The Material Gift

• The world of gadgets and electronics offer all kinds of possibilities; most guys would appreciate everything from a Swiss Army knife to a handheld GPS to noise-canceling headphones. Women like digital frames, especially if they're loaded up with lots of friend and family photos. DVDs and CDs especially chosen for the recipient offer all sorts of possibilities, such as a few discs featuring the birthday honoree's favorite artist/actor. Or you might consider a novel recorded on CD for listening to in the car.
  
  Of course, books themselves offer another possibility. A copy of the newest bestselling novel works, but so does a nonfiction book on the birthday celebrant's passion, be that anything from football to fashion. Magazine subscriptions gifts should also reflect interests: perhaps Sports Illustrated for guys and InStyle for women. Put one issue of the magazine in a gift bag along with a little treat like some good chocolates or a bag of pistachio nuts.
  
  Picking out clothing is tricky, but for a sporty guy, a jersey featuring the number of his favorite player is a safe choice. Or if he's the chic business type, you might consider ordering a monogrammed shirt from a source such as bestcustomshirt.com. For women, it's best to stick to accessories like leather gloves, a fashionable scarf or an elegant evening bag.
  
  

Thinking Outside of the Box

• Gifts that don't come in a box are favorites with this age group. Consider gifts of tickets to an upcoming event you know the birthday boy or girl will want to attend, whether that's the opera, a football game, a concert, a play or the boat show. Gift cards for movies, particularly those valid at a nearby theater, are always a welcome gift for the movie fan.
  
  Other appropriate, but commonplace, gift certificates include those for area restaurants and coffee shops. Think about gift cards that match the recipient's interests and tastes: a spa day, tennis or cooking lessons, or rental of a luxury car for a weekend, for example.
  
  For an adventurous 25th birthday celebration, consider giving the gift of a balloon ride. At hotairballooning.com, more than 50 listings in the United States alone are given as possible locations for balloon rides.