Happy Birthday Cancers! To learn about our friends born between June 21 and July 22, we consulted with TABLE Magazine’s astrologer Wade Caves about the personality, temperament, and likes of this water sign — and what might make a good gift for them. The first thing to consider, says Caves, is that, as a crab, “a Cancer has a hard shell but they’re very soft on the inside.”

Here are some ways to show the crab in your life that you care…

Best Gifts for Cancer Zodiac Signs: Ideas for June–July Birthdays

Throw Them a Birthday Party

Cancers are social creatures. “They’re ruled by the moon, and the moon is by far the fastest thing in the sky; it goes all the way around the Earth in 29 days, so Cancers are very known for being out and about and highly engaged.”

One way to make a party just for them is to throw a bash at their favorite restaurant or establishment as a surprise. Being both nurturing and sentimental, Cancers also often maintain long-standing friendships. Perhaps you could invite some old friends to join? 

Cancers love to entertain, says Caves, so you could throw an in-home celebration where friends bring a dish in their favorite server — the sentimental Cancer will appreciate this — or take the pressure off and employ a caterer to do the heavy lifting.

A Gift for Their Comfort Space

“The moon also goes dark,” says Caves. Likewise, Cancers need their downtime, an escape, a safe spot to refuel. “Every Cancer has a den of some kind.”

The gift giver’s task is to consider: Where is my loved one’s den? How can I beautify and brighten their space?

This Mongolian cashmere throw from Quince is incredibly soft and cozy yet light. It’s hands-down divine. 

A mulberry silk pillowcase feels luxurious, and is also healthy for your skin and hair. Brooklinen’s version in the color Abyss is a soft place to get lost in thoughts. 

Cancers “appreciate things that they are going to interact with a lot — and are also one of the more stylish of the signs.” So, think gifts for their den that are utilitarian, yet have an inspired design.  

Focus on Their Style

As a sign, “they appreciate sharp angles, sunglasses that have sharp angles, are dramatic, fun, cool, but not something that would make them stick out.”

Having developed a cult following, the Australian-born Le Specs is an on-point brand for Cancers, and the Velodrome cat’s eye style leans into the edges.

Quay embraces the 90s with these throwback frames, updated with sharp angles — and a sharp vibe for the guy in your life. 

Useful and Stylish Kettles

Top of our mind is the Fellow Stag Electric Kettle, which embraces a marriage of function and sleek style. 

Also, Breville is known for top-notch espresso machines, and their compact Bambino is a sweet introduction to the home espresso game.

Appreciation for Utility

Caves recommends gifts that are refined and elegant, “yet feel humble.” He suggests a 

“really, a really good cutting board.”

Boos Block is the long-standing gold standard of boards. The Boardsmith is another maker of heirloom-quality boards. Choose a close-grain hardwood, such as maple or walnut. 

A board with a lot of buzz is the MK Free Board. Landing on many “Best of” lists, the board is praised for its light weight, textured surface, and easiness to maintain. It is plant-based, non-porous, and leaves behind no microplastics. This chef’s favorite is great for cutting meat as it cleans up so well, plus, it comes in fun colors. 

Gift Something Blue…

Caves shares that Cancers, as a water sign, love beautiful, deep blues. 

As they also revere their private world, here’s a journal inspired by a deep blue-and-white porcelain plate from the Qing dynasty (housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). A meaningful design concept to pair with their meaningful musings? Perfect for the Cancer sign. 

Shibori is a Japanese dye method that creates a deep indigo. This Shibori Kit is a fun introduction to the art, and comes with two tea towels and two bandanas to dye. 

Or Something Red…

Caves says that Cancers also have a penchant for red, adding “it’s an ancient association.” As well, “they like attention for things that they’re wearing, things they could be complimented for, things that people can notice.”

Red leather is unexpected and makes a statement, and this howler pouch from Portland Leather Goods is also a practical place to store small items that get lost in your bag — one reviewer called it a conversation starter. Plus, delivery is fast. 

Support Cancers’ Nurturing Nature

Cancers are known nurturers who enjoy gardening (especially for Cancer rising). This antique copper watering can is functional and artisan-made, plus it’s fair trade. 

For this moon sign, you could order moonflowers for their very own moon garden. Its flowers unfurl at night — glowing at dusk — then close at dawn. You can order live plants online.

Entertain Their Love of Hosting

As Cancers are social, nurturing, and have good taste, they are natural hosts. Caves recommends gifting them clean, elegant dish-ware. Our Place garners a lot of love online and in trendy kitchens, and their ceramic stoneware serving platter set comes in sizes ideal for future appetizer spreads. 

Help Display Their Collection

This is a fun thing we learned from Caves: “Every Cancer I know has a collection of something.” And because of the “den thing is about protection,” they also want to keep their collection safe. Think about what your loved one collects — and how you can gift them the perfect way to display and protect it. 

For someone who collects vinyl records, this shelf achieves both ends perfectly. It displays up to three records — safely on the wall. This LP Stand, from Southern California-based Upton, allows your collector to curate a record selection to have at the ready for their next listening session. It’s got style; it’s got substance. Just like your Cancerian. 

We haven’t forgotten the little ones — for crabby kids who collect Pokemon cards, here is a Pokemon-stylized binder with a display window for their prized card. 

A Subscription That Leaves Them Surprised

Cancers like change, says Caves. So, monthly subscriptions will give the gift of novelty to your Cancerian each month. Here are a few curated choices: 

Jiggy Puzzle Club delivers 500-piece puzzles (made by female artists from across the world) on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis. One reviewer calls it a “guaranteed spark of joy.” Who couldn’t use that? 

A Tea Runners’ tea subscription is another way to send a monthly surprise to your Cancerian. The boxes are customized: either herbal, pure, black, or their original tea box (which includes pure, blended, and herbal teas). You can even customize the first box with teas such as Ceylon Burning Sun (a Sri Lankan black tea), Lavender Lace with lavender cinnamon and mint, blood orange herbal, or the high-end green tea Clouds and Mist.  

A flower subscription is another way to add vibrancy to your Cancer’s den. Urban Stems offers a variety of price points and has a quick turnaround.

While you’re here, you can check out what to stock a Cancer’s bar cart with for more gift ideas! Plus, consider making them the perfect meal with a menu made just for the zodiac sign Cancer.

Story by Lauri Gravina
Featured Photo From Upton

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