40th birthday gift ideas can be hard to buy for any husband, wife, or friend.
It might only feel like you were buying their 30th birthday gifts yesterday, oh how time flies! On the one hand, they’re over 50% through their life, but on the other hand, they’re much closer to retiring!
Do you know somebody who’s turning 40? Perhaps they’re well on their well to a mid-life crisis or haven’t fully accepted that they’re 40 years old. Whatever the case, our gift guide has the perfect present for everyone.
From gag gifts to birthday boy toys, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for that special person in your life. Take a look at our list of the most unique 40th birthday gift ideas below.
1. Old Lives Matter 40th T-Shirt
Features
- 5 colors to choose from
- Available in 6 sizes
- Made from cotton and polyester
- Machine washable
- Lightweight with a classic fit and bottom hem
Make your best friend smile and remind them that it’s only downhill from here with this funny old lives matter t-shirt. Available in five different colors, and six different sizes, this t-shirt is the ultimate fun gift for any 40th birthday. Suitable for both men and women, they’ll definitely end up wearing this more times than they’d like to admit.
2. Sterling Silver Four Circle Necklace
Features
- 4 rings for each decade
- Made from 925 sterling silver
- Includes 19” long necklace
- Comes beautifully wrapped
- Ready to gift
What better way to celebrate the big 40 than with this beautifully crafted sterling silver four-ring necklace. With each ring representing a decade, this piece of jewelry is both meaningful and fashionable. With an 18” long sterling silver necklace, this handcrafted jewelry is the perfect birthday gift idea for any mom, sister, daughter, or bestie.
3. Not A Day Over Fabulous Wine Tumbler
Features
- 12 ounce capacity
- Stainless steel construction
- Double wall vacuum insulation
- 6 colors to choose from
Turning 40 might be a sign that they’re getting old, but they can still be fabulous! Show them they’ve still got it with this sparkling stainless steel wine tumbler. With a 12 oz capacity and double stainless steel wall, it’s easy to clean, resistant to rust, and will keep drinks cold for up to 9 hours. Better than a wine glass, any birthday girl is sure to love this thoughtful gift idea.
4. Godiva Happy Birthday Chocolate Truffles
Features
- World famous truffles
- Expertly crafted chocolate
- Weighs 4 ounces
- Includes 6 different flavors
- More delicious than a birthday cake
Forget the gift basket! Make their birthday wish come true with these delicious birthday chocolate truffles. Expertly crafted by the chocolate gods at GODIVA, these six different truffles will take their taste buds to a new dimension. Including flavors such as cheesecake, red velvet cake, chocolate lava cake and more, they’ll be expecting these for every special occasion!
5. Happy 40th Birthday Flask Gift Set
Features
- 10 ounce capacity
- Includes two shot glasses and funnel
- Made from polished stainless steel
- Includes happy birthday engraving
- Presented in a gift box
Commemorate their special birthday milestone with this engraved liquor flask gift idea. Perfect for the individual who loves a good drink (or secret beer), this birthday flask is sure to come in useful. With a 10 oz capacity, this flask is ideal for that hard to shop for person in your life.
6. Happy 40th Birthday Toilet Paper
Features
- Made in the USA
- Design printed on every sheet
- Made from recycled materials
- Biodegradable and septic tank approved
- 2-ply rating
It can be hard to accept you’re finally turning 40, and for some people, they need a constant reminder before it sets in. Give them the constant reminder they need with this hilarious 40th birthday toilet paper gag gift. With every sheet of toilet paper reminding them they’re 40 years old, they’ll soon realize that it’s all downhill!
7. The 40th Birthday Card Game
Features
- Includes 70 printed cards
- 140 questions included
- Fun party game
- Each game lasts 15 minutes
Ensure their brain is still in gear with this hilarious party card game. Based on the theme of 40, this game includes questions such as: who was the 40th president of America? And: what film did Arnie star in when he was 40? If you’re looking for a game to really get the party started, then this ticks all the boxes.
8. Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
Features
- All in one herb tea growing set
- Grow their own herbal tea from home
- Includes chamomile, mint, lavender & lemon
- Easy to follow step by step instructions
Turning 40 is all about relaxing and enjoying the finer things in life… such as growing your own herbal tea! Perfect for any tea lover, this herbal tea starter kit comes with everything they need to grow organic tea conveniently at home. Including lavender, chamomile, mint and lemon seeds, the kit also comes with plant pots, soil discs, pruning shears and all the instructions they’ll need.
