Shopping for 20-year-olds can be a bit tricky sometimes. After all, they're often in that in-between phase where they're either attending college or just starting out in the world of work, which leaves them with a unique set of wants and needs.
Although finding the perfect present may feel tough, there are lots of great gifts that will appeal to 20-year-olds. Shop TODAY has curated a great list of them, offering options for both men and women with varying interests.
Whether you’re seeing them in person or shipping a care package, your 20-year-old is sure to appreciate a thoughtful gift from this list.
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Gifts for 20-year-old men
Chances are, a quality belt is missing from his wardrobe right now. This sleek, durable option makes a neat gift, with a ratchet web design that automatically closes at precisely the right spot and can easily be adjusted throughout the day. It's stylish enough to go with a variety of outfits, from casual to dressy, and has over 19,000 ratings on Amazon.
If he lives in loungewear, gift him with these joggers from Mark Wahlberg’s performance and athleisure brand, Municipal. These joggers are made out of a cotton and polyester blend fabric and also includes five different pockets. Note: Sales are final on this item.
Reviewers rave about this pair of pants, noting that they’re “lightweight and warm at the same time,” making them perfect for winter runs.
Know a guy who loves card games? He’s sure to get a laugh out of this one. Here’s how it works: You build a unicorn army and try to be the first person to collect seven of them before your friends do. There’s betrayal, destruction and a fun dose of healthy competition, and it’s a nice way to pass some time with your best pals on a Friday night in.
If he enjoys America’s favorite pastime like many sports lovers do, gift him with a map of his favorite baseball stadium, whether it be Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. “Love that the design of these glasses focuses on the design of the map of the park and the sports logo is on the bottom of the glasses. It makes the glasses look more graphic and expensive,” said one reviewer.
Guys who love to game are passionate about their controllers, and this versatile model is compatible with several systems, including the Nintendo Switch, Steam, PCs, macOS, Android and Raspberry Pi. The Bluetooth controller offers rumble vibration and motion controls and lets guys customize their gaming experience to suit their unique needs. Plus, it comes in two colors!
If he’s obsessed with hitting his protein goals, this gift will be sure to blow him away. This Cuisinart cast iron pan is the perfect addition for creating a juicy and perfectly cooked steak.
No matter if he’s at college, at work, or out in nature, a good quality backpack is a modern essential. Expect to see these roll-topped designs everywhere. It’s big enough to carry essentials like his laptop and has several compartments, making it great for travel, too.
Gifts for 20-year-old women
This adorable strawberry-shaped vase is not only a great conversation starter, but will look great on her tabletop. It would even be cute if you gifted her this vase with a bouquet of her favorite flowers inside!
Finding your signature scent takes some time, but you can give the 20-year-old in your life a head start with this set from Gen Z-beloved brand DedCool. The sustainably packaged tin includes six trial-sized vials of the brand's bestselling scents, so she can experiment with the kind of fragrance she likes best. Plus, it comes with a code for 20% off a full-sized fragrance, so she can get her hands on her favorite after trying them all.
For those times when your favorite 20-year-old doesn’t feel like sitting at a desk, this lap desk helps her get comfy on the couch as she types away term papers or polishes off her resume. It even has several compartments to hold a tablet and a phone.
For the young adult who needs time to unwind, this pair of socks will target the right areas. The socks feature a map and come with a wand which can help you improve circulation, regulate the nervous system and reduce overall stress — a gift for those looking for calm and a cozy feel.
If you know a gal who’s itching to try some of the best food across the country but hasn’t had the chance to just yet, a Goldbelly gift card will definitely make her day. The site partners with hundreds of restaurants, chefs and food makers and offers nationwide shipping so you can try everything from pizza and sandwiches to cakes and cookies. They also offer a monthly subscription.
For a dainty addition to their current bracelet stack, gift them with this gold-plated bracelet from Gorjana, which promises that its lightweight feel makes it easy to wear 24/7.
If they love the look of vintage photos, but know how expensive it can be to have film developed. This camera can take 500 shots in one charge!
Loafers for both women and men are firmly in the trend spotlight when it comes to shoes. The easy-to-dress-up or down nature, combined with the versatile style, makes it a shoe that any 20-year-old will easily work into her outfit rotation. These are the perfect shoes to send them off to job interviews.
Gifts for the 20-year-old fitness lover
For at-home workouts or pilates classes at their favorite studio, this 15-inch pilates ring offers a ton of resistance for every workout. “The non-slip handles are easy to use and kept the ring in place during my workout,” Charisse Larado, former senior producer at TODAY All Day, said when reviewing the ring for the Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards, adding that the ring is “super high quality.”
Is workout block a thing? Even fitness enthusiasts need inspiration sometimes! Thanks to these dice, they are able to roll one of or all of the seven dice, look to the explanation booklet for insight and begin their workout. “I especially like that I can have a different workout every day,” said one reviewer, adding “I highly recommend these especially for someone who gets bored easily. You can just roll the dice again and get a new thing to try.”
Another previous Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Award winner for the best sock to wear during any and all activities, it’s no secret that Feetures are well-loved throughout the Shop TODAY team.
Worn primarily when running, these socks constrict around certain parts of the foot in order to prevent blisters and sliding down while moving. They’ve proven to hold their shape and structure no matter how many times you wash them, a true testament to their longevity.
This cap is ideal for individuals with long hair who frequently struggle with their workout updo. The hat features a low crown and curved brim to fit a bun or ponytail, while keeping your hair tangle-free.
This personal blender is just the right size for a dorm room or their first apartment. It comes with a 600-watt motor base for powerful blending, a to-go cup, a recipe book and more. Pair with their favorite protein powder, and they’re all set next time they want a post-workout pick-me-up!
