The best 40th birthday gift ideas celebrate what this exciting decade has ahead, from tools to help the recipient reach their goals to investment pieces that will last for years to come. And for those people who have everything? We've rounded up the best experience gifts to make memories that they'll treasure forever.
Milestone birthdays deserve something special - in fact, many of these ideas could also work if you're looking for the best 50th birthday gifts or the best 60th birthday gifts, too - but it doesn't have to cost the earth. Our list includes a variety of price points, to cater for all budgets.
We've also consulted the experts for gift-buying advice, to help you chose gifts that are memorable, useful and touching - as well as what to chose for anyone who's tough to buy for.
Where to buy 40th birthday gifts for women in the UK
- Amazon: Gift them bestselling books or useful home essentials with quick delivery (opens in new tab)
- Cult Beauty: A go-to for the newest and best hair, skincare and makeup products (opens in new tab)
- Fortnum & Mason: Sumptuous selection of signature gift hampers (opens in new tab)
- John Lewis: Gift them thoughtful treats for the home like glasses and dishes (opens in new tab)
- Marks & Spencer: Pretty yet practical lingerie, homeware and clothing (opens in new tab)
- Not On The High Street: A haven of lovely thoughtful personalized gifts (opens in new tab)
- Selfridges: High-end brands to upgrade their clothing, beauty and home staples (opens in new tab)
Best 40th birthday gift ideas for women
RRP: From £29 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: Dependant on retailer | If you're a fan of rose perfumes but love something fruity as well, this popular Diptyque candle will tick all of your boxes with its blend of blackcurrant and rose notes that work in unison to create a sweet and sharp but comforting aroma. It's one of the best scented candles for a fragrance that really fills the room and lingers.
RRP: From £50 | Delivery: Immediate via email | Refundable: Non-refundable | Found in some of the most beautiful parts of England for a memorable UK staycation, The Pig Hotels have a well-earned reputation for heavenly rooms, illustrious interiors, and incredible food. Treat someone to a three-course meal at any of The Pig Hotels with this voucher and they will enjoy a lunch or dinner cooked with the freshest and most authentic foods and ingredients.
RRP: £115 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: Dependant on retailer | Before they were a cult favourite among trend-setting festival-goers, Hunter wellies were the first-ever wellington boots, designed over 150 years ago to be durable, comfortable, and most importantly, tackle all of the elements. Throw on your best winter coat and you're reading for some countryside romping.
RRP: £85 | Delivery: 3–5 working days | Refundable: 30-day return policy | Give them something that feels truly luxurious with this hydrocotton robe that looks as indulgent as it feels. You could even pair it with some of the warmest leggings for winter and a pair of the best slippers for a truly cozy present.
RRP: £90 | Delivery: Up to 5 working days | Refundable: 14-day refund policy | This luxury cream is one of the best face moisturizers for deep hydration, would make a great gift for anyone going into their 40s who's concerned about their skin showing signs of aging. With super luxurious high-end ingredients like black truffles, platinum, silk, and champagne it's a real treat that will leave skin looking more smooth, firm, and radiant.
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RRP: £75 | Delivery: 2-3 weeks | Refundable: Non-refundable | A gorgeous customized gift that will be cherished forever, this family names necklace is designed to keep your loved ones close to your heart. Choose from sterling silver, yellow gold, or rose gold, customize the text and pick the chain length for a bespoke piece that will be completely unique to the recipient. One of the best personalized jewelry gifts for those with a sentimental side.
RRP: £194.90 | Delivery: Express delivery available | Refundable: 30-day return policy | Everyone loves a new plant and this beautiful copper terrarium is sure to add a statement to any home. It's air-purifying and doesn't need constant watering which are both great aspects. This plant would look great in a bathroom, bedroom, living room, patio—just about anywhere really! After all, plenty of greenery is one of the major interiors design trends for 2022.
RRP: From £22 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: 30-day return policy | Who doesn't love a Nigel Slater recipe this cookbook features a collection of over 110 substantial and comforting plant-led spring and summer recipes? This would also make one of the best gifts for couples who love to cook up a storm in the kitchen together.
RRP: £569 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer| Refundable: Yes, timeframe dependant on retailer | A practical present that also gives the gift of convenience, this is a piece of tech that you don't realize how much you needed one until you have the endless opportunities at your fingertips. The latest model offers a number of intuitive features to make multitasking easy, with features like Split View and Slide Over easier to discover and easier to use.
RRP: Various price points | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: Dependant on retailer | It doesn't matter how chilly a British summer evening gets when you have a fire bowl, so gift them a stylish fire pit that will look lovely in their garden and then let them carry on the evening into the cold night. It would also make one of the best wedding gifts for any couple who are just moving into a new place together.
RRP: £265 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: Dependant on retailer | A striking watch that marries comfort and style, this neutral-hued timepiece has a practical dial with the date and two chronographs and is water-resistant too. The canvas strap is much more comfortable to wear than the traditional metal strap that would usually come with this type of watch, and there is also a whole range of customizable colorways available.
RRP: £175 | Delivery: 2-4 working days | Refundable: 30-day refund policy | An elegant jewelry box that will help them keep all of their trinkets neat and organized and will look good on their dresser too. This box has two levels inside, the base of the box that has two deep large sections for things like watches and bangles, and a shallower removable tray above it that features a large and medium section and rows to hold their rings. It also has hanging hooks on the inside of the lid for them to store your best necklaces neatly without them ending up in any tangles.
