Skip to Content

40 Best 40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Her and for Him

Funny, creative, and unusual gifts any newly minted 40-year-old will love.

By and
40th birthday giftspinterest

Every item on this page was chosen by a Woman's Day editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Every new decade marks a significant milestone in a person’s life, and turning 40 is no exception. Compared to their twenties or thirties, the newly minted forty-year-old in your life might be experiencing all kinds of positive changes, from greater independence, to more professional success, a growing family, as well as greater self-discovery and confidence. With so many accomplishments under their belt and so many more to come, there’s a lot to celebrate, and you can play a special part by giving them a thoughtful 40th birthday gift.

To help inspire your search, we’ve rounded up the best 40th birthday gifts to suit a variety of relationships and personality types. For the person who loves a trip down memory lane, there are retro T-shirts, candies, and keepsakes that honor their birth year. If they’d prefer a gift that’s more current, there are plenty of options to suit their interests, from fashion finds, to tech accessories, travel gear, and gadgets for food and wine enthusiasts. There are also birthday gifts for women and birthday gifts for men to fit every budget, with several gift options under $20, as well as higher price points if you’re able to splurge.

Got some other birthday milestones coming up? We have guides to shop the best 30th birthday gifts, the best 50th birthday gifts, and the best 60th birthday gifts too.

Greeting Card for 40th Birthday

OJsensai 40th Birthday Card

Amazon’s Choice
40th Birthday Card
Greeting Card for 40th Birthday

OJsensai 40th Birthday Card

$6 at Amazon

This thoughtful and affordable (under $6!) card includes fun facts to take them back to their birth year — from popular TV shows, to hit songs, and the price of basic household items. One happy customer wrote, "I love this card, it definitely brought back memories to the gifted! My only wish is they made this exact card for every birth year!"

RELATED: Best "Happy Birthday" Wishes for Your Best Friend

40th Birthday Gift Under $20

Vintage-Inspired Tee

Amazon’s Choice
Vintage-Inspired Tee
40th Birthday Gift Under $20

Vintage-Inspired Tee

Now 50% Off
Credit: AIMITAG

This humorous vintage-inspired tee feels custom since it celebrates the recipient's year of birth. It's budget-friendly at under $20, and is available in a range of colors and styles to choose from.

Best Personalized 40th Birthday Gift

New York Times Custom Birthday Book

New York Times Custom Birthday Book
Best Personalized 40th Birthday Gift

New York Times Custom Birthday Book

Credit: Uncommon Goods

This unique book, which features covers of The New York Times from every birthday they've had, has over 1,000 5-star reviews. Customers loved the quality, which is fitting for a coffee table book, as well as how it sparked conversation.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best 40th Birthday Gag Gift

"You Still Look 21" Candle

"You Still Look 21" Candle
Best 40th Birthday Gag Gift

"You Still Look 21" Candle

Credit: Raven Hils Candle Co

This candle derives its humor from a cheeky message printed in the style of an optometrist's chart.

40th Birthday Gift for the Sweet Tooth

Retro Candy Birthday Gift Box

Amazon’s Choice
Retro Candy Birthday Gift Box
40th Birthday Gift for the Sweet Tooth

Retro Candy Birthday Gift Box

Credit: Retro Candy Yum

This gift box is filled with retro candies from 40 years ago. It'll take them right back to fond memories of grade school, summer camp, birthday parties, and trips to the mall.

40th Birthday Gift for Wine Lovers

Bevvee 39ish Wine Glass

39ish Wine Glass
40th Birthday Gift for Wine Lovers

Bevvee 39ish Wine Glass

Credit: Bevvee

If they're not thrilled about turning another year older, this humorous wine glass will remind them that age is just a number. The text is etched on so it's durable, and the glass is dishwasher safe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
40th Birthday Gift Under $15

Makeup Bag

Makeup Bag
40th Birthday Gift Under $15

Makeup Bag

Credit: SIUNY

This waterproof bag is perfect for storing makeup or other essentials like tech accessories and toiletries. It offers a sweet reminder of their birth year, and how special they are to you.

40th Birthday Gift for the Chef

Grow Anywhere Meyer Lemon Tree

Grow Anywhere Meyer Lemon Tree
40th Birthday Gift for the Chef

Grow Anywhere Meyer Lemon Tree

Credit: Joel & Danny Trejo

Experienced chefs know that Meyer lemons are a key ingredient for many drinks, condiments, and desserts. This plant will produce the lemons when put near any window, and as a bonus, the white flowers it grows are a natural air freshener.

Funny 40th Birthday Gift

You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children

On Sale
You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children
Funny 40th Birthday Gift

You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children

Now 41% Off
Credit: Dr. Seuss

Sure, Oh! The Places You'll Go is great for a graduation gift. But this cheeky version of the Dr. Seuss classic is perfect as a 40th birthday gag gift.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Sustainable 40th Birthday Gift

The Hanami

The Hanami
Sustainable 40th Birthday Gift

The Hanami

Credit: UrbanStems

Everyone enjoys fresh flowers, but giving a dried bouquet ensures they can appreciate them beyond the week of their birthday. This arrangement from UrbanStems is reminiscent of Japanese cherry blossom trees, and contains bunny tails, craspedia, and other natural grasses in a ceramic bud vase.

