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If we're switching towards gender-neutral everything, why don't we also turn toward age-neutrality? Well, due to logical reasoning, it makes clear sense why we won't. Still, how many of you wished to buy something for yourself but feared being judged for being "too old"? Perhaps it was a book, a piece of clothing that was socially deemed "inappropriate" considering one's age, or maybe you felt jealous of a kid who received a gift you would love to have for yourself? When it comes to gifts, especially as we get older, it becomes expected to give practical gifts or items that can be used in the household. Hoover is a prime example of that.

Nonetheless, while Henry The Hoover is very much appreciated, some of us would love to get a LEGO set, board games, a plushie, or have an over-the-top Disney-themed cake for our birthday party. And this thread on AskReddit really proves that there are many of us out there: children stuck in adult bodies. A while back, user devious_egg asked, "Adults, what is something you'd love receiving as a gift but no one even considers giving you because you're an adult?" And well, the answers did not disappoint, making it clear that some of the most anticipated gifts for young adults and adults alike are, in fact, gifts meant for children.

Below, we've compiled some of the best responses from the thread, sharing fun gifts for adults and gag gift ideas that are not precisely labeled as gifts for adults, yet many would love to receive them as one. Do you agree with any of these unconventional gift ideas for adults listed by Redditors? If so, give those you would like to receive yourself an upvote! Have any more gag gifts for adults (actually meant for children) to add? Share those in the comments!

#1

LEGO Set

LEGO Set

"I got a call from a friend, she said it's a birthday and we should all come over. I got the date/time and event correct, but not whose birthday it was, although I was confident it was for a kid. Why else would she say, bring the whole family?

We show up and I'm frankly concerned by all the craft beer with bows and balloons on it. I set our gift bag down and we join the party. Shortly after, her husband shouts with joy and wants to know who got him the big Lego set. Well, that was me, and, uh... You're welcome. So, my answer is Legos. Adults want Legos."

CanYouBeHelped , www.lego.com Report

#2

Art Kits

Art Kits

"Used to get them almost every year as a kid. When I started going to college, the kits stopped coming."

strangedrow , amazon.com Report

#3

Board Games

Board Games

MrsMurphysChowder replied:
"I would like someone to play them with me."

Applejuiceinthehall , amazon.com Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Game night does seem fun. That's the only way I can our teenage boys to hang out with us.

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#4

A Homemade Birthday Cake

A Homemade Birthday Cake

WillingWeepow Report

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David H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my family, for everyones birthday we still bake them the same cake my late grandmother baked us for our birthdays as children. Doesnt matter if you are turning 7 or 70, you get that double chocolate cake

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#5

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt

"So I'm 34 now and no longer with this girl but for my 32nd birthday my girlfriend at the time did a scavenger hunt around the house with little gifts for each step and a weekend away as the final gift. Definitely one of my cooler birthdays as an adult."
 
abrokenelevator replied: "I'm doing this for my anniversary coming up!! I'm having so much fun making the clues and the gift is one of those Steven Singer gold-dipped roses, which I only just found out my wife always wanted. We recently got into escape rooms/escape room games so I'm taking ideas from those."

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We found an digital scavenger hunt where families would leave something and you would have to sign the paper if your family found it. It was more difficult than I expected. I'm sure it still exists but we haven't played it in 8 years.

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#6

Light Up Shoes

Light Up Shoes

twirlerina024 said:
"Those sneakers that light up whenever you take a step"
laurakeet1209 replied: 
"Took my kids shoe shopping last week and they had Heelies. I was tempted.

twirlerina024 , heelys.com Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The neighbor kids would play hide in seek (at night) in the summer. Nothing was funnier than seeing a kid try to hide when there shoes were lit up.

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#7

Water Gun

Water Gun

"A super soaker with the LATEST super soaker technology! My birthday is in August, northern hemisphere, so I would put it to use straight away."

hangriest Report

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#8

Remote Controlled Car

Remote Controlled Car

"They were fun when I was 8 and they are even more fun now."

VintageShrill , amazon.com Report

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Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom went to Radio Shack to buy my dad an RC car. She was standing there, looking at the display of crappy plastic cars, when the salesperson came over, and asked how old the child was. Mom said, 46. The salesperson laughed, but also showed her the good cars, meant for adults. Dad loved it.

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#10

Calico Critters House

Calico Critters House

"I just want to sit and play and send those darling animals on adventures and forget that the real world is on f*****g fire."

birdmadgirl74 , calicocritters.com Report

#11

Stickers

Stickers

Matthias_Cro said:
"I won't put them on anything and you'll never see it again once you've gifted it to me but it will remain forever a highly cherished gift."
 
malytwotails replied:
"If you have a hard time committing to putting stickers on things, buy some sheets of magnet paper. Put the stickers on that, cut them out, and now you have a bunch of magnets you can use for years!"

