The best 40th birthday gift ideas for women and men that are practical and memorable

RRP: $150 | This gift is ideal for ladies who love the after-effects of a salon visit but neither have the time nor money to visit their stylist regularly. We've rated the DryBar Double Shot as one of the best dryer brushes thanks to its ease of control and ability to add shine and fullness for all types of hair. 

RRP: $90 | Loved ones who possess a green thumb but have limited to no space to cultivate an outdoor garden will enjoy growing their own herbs in this AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden. This sleek hydroponic system fits nicely on any counter and only requires water to grow—no worries about dirtying the kitchen with soil here.

RRP: $40 | A new decade of life symbolizes the prospect of many new adventures ahead. Recipients can scratch off 50 random ideas to create memories that'll last a lifetime, then record their experiences through journaling and photographs. Choose from editions for family, friends, and couples. You could also look at our guide to the best goal planners, of the same ilk. 

RRP: $34 | Here's a subtle, classy way to celebrate a very special woman's four decades of life. Made in the USA, this .925 sterling silver necklace includes a 19" chain that can be adjusted for free if it's too long or short. Also included is a gift box plus a blank note card upon which you can write a personal, heartfelt birthday message.

RRP: $30 | Help your friend or family member usher in a new phase of her life by clearing any residual bad juju from decades past with this Energy Cleansing Candle. It features notes of cedar, sage, and lavender plus dried herbs and lilac crystals—one of the best scented candles for attracting those positive vibes. 

RRP: $50 | Whether your recipient is new to the world of Jo Malone fragrances or not, this set offers a little bit of something for everyone. It includes travel-sized versions of Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne and Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème, plus a mini English Pear & Freesia Candle. Who knows? This set may introduce your birthday gal to her new favorite Jo Malone scent.

RRP: $100 | Air fryers are one of the most versatile kitchen appliances anyone can own. They require no oil to make healthier (but still tasty) versions of your favorite meals and snacks. If your soon-to-be-40 friend has been contemplating an air fryer, surprise her with the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer. It has a 4-quart capacity plus four programmable cooking modes (air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate) for making everything from crispy fried chicken to homemade fruit snacks—it's definitely one of the best Ninja Air Fryers. 

RRP: $343 | If birthday girl's go-to handbag has seen better days, this Michael Kors bucket bag will be the perfect update – especially since this style of bag is one of the biggest handbag trends for 2022. This medium-sized handbag features a signature MK logo-print canvas, adjustable cross-body strap and a decorative polished chain-link pendant, with dual interior slip pockets and plenty of room for essentials.   

RRP: $249 | Give the gift of restful sleep with the Bose Sleepbuds II. They work in tandem with the Bose Sleep App to passively block noise while offering more than 50 snooze-inducing sounds so your recipient can fast asleep fast and stay that way until her morning alarm goes off. And no matter if she tosses and turns at night, the ear tips for these specially-designed earbuds are made to stay in-ear, always. They're some of the best ear plugs for sleep on the market.

RRP: $30 | A milestone birthday such as 40 is a natural time for individuals to reflect upon what they've accomplished thus far. For that friend or family member with plenty of stories to tell, this clothbound journal will make a great gift. It features a variety of writing prompts to help bring memories to the surface. Who knows—it could serve as a basis for a future best-selling memoir!

RRP: From $15 | It's never too late to try something new! For that friend or family member with an insatiable desire to learn, an annual MasterClass subscription will suit her quite well. She can learn about writing compelling fiction from Amy Tan, improve her cooking chops with Gordon Ramsay, and receive acting tips from Samuel L. Jackson, among many other star-studded courses.

RRP: From $40 | This cute retro-inspired mini-fridge from Frigidaire will make a fine addition to any home or office. It can store drinks, leftovers, and even skincare products like sheet masks (which feel so refreshing when chilled, plus skincare fridges are very on-trend right now). Not only does this little refrigerator come in four fun colors, but it also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker for streaming music and podcasts.

RRP: From $35 per month | As we get older, we learn not to sweat the small stuff. But if you know someone who's yet to grasp that concept after four decades, give her an assist with a TheraBox Self Care Box subscription. Each monthly box includes a happiness activity plus seven wellness items curated by a therapist to help melt away stress and frustration. You can choose to have a new box arriving every month for up to 12 months.

RRP: From $80 | For the gal who always has a song in her heart, she can freely express it wherever she goes with this karaoke kit. It'll turn her phone or tablet into a portable karaoke machine with online access to over 3,000 songs. Also included are a microphone, a mixer, and various cables. 

