Everyone has their idea of what a 40th birthday should be like, but some 40th birthday gifts are better than others. For example, if you’re looking for a gift for your friend with a significant age milestone, consider getting them something that will be with them for many years.
Whether it’s a new laptop just in time to take on all the new challenges at work or a fun-to-knit hat that will keep them warm and cosy during cold winter months from now until forevermore,
These are some great ideas for one of life’s most important occasions.
1. New Pajamas That Don’t Suck
Even though she probably has a ton of cute pajama sets that she won’t ever let go of, it’s still fun to get new ones on special occasions. It’s fun for her and you because you might see her in something other than a t-shirt from time to time. Score!
2. A Gift Card With A Twist
Buying someone a gift card is always an excellent way to let them pick out what they want, but put a little bit of novelty into the card by putting it in an old cassette case or on an actual cassette tape with some homemade wrapping paper. A gift is still a gift, but hers may be more memorable.
3. A Printout Of All Her Favorite Recipes
I know it sounds old-fashioned, but it’s great to have some recipes on hand that you can mark off and check as you make your way through the years of cooking for her. You may even decide to throw together an actual book for her filled with all the recipes that mean so much to you because they’ll mean just as much to her.
4. ‘A Glass of Wine For Her
Invite her to make a meal together in honour of her birthday. This is particularly fun to do when you have kids, but why not have an adult dinner to celebrate an adult milestone? It’s also a great way to show your loved ones that they don’t need to be rich or polished to know the essential things in life, like the importance of appreciating food.
5. Something Unique As A Keepsake
Something unique for a unique occasion is one way to make sure that she remembers that celebrating your 40th birthday is truly special. Another option is an excellent photo album she can look through with the photos of your life together. Perhaps she’ll even want a fantastic keepsake for a scrapbook filled with all of your special moments.
6. A Blanket For When She’s Cold
She’ll always have something to keep her warm, even when it gets cold outside at night and you can’t get your hands on an actual blanket. I’ve seen a lot of fun 40th birthday gifts that blanket their owners have cleverly decorated in fun ways. These keep them warm without costing money, and you’ll have something to remember about your special day well into the future.
7. A ‘Video’ That Shows You Both Laughing
Maybe you’ve already made a video of yourselves laughing together, but it’s still fun to get something that will remind her of all the precious moments you’ve shared over the years. Some special milestone birthdays should involve laughter and making memories that are truly special to you.
8. Something That Inspires Her
It’s not about throwing money at a problem; it’s about getting something that will inspire her. I know this can be not easy, but a neat journal or book filled with inspiring quotes is always a great choice. If you want something unique and meaningful, look for a gift to help her learn new things and push herself to do better.
9. A Hat She Can Knit
You might not have considered knitting a great 40th birthday gift, but if you and your friend have time to bond through this classic hobby, she’ll be able to make a hat for herself and one for you too. You might even discover that knitting is fun and relaxing.
10. A Vacation That She’ll Always Remember
If you want to save money on a special gift, think about booking a trip somewhere memorable with her that she will remember. Escaping the daily grind of life with good company is part of what makes life great anyway.
11. A Good Book On Her Favorite Topic
You might not have known it, but she’s probably looking for new reading material. This can be an excellent opportunity to find something that you could read together or something that will inspire her in her daily life. If you’re stuck on what to get with this particular option, check out the best books to read in your 20’s or 30’s.
12. A New Camera To Document Your Life Together
If you know anything about the world of photography, you’re probably aware that a good camera can take some truly breathtaking photographs that you can go back and enjoy for years. A digital camera is an everyday thing, but a good old-fashioned 35mm camera captures the moments that mean so much to you. Try searching for a great deal or going into your local camera store to look at the latest models since they always have some things going on that might make them better than the last ones you saw.
13. A New Pair Of Sunglasses
Let’s face it, she’s always been handsome, but she can never have too many pairs of sunglasses. A good pair of sunglasses makes her more attractive and confident in life, which is both good in itself and something she’ll take with her as she transitions through different stages of life in years to come.
14. A New Notebook To Document All Her Memories
Maybe she’s only really paid a little attention to the paper in her journal, but why not change that? There are many different types of notebooks, and it’s always a great idea to try to find one that is more interesting to her than the usual staples of planners and address books. If you want to get something more personal, ensure it’s filled with inspirational quotes that she can repeatedly read throughout life.
15. A T-Shirt That’s Easy To Read
I know you might be thinking about getting something more personal, but this is an excellent option for the woman who has everything. Why not get her a t-shirt that she’ll wear all the time and fill up with memories of the good times in life? You can also get one with a funny message on it if she likes to joke around.
16. A Coffee Maker That Makes Her Morning Tea Or Coffee A Bit Easier
She might drink tea or coffee, but either of these drinks will be better when they take a little bit less out of her hands in the morning. If she doesn’t have a coffee maker that makes the perfect cup of coffee, and she hates making tea, then you could always get her a good-quality drip coffee maker so that she can make a few cups at once to bring with her on the daily grind.
17. A New Staple For Her To Cook With
She might not have had many kitchens experience before getting married, but there is no reason why that should stop her from becoming an excellent cook now. There are many different options, from skillets and griddles to trendy mixing bowls and storage containers.
18. A Special Ornament For Her Tree
You might have already made a tradition of buying a new ornament for her tree every year, but you can always find something new that will be a source of pride and enjoyment in years to come. One of the best and most meaningful gifts you can get her is the gift of memories with family and friends.
19. A Candle To Help Her Relax At The End Of The Day
She could always use one more candle to add some ambience to her home, but if you get one that smells just like an apple orchard, you’ll hit it out of the park with this thoughtful 40th birthday gift.
20. The Book That Inspires Her To Move On
If she’s struggling with moving on after a breakup or her husband’s passing, a good inspirational book is an excellent way to help her get through life. If you can find a book that relates to the struggle that she’s facing, it will be extra unique and memorable.
21. A Gift Card For Her Favorite Restaurant
If you need help deciding on a gift, you can always go right with getting her some money for her favourite restaurant. This can be used for anything from desserts to drinks and maybe even another meal if she’s still hungry afterwards.
22. A Pocketful Of Memories To Chase All Day Long
Sometimes what we have in our hands is more important than what’s in our pocket, but sometimes that can be the case. When you get her this thoughtful gift, she’ll be able to keep all the memories of her day close to her heart while everything else melts away. After all, a person’s memory is one of the most precious things they must spend their lifetime on.
23. A Hobby She Can Learn And Teach Others Too
You might not know it, but she loves knitting and crocheting and would love to pass on that passion to someone new. You can get her some good supplies to teach others to use and then make warm scarves and hats for the winter.
24. A Pair Of Tickets To The Show Of Her Dreams
She has wanted to see this band, take a cooking class, or go to an art show for as long as you’ve known her, so why not make it happen? She might be surprised by the gift and even more surprised at how much fun it is, but this will be one of those experiences she’ll always remember fondly.
25. A Memory Box That Will Take Her Back To The Good Times
This is a fantastic gift for the woman who loves to spend just as much time in the present as she does in the past. With a memory box, she can fill it with all her favourite memories, leave it on her dresser, and reminisce about how great things used to be.
Conclusion
Now that you have a lot of great ideas on what to get her, it should be easier to find the right gift on your own.
Some of these gifts may seem like they cost a lot at first, but they will pay off in the end because she will now have something that she can look back on years later and appreciate. Plus, if you want to make her smile, take her out for a nice dinner where you’ll both be able to catch up and reminisce about old times together.
What do you think?