Jewelry Gift Under $100

40th Celebration Dangle Charm

40th Celebration Dangle Charm
Jewelry Gift Under $100

40th Celebration Dangle Charm

Credit: Pandora

You don't have to spend a fortune to buy her a piece of jewelry she'll always associate with her 40th. This charm made from sterling silver features cubic zirconia detailing and can easily attach onto any bracelet or necklace she regularly wears.

40th Birthday Gift for Book Lovers

Book Nook™ Reading Valet

Book Nook™ Reading Valet
40th Birthday Gift for Book Lovers

Book Nook™ Reading Valet

Credit: Uncommon Goods

After decades of being a bibliophile, they deserve a shrine to all their reading essentials. This valet includes a place to conveniently store their book, reading glasses, beverage, and their phone, all in one place.

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Book Lovers

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
40th Birthday Gift for Fitness Fans

Plankpad Plank and Balance Board

Amazon’s Choice
Plank and Balance Board
40th Birthday Gift for Fitness Fans

Plankpad Plank and Balance Board

Credit: Plankpad

Inspire their love of fitness with this gadget that makes a game out of exercise. They just put their smartphone or tablet on the board, lean on it in the plank position, and control app-based games through the movements. Super fun... and super challenging!

40th Birthday Sneakers for Him

Cloudrift

Cloudrift
40th Birthday Sneakers for Him

Cloudrift

Credit: On Running

The Cloudrift sneaker from On Running is designed to be super soft on heels, and has a lightweight upper that's ideal for city walking or running errands. It comes in three colors for men, as well as two colors for women.

Affordable Travel Gift for 40th Birthday

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

The Hanging Toiletry Bag
Affordable Travel Gift for 40th Birthday

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

Credit: Away

If they travel often for work or leisure, this hanging toiletry bag will help keep all their essentials organized. It features three interior compartments (including a clear removable pouch useful for airport security), and it's all spill-proof to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Birthday Present for Puzzle Fanatics

New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle

New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle
Best Birthday Present for Puzzle Fanatics

New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle

Credit: New York Times

This is no ordinary jigsaw puzzle. Completing it will assemble a front page of The New York Times from a special date in history (like their birthday!).

Skincare Gift for 40th Birthday

Naked Sundays SPF 50 Glow Balm Trio

SPF 50 Glow Balm Trio
Skincare Gift for 40th Birthday

Naked Sundays SPF 50 Glow Balm Trio

Credit: Naked Sundays

With this vegan and cruelty-free balm trio, she doesn't have to choose between sun protection and glowing skin. These shimmering mineral sticks are designed to be used as sunscreen, as well as blush, lip color, and eyeshadow base.

Best 40th Birthday Gift on Amazon

AURA WiFi Digital Picture Frame

Amazon’s Choice
WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Best 40th Birthday Gift on Amazon

AURA WiFi Digital Picture Frame

Credit: Aura

Pre-load this top-rated digital picture frame with cherished memories from 40 years of a life well lived. The interface is easy to use, and adding photos via the app is a breeze.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Organization Gift for 40th Birthday

Cuyana Half Moon Wallet

Half Moon Wallet
Organization Gift for 40th Birthday

Cuyana Half Moon Wallet

Credit: Cuyana

For the recipient who loves to stay organized, this sleek wallet is designed to hold all her essential cards, bills, and loose change. It's made with luxurious Italian leather, and can be monogrammed in gold foil to take it over the top.

40th Birthday Gift for the Homebody

Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket

Weighted Throw Blanket
40th Birthday Gift for the Homebody

Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket

Credit: Brooklinen

This weight of this 12-pound blanket is designed to reduce anxiety and promote more restful sleep. Whether they use it for casual lounging or as their nighttime blanket, the homebody in your life is sure to be obsessed.

Headshot of Alesandra Dubin
Alesandra Dubin
Contributing Writer

Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.

Headshot of Samantha Lawyer

Sam Lawyer is a lifestyle writer and television producer based in New York City. She’s been contributing to Woman’s Day for nearly five years, and covers a variety of topics from gifting, to health, and entertainment. Her work has additionally been featured in Cosmopolitan, Country Living, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not writing or producing, you can find her binging her favorite Bravo shows or getting walked by her French Bulldog.

Watch Next
 
preview for Womans Day Section Life
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Lifestyle

the prince and princess of wales visit scarborough

Prince William Has Gone Into “Protection Mode”

easter gifts for toddlers kids preferred peter rabbit walker drecage plush bunny slippers

30 Best Easter Gift Ideas for Toddlers

the duke and duchess of cambridge visit belize, jamaica and the bahamas day eight

William and Kate Middleton Issue New Statement

prince harry and meghan markle

Royal Website Removed Harry and Meghan’s Solo Bios

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below