RRP: From $25 | What can you get the woman who seemingly has everything? A gift card to the world's largest online store will do the trick. Whether she wants to load her Kindle with the best eBooks or pick up cute decor for the house, she can purchase whatever she needs whenever the mood strikes and save some of her own cash in the process. 

RRP: $15 | For the guy who truly wants to make the most of his 40s, this scratch-off bucket list poster will provide him with plenty of activities he can attempt to tackle over the next decade. Ideas include 'attending the Olympics,' 'drive a train' and 'go whale watching.'

RRP: $30 | Who says Viewmasters are just for kids? This take on the favorite childhood toy will allow you to create reels featuring snapshots of your birthday guy's favorite memories from his first 40 years. He can pick it up and flick through the images whenever he's feeling nostalgic.

RRP: $60 | Takeout and delivery will be a thing of the past for your man thanks to this Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Pizza Oven. This nifty kitchen appliance has a small footprint and uses 60 percent less electricity than a conventional oven. And it's not just capable of making pizza—it can also cook up appetizers like jalapeño poppers and chicken wings.  

RRP: $130 | Any 40-year-old who wants to overturn bad habits should rely on an activity tracker to help guide them, and they seldom get better than the Fitbit Charge 5—one of the most popular Fitbits on the market. It boasts up to a full week of battery life plus a vibrant color touchscreen that'll allow health-conscious guys to track everything from stress levels and heart rate to sleep quality and oxygen saturation levels.

RRP: $60 | Aging isn't always a bad thing. Take whiskey, which definitely gets better with age. And if he fancies himself a whiskey aficionado, he'll enjoy making his own using this DIY kit. With three types of wood chips and six varieties of botanicals included, he can concoct a whiskey that suits his tastes. All he'll have to supply is the vodka (yes, you can seemingly turn vodka into whiskey). 

RRP: $35 | For the man who is consistently misplacing his things, the Tile Pro will be a godsend. He can attach it to his keys, wallet or backpack and search for tagged items on his phone from within 400 feet (alternatively, the Tile Pro can also be used to find a phone by making it ring). It works with iPhones and Android devices and is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free support.

RRP: From $15 | Your guy can learn new skills (or brush up on latent ones) courtesy of some of the world's most renowned pros in a variety of fields with a one-year subscription to MasterClass. He'll be able to take self-paced online classes helmed by the likes of Martin Scorsese, Carlos Santana, Neil Gaiman, and many more.

RRP: $28 | Your man might be one to use his wallet until it's falling apart at the seams. If that's the case, gift him this Herschel Roy Wallet as a 40th birthday present. Featuring a classic bi-fold design, multiple card slots, and an RFID-blocking design, it's practical and stylish—the perfect combination.

RRP: $20 | A 40-year-old gamer will appreciate this retro-inspired Level 40 Unlocked tee. He can wear it as a reminder to himself (and others) that while it may have taken a lot of work and button-mashing, he finally made it to the next level of this crazy game called Life.

RRP: Varies | Quick, who is your guy's favorite celebrity? There's a chance you'll be able to find and request them on Cameo to wish him a very happy 40th birthday. Behold his reaction when he receives a personalized video birthday greeting from a personality that he's otherwise admired from afar.

RRP: From $28 | Give the special fellow in your life something to look forward to each month with a subscription to SnackSack. Each box contains between 11 and 13 different treats centered around a specific theme or season. Best of all, these snacks are delicious and healthy so he'll be able to enjoy them guilt-free. There are also vegan and gluten-free boxes available.

RRP: From $100 | An interesting way to chronicle your man's first 40 years is through the front pages of the New York Times. From the day he was born until his most recent birthday, he'll be able to see just how much the world has changed since he's been in it. This hardbound book is personalized with the recipient's name and birth date on the cover.

RRP: $230 | This LEGO set is geared towards the kids at heart. It comes with an astonishing 2,646 pieces, which come together to create brick versions of the classic NES console and a TV showcasing a scene from Super Mario Bros. Add the LEGO Mario minifigure (sold separately) and it'll react to what's on-screen, complete with sound effects.  

RRP: $280 | If your guy likes to listen to his Spotify playlist during his bus or train commutes, he deserves a pair of one of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones feature an adjustable EQ, up to 24 hours of battery life, and varying levels of noise cancellation so he can still be aware of his surroundings whilst out and about.

RRP: From $25 |At a total loss for ideas? You can't go wrong with an Amazon gift card. This will allow your man to buy something he really wants when the moment strikes, without having to dip into his own wallet too much.