Matthias_Cro , amazon.com Report

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Lene
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love stickers so so much! But only the flat ones because I use them in my bullet journal :)

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#12

Laser Tag Set

Laser Tag Set

DrByNight , amazon.com Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh how the dog hated this game. He wasn't crazy about the noise ... or if he was made to play.

#14

A Trip To Legoland

A Trip To Legoland

LurkingAintEazy Report

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#15

Fossil Kits With Fake Bones

 Fossil Kits With Fake Bones

Federal_Badger_6062 , amazon.com Report

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Bunzilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wanted these as a kid, but never got them. The only thing that stops me from getting a kit as an adult; what am I going to do with the skeleton after? Plus, they never have my favourite dino :(

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#16

Tetris Console

Tetris Console

amazon.com Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deep sigh ... I always wanted one. Maybe if I had one, I could pack the car better for vacation.

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#17

Plushies

Plushies

"I still have plushies. I would like more plushies, please."

mochii69 Report

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Bunzilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently bought myself a Cotton Slime plush from Slime Rancher 2 (even though the game is still being developed). It just arrived yesterday. I'm an adult and I have zero regrets for all of my plushies. I have... more than a couple.

#19

Crayon Set

Crayon Set

Legitimate-Ad1784 replied: "Totally just ordered the gigantic Crayola box (I wanna say it was at least 164 colors) and when my husband asked why I said it's for our daughter who is 19 months, and just discovered crayons and coloring books a couple weeks ago he laughed when I confessed they were for me because I am SO EXCITED that she is starting to color and I cannot wait until we can sit and color next week when they get here."

Forsaken_Republic_98 , amazon.com Report

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#20

T-Rex Toy

T-Rex Toy

"I would love a realistic-looking, high-quality T-Rex toy that I can pack in my suitcase and take with me wherever I go. It should be big enough to swallow a Lego human whole. I still think T-Rex is awesome."

_InDrumpfWeTrust_ , amazon.com Report

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#22

Nancy Drew Books

Nancy Drew Books

"My parents didn’t have money for books. The small Catholic school library offered books on saints, US presidents, and their wives. The public library wasn’t within walking distance. I lied when Susan Sample, a classmate, accused me of befriending her for the “sleuth’s” books. 55 years later, I’ll fess up; yes, I preferred my time with Nancy more than you."

gladysk , amazon.com Report

#23

Microscope

Microscope

moi85 , amazon.com Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't remember what people were supposed to put on the slides ... were you supposed to spit on it and view under a microscope?

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#24

Wrapped Package With Unknown Gift Inside

Wrapped Package With Unknown Gift Inside

"I'd like to get a birthday or Christmas gift that I had no hand in planning or acquiring. Like, a wrapped package that I genuinely have no idea what is inside."

paleo2002 Report

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Nancy T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't received a gift like this in years! Long overdue, lol.

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#25

Optimus Prime With The Trailer Gen 1

Optimus Prime With The Trailer Gen 1

mdkubit , ebay.ca Report

#26

Hooded Totoro Sweater

Hooded Totoro Sweater

bloodytigger , ghibli-shop.com Report

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#27

Roller Skates

Roller Skates

Dazzling-Toe-4955 Report

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Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd break my neck. Hey, but if I'm using my wheelchair, I have a roller butt, right?

#28

Action Figures

Action Figures

"I'm 53 and my partner buys me action figures constantly. I would have loved all the superhero shit that's available today when I was a kid so he gets it for me now."
 
voiceofAFO replied: 
"I, a woman in my 30s - 40s, bought Star Trek action figures as they came out from my favorite shows. ST: TNG, ST: DS9, ST: Voyager. Also owned the Enterprise-D and a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, and a Klingon Vor'cha Battle cruiser from the same company, Playmates."

lonewolflondo , amazon.com Report

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#29

Spirograph

Spirograph

"Those drawing things where you put a pen inside a circle and it moves like a cog inside a bigger circle and creates a pattern."

Winter_Cheesecake158 , amazon.com Report

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#33

Remote Controlled Boat

 Remote Controlled Boat

"I’m gonna go look them up and buy a mid-range one off Amazon right now!"