Wear these one-pound Bala Bangles around your wrists or ankles during your next “hot girl” walk or when working out to elevate your fitness experience. These steel bands wrapped in a soft silicone are adjustable, allowing you to customize your fit for maximum comfort. “The weight is evenly distributed and they add a killer kick to any workout,” one reviewer said.
One thing about Gen-Z is for sure: they love athleisure. Whether they're wearing it to workout or to lounge in, why not gift them with one of the comfiest pairs? Our editors agree — this pair ranks high in terms of leggings, thanks to their versatility, comfortability and the wide range of colors and sizes they're available in.
This Alo yoga mat has become coveted within the fitness community. Loved for its sleek appearance, extreme grip and moisture-wicking material, your 20-year-old will feel like the coolest person in their pilates class when rolling this out.
Gifts for the 20-year-old traveler
Give them somewhere special to keep track of all their accessories and delicate jewelry inside this organizer from Amazon. The compact box includes three separate areas to strap necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. Many reviewers also mention that it's proven to be sturdy and reliable.
Water bottles are the key to staying hydrated on college campuses. Shop TODAY editors recommend this Owala water bottle for people who are on-the-go.
“I love the built-in straw and enjoy sipping and then having the option to chug. It keeps my water pretty cold for a few hours and the bottle itself is easy to grip. I also love the flip cap, which prevents my straw from being out in the open,” says editor Jill Ortiz.
For the 20-year-old who can never fit everything they need inside their suitcase, gift them these packing cubes to keep them more organized. With over 200 five-star reviews, these organizers are a shopper favorite and a travel enthusiast's best friend. Reviewers rave about how they are "perfect" for carry-ons or medium-sized luggage as well.
If they often travel, particularly on long-haul flights, then this hoodie is a no-brainer gift. Made with wonderfully soft cotton combined with tech fabric for performance and durability, this hoodie will be their new favorite travel essential. With zip pockets on both sleeves, they can store their wallet, earphones and other essentials while the hoodie features a built-in sleep mask for extra functionality.
What 20-year-old traveler doesn’t love taking photos of their destinations? Plus, it’s easy to use!
“I’ve been trying it and have been super into it so far,” says associate market editor Audrey Ekman. “I like that it is sold as a kit that includes an SD card reader so you can plug it into your phone and get the pictures instantly.”
For the person who values experiences over things, Tinggly is the perfect gift. The Premium Collection gives them the choice of over 2,000 paid-for activities in more than 100 countries for one or two people. Options include things like a surfing lesson in Maui, a waterfall hiking tour in Wales or a ticket to Aladdin on Broadway.
If they are traveling a lot, this train case is a great personal item to add to their arsenal. It fits on top of the suitcase and has a strap to keep it secure. It can be wiped clean and it even has organizers inside of it for beauty, tech and more personal items you need when you travel.
A new travel bag is a major upgrade for any 20-year-old. At 30 liters, this weekender bag is designed to fit a ton of stuff. The brand says that the unisex hold-all can be carried in three ways: by the top handles as a simple carry-all, as a crossbody bag with the large sling strap or as a backpack by turning it on its side and using the padded shoulder straps. It comes in an array of colors and promises to last them many years.
Gifts for the 20-year-old coffee lover
Coordinating producer Alexandra Deabler says this milk frother wand with over 75,000 ratings on Amazon changed the way she makes coffee. Give the gift of leveling up their home barista experience and open up a world of possibilities: frothy lattes, cappuccinos, whipped coffee and more beverages are all on the menu when they've got this gadget on hand.
“Yellowstone” fans, this one's for you! Born straight from the heartland of Texas, Cole Hauser’s new coffee and lifestyle brand wants customers to wake up on the right side of bed and get after it with unbeatably smooth and flavorful coffee.
If they're a bonafide book lover AND coffee drinker, there's no doubt that they'll enjoy this history on how their favorite beverage managed to make it into their mug this morning.
The coffee lover who is always in a rush to get out the door will appreciate these coffee packets. And while aficionados might be tempted to roll their eyes at “instant coffee” one of our editors says this is the real deal.
“Flavor-wise, this is one of the better — and more complex — instant coffees I’ve had. The advertised tasting notes (hints of pecan and blueberry pie) come through boldly and full-bodied but without any semblance of artificial sweetness that are evident in other kinds of instant coffee on the market,” shares deputy managing editor Jess Bender.
If they’re not into coffee or matcha, they might be into this Harney and Son’s sampler set. No need to stress about choosing their favorite flavor. With 14 of the brand’s most iconic teas included, there’s bound to be something to impress every tea drinker.
If iced coffee is more their speed, this is the gift to get. The HyperChiller claims to chill coffee in under 60 seconds, so they can be out the door in no time with their favorite beverage at their side.
For the coffee lover who also loves YouTube sensation Emma Chamberlain, gift this cold brew mason jar so that they can enjoy coffee-on-the-go like their favorite influencer. Shop Chamberlain Coffee for coffee grounds, matcha sets and other accessories, such as a travel tumbler and fun merchandise.
These eco-friendly espresso capsules are compatible with Nespresso’s original machine and the L’Or Barista System. Former production coordinator Bella Druckman loves these capsules because they are 100% biodegradable, deliver long-lasting energy and taste delicious. She loves sipping on her homemade iced latte as she bounces between classes and meetings.
This single-serve coffee maker is perfect for those who need to brew a quick cup before class. The device comes out to five inches wide, making it great for small spaces. It can brew up to 12 ounces and can make coffee in just minutes, according to the brand.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers searched the internet to find the best gifts out there for 20-year-olds. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with bestselling products and trending brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for the tween, teen and young adult on your list including 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 13-year-olds, 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds and 21-year-olds.
