Start Their Flirty Forties Off Right with These 40th Birthday Gifts

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The phrase “life begins at 40” is hyperbolic on its face, sure. But there’s truth to it, and people reaching the age of 40 tend to know what they like and what they don’t. That could work to your benefit and make getting them a gift easier.

But your giftee could also be trying something new. Maybe they’re out to cook more, practice more self-care, or make their house feel like more of a home. Think of what they’re into—or getting into—and draw inspiration for 40th birthday gift ideas from there. Here are, yes, 40 to help get you started. They range from the whimsical to the practical, but there should be something here that they’ll appreciate.

Retro Candy Gift Set

This nostalgic candy box includes 55 pieces of candy from brands popular in the 1980s, including Big League Chew, ZotZ, and Cow Tails. There’s even comes with a newspaper-style insert with info about that decade’s historical happenings.

You’re Only Old Once! by Dr. Seuss

If you’re not looking to spend much but still want a cute 40th birthday gift that’ll deliver some laughs upon opening, this Dr. Seuss book is it. It’s sort of like Oh, The Places You'll Go, just with a few more illustrated aches and pains along the way.

More: These Gifts Are Perfect for Any Friend

1982 Cassette Shirt

You can’t go wrong with a vintage T-shirt. This 40th birthday gift will help them rep their birth year with its charming retro style. If you want to add a little something extra, pair this with their favorite album from their childhood or teens.

Royal Gift Basket

If you can’t settle on a single appropriate present they’ll adore, get a gift set. This royalty-themed one includes a coffee mug with a crown lid, a lavender-scented candle, and a bath bomb and shower steamer set for an at-home spa day, as the box says, fit for a queen.

‘40 Reasons Why We Love You’ Printable Poster

You can write on and frame this printable poster, with the idea being you and family members jot down aspects of your new 40-year-old that you love. Whenever they need a pick-me-up, they can peek at this thoughtful gift. This is a great 40th birthday gift if you all want to go in as a group.

Custom Front-Page Puzzle

If they’re a history buff, they'll love this custom puzzle of the front page of the New York Times from the day they were born. Depending on their level of skill at piecing puzzles together, you can choose between a 500-piece or 1,000-piece version.

Customizable Birthdate Constellation Star Map

Provide the Etsy seller with your recipient’s birth date and location, and they will use charting software to create a personalized sky map design with the exact star and constellation patterns from the moment your loved one was born. It’s a physical representation of their special day that an astronomy lover will appreciate.

May The Forties Be With You Mug

Any fan of George Lucas’s galaxy far, far away who’s turning the big 4-0 will appreciate this good luck wish. You might even get a smile out of them before the caffeine kicks in.

Birthday Circle Etched Wine Bottle

This personalized bottle is one to keep on display or use as a vase even after the wine inside is gone. Plus, that wine is a nice cab sauv. Mano’s Wine has many designs, including zodiac signs, with varying levels of personalization.

Birthdate Candles

Birthdate Candles smell good, but what makes this gift personal is the label, with insight based on your recipient’s zodiac sign and date of birth. It includes a detailed personality description, a tarot card, a ruling number, and a planet.

AirTag 4-Pack

Apple AirTags are great gifts for anyone, but especially for those who need a little extra help remembering where their phone, wallet, or purse is. These digital trackers work by connecting to the Find My network. As long as the tag is connected to what they’ve lost, they’ll be able to see exactly where the item is via a smartphone app.

More: AirTag vs. Tile: Here’s What You Need to Know

Things That Age Well Birthday Card

Not everyone is thrilled to age another year. But this cheeky birthday card can help them usher in their 40s with a smile. The graphic is printed on recycled paper. Slot a gift card or certificate inside for something extra.

Whiskey-Infused Toothpicks Gift Set

What may seem at first like another boozy gag gift is actually quite the clever and handy accessory. This toothpick set contains four vials with a dozen sticks each, and the toothpicks are each infused with barrel-aged Kentucky bourbon, which imparts a pleasant kick. They’re ideal for stashing in a desk drawer or tote bag for post-lunch teeth touch-ups.

Natural Silk Pillowcase

Help them get a good night’s rest while also protecting their skin and hair with this silk pillowcase. The fiber helps cut down the amount of friction against hair and skin, reducing damage and even help prevent dreaded pillow lines on the face.

Foot Massager with Heat

Give them foot massages without the cost or time commitment of seeing a professional all the time, thanks to this heated foot massager. It has three massage modes, auto shut-off, and a washable, removable cover for clean at-home foot pampering.

Restore Short Set

There’s just something about a matching set of pajamas that makes you feel put together. Gift this luxuriously soft set from Lunya, which is made from a cotton blend to help keep the wearer cool while they drift off.

Women’s Wool Running Shoes

If you’re gifting someone who is constantly moving, running errands, or chasing kiddos, they’ll appreciate these comfy sneakers. Allbirds makes its shoes of sustainable, temperature-regulating wool. Possibly the best part is that, if they get too dirty, you can just throw them in the wash.

Sensitive Skin Razor

A razor might seem like a strange gift. But this one is made of sleek stainless steel and nicely weighted. There’s no need to apply pressure as you drag the razor across your skin, and the blades are replaceable.

1884 Small Batch Whiskey

Uncle Nearest’s 1884 is extremely smooth, with notes of caramel and vanilla. The story behind the brand is just as good as the whiskey, though: It’s named after Nearest Green, the first African-American master distiller on record and the man who taught Jack Daniel how to make his own whiskey.

