A milestone birthday is the one people remember. Fifty, sixty, eighty: the whole family turns up, someone gives a speech, and there's a gift table that fills up with candles, wine and another nice scarf.

The gift that stands out is the one about them. A clay figurine of the birthday person, doing the thing they love, made from your photo. Our studio sculpts each one by hand and paints it to match: the goatee, the reading glasses, the striped top she wears to every party. It gets passed around the table on the day, then lives on the shelf.

Here are designs for each big birthday, plus a few tips for getting it right.

For the 50th

1. 50th on the golf course

Party hat on, golf bag at his side, a slice of cake in one hand and a little flag with "50" on the green. For the birthday golfer. 50th on the Golf Course figurine, from $208.

2. Blowing out the candles

Striped top, party hat, a cake with lit candles held out in front of her, standing on top of a clay birthday cake. A simple, happy design for anyone turning fifty. Blowing Out the Candles figurine, from $208.

3. Birthday trip with the girls

Three friends in party dresses and party hats, kicking up their heels on top of a clay cake. For the 50th that turns into a weekend away. Birthday Trip With the Girls figurine, from $528.

For the 60th

4. Party hats for two

Two friends or a couple, matching party hats, a drink each and balloons behind them. Good for a joint birthday or a shared big year. Party Hats for Two figurine, from $378.

For the 70th

5. Grandpa, ninety kilos of muscle

White tank top, both arms flexed, a grin that says he's still got it. For the 70-year-old who still goes to the gym, or likes to say he could. Grandpa, Ninety Kilos of Muscle figurine, from $149.

6. The family around the cake

The birthday person with the family close around, a chocolate cake in the middle and party hats on everyone. For the birthday where the whole family is the gift. The Family Around the Cake figurine, from $528.

For the 80th and beyond

7. Turning 80

His favorite armchair, a cake on his lap, a party hat on his white hair. For the guest of honor who'd rather sit and enjoy it. Turning 80 figurine, from $228.

What makes a milestone birthday gift work

Big birthdays come with a lot of gifts at once. A few things help yours stand out.

• Make it about their life, not their age. The number on the flag is fun, but the golf bag, the reading glasses or the friends around them is what makes people laugh and point.
• Bring it to the party. A mini gets passed around the room in a way a sweater never will. Plan the timing so it arrives a few days before.
• Add the year. Their name and "50" (or 60, 70, 80) on the base are free.
• Go in together. A Grand 9.1 in (23 cm) or Showpiece 11.8 in (30 cm) piece is a good group gift from the kids or a group of friends. Classic is 7.1 in (18 cm).
• Ship it straight to them. Put their address in at checkout. No prices are printed on anything in the box.

If golf is their thing, see our gifts for golfers. Shopping for a parent? Try gifts for mom and gifts for dad.

What to put on the base

The base takes a name and a short line for free. A few that work well for milestone birthdays:

• Their name and the number: "Maria, 50".
• The year they were born and this year: "1976 to 2026".
• An inside joke from the family or the friends who are giving it.
• The place you're celebrating, if the party is a trip.

Keep it short. A few words read best on a small base, and the figure should do most of the talking.

How it works

1. Send a photo. Pick a design and a size, and add your photos.
2. We sculpt it by hand. Real clay, shaped and painted by hand. No 3D printing.
3. You approve the proof. On Standard and Faster you get free proof photos, and we make changes until you love it. Nothing ships until you say yes.
4. It arrives in a gift box. Tracked to the door, ready to give.

Questions people ask

The party is soon. Can you make it in time?
Standard is 10 to 14 business days at our bench, then shipping. Faster (+$19 per mini) takes 5 to 7 business days at the bench, and Fastest (+$59 per mini) takes 3, but skips the proof step.

I only have old or blurry photos. Is that OK?
Send the clearest face photo you have and one full-body photo. On Standard and Faster you see the proof before anything ships, and we keep changing it until it looks like them.

What if it arrives damaged?
Email us within 14 days of delivery with photos. We remake it or refund you in full, your choice.

See all birthday designs or start with your own photo and idea.