Fun 50th Birthday Gift Ideas for Men—Things Guys Actually Like

You might think the man in your life who's reaching his half-century milestone already has everything he could want or need, but fear not! Here are some cool, affordable gift ideas I've compiled just for men celebrating their 50th birthday. From husbands to coworkers, there should be a thoughtful, personal gift here that will satisfy him and be gentle on your budget.

Gag Gifts for a Laugh

What would a half-century birthday be without a wisecracking gag gift?

From mugs to puns to slogans to give him an "over the hill" jab in the ribs, every soon-to-be-50-year-old man knows it's coming.

And then there's the book, Fifty Things to Do When You Turn Fifty, where renowned authors recount their strategies for making it to this milestone year with humor, wisdom, and frankness.

Humorous gifts break the ice at parties. But do him a favor and don't just gag-gift him. He deserves a serious gift, too. The man is leaving his fiftieth decade and entering his sixtieth, a true milestone to honor.

Here's a cool gift idea if the man in question likes tools. If he is at all handy, then he can always use another tool. The problem is, if you get him the wrong tool—a 6mm paring chisel instead of an 8mm timber chisel, for example—look out!

One great idea for a serious tool hound is an old vintage Stanley Tools Catalogue. These small catalogs from the first half of the 20th century used the spelling “catalogue,” and they're sold wherever collectibles are sold. If he's a tool hound, he'll love it—he'll spend hours poring over the tools illustrations and the text.

Grass-Fed Beef for a meat-lovin' man

If you haven't already heard, 100% grass-fed beef is reputed to be healthier for your heart and cholesterol level than even organic grain-fed beef, due to the high ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids.

Whether or not that's true, cows were raised on grass for centuries before agribusiness started using grain to fatten them up. Given that man ate cattle that roamed the range and didn't have access to oats and other grains for centuries, there's a good chance that the human body is best adapted to 100% range-fed beef.

Health claims aside, grass-fed beef is utterly delicious, with a distinct taste that will help a man remember his 50th birthday as the tastiest ever. Leaner than grain-fed beef, you cook it for a shorter time and at a lower temperature so it doesn't get too tough.

Give him a stock of a 100% grass-fed beef for his freezer so he can enjoy this delicious beef for ages.

As I said above, chances are good that he has a lot of what he wants. But by fifty, he's also probably begun to notice the wear in certain body parts, even if he doesn't want to admit it. So if you're looking for luxury items that are also practical, then think ergonomics for his birthday.

Think slippers that are unlike any he's ever slid his feet into or the classic electric shaver. Think the simple but ingenious Body Back Buddy, an ergonomic chair, or an aromatherapy wake-up clock. Think sports massage gift certificate. Think a new pair of shoes that doesn't have the arch support worn down.

Give him the birthday gift of comfort, just at this crucial time when he's becoming acutely aware that he's no longer thirty and his bones are beginning to creak... you get the idea. Make him feel better.

Help Him Stock Up

Most guys don't want much that's fancy. But a good, plain gift can be hard to find.

Your birthday boy has probably got a full closet of ties, sweaters, socks, and other easy-to-get clothing. What he wants is something practical, something he can use but that he doesn't yet know he needs. Will he turn up his nose at a five-year's supply of motor oil or antifreeze? Doubtful.

But be careful—no 50-year-old man wants a birthday gift that means he has to do something he doesn't like to do. So forget about the auto supplies if he doesn't like to tinker with the car. And only get him a new lawn mower blade if he's really okay with mowing the lawn.

Or get him a big ol' bag of whatever everyday supplies he's running out of. Trust me, in these challenging economic times, it will only get a laugh, especially if you include a birthday card with a tongue-in-cheek quote, like "Here are 100 packs of disposable razors—look for 100 more in another half century."

For some more ideas about less common gifts for guys, read Unusual Gifts for Men.

Many guys who go crazy for gadgets don't go to the trouble of getting one for themselves. So get him a fancy flashlight, one he's probably heard of but not bothered to upgrade to. Coast LED flashlights truly are in a class of their own and are favored by professionals.

As the author of this article, I may receive commissions for sales generated. See my disclosure statement about compensation for this article.