Help them ring in a new decade with these heartfelt birthday gift ideas for 40 that they're sure to cherish.
Turning 40 is a major milestone. It's a decade where one enters the transition into middle adulthood, and where a new set of goals and dreams start. So whether you want to treat yourself as you enter this new decade or need a memorable 40th birthday gift idea for someone else in your life, we've got your back.
If you want to really wow them this year, you can't go wrong with jewelry. However, anyone would love receiving a gift that's meant to pamper them (like an ultra-cozy blanket or luxe fragrance). But you can never fall short with a sweet treat or something functional that they can use daily.
Keep scrolling to shop 20 great gifts that anyone turning 40 can appreciate. Need more inspiration? We've also rounded up the best birthday gifts for her and the best birthday gifts for him so you can find an awesome present for practically anyone. Cheers!
Best 40th birthday gifts by category:
Update, April 23, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability and moved some reader faves to the top of the list.
Overnight and weekend trips are about to get a whole lot easier with Calpak's Luka Duffel. This thoughtfully designed bag has compartments for your laptop, dirty shoes and water bottle with plenty of room to spare. It comes in over 10 shades, but this limited-edition celery color feels so fresh. It has a hidden, compartment in the bottom that is perfect for dirty shoes, wet beach clothes... or a few days' worth of clothes that got dirty during your travels.
Yahoo Shopping Editor Sarah Weldon says the Luka Duffel "completely changed" how she travels and she's even nicknamed the style her "own personal Mary Poppins bag — but a lot chicer."
If you’re looking to give a meaningful jewelry gift, this beaded bracelet is both simple and elegant. It features 40 beads — dipped in gold, rose gold, or silver — to symbolize each year of their life. The beads are strung on a delicate yet durable cord with a toggle closure, which has an effortless, boho vibe we love.
It all comes in an envelope-style gift box, so you can share a sentimental message with this wearable gift.
Whether they're a Taylor Swift fan or not, any new forty-year-old is sure to be able to put this 12-ounce tumbler to good use. This durable tumbler will keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours, thanks to its double-wall insulation.
You'll never regret giving them the gift of a moment of self-care. And while "snail mucin" might sound odd at first, it's a Yahoo editor favorite (seriously!).
This pack of 10 face masks works to deeply hydrate and nourish skin that could use a little TLC. And don't worry — this snail mucin formula is cruelty-free, dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic.
Iced coffee lovers will appreciate getting to start their day with this single-serve iced coffee machine. It's lightweight, compact and has earned more than 7,500 five-star ratings on Amazon.
Yahoo Home Editor Kristin Granero, who dubbed this the best-value iced coffee maker on the market, explains, "Aside from being incredibly straightforward, this gadget is fairly quick, yielding a 13-ounce coffee in under two minutes every time."
If you can't be there to see them cut their cake in person, send these delicious birthday cookies from Mrs. Fields instead. This festive birthday box is big enough to share and comes with 18 bite-sized cookies, 18 brownie bites and two frosted cookies.
Yes, the Stanley hype is real and warranted. This No. 1 bestselling tumbler, from the brand's heat wave collection, couldn't be cuter. Take this gift to the next level by decking it out with a few extra Stanley accessories, like a straw cover or cup charm.
This First Aid Beauty skin care trio makes for another awesome gift. It includes a face cleanser, moisturizer and chemical exfoliant that are all safe for sensitive skin. I personally have turned several friends (and my mom!) onto this brand because of how gentle yet effective the products are. The included moisturizer is also a favorite of Yahoo Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini, who says the formula "soothes skin instantly and protects and strengthens the skin barrier."
L.L.Bean totes are classics for a reason — they're durable, incredibly well-made and hold a ton of stuff. These totes come in four sizes and have been all over TikTok this year, thanks to the fact that you can add custom embroidery to the front. Take a cue from Yahoo Shopping Editor (and major pasta lover) Ellie Conley and have something cute and funny like "Saucy" embroidered on your soon-to-be 40 friend's tote. Need some more inspo? The recipient's monogram is a safe bet — or you can add some sass with something clever like "Full of It."
How gorgeous would this acrylic chess set look sitting on an end table? Don't even get us started on how it will look with early morning or late afternoon sunlight shining through it.
This artful piece is also so practical since it's a classic board game and decor. If chess isn't their thing, opt for a pretty four-in-a-row game or domino set.
This sweet 14K gold-plated bracelet from Ana Luisa is a fool-proof gift if you want to give meaningful jewelry that they'll want to wear every day. It's a great design for those who love to wear their jewelry 24/7 (and aren't too precious with their pieces), because it's hypoallergenic and both water and tarnish-resistant. This bracelet also has three different clasp lengths to fit a wide range of wrist sizes.
This top-rated Briogeo hair care set comes with a cleanser, a weightless root refresher, and a scalp massager so they can treat themselves to an at-home salon day. Did we mention this set has over 2,000 "loves" on Sephora?
This set is especially great for those who tend to overdo it with dry shampoo or styling products (*raises hand*). The included micro-foliating shampoo gently scrubs away product build-up and leaves both the scalp and hair looking and feeling fresh. Yahoo Shopping Editor Moriba Cummings shared that this shampoo "fixed my flaky scalp over five years ago and I've sworn by it ever since."
Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate the Ninja Creami. While it's great for making yummy ice cream at home, it can also be used to whip up custom smoothies, sorbet, milkshakes and more.
Yahoo editor and tech expert Rick Broida is a Creami fan and shared, "There's a certain mad-scientist joy that comes from creating or discovering a delicious recipe. I think it's especially great for the health-minded, as it affords total control over your ingredients (unlike the pints you buy at the store)."
Who doesn't love opening up a fresh pair of pajamas? This organic poplin PJ set is a worthy sleepwear splurge, and while we are partial to this print with tennis-playing cats, this set comes in over 30 unique prints to choose from. I've given a set of these pajamas to my cousin and my mom over the years, and they continue to rave about how comfortable they are years later. After hearing from them about how well they wash and how they don't cling to your skin, I bought myself a set and can't stop singing its praises.
A stylish leather train case is both sophisticated and functional. This XL size is ideal for longer vacations and getaways — it has both zippered and mesh pockets inside, and it can fit full-sized beauty products. Personalization options, like a classy monogram, start at $15.
Book lovers will flip over the Kindle Paperwhite. This waterproof e-reader (which topped our tech editor's list of the best e-readers out there) has a 10-hour battery life and room for thousands of books. Plus, it has a glare-free screen, so it can be used outside in broad daylight.
Barefoot Dreams throw blankets are beloved by celebs like Chrissy Teigen and Kourtney Kardashian for good reason — they're wildly soft and plush. This neutral animal print blanket would look great at the end of any bed or couch. Pro tip: The brand also makes cozy robes, pillows and socks (which were dubbed one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2023).
Some people like to mark special occasions with an equally special fragrance to create a scent memory — and what could be more meaningful than the start of a new decade? Gift them this popular Jo Malone perfume and win some serious brownie points. Kate Middleton is a fan of the brand so they'll be in good company no matter which scent you give them. However, English Pear & Freesia is our pick since the scent is incredibly fresh and not too sweet.
Ugg slippers are such a treat and another worthwhile splurge. The Tasman style features a suede upper and a foam footbed with sheepskin lining, so they've rightfully made our list of the very best slippers for women. Yahoo Fashion Editor Rebecca Carthart remarks, "They look just as good with pajamas as with athleisure."
Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it.