Dania Cutting Board

Beautiful cutting boards can often double as counter space, since they’re not eyesores and your recipient won’t mind leaving them out to show off. This one is made from durable teak, and the ridge around the edge is a thoughtful touch to keep liquid from spilling off.

Linen Sheet Sets

These sheets are pre-washed so they’re soft out of the box. And the 100 percent linen is naturally cooling (sleeping at a cooler temperature is proven to improve the quality of your Zs). There are 29 color options, so chances are you’ll find their favorite among them.

Gift Subscription

Gift cards can seem impersonal, as if you’re phoning it in and telling your giftee to buy their own present. But this service is custom-tailored to your recipient based on the results of a quiz they take, and they can choose to receive either a monthly gift box or a single item from the shop.

Birth Month Flower Grow Kit

This DIY grow kit features fresh blooms associated with your 40-year-old’s birth month. It comes with some key things they need to get growing (a pot and a plant marker among them), so even if they’re not naturally graced with a green thumb, they’ll have guidance planting their present and keeping it alive.

40th Birthday Wine Labels

Stick these fun wine labels on their favorite bottles and then wrap everything up in a basket. It’s an easy and festive 40th birthday gift that lends a personal touch to their favorite wine.

The Bouqs Co. Monthly Flower Subscription

Depending on how much you’re looking to spend, you can have roses, a farmers market blend, or a classic mix delivered every two months, monthly, every two weeks, or weekly with this bouquet subscription. Or if you’re treating them to a one-time surprise, the Bouqs Co. recently launched a few new birthday bouquets. Sugar Rush, Celebration, and All the Rage are some of our favorites, but check out their full birthday selection to find the one that’s right for your favorite 40-year-old.

More: The Very Best Flower Subscriptions Out There

Scratch the World Travel Map

Hopefully, over their 40 years, they’ve been able to get out and explore some. With this scratch-able map, they can mark off where they’ve been and plan out their next few adventures. It also acts as a beautiful statement piece on their wall if they choose to hang it up.

Beaded Bracelet

This dainty birthday bracelet features 40 gold-dipped beads, one for each year of their life. She can adjust the cord to accommodate her wrist size, while the toggle cinches tight for security. It’s a simple but nice piece of jewelry (and can serve as a secret fidget if need be).

Angel Food Bakery Happy Birthday Donuts

Say you need a break from cake. These fresh, yeast-raised donuts come in unique assorted flavors, like a Samoa option that tastes just like the Girl Scout cookie, along with an equally nostalgic Fruity-Pebbles-topped variety.

Happy Fucking Birthday Bath Bomb Bag

This cheeky bath gift set will help recreate soothing spa vibes in their own tub. You can choose from four scents, ranging from rose garden to lavender, and each bag comes with biodegradable glitter.

Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany

Literature buffs will get a treat out of this book filled with quizzes and illustrations of famous bookstores, authors’ pets, and fictional meals. It also affords a look inside famous libraries and some famous authors’ writing spaces.

Temperature-Control Ceramic Mug

This mug from Ember has internal heating elements. Rotate the base to set the temperature and keep coffee or tea warm for as long as the battery lasts (about an hour), potentially saving them multiple trips to the microwave.

Granite Whiskey Chilling Stones

Chill this “On the Rocks” set in the freezer, and then drop one of them in a glass of whiskey. They’ll keep spirits cold for longer without watering down flavors like ice does. Plus, they’re a beautiful addition to any drink. Because the stones are all different colors, they can serve as drink markers of sorts.

Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

If your birthday bestie is bath-obsessed, this wooden tray is the best way to prevent their self-care essentials from getting soaked in the tub. There’s a designated spot for everything, so they can keep a book propped up on one side and a glass of wine on the other.

Birthday Party Black Tea

Cake and coffee might be a more classic after-dinner combo, but if your birthday girl is a tea drinker, this celebratory bev makes for a tasty dessert accompaniment. The black-tea blend contains fruit and florals for an aromatic and delicious drink.

Women’s Gisele Two-Piece Pajama Set

The menswear-inspired Gisele is a classy “dressed-up” set of PJs to have on hand, and they’re made from a stretchy and soft modal-spandex material. Aside from the navy here, they come in black, white, mauve, cream, and gray.

Greatest Hits Cheese Assortment

When it comes to gifting artisanal fo0d, we defer to a cheesemonger’s choice for the most balanced selection. This collection from NYC-based Murray’s Cheese bundles four of their best-sellers, along with spiced cherry preserves, sea salt, olive oil crackers, and Marcona almonds.

Hot Sauce Kit

Spice things up with their very own hot sauce. This 40th birthday gift comes with the ingredients they need (like habanero and ancho), the tools, and the instructions to make it.

Classic Bathrobe

Even fun 40-year-olds need the occasional night to stay in and catch up on some rest. This cozy Parachute robe is snuggly enough for lazy Sundays but is lounge-chic with two slouchy front pockets and a folded shawl collar. It’s also super absorbent for use post-shower in place of a towel.

Choose Your Own Salami 5-Pack

For the Ron Swanson types in your life, cured meat is the language of love. Salume Beddu’s gourmet salami is a fantastic 40th birthday gift idea and comes in nine selections, each comprised of a unique spice blend.

Two Premium Wine Preservation System

A clever preservation system, this device pierces the cork, allowing you to pour wine freely without ever uncorking the bottle. This makes sure the taste of their wine stays the same, even several years after opening (if it lasts that long).

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