Pitiful_Fox7081 , amazon.com Report

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#34

Nerf Guns

Nerf Guns

traf56 , nerf.hasbro.com Report

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Saint Tim the Godless
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got Nerf guns for Xmas 3 years ago. Promptly made impossible backhanded shot across 2 rooms and hit my wife square in the eye. On the day she had just gotten out of the hospital.

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#35

Pokemon Cards

Pokemon Cards

"Honestly, I'd be thrilled to get a pack of pokemon cards. Would be a great reminder of my childhood, and a cool treat to once again open a pack and see what I get."

razor787 , amazon.com Report

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#39

Onesie

Onesie

strawbryshorty04 , amazon.com Report

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, missed the teen/20-something craze of the 2010s and the popularity of oodies as well. Considered much more acceptable to wear in public now.

#40

Bubble Blower

Bubble Blower

"I only had like 2 in my entire childhood and my family didn't know you can just... REFILL it with water and dish soap. They refused to get them because they were 'not worth it'."

tarnishedhuntress Report

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Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom and I both worked in nursing homes. One of my favorite things was blowing bubbles with the clients.

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#41

Magic Grow Capsules

Magic Grow Capsules

"I'd like some of them pills that turn into dino-sponges when you put them in water."

mpapillon12333 , amazon.com Report

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#42

Water Growing Dinosaurs

Water Growing Dinosaurs

"The mini dinos you put in water and they would grow 100x their size over night."

goblingirl , amazon.com Report

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#43

Polly Pocket

Polly Pocket

"They were so well made and I just love how perfectly miniature everything was."

cnfmom , shop.mattel.com Report

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SofiaB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The original Polly Pockets from the 80s/90s were so much better than the ones shown in this picture! The case could literally fit in a pocket...they were so fun!

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#44

Rocket Kits

Rocket Kits

SoulWager , amazon.com Report

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Jack S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. Would have loved something like this. But that's fine I got to play with a nice pair of socks instead.

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#46

Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, Baking Star Super Treat Edition With 3 Mixes. For Ages 8 And Up

Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, Baking Star Super Treat Edition With 3 Mixes. For Ages 8 And Up

"I know, I know. I could go buy one for myself."

SprainyJones , amazon.com Report

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#48

Build A Bear

Build A Bear

FreezingNote replied:
"My partner took me to Build a Bear when I l was 30. My parents never let me as a kid and it was pure joy!"
 
LurkingAintEazy replied: 
"Aw, so lucky. Did you build anything? Or just looked around?"
 
FreezingNote replied:
"Oh, I built a bear! I still have him all these years later. He’s wearing a tuxedo and sunglasses, and I call him Bear, James Bear (a joke as we both love James Bond movies)."

LurkingAintEazy , buildabear.co.uk Report

#49

Easter Egg

Easter Egg

"I love Easter eggs, and make sure my kids and ex-wife are sorted each year. But no one ever gets me one in return."
 
boots311 replied: 
"Funny side story. every year, my stepdad's family (which is huge. 8 kids all married & 30+ children) would have Easter egg hunts. One for the littles & one for the teens & older. My trick was that I'd always put a piece of cheese or broccoli in an egg for a kid to find. The reaction every year was classic. One kid will say, I got a dollar, next kid, I got a piece of broccoli! Haha"

thorGOT , amazon.com Report

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#50

Cheese Balls

Cheese Balls

"Utz cheese balls. All I get are socks. I have socks, I don't have cheese balls."

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ShaZam Beaubien
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have to get the 50 gallon container of cheese balls. Go big or go home.

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#58

Mini Squishies Glow In The Dark Toys

Mini Squishies Glow In The Dark Toys

"Legit anything that glows in the dark. I think it’s so fun but since I’m grown I get basic non-glowy stuff."

I-like-bagels15 , amazon.com Report

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#59

Glitter Markers And Glitter Pens

Glitter Markers And Glitter Pens

tombraider96 Report

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#61

Lunchables

Lunchables

Redpatiofurniture replied:
"Don't do it. They're horrible as an adult. Keep that beautiful memory. Don't ruin it."

almostaccepted , lunchables.com Report

#62

Cowboy Hat

Cowboy Hat

"My boyfriend grew up watching those old western movies. John Wayne is still his hero after 23 years of life. He never even had a play cowboy hat growing up, and he had always wanted a black one. I got him this nice solid black cowboy hat from George Strait’s line (didn’t know he had one until I went shopping lmao) for Christmas one year. I’ve only seen that man cry just a few times in our 5 years of dating, and that was one of them."

reddit.com , amazon.com Report

#65

Garbage Pail Kids Collectible Cards

Garbage Pail Kids Collectible Cards

aq-r-steppedinsome , amazon.com Report

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