When it comes to choosing a birthday present for a friend, it can be difficult to know where to begin. If you're going to a party to celebrate their big day, you know you need to bring something, but you may worry that it's not the right sort of item. If you're not going to a birthday party, you might want to get something nice for your friend, but don't want to put them in an awkward position. However, you shouldn't neglect your friend just because you're unsure of yourself.
First of all, think about your friend's hobbies and interests and try to get them something tangentially related. This shows that you've been paying attention to the things that matter the most to them, but it also keeps you from trying to find something in a field that you know little about. So, if they are avid golfers, get a humorous mug about golfing, but don't try to buy them the latest golf club. Similarly, if your friend loves to swim, find something clever like personalized hooded towels from a respected company like Purple Pumpkin Gifts, which they'll enjoy every time they go swimming.
An alternative to buying your friend a traditional present is to get them an experience instead. Recent studies show that people remember and value experiences more than physical gifts most of the time. Find an adventure that you can do together, or get your friend something they can enjoy alone or with family. Consider a wine-tasting trip, river rafting, or tickets to a museum exhibit your friend has been wanting to see. These are gifts that your friend will get to enjoy twice, once while given and once while used.