9. 40 Never Looked So Good Birthday Card
Features
- Measures 5” by 7.2”
- Includes envelope
- 3D pinata cover design
- Inside writing says: 40 never looked so good
Get them something that stands out from the rest of their cards with this fabulous 40th birthday card. Featuring a 3D piñata of the number 40 covered in blue foil and a dotted background, this is sure to stand out when next to the others. With the ability to add your own custom personalized inside, this is the perfect way to celebrate a newly minted 40-year-old.
10. 40th Birthday Bead Bracelet
Features
- 3 colors available
- Adjustable cord up to 8”
- Includes customizable gift card
- Beads are non-reactive and ideal for sensitive skin
Commemorate your loved one turning 40 with this milestone birthday bracelet. Featuring 40 individual golden beads for every year they’ve lived through, this bracelet is perfect for that new 40-year-old woman in your life. With an adjustable cord that extends from 7 to 8”, it also comes with a gift box envelope for perfect presentation.
11. Retro Candy Gift Box
Features
- Over 55 pieces of candy
- Vintage candy from their childhood
- Over 2.5 lbs of candy
- Plenty of retro classics
They might be turning 40, but they still have a sweet tooth! Surprise them with all their favorite childhood candy with this awesome retro candy gift box. Including all the classic American sweets they grew up with, this gift box includes over 55 pieces of candy sold in the ’80s. With classics like nerds, sour patch, and dubble bubbe, they’ll remember what it was like to be young!
12. Wine Preservation System
Features
- Keeps wine fresh for years
- Includes 2 argon capsules
- Super easy to use
- Ideal for any wine lover
Anyone who loves drinking wine knows it’s a crime to waste a good bottle. Help them never waste a bottle of wine again, with this incredible wine preservations system. Using a microscopic needle that penetrates the cork, the cork doesn’t need to be removing meaning technically… the bottle is never opened! Unlike other wine preservers, this can help bottles last decades.
13. Scratch Off World Map
Features
- Measures 36” by 24”
- Includes flags of 197 countries
- Easy to scratch off areas
- Includes scratcher
Remind them that it’s not too late to do some more travelling with this huge scratch off map. At 36” by 24”, this extra-large map will look good on any wall in their house. Including the flags of all 197 countries, it’ll be a constant reminder of how many countries they have left to visit.
14. DIY Hot Sauce Kit
Features
- Includes all ingredients required
- 3 hot sauce bottles
- Simple to follow instructions
- Custom label stickers
- 500+ scoville heat units
For those hot sauce lovers, turning 40 means it’s time to take it up a gear. Let them make hot sauce as hot as they like with their very own DIY hot sauce kit. Including everything they need to make some super spicy taste bud burning sauce, they’ll never have to buy inferior hot sauce again.
15. Level 40 Complete Birthday T-Shirt
Features
- Choose from 5 colors
- Available in 6 sizes
- Made from cotton and polyester
- Lightweight with a classic fit
- Ideal for any video game lover
Perfect for gamers and big kids, this level 40 complete shirt shows that you can still be a kid at 40! Available in five different colors and six different sizes, this funny shirt is sure to go down well with most guys (and girls!). Help them celebrate their special milestone and give them something to cherish forever.
16. Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker
Features
- 400 feet range
- Water resistant
- Works with iOS and Android
- Measures 1.64” by 1.64”
- Makes it easy to find anything
40 is about the time your memory starts to go downhill and simple things such as remembering where you left your keys can become a daily chore. Give them a helping hand with remembering where they left their keys with this Bluetooth tracker device. Great for attaching to any items, they can use their smartphone to activate a noise up to 400 feet away and alert them where it is.
17. Super Soft Silk Bed Sheets
Features
- Twin size to king size
- 6 piece set
- Available in 9 colors
- Made from 1800 thread count microfiber
- Machine washable
Sometimes it’s the smaller things in life that we enjoy the most, such as getting new silky-soft bedsheets! Give them a super comfy and soft bed to die for with this 1800 thread microfiber bed sheet set. Available in twin to king sizes, and eight different colors, their bed will have never felt so comfy. Help them celebrate turning 40 by finally giving them the sleep they need.
18. Golf Grilling BBQ Set
Features
- 7 piece set
- Made from stainless steel
- Unique golf design
- Includes carry case
- Dishwasher safe
What’re the two things guys love most in life? Golf and grilling, of course! For that special guy in your life, make their dreams come true with this awesome golf grilling BBQ set. Featuring various grilling instruments with golf handles on each one, the set includes a grip fork, gold head spatula, fork, basting brush and two golf ball shakers.
