The 20 best gift ideas for a 40th birthday 2024

If you’re looking to give a meaningful jewelry gift, this pearl bracelet is both simple and elegant. It features 40 pearls – dipped in gold, rose gold, or silver – that symbolize each year of your life. The pearls are strung on a delicate yet durable cord with a toggle clasp that has an effortless boho vibe that we love.

Everything comes in an envelope-style gift box, so you can convey a sentimental message with this wearable gift.

Whether they’re Taylor Swift fans or not, any young forty-something can surely make good use of this 12-ounce mug. This durable mug will keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours thanks to its double-wall insulation.

You’ll never regret giving them a moment of self-care. And while “snail slime” may sound odd at first, it’s a favorite of Yahoo editors (seriously!).

This 10-pack of face masks deeply hydrates and nourishes skin that could use some TLC. And don’t worry—this formula, which contains snail slime, is cruelty-free, dermatologically approved, and hypoallergenic.

If you can’t be there in person to witness the cake cutting, send these delicious birthday cookies from Mrs. Fields instead. Large enough to share, this festive birthday box includes 18 bite-sized cookies, 18 brownie bites, and two glazed cookies.

Iced coffee lovers will appreciate starting their day with this single-serve iced coffee maker. It’s lightweight, compact, and has received more than 7,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Yahoo Home editor Kristin Granero named this the best-priced iced coffee maker on the market, stating, “Not only is this appliance incredibly straightforward, but it’s also quite fast, brewing a 350ml coffee in under two minutes every time.”

This skincare trio from First Aid Beauty is another great gift. It includes a facial cleanser, moisturizer, and chemical exfoliant, all of which are safe for sensitive skin. I’ve personally introduced several friends (and my mom!) to this brand because the products are so gentle yet effective. The included moisturizer is also a favorite of Yahoo Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini, who says the formula “instantly soothes skin and protects and strengthens the skin barrier.”

LLBean tote bags are classics for a reason—they’re durable, incredibly well-made, and can hold tons of stuff. These tote bags come in four sizes, and they’ve been all over TikTok this year thanks to the ability to add custom embroidery to the front. Take a cue from Yahoo Shopping editor (and major pasta lover) Ellie Conley and have something cute and fun like “Saucy” embroidered on your soon-to-be 40-year-old friend’s tote bag. Need more inspiration? The recipient’s monogram is a safe bet, or something clever like “Full of It” is a sure winner.

This cute 14k gold plated bracelet from Ana Luisa is a surefire gift if you want to give meaningful jewelry that the person will want to wear every day. It’s a great design for those who like to wear their jewelry 24/7 (and aren’t too delicate about their pieces) as it’s hypoallergenic and both water and tarnish resistant. This bracelet also has three different clasp lengths to fit a variety of wrist sizes.

This premium hair care kit from Briogeo includes a cleanser, weightless root refresher, and scalp massager so you can give yourself a salon day at home. Did we mention this kit has over 2,000 likes 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-foiling shampoo gently removes product buildup and leaves 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.”

How amazing would this acrylic chess set look on a side table? And don’t even get me started on what it will look like when the early morning or late afternoon sunlight shines through.

This artful piece is also very practical, as it is a classic board game and decorative piece. If chess isn’t your thing, opt for a pretty four-in-a-row game or a domino set.

Calpak’s Luka Duffel makes overnight and weekend trips a whole lot easier. This thoughtfully designed bag has compartments for your laptop, dirty shoes, and a water bottle with plenty of room. It comes in over 10 shades, but this limited edition celery color feels so fresh. It has a hidden compartment in the bottom that’s perfect for dirty shoes, wet beachwear… or a few days’ worth of clothes that got dirty during your trip.

According to Sarah Weldon, editor at Yahoo Shopping, the Luka Duffel has “completely changed” the way she travels, and she even nicknamed it “her own Mary Poppins bag—only way fancier.”

Who doesn’t love breaking out a fresh pair of pajamas? This organic poplin pajama set is a worthwhile investment in sleepwear, and while we’re particularly fond of this tennis-playing cat print, this set comes in over 30 unique prints to choose from. I’ve given my cousin and my mom a set of these pajamas over the years, and they still rave about how comfortable they are years later. After hearing about how well they wash and how they don’t stick to the skin, I bought a set for myself and can’t stop singing their high praises.

A stylish leather travel suitcase is both elegant and functional. This XL size is ideal for longer vacations and short trips – it has both zippered and mesh pockets inside and can accommodate large beauty products. Personalization options, like a classy monogram, start at $15.

Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate the Ninja Creami. It’s great for making delicious ice cream at home, but can also be used to make custom smoothies, sorbets, milkshakes, and more.

Yahoo editor and tech expert Rick Broida is a Creami fan and said, “There’s a certain crazy joy that comes with creating or discovering a delicious recipe. I think it’s especially great for health-conscious people because you have complete control over the ingredients (unlike the pints you buy at the store).”

Book lovers will love the Kindle Paperwhite. This waterproof e-reader (which tops our tech editor’s list of best e-readers) has a 10-hour battery life and space for thousands of books. It also has an anti-glare screen so it can be used outside in broad daylight.

Some people like to celebrate special occasions with an equally special scent 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 brownie points. Kate Middleton is a fan of the brand, so they’ll be in good company no matter what scent you gift them. We choose English Pear & Freesia, however, as the scent is incredibly fresh and not too sweet.

Ugg slippers are a real treat and another worthwhile investment. The Tasman model has a suede upper and a foam footbed with sheepskin lining, so they rightly made our list of the very best slippers for women. Yahoo fashion editor Rebecca Carthart notes, “They look just as good with pajamas as they do with casual wear.”

Enhance your child’s bedtime routine with this silk bedding and accessories set! This set includes a silk pillowcase, silk sleep mask, and three silk scrunchies so your child can fall asleep at night surrounded by luxurious fabric.

It’s also worth mentioning that Slip guarantees that non-toxic dyes are used and confirms the quality of its silk as long-fiber mulberry silk. The brand has also won more than 70 beauty awards in its 20 years of existence – so yes, it is that fabulous!