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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
Greeting Card for 40th Birthday
OJsensai 40th Birthday Card
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
Funny 40th Birthday Gift
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
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.
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Best Personalized 40th Birthday Gift
New York Times Custom Birthday Book
Best Personalized 40th Birthday Gift
New York Times Custom Birthday Book
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.
40th Birthday Gift for the Sweet Tooth
Retro Candy Birthday Gift Box
40th Birthday Gift for the Sweet Tooth
Retro Candy Birthday Gift Box
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.
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.
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40th Birthday Gift for Coffee Lovers
On The Rox Drinks Vintage 1983 Coffee Set - Bamboo Lid & Glass Straw
40th Birthday Gift for Coffee Lovers
On The Rox Drinks Vintage 1983 Coffee Set - Bamboo Lid & Glass Straw
This cup set can be used for any beverage, but it's especially great for iced coffee since it comes with a sealed bamboo lid and glass straws. It's customized with their birth year, and includes fun facts to read while they sip.
Best 40th Birthday Gift on Amazon
AURA WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Best 40th Birthday Gift on Amazon
AURA WiFi Digital Picture Frame
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.
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Organization Gift for 40th Birthday
Cuyana Half Moon Wallet
Organization Gift for 40th Birthday
Cuyana Half Moon Wallet
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 Your Outdoorsy Friend
Women's Henschel Aussie Breezer Hat
40th Birthday Gift for Your Outdoorsy Friend
Women's Henschel Aussie Breezer Hat
This versatile hat can be used outside while she's gardening, hiking, or simply reading a book. However she decides to spend her time outdoors, it'll offer 50+ UPF, which is the highest rated sun protection possible.
RELATED: Best Gardening Gifts for the Plant People in Your Life
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40th Birthday Gift for Book Lovers
Book Nook™ Reading Valet
40th Birthday Gift for Book Lovers
Book Nook™ Reading Valet
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
'80s Inspired Fashion
lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
'80s Inspired Fashion
lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
If they're nostalgic for '80s fashion, they'll be thrilled that fanny packs are back in style (now labeled as belt bags). This one from Lululemon is water-resistant to keep all their belongings safe no matter the conditions.
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40th Birthday Gift for the Chef
Grow Anywhere Meyer Lemon Tree
40th Birthday Gift for the Chef
Grow Anywhere Meyer Lemon Tree
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.
DIY 40th Birthday Gift
Pottery With a Purpose 'You're My Favorite' Pottery Kit
DIY 40th Birthday Gift
Pottery With a Purpose 'You're My Favorite' Pottery Kit
Inspire their creativity with a 40th birthday present that doubles as a DIY experience. This eco-friendly craft box includes a beginner’s pottery kit, video tutorial, an air plant, and vegan, dairy-free snacks for sustenance, too.
Best Birthday Present for Puzzle Fanatics
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle
Best Birthday Present for Puzzle Fanatics
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle
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!).
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Inspirational 40th Birthday Gift
INSIDE THEN OUT Better Every Day Journal
Inspirational 40th Birthday Gift
INSIDE THEN OUT Better Every Day Journal
At a time ripe for reflection, this daily guided journal is designed to help the recipient nurture the best version of themself. It has a prompt for each day, intended to promote self-love, self-improvement, and growth.
40th Birthday Gift for a Spiritual Friend
Enchanted Crystal Crystal of the Month Box
40th Birthday Gift for a Spiritual Friend
Enchanted Crystal Crystal of the Month Box
For the mystically inclined, a crystal subscription box is the resonant gift that keeps on giving, month after month. This one sends a hand-picked crystal or mineral from around the world each month, along with an information card.
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.
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.