19. Fitbit Versa 2 Fitness Smartwatch
Features
- Available in 6 colors
- Works with iOS and Android devices
- Includes fitness tracking
- Holds up to 300 songs
- Built-in Amazon Alexa
Help them stay active at their “old” age, with this trendy Fitbit Versa 2. Including features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, calorie-burning and a built-in Alexa, this smartwatch will help keep them fit and healthy. Easy to sync with any smartphone, the watch can also display messages, calls, and other notifications straight from their phone.
20. Bath Bomb Set
Features
- Includes 12 bath bombs
- Made in the USA
- Made with premium natural ingredients
- Therapeutic and moisturizing
What better way to relax and de-stress after turning 40 than with a therapeutic bath bomb. Handmade in the USA, these bath bombs only contain organic ingredients and fizz while releasing non-stainable colors. With 12 bath bombs per pack, each one is individually wrapped and are a perfect gift for anyone looking to unwind.
21. May the Forties Be With You T-Shirt
Features
- 3 different colors
- 6 sizes available
- Made from cotton and polyester fabric
- Ideal for Star Wars fans
If they were born in the 80s, then there’s a good chance they’ll be a Star Wars fan. Unleash their inner geek and welcome to the forties club with this funny may the forties be with you t-shirt. Written in the iconic Star Wars font, this shirt is sure to make any Star Wars fan giggle with joy!
22. Beard Grooming Kit
Features
- Contains all essential beard oils
- Luxury all in one kit
- 5 piece kit
- Supports beard growth
Being in their 40s means they have to start taking good care of themselves, especially their beards! Treat them to some specialist beard grooming equipment with this fantastic beard care kit. Including beard oil, beard balm, brush, comb, scissors and carry bag, this kit has everything they need to maintain any length or style of beard.
23. Whiskey Stones & Glasses Gift Set
Features
- 2 crystal whiskey glasses
- 8 granite whiskey stones
- Storage box
- Suitable for other types of liquor
- Velvet pouch for whiskey stone storage
Welcome them to the 40s club in style with this elegant whiskey stones & glasses gift set. Perfect for those whiskey lovers, this set contains everything they need to enjoy a strong drink. Complete with eight chilling rocks that won’t dilute their drink, the set also comes with two wonderful glasses and a luxury crafted wooden box to store everything in.
24. Impossible Jigsaw Prank
Features
- Convincing prank box
- Detailed product info
- Perfect for surprising anyone
- Measures 11.25” x 9” x 3.25”
Want to prank someone for their 40th birthday? Or perhaps they just love jigsaws, whichever it is, make them laugh with this hilarious jigsaw prank gift box. On the outside, it looks like a normal jigsaw, until they realize 98% of it is blue, and it contains 12,000 individual pieces! However, upon opening it, they’ll be greeted with their real gift inside.
25. Star Wars LEGO Millennium Falcon Set
Features
- 1,351 LEGO pieces
- Essential present for any Star Wars fan
- Includes 7 LEGO characters
- Measures 5” high and 17” long
Let them relive their childhood with this cool LEGO Star Wars collaboration. With 1,351 LEGO pieces, this Millennium Falcon has lots of detail to impress even the most diehard fans. At 5” high and 17” long, once complete, this LEGO model will certainly be their prized possession.
26. Book of the Mid-Life Crisis
Features
- 56 pages
- Helps anyone identify their mid-life crisis
- Full of relatable and funny pictures
- Essential read for any 40 year old
Make them laugh their way into their 40s by celebrating their mid-life crisis with this book. Appropriately called the “book of the mid-life crisis”, this book is perfect for anyone experiencing a bit of a crisis and refuse to believe they’re turning 40. Full of funny illustrations and stories, this book is sure to be relatable to any recipient turning 40.
27. 40th Birthday Decorations
Features
- Includes 20 balloons
- Large number 40
- Easy to inflate
- Birthday banners included
What’s a 40th birthday party celebration without the proper supplies and decorations? Ensure their big party is one to remember with this birthday supplies bundle set. Including a huge 40 number balloon, and various other confetti and star balloons, the set also comes with a happy birthday banner and gold foil fringe curtains.
28. Happy Birthday Candle
Features
- 6 ounce candle
- Buttercream vanilla cupcake scent
- Hand poured in the USA
- 40 hour burn time
Help them relive their favorite birthday over and over again with this long-lasting and sweet-scented candle gift. Made with soy wax, this candle is eco-friendly meaning its vegan, paraben free, and cruelty free. Handcrafted in America, every time they light the candle they’ll be greeted with a sweet birthday cake scent that is sure to bring back memories of their awesome 40th birthday party!
Beth Noll
Beth Noll is a gift editor at Gift Observer. She loves shopping for friends and sharing her top gift recommendations on the blog. With 9 years of blogging experience, she's always up to date with the latest trends and best gift ideas.
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