What To Get a 31-Year-Old For Their Birthday
Just in case you were wondering...!
My dear, sweet Shitters! As is tradition, every year as we approach my birthday, I write up a fun little list to help anyone in need of some guidance when it comes to what to get for a somewhat hard to shop for early-30-something…
Yes, I am describing myself (or at least that’s what I’ve been told), but so many of these would also make great gifts for the other discerning people in your lives. So if you’re in need of some inspiration (or just want to do some browsing for yourself), the following are things (31, to be exact!) across a range of price points that’ll put a smile on their face—or at least would on mine!
A McNally Jackson gift card. And/or your latest book recs (can’t-put-down thrillers or well done memoirs especially). If you’re in need of a summer read yourself, I tore through both of these recently (1, 2)—highly recommend!
A big dumb lab :) I know I’m kinda a cat lady at heart, but who doesn’t dream of a snuggly couch potato dog!!!
The tomato/cashew cream cheese bagel from Courage Bagels. There’s a lot of LA food I’ve missed since moving to NYC, but this perfect bite is at the top of the list. Be my cross country Postmates, please!!!
I would’ve asked for this Barefoot Dreams robe, but it was on such a steep discount that I ended up getting it for myself. Quite literally the softest thing I have ever put on my body—10/10 HIGHLY recommend.
Do you have a life-changing psychic, astrologer, reader, or other generally woo-woo people you swear by? I want (nay—need!) names!!! The DMs are OPEN, people!
Will I be shamelessly bringing a photo of these Jessica McCormack drop earrings to my jeweler? There are about 30,000 reasons that the answer to that is a resounding YES.
A makeup lesson!!!! I can get by, but if someone could teach me how to make myself look like that ^^^ (poreless, flawless, velvety), I would be unstoppable! I trust the pros at Violet Grey for this—they curate the best of the best products, and are, shall we say, aesthetically aligned… (read: you will never leave with an orange cut crease like I did at a MAC counter once…).
Hoping said makeup lesson includes Victoria Beckham’s brush collection. Have you seen anything more beautiful in your life???!
A fresh loaf of sourdough. I love having a thick slice with salted French butter and strawberry preserves in the morning—the simplest, most delicious pleasure!
Charms! I started collecting vintage 14k gold charms this year with the goal of wearing my collection on a long chain like this one. I decided the theme of my collection is manifestations, or things I want more of in my life. My first charm was a badminton racket, which always reminds me of summer fun and memories of playing with my family. I want to add a travel-related one next!
On that note, someone take me to Inness already!!! I just got this super flattering simple suit—it will be right at home in their saltwater pools!
The only thing better than a vintage Tank is a vintage Moon Phase Tank. Also wouldn’t say no to a trip to Japan to pick that one up in-person…!
A slice of Hostess cake from Little Cupcake Bakeshop. I received a gift card from them after a slight mishap with my birthday cake last year, and it’s ended up being the best thing ever. It’s very lo-fi—basically a postcard with a number that they scratch out every time I use it—but it’s so nice to be able to bring it along whenever I’m craving a sweet treat. More bakery gift cards in 2025—very underrated gift!!!
Lip shit. For me, this is always an easy winner at a manageable price point (and I’m never more delighted to receive something!). At the top of my current wishlist: This liner in Twist, this one in Faun, this lipstick in Piqué, and this stain in Amour. I tend to grab two when gifting—one for them, one for me!
A table at one of the restaurants on my 2025 hitlist. Plenty of people have long lists of places they’ve been meaning to try, but at the beginning of the year I made a shorter one of 12 restaurants in the city that I was determined to make it to this year. So far I’m 5 for 12, which is great in terms of pacing, but I need to catch up now that we’re in June! If anyone has a hookup at The Four Horsemen, Theodora, or Lucali (or if you just want to join my little adventures), drop a line!
Stupidly good seats at the US Open. Honey Deuces on me!
Thoroughly fine seats at Gracie Abrams or Tate McRae. Some of you were pink pilates pop princesses for a month—I have always been.
A moderate to severely insane floral arrangement.
Baby Cheeks in Mimi. Honestly, throw a dart at a Westman display and chances are I’d be thrilled with anything it landed on.
My love of jewelry is well documented at this point, but I don’t think I’ve coveted anything more than this statement diamond pinky ring. My queen Gucci wears something similar, which obviously sealed the deal!
I am once again asking for someone to come with me to a department store to sample all the Memo perfumes (this one caught my attention after seeing Saie founder
use it in a GRWM). You do not have to get me perfume (though you absolutely can)—just show up, huff, and provide feedback. Simple!I plan to spend a good chunk of my birthday face down on a massage table at the Hotel Chelsea Spa—if you are trying to kidnap me (is it still a kidnapping when you’re 31?), please pretend like you didn’t read that.
A field trip to Welcome Home for what is supposedly the best cinnamon roll in the city!
A field trip to the Theater District for a show! Oh Mary, Hadestown, and Six are all on my list, but there are so many more that I’d love to see!
The way I would be so completely satisfied with a box of this tea.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll never think that a nice candle is boring (though one time I was given one that was so truly nauseating that I had to wonder if I had wronged the person who brought it?). If I were the one doing the gifting, you’d be getting this one—it’s one of my all-time favorites (and on a major discount at the moment)—but I love when friends share their own favorites!
It wouldn’t be a birthday list without a bag by The Row, now would it?!! This is the perfect everyday shape and size (still petite, but it fits comfortably over the shoulder). I’m on the hunt for a darker red, but this elephant grey and burnt wood are beautiful options too.
Speaking of bags, there aren’t many other designer ones tickling my fancy at the moment (aside from the Barolo alligator version of this clutch that I spotted at the Soho Bottega, in case anyone has a mid five figures of spending money to spare), but I do love these clutches by Hunting Season and Marlies Grace. Still splurgey, but much more manageable than the designer ones, and I prefer them to most that are out there at the moment too.
Can someone teach me how to play backgammon or mahjong?! I love a good game and both of these seem very fun!
Specific, but I’m on the hunt for photos/prints of classic Porsches (blame
at Down the Street’s influence!). It’s probably the closest I’ll get to having one of my own at the moment (I also have no idea how to drive stick, so it’s not like I’d even know what to do if one magically appeared on my nonexistent driveway), but leads are appreciated!VERY 30+ of me to be obsessed with Manuka honey. If you want to give them something they’d enjoy often (and subsequently think of you after using), this is a perfect little gift set!
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You can shop our favorite buys of 2024 here, or follow me on Instagram here. If you’re interested in working together on a future post, drop me a note—I’d love to hear from you!
ok ya this list is insanely good. I also love the idea of charms as manifestation jewels!
I don’t have a room at Inness but I do have an upstate house 10 minutes from Inness you’re more than welcome to stay at (sometimes I use my neighbors’ Inness membership pass to sneak into their pool).