By admin 
40th birthdays are top of mind for me right now. I have so many friends turning the big 4-0 this year, and it’s been such a joy to celebrate this major milestone with each of them! One of my favorite things to do is take the time to find the perfect gift for special occasions. Whether I’m shopping for Mother’s Day, Christmas, housewarming gifts for friends, or something else entirely, gift-giving is one of my favorite ways to show the people I love how much they mean to me. So today, I’m excited to share a roundup of thoughtful ideas for 40th birthday gifts!
Ideas for 40th Birthday Gifts for Every Personality
While this list focuses on gift ideas for her, it isn’t limited to just one type of woman. I have female friends with all kinds of interests, lifestyles, and personalities – and they live all over the map! So, similar to my Little Things to Love posts, this high-level roundup of ideas for 40th birthday gifts includes a little bit of everything.
Top Five Ideas for 40th Birthday Gifts
Without further ado, let’s kick things off with my top five gift ideas! These are tried-and-true favorites I’ve given as 40th birthday gifts – and they’ve all been a hit. I also happen to own and love quite a few of them myself, so I can personally vouch for how much joy they bring!
For the Jewelry Lover
I recently gifted a friend one of my favorite items – this gorgeous tennis bracelet from Dorsey Jewelry. I own this exact style myself, and it’s one of my most-worn accessories. Its classic design makes it something she can wear forever, and it feels special enough to mark such a meaningful milestone.
You can find more jewelry gift inspiration by checking out my posts on layered necklaces, colorful jewelry, and daily jewelry favorites.
And if your close girlfriend loves jewelry but you’re a bit intimidated to pick out a piece yourself, consider gifting her a luxe jewelry box to display all her trinkets. This one, this one, this one, and this one are a few of my current favorites.
For the Wine Lover
Now let’s chat about ideas for 40th birthday gifts for your wine-loving friends. One of my go-to gift combos is a wonderful bottle of her favorite varietal paired with this wine preservation system. Another great wine-adjacent idea is a colorful, eye-catching decanter – this makes such a fun statement piece for any bar cart! And if you’re still unsure, you can never go wrong with a set of beautiful wine glasses. I’m especially loving the vintage-inspired vibe of this set.
For the Homebody
Some of my favorite gifts to give and receive are ones to use around the home! For the woman who loves to decorate, a coffee table book that speaks to something she loves makes an excellent gift. Someone just gifted me this one for my birthday, and I love it so much! Another great option is vintage glassware or a unique vase – like this pretty pink one or this fun green-striped one.
Be sure to check out my post on housewarming gifts for friends for even more thoughtful ideas for the home lover!
For the Traveler
We all have that one friend who’s always on the go. The good news? There are so many travel essentials that are both functional and fun to give! A few of my favorites include this luxe passport cover, these monogrammable packing cubes, and this oversized cashmere wrap. And for the fashionista who loves to travel, several pieces from my comfortable airport outfit ideas would make excellent 40th birthday gifts too!
For the Fashion Girly
Speaking of fashionistas, I’ve found that these girlies can be a bit tricky to shop for. Chances are, her closet is already bursting at the seams with clothes, shoes, and accessories – so I love gifting fashion-adjacent items instead. One of my favorite ideas? Fashion-inspired artwork by Blair Breitenstein. Her pieces often highlight my favorite trends, brands, and iconic fashion moments, making them super stylish ideas for 40th birthday gifts. This Prada Hat print and this Striped Top artwork are two fabulous options!
Personalized Ideas for 40th Birthday Gifts
Some of my favorite gifts are the personalized ones. This can take a little more planning and time, but I always find it’s worth it in the end. These gifts show you truly went above and beyond to create something custom just for them. Here are a few personalized ideas for 40th birthday gifts that I absolutely love!
A Custom Pet (or Human) Portrait
A custom piece of artwork always feels so special. I love unique options like this adorable needle-felted dog wall art or a hand-painted piece created from a photo you provide. If you do purchase one, don’t forget to add a classic frame! This timeless bamboo-style option is one of my favorites – and it’s $44!
An Experience She Won’t Forget
Experience gifts are such a meaningful way to commemorate a milestone – they feel thoughtful, personal, and memorable. For the friend who loves to relax? Treat her to a spa day at her favorite spot. For the one who’s getting into cooking? A private cooking class is a perfect choice. And for the friend who loves wine and cheese? Book a private pairing class for her and a few of your closest girlfriends.
Monogram It
There are so many chic luxury gifts that feel even more special when personalized. A few of my favorites for a 40th birthday include this cashmere crewneck sweater, this classic cardigan, this chic notebook, and this emerald alphabet necklace. I also love my personalized signet ring – it would make such a special gift. Another top pick? This luxury train case, which can be customized with beautiful Bombay-style lettering. One last idea – a beautiful set of monogrammed cocktail napkins like these, these and these!
Vintage Items She Will Adore
Does she have a favorite sports team? A favorite hobby? Or, perhaps at a young age you both shared a deep love for something niche like Sanrio or Lisa Frank? I love going on e-bay, Etsy and Poshmark to hunt down vintage items that feel one of a kind. For example this adorable vintage eraser set for my friend Nicole who I grew up trading Sanrio stationary with. Or these US Open Tennis pins from the 80s and 90s for the gal who loves tennis. It doesn’t need to be the entire gift, but it is fun to find a little vintage treasure that you know she will appreciate – like a vintage matchbook from her favorite NYC restaurant!
Don’t Skip the Card
Before wrapping up my list of thoughtful ideas for 40th birthday gifts, I want to touch on something simple yet meaningful: gift tags versus cards. For some birthdays and holidays, I’ll just attach a quick gift tag (these are my favorites). But when it comes to a milestone birthday, choosing a meaningful card is another opportunity to express what the recipient truly means to you.
Sometimes, the heartfelt card ends up being the most memorable and important part of the gift. So when sending off a 40th birthday present, I always try to carve out 30 minutes to sit down and share a few favorite memories, along with how much their friendship and support has meant to me. Life is short, and a 40th birthday is the perfect time to pause and let someone know just how loved they are!
The Best Ideas for 40th Birthday Gifts
If one (or more) of your girlfriends has a 40th birthday coming up, I hope these ideas help you find something thoughtful and memorable. Or maybe this milestone is approaching for you? In that case, feel free to send this list to a loved one as a not-so-subtle hint!
And if you have any stellar ideas for 40th birthday gifts that I should add, send me a DM on Instagram—I always love hearing from you!
For more gift inspiration, check out these posts: