Best May birthday gifts to celebrate a free-from-quarantine spring
After a year in which many of us were confined to our homes, there’s something about this spring that feels extra festive. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and as more Americans get vaccinated, the businesses are opening back up for brunch, gallery viewings, garden tours, and more. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate May birthdays than with gifts that speak to the dedicated Taurus (April 20-May 20), who have perfected new habits in quarantine, and buzzy Gemini (May 21 - June 20), who as the ultimate social butterflies will be the first ones to plan a socially-safe party. Ahead, find our top picks that celebrate an especially optimistic spring and the unique souls born in May.
For the overbooked Gemini who considers the bathtub a sanctuary, this bath board (made of solid pine wood and hemp rope) provides a safe place for candles, books, tablets, and a glass of bubbly for an extra luxurious soak (okay, and a little multitasking). Unlike most bath boards, this version features a flip-up mirror for use when applying face masks. What’s more, its aesthetic perfectly syncs with farmhouse and coastal interior decors.
SHOP: Esker Bath Board, $90, available at Esker Beauty
Outfit your favorite Gemini in romantic florals from pricey designer Erdem — without breaking the bank. Pieces from this capsule collection — which spans denim to dresses — are in the most inclusive size range (00 to 40) and are the perfect gift for a social butterfly plotting her return-to-the-scene wardrobe.
SHOP: Kalina Short Sleeve Ruffle Shirt in White Floral, $134, available at Universal Standard
Is the practical Tauraus in your life applying less makeup than ever before? Meet their beauty MO with this bundle of natural-finish makeup from Merit Beauty, comprised of its hero products at 20% off. Included is a foundation/concealer stick that helps ease redness and leaves a skin-like finish; a highlighter that’s a dupe for Chanel’s famous Baume Essential Stick; a makeup brush; and a cream blush smartly shaped for finger-free application.
SHOP: Merit Beauty The Skin Kit, $100, available at Merit Beauty
The sixth version of this trail shoe (which comes in men's and women's sizes) has a lot to live up to: Its predecessors are well-loved and known for being incredibly lightweight and made to mimic the shape of the foot, for a snug, yet comfy fit that is said not to move or chafe on hikes. But the latest design boasts improved fit and traction, along with 100% recycled laces and top sheet, 65% recycled mesh upper, and 40% mesh lining. Part of the shoe’s midsole foam is also made from algae biomass, making earth signs feel good about stomping around in the soles. Better yet, it delivers on the design’s legacy. After wearing the shoe on a month of almost-daily hikes (and sometimes, even without socks — don’t judge us), it didn’t produce a single blister, or slip off our heels, while traction and grip held strong.
SHOP: Merrell Trail Glove 6, $100, available at Merrell
If your favorite hardworking Taurus spent much of quarantine developing the perfect home gym, why not hook him or her up with an at-home infrared sauna experience, too? According to the brand, this Infrared Sauna blanket is made to burn between 300 and 600 calories in a 30-minute session and is a tool used by professional athletes to boost lactic acid in the body for better oxygenation of the blood and post-workout muscle recovery and tissue repair. What’s more, a 30-minute session is said to burn between 300 and 600 calories, without lifting a finger (well, aside from hitting “play next” on Netflix that is).
SHOP: MiHigh Infrared Sauna Blanket, $474, available at MiHigh
Looking to hook up the birthday gal with something special so she can resume group cardio dance classes? This stylish trainer is it. Not only has the shoe won awards for its performance in dance cardio classes, it features a roomier toe to better land those difficult jumps, a narrow heel for a secure fit, a dedicated pivot point for beautiful turns (even on sweat-tinged studio floors). But best of all, these trainers are cute — because doesn’t Zumba deserve a little flair?
SHOP: Ryka Dynamic Pro Training Shoe, $79.99, available at Ryka
Talk to any practical chef and they’ll tell you: You only need a few knives in your coffers to slice and dice like a pro. The essentials: a serrated knife to cut breads, a paring knife for peeling, and an 8” chef’s knife to do the rest. This set of made-in-the-USA cutlery sticks to this pared-down philosophy (one that the no-BS Taurus will love), delivering a trio of basics made with three layers of Japanese steel, a grippy handle, cryogenically-tempered blade to maintain sharpness and a lifetime guarantee. Better yet, the weight distribution of the knives feel very natural and comfortable in our hands, rendering the other blades in our knife stand virtually obsolete.
SHOP: Material The Trio of Knives, $155, available at Material
Leave it to one of the coolest candle companies to come up with the most intoxicating fragrance that perfectly straddles the line of feminine and masculine. With woody (patchouli fraction, blond woods), floral (violet), and gourmand (plum, saffron, hazelnut, pineapple) notes, the scent is warm and leathery, but also fresh and light — perfect for a Gemini who knows no boundaries.
SHOP: Boy Smells Suede Pony Cologne de Parfum, $98, available at Boy Smells
Taurus don’t want to be given dinner; they want to be taught how to fish. It’s a quality that makes project-based gifts particularly appropriate for this star sign. Enter: Petalled, a new flower delivery service that sends modern-looking bouquets, along with a vase, tools (like floral tape, scissors, and leaf cutters), and instructions on how to make a perfectly-shaped arrangement. While the company has several bouquets to choose from, we’re particularly fond of this double-bouquet, which comes with 25 stems for one arrangement and 10 for another — perfect for parents who want to get their kid in on the action (and a second arrangement for the bedside table).
SHOP: Petalled Making Majice & Unicorn Hair Arrangement, $125, available at Petalled
Outgoing Gemini are sure to have a packed schedule as soon as gyms, restaurants, and IRL experiences are back in full swing, which is why they’ll particularly appreciate this lightweight sweatshirt, which can go from post-workout to brunch to whatever pops up next, thanks to an asymmetrical zip closure and ample front pockets, which bring an unexpected twist to the typical athleisure uniform.
SHOP: Women's Under Armour Woven Branded Half-Zip Sweatshirt, $40, available at Finish Line
Busy Gemini looking to maintain a certain level of Zen when resuming a daily commute, in-person classes, or office life will find comfort in this handy toolkit made to do just that: Inside the cloth wallet (made from recycled water bottles) are five plant-based and sustainably sourced essential oil blends attuned just for the mind. Among them, a cypress and cedarwood potion to help boost confidence; a sage and grapefruit blend to help address frayed nerves (a perfect combatant for road rage); the brand’s cult-favorite rosemary and lemon scent, made to help energize the mind, body, and spirit (and help fight AM sleepiness when added to a morning shower).
SHOP: Saje Mindful Pocket Farmacy Essential Oil Roll-On Kit, $65, available at Saje
Did a year away from restaurant dining rooms turn the Taurus in your life into a serious at-home chef? Help them look the part with this apron, a favorite of food industry pros. Plenty of front pockets prove essential stash spots for recipe cards, spice jars, and cooking utensils, and cross-back straps help eradicate neck tug that can come with traditionally designed aprons. Plus, the 100% cotton canvas fabric is made to stand up to all-day barbecue sessions — a good thing, as BBQ season is nigh, as is a boom in post-quarantine home entertaining.
SHOP: Hedley & Bennett The All Day Crossback Apron, $95, available at Hedley & Bennett
Whether your loved one is a longtime fan of collagen supplements or has yet to jump aboard the bandwagon of those looking to boost skin barrier function (something backed by research), the latest release from Vital Proteins is a no brainer. The reason? Chocolate. Like with other blends from the brand, this collagen peptide flavor contains no added sugar (and boast 20g of collagen peptides), but thanks to cocoa inside, it tastes more like a treat and can be used for everything from smoothies to mocha lattes to baked goods.
SHOP: Vital Proteins Chocolate Collagen Peptides, $32.99, available at Costco
Remember when you used to give your mom grief for wearing a belt bag? Show her you were wrong by hooking her up with this modern take on a hands-free bag. This version not only packs a pop of happy spring shades, thanks to colorblocked leather, it also features several compartments and an adjustable strap, for the ability for wear it as a belt bag, or crossbody. What's more, the style originally sold for $300 can be had at an extra discount, thanks to the brand’s Mother's Day Sale, which offers up to 70% off from 4/21-4/29.
SHOP: Coach Foldover Belt Bag, $119.20, available at Coach Outlet
Anyone who has descended the wormhole of luxury bedding knows linen sheets aren’t exactly cheap. But thanks to this direct-to-consumer brand, gleaning the benefits of European-sourced flax just got that much more affordable — and the benefits are plenty. To start, linen is known to regulate temperature by absorbing perspiration before emitting the moisture into the air — something that’s ideal for hot sleepers. What’s more, its built-in elasticity retains its shape, is naturally bacteria resistant, and gets softer and softer the more it’s used and laundered. After a year of lounging in bed, we can’t think of a better upgrade to give busy Taurus and Geminis quality, climate-control sheets that will last a lifetime.
SHOP: Parachute Home Linen Sheet Set, $149, available at Parachute Home