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40 Thoughtful Birthday Gift Ideas to Give Someone for Her 40th Birthday

You can officially become the best gift giver with one of these—guaranteed.

Headshot of Samantha LealBy Samantha Leal
40th birthday gift ideas
Courtesy of retailers

Turning 40 is a big deal—it’s a moment of reflection on who you are, who you were, and who you’re continuing to become. And while we’ve thankfully (somewhat) moved past outdated notions of aging, one’s birthday is still very much a big moment, and one that deserves to be celebrated—and that’s why we pulled together the best 40th gift ideas for anyone who’s reaching that milestone.

So what do you get someone who is turning 40? Something that acknowledges what they love (obviously), something that feels special (yes), and something that they’ll actually use (but maybe won’t buy for themselves). From an amazing coffee table book from their favorite travels to super luxurious skincare and beauty gifts to the best bubbly for that bar cart, there’s something for everyone turning 40. Here, some great gift options for those celebrating their 40th.

For the One with a Bar Cart

Castle & Key Harvest Seasonal Gin

Harvest Seasonal Gin
For the One with a Bar Cart

Castle & Key Harvest Seasonal Gin

$38 at Drizly

This gin, with notes of dark berries and cinnamon, is ideal for a delicious cocktail or just a good ol’ gin and tonic. Plus, it’ll look beautiful on her bar cart.

For the One Who Loves a Good Night In

Knesko Women’s The Luxe 4-Treatment Face Mask Kit

Women’s The Luxe 4-Treatment Face Mask Kit
For the One Who Loves a Good Night In

Knesko Women’s The Luxe 4-Treatment Face Mask Kit

This Knesko mask set includes a collagen mask from its bestselling collections: Nano Gold Repair to rehydrate, firm, and lift; Diamond Radiance to brighten and energize; Rose Quartz Antioxidant to calm and soothe; Black Pearl Detox to clarify and rebalance. Her skin will be glowing.

For the One Who Is Hair Obsessed

T3 Featherweight StyleMax

Featherweight StyleMax
For the One Who Is Hair Obsessed

T3 Featherweight StyleMax

This featherweight hair dryer from T3 is not only super light, it is super powerful—and makes drying hair a breeze.

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For the Coffee Lover

Rambler 30 oz Tumbler

30 oz Tumbler
For the Coffee Lover

Rambler 30 oz Tumbler

Is this tumbler the sexiest of gifts? Maybe not. Is it going to be something she uses for forever? Absolutely. Yeti cups keep things cool or hot for hours (I can personally attest), so if she’s a distracted coffee sipper, all the better.

For the Chic Loved One

Vieren Gold Mirror Watch

Gold Mirror Watch
For the Chic Loved One

Vieren Gold Mirror Watch

If you’re going super luxury, a timepiece is your best bet. And this Vieren one, made by a Toronto-based duo, is gorgeous.

For the Wanderluster

Assouline Publishing Capri Dolce Vita

Capri Dolce Vita
For the Wanderluster

Assouline Publishing Capri Dolce Vita

This book is perfect for every jetsetter or wanderluster, and other cities are available to make a full set, should you want. For even more of a luxury gift, add an airline gift card to get them one step closer to their next trip. (Friends, if you’re reading this, I’m a Delta girl.)

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For the One Who Loves Her Birthday

Birthdate Birthdate Candle

Birthdate Candle
For the One Who Loves Her Birthday

Birthdate Birthdate Candle

Now 17% Off

With countless 5-star reviews, this birthdate candle is sure to be one of her favorite gifts. It combines numerology, astrology, and tarot insights specific to her date of birth.

For the Bubbly Popper

RIEDEL Superleggero Champagne Wine Glass

Superleggero Champagne Wine Glass
For the Bubbly Popper

RIEDEL Superleggero Champagne Wine Glass

Upgrade her stemware with the best of the best—Riedel. These champagne flutes will get a lot of use.

For the Euro Traveler

Hotel Lobby Candle Paris Nuit Candle

Paris Nuit Candle
For the Euro Traveler

Hotel Lobby Candle Paris Nuit Candle

You may not be able to take her to Paris, but you can bring Paris to her with this candle that features scents of black musk and mahogany.

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For the Self-Care Girlie

Saint Jane Deep Sleep Bath Salts

Deep Sleep Bath Salts
For the Self-Care Girlie

Saint Jane Deep Sleep Bath Salts

Now 34% Off

These ultra luxurious bath salts from Saint Jane feature magnesium and hyaluronic acid to encourage deep sleep and great skin.

For the Rosé Lover

Chateau Sainte Marguerite Fantastique Rosé

Fantastique Rosé
For the Rosé Lover

Chateau Sainte Marguerite Fantastique Rosé

You don’t even need to wrap it! This gorgeous bottle houses delicious rosé by Sainte Marguerite en Provence Rosé, which fearures notes of raspberry and citrus.

For the Cocktail Maker

Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin

Strawberry Smash Gin
For the Cocktail Maker

Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin

This strawberry smash gin from Sipsmith is made with Wimbledon strawberries, in partnership with Wimbledon. Perfect for tennis lovers, strawberry lovers, gin lovers, or just, you know, someone who loves a good drink.

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For the Martini Lover

Filthy Martini Kit

Martini Kit
For the Martini Lover

Filthy Martini Kit

This Filthy Martini Kit features olive brine, pimento-stuffed olives, blue cheese-stuffed olives, and stainless steel cocktail picks so she can live out her Mad Men-esque dreams.

For the Skincare Obsessed

SHAYDE Overnight Glow Up Sleeping Mask

Overnight Glow Up Sleeping Mask
For the Skincare Obsessed

SHAYDE Overnight Glow Up Sleeping Mask

This overnight mask from SHAYDE beauty lifts away dead skin along with excess oil while improving uneven tone and texture—all while you sleep.

For the Homebody

AERA Home Diffuser

Home Diffuser
For the Homebody

AERA Home Diffuser

This diffuser is basically a really chic air freshener, and they can control all the levels (and when it goes on and off) from their phone.

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For the On-the-Go Traveler

Away The Carry-On

The Carry-On
For the On-the-Go Traveler

Away The Carry-On

You see Away luggage everywhere because it’s just good—solid construction that fits a ton of stuff and an array of colors. Gift her the gift she just won’t get herself.

For the Beauty Gal

Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

Large Clear Cosmetics Case
For the Beauty Gal

Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

A Calpak cosmetics case is a godsend for travel and organizing products at home; it fits so much.

For the Home Chef

Caraway Cookware Set

Cookware Set
For the Home Chef

Caraway Cookware Set

Now 20% Off

Update her cookware with this cute set that can keep up in the kitchen. It comes in a ton of colors (and minis!).

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For the Tea Lover

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
For the Tea Lover

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

She’ll absolutely love this electric kettle that’s both aesthetically pleasing and works like a charm.

For the Hostess

Our Place Let’s Dig In Conversation Game

Let’s Dig In Conversation Game
For the Hostess

Our Place Let’s Dig In Conversation Game

This conversation card game from Our Place lets you dig deeper over a shared meal (or wine night) with friends—and it’s a great hostess gift if you’re asking me.

Headshot of Samantha Leal
Samantha Leal

Samantha Leal is a writer, editor, and content strategist whose work centers around all things lifestyle—beauty, fashion, drinks, food, travel, and wellness (to name a few). Basically, all the good things in life. She holds a journalism degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and has held roles at Well+Good, Marie Claire, Latina magazine, and The Knot. Her byline has appeared in Refinery29, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Apartment Therapy, and more.

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