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RRP: £120 | Delivery: Monthly | Refundable: Non-refundable
| Cheese and wine nights just got a serious upgrade. Treat someone to a subscription with Paxton & Whitfield and each month they will receive four carefully selected kinds of cheese, in peak condition and chosen for the season. Three months is the minimum subscription available, but there are also 6 and 12-month membership options. If you're feeling really decadent, you could pair this gift with a bottle of the best champagne from our guide.
RRP: From £80 | Delivery: Immediate via email | Refundable: Non-refundable | Give the best home cook you know an experience they won't forget and new skills they can use forever but buying them a place on this popular cooker course. Offering advanced training for ambitious home cooks, the lucky recipient of this gift will learn has to cook infused foams and complex sauces, prepare and cook fish, meat, and poultry to perfection as well as learn the secrets to making the ultimate desserts.
RRP: From £50 | Delivery: Immediate via email | Refundable: Non-refundable | Partnership Editions is a platform that proffers art by emerging artists and sells both affordable limited edition prints and original artworks. Art is so subjective and buying art for a home is deeply personal, so avoid making the wrong choice by making the right and easy choice to buy someone a gift card instead. Let them find and fall in love with a new piece of art themselves—then thank you for it afterward.
RRP: £27 | Delivery: Dependant on retailer | Refundable: Non-refundable | We've seen the impact of dopamine dressing on the 2022 fashion trends, so it was only a matter of time before the beauty world followed. This stylish makeup pallet will allow the wearer to create vibrant and bold looks—with a super smooth and easy-to-apply formula for flawless results.
RRP: £288 | Delivery: Immediate via email | Refundable: Non-refundable | For a truly spectacular 40th birthday gift idea, treat them to a sunrise hot air balloon ride for memories they'll treasure forever. Travel from a choice of launch sites throughout the UK and toast the occasion with a glass of bubbly after landing.
RRP: from £27 | Delivery: Details available once subscription is redeemed | Refundable: Non-refundable | Give the gift of great coffee with a subscription to Grind, London's premier coffee company. The subscription will last the receiver for three months, and each month they'll be sent compostable coffee pods for Nespresso machines, whole bean, or ground coffee in a blend of their choice. They can switch up their blend, or the format, at any time throughout the subscription and the personalized email will come with a special message from you to celebrate the big day.
RRP: from £8.50 | Delivery: 1-2 working days | Refundable: Non-refundable | For a truly unique gift, the packages from Don't Buy Her Flowers can be personalized to suit your loved one's needs, Pull together their favorite scents and products for an evening of pampering, or browse the other kits from the brand, from cocktail making kits to cooking kits.
RRP: £45 | Delivery: 3-5 working days | Refundable: Within 28 days | For the house proud friend or family member who loves to host dinner parties or a spot of afternoon tea, this is the perfect gift. These wildlife and vegetable-themed napkins come in a handmade, screen printed gift box for a truly tasteful 40th birthday gift idea.
RRP: £16 | Delivery: 3-5 working days | Refundable: Within 14 days | Silver and Birch create beautiful handmade pieces of jewelry from real flowers and plants, so are perfect for those green-fingered friends or family members. Made from sterling silver, the forget-me-not earrings, made with real flowers, make a thoughtful gesture that's sure to do down well with those who favor elegant, simple jewelry. The brand also offers home decor along the same botanical theme.
Gift buying advice
What makes a memorable 40th birthday gift?
Francesca Pittaway, curator at Not on the High Street (opens in new tab), knows how hard it can be to find the perfect present. Especially if you want it to be unique.
"Choosing something memorable can feel really daunting, especially if you are time poor!" she says. "We often want to express to recipients how much they mean to us through a gift and when someone means a great deal to you, you might feel pressure to get it spot on. If someone means a lot to you, keeping them and why you love them front of mind when choosing something means you can’t go wrong."
It might sound cliche, but often the most memorable presents involve making memories! Book a weekend away, go for a fancy dinner or even plan a surprise. You'll both never forget sharing quality time together doing something special.
Natalie Joliffe, co-owner of online luxury gifting retailer Lime Tree London (opens in new tab), explains, "As a 40 year old myself I know which gifts I like to receive! People always appreciate those especially luxury items that they wouldn’t necessarily go out and buy themselves, such as candles or flowers (real or artificial) - in particular British sourced, sustainably produced, handmade and vegan make a lovely gift and any product where the retailer donates a portion to charity is special too.
A memorable gift is one that someone has put genuine thought into..someone who knows you well and has taken the time to find something they know you will love! For example, my husband bought me a hamper of goodies from Space NK for one of my 40th gifts, as he knows I spend too much on others and not enough on myself."
What do you get someone who doesn't want anything for their birthday?
Finding the perfect gift to mark a milestone birthday is even harder if your recipient is insistent they don't want anything!
"In this minimalist world, it's experiences that count. For friends, a night out drinking cocktails might be best," Joliffe continued. "While for husbands and partners, the promise of a swish dinner or experience that the whole family can enjoy together will go down well." Take a look at our list of the best hobbies for women for some more ideas.
Is there a traditional gift for a 40th birthday?
For any milestone birthday, jewelry is a safe and classic choice, as Joliffe explains. "Jewelry is the most traditional gift for a women's 40th - something you can wear still for years to come and hand down to future generations."
A personalized gift is also a great choice to mark a 40th birthday. "You can personalize pretty much anything if you're organized and order online," Joliffe continued. "Think personalized candles, throws, kitchen and homeware products as a start - it shows that thought has gone into the gift (and it's not last minute!)"
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