting the birthday boy or girl a gift card for a car rental outlet. You don’t need a particular reason to rent a car, after all; sometimes, it’s just a fun thing to do for the sake of switching things up! We normally discourage gift cards because of their impersonal nature, but we’ll make an exception for this one.

9 – A Growth Journal

It’s around the age of 25 that we begin to realize that we won’t live forever, after all. That realization will grow deeper (and more terrifying!) as the years progress, but this is a good time to start thinking seriously about your life as a whole. A lot of people wind up at the age of 25 only to realize that they’ve “wasted” the last few years of their lives with meaningless activity. They may understand they need sharper focus, but that can be a difficult thing to cultivate. A growth journal can make the transition easier. In it, a person can chart their ideas, write down their goals, and review their daily progress over a period of years. A great gift for anyone who knows the value of contemplation and self-discovery.

8 – Scented Candles (And Other Things That Remind Them of Home)

Some people spend their entire lives in their original hometown, but a great many others find themselves far, far from home as they grow into adulthood. Demands such as family, education, and career can fling people all across the country, if not the whole world. Wouldn’t this be a nice time to remind them of the comforts of home? This can easily be done with scented candles and other products that can instantly transport them to their hometown environment. Smell is a particularly powerful sense when it comes to invoking nostalgia and memory, so don’t be afraid to exploit that fact if you want to buy your recipient a truly meaningful 25th birthday present.

7 – Salt Lamps and Selenite

Is it just us, or has there been a huge surge of interest in spirituality among the younger generation? We can’t say we’re surprised. With all of the technology cluttering up our brains at any given second, the turmoil of social media, and the generalized state of the world, it’s no wonder that people are looking for ways to hit the pause button. It’s important to do so, if only for your mental health. If you know someone with an eye for the more meditative and contemplative side of life, they might enjoy a lovely salt lamp or selenite lamp to help them get Zen!

6 – A Flower Bouquet

Flowers are always appreciated, whether it’s your 25th birthday, Valentine’s Day, or just an average day of the year. If you’re stuck on getting the right gift for the soon-to-be 25-year-old in your life, why not go for a beautiful bouquet? The only downside of flowers is that they don’t last long; here today, wilted tomorrow. But sometimes the best gifts aren’t those that last forever but rather the ones that make a huge impression before drifting out of your life. Someone wise once said that it is the impermanence of life that makes it so sacred; a bouquet of flowers can send that message in a way that words alone cannot.

5 – An Upgraded Phone Case

It always amazes us to see people walking around with $700 phones wrapped in $10 cases. Or, as we’ve seen over and over again, phones without any cases at all! If you know a 25-year-old who has yet to realize the value of that device they’re always consulting, you might want to get them an upgraded phone case for their birthday. This is about the age where you can actually appreciate a practical gift, even if it isn’t the sexiest present possible. And the next time they drop their phone on the asphalt, they’ll be glad you provided them with such excellent protection.

4 – Cookware

Oh boy, weren’t we just talking about practical gifts? Well, it doesn’t get much more practical than this. By the time you reach the age of 25, you’ve probably begun to tire of Ramen noodles and other quick-fix meals that take little more than a microwave. You may be starting a family, or you may just be realizing that it doesn’t take otherworldly skills to make a tasty meal. Either way, you’ll need the right tools for the trade. If you know someone who is still relying on a single pot for all of their cooking, they might really appreciate a full set of long-lasting cookware.

3 – A Night Sky Map

Did you know that companies exist that can map out the exact look of the stars in the sky on the night (and location) of your choice? This is an extraordinary and meaningful gift that anyone can appreciate. It not only makes for a lovely and interesting piece of wall art, it is about as personalized as a gift can get. As long as you know where a person was born and the date of their birth, you can get a map of the night sky that perfectly reflects what it looked like when they made their grand arrival. We probably don’t need to mention that this works better for those born at night.

2 – A Personalized Cigar Case

Turning 25 is a time to celebrate growth and maturity. It also means putting aside childish ways of behaving and replacing those behaviors with others that are…more sophisticated. Well, what comes to mind when you hear the word “sophistication?” For us, it’s cigars. There’s something dignified and classy about smoking a cigar, and if you know that your intended gift recipient likes to puff on one every now and then, they might just appreciate a personalized cigar case. This one is customizable with both a monogram and a name, so it will always feel like a present from the heart. Pair with some terrific cigars for a more complete gift!

1 – A Customized Newspaper Poster

There are several companies out there that allow you to customize a newspaper poster celebrating a particular year. For instance, if you’re holding a birthday celebration for someone born in 1995, you can decorate the poster with trivia from that year, noteworthy news events, the most popular movies at the box office, and the top songs on the chart. Most of us don’t have a great connection to our birth years; we were too young to be aware of what was happening. With a poster like this, you can help forge that connection.