Gifts for Young Adults

People in their twenties: first apartments, first jobs

People in their twenties are building a life one secondhand dresser at a time. Their first apartment is usually short on the basics that parents take for granted: a decent knife, a real pan, a tool kit. The best gifts fill those gaps with something better than what they would buy on a first paycheck.

Under $25 5 ideas

  1. Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    The pan they will still be using in thirty years. Sears, bakes and goes in the oven, and it comes pre-seasoned.

    Lodge

    See it on Amazon

  2. Microplane Classic Zester Grater

    Zests citrus, grates parmesan and minces garlic. A small tool that makes home cooking taste like restaurant food.

    MicroplaneStocking stuffer

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  3. Scrub Daddy Original Sponge

    A smiling sponge that firms up in cold water and softens in hot. It lasts much longer than ordinary sponges and makes a funny stocking stuffer.

    Scrub DaddyStocking stufferWhite elephant

    See it on Amazon

  4. Codenames

    The party game that works for four people or twelve, and takes two minutes to explain. Good for game nights in small apartments.

    Czech Games EditionWhite elephant

    See it on Amazon

  5. How to Keep House While Drowning

    A short, kind book about running a home when life is overwhelming. Frames chores as practical problems rather than moral failings, which helps people living alone for the first time.

    KC DavisBook

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 6 ideas

  1. AeroPress Original Coffee Press

    Makes a great cup of coffee in about a minute, takes up almost no counter space, and packs for travel. A real step up from pods.

    AeroPress

    See it on Amazon

  2. STANLEY 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit

    Hangs pictures, assembles flat-pack furniture and tightens wobbly chairs. Most people in their first apartment own exactly one screwdriver.

    STANLEY

    See it on Amazon

  3. Kasa Smart Plug Mini (4-Pack)

    Puts lamps and fans on a schedule or a phone app with no hub needed. A renter-friendly way to make an apartment feel smarter.

    TP-Link Kasa

    See it on Amazon

  4. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner

    Dries greens and herbs so salads are not soggy, and doubles as a big serving bowl. The kind of kitchen tool people do not realize they need until they have one.

    OXO

    See it on Amazon

  5. YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler with MagSlider Lid

    Keeps coffee hot through a commute and the first few meetings. Sturdy enough to last through several apartment moves.

    YETI

    See it on Amazon

  6. Yankee Candle Large Jar Candle

    Makes a rented apartment smell like a home. Burns a long time, and the seasonal scents suit the holidays.

    Yankee CandleGets used up

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Under $100 6 ideas

  1. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife

    The knife professional cooks recommend to beginners: sharp, light, and hard to ruin. One good knife makes cooking at home feel possible.

    Victorinox

    See it on Amazon

  2. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

    Turns frozen food and leftovers into something crispy in minutes, without heating the whole apartment. A small-kitchen staple for people who cook for one.

    Ninja

    See it on Amazon

  3. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart

    Rice, soups, chili and batch meals with little babysitting. Saves money on takeout without demanding much cooking skill.

    Instant Pot

    See it on Amazon

  4. Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

    The pot for soups, braises and no-knead bread, and pretty enough to serve from. Lasts decades at a fraction of the French-brand price.

    Lodge

    See it on Amazon

  5. Wingspan Board Game

    A beautiful bird-collecting strategy game that pulls in friends who swear they do not like board games. Plays well with two, which suits couples and roommates.

    Stonemaier GamesAn experience

    See it on Amazon

  6. BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

    Gets red wine, pet accidents and coffee out of couches and rugs. The thing that saves a security deposit.

    BISSELL

    See it on Amazon

$100 and up 3 ideas

  1. Bose QuietComfort Headphones

    Noise cancelling that makes a loud commute, open-plan office or thin apartment wall disappear. Comfortable enough for a full workday.

    Bose

    See it on Amazon

  2. Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner

    Most twenty-somethings are still traveling with a duffel or a hand-me-down bag. A sturdy expandable carry-on from a brand with a real warranty makes every trip easier.

    Samsonite

    See it on Amazon

  3. Theragun Mini

    A pocket-sized massage gun for sore legs after the gym or stiff shoulders after a desk job. Something they would never buy for themselves.

    Therabody

    See it on Amazon