Be Inspired by These 101 Epic 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

If you’re throwing a 40th birthday bash or have been invited to one, you may be wondering what the commonly accepted rules are for gift giving.

Grown-ups like getting presents too, but are you obligated to bring one? Then once you’re ready to shop, you need to choose a great gift that’s going to be well-received by the birthday guy or gal 😉

Our lists of extensive gift ideas have items to suit every budget and lifestyle. Read on to find that perfect present from one of our creative 40th birthday gift ideas.

40th Birthday Gift Etiquette

Relax- there’s no need to stress, whether you’re a host or guest, because we’ve got the scoop on 40th birthday gift etiquette rules you need to know.

Gift Etiquette for the Party Host

Hosting any party can be both exciting and overwhelming, since you’re in charge of the planning, prep, and execution on the big day. You want to make sure that you have every detail covered, and that includes the more personal elements like gifting.

We’ve got the details on your most pressing 40th birthday gift etiquette questions:

I’m throwing the 40th birthday celebration – am I expected to give a gift?

Throwing a 40th birthday party is no easy task and it can cost quite a bit, too. As the host of the event, you are not expected to give a gift, since the celebration itself is a gift. After all, you’re giving your time, effort, and money to plan, prepare, and execute the event. However, depending on your relationship with the birthday guy or gal, you may want to gift them a little something special as a token. It’s up to you.

Should I keep track of who gave gifts for a birthday party?

Whether the guest of honor opens their gifts at the party or afterwards once they’re home, you should keep track of who gave what. This makes it so much easier for the birthday celebrant to prepare their thank you cards and personalize them for each guest.

Should I let guests know that they are expected to bring a gift?

This one is a 40th birthday gift etiquette no-no, in our opinion. It’s just plain tacky to mention gifts on the invitation or in person. Most folks will bring a gift simply because they want to. Likewise, you should not invite anyone with the expectation that they’ll bring a gift.

Gift Giving Etiquette for 40th Birthday Parties

You received an invitation to an exciting birthday party for someone special, but now you’ve got a few questions. A 40th birthday is a big one, since it’s a milestone. It can represent an exciting turning point in a person’s life, and while it’s certainly worthy of a big celebration, you may be wondering if you should give a gift for this grown up event. We have the info you need to know about 40th birthday gift etiquette:

How much should I spend on a 40th birthday gift?

As with any birthday party, there’s no requirement that you must bring a gift. However if you do want to give a present to the guest of honor for their 40th, you can set the budget. A small token gift doesn’t have to cost much, but the thought will certainly count and be appreciated by the honoree. If you’d like to buy something really special, there’s no limit to how much you can or should spend. Choose a gift based on what you want to give and know that they’ll enjoy, not based on how much (or how little) it costs.

Should I send a gift if I cannot attend the milestone birthday party?

If you can’t make it to the party, you are not under any obligation to send a gift. It comes down to your personal preference, but no one should expect a gift from folks who don’t come to the party. If you’re close to the guest of honor but can’t attend the celebration for whatever reason, you may choose to send along a present anyway. While it isn’t a must-do, a nice gesture is to send them birthday wishes with a simple card, whether it’s through snail mail or email.

40th Birthday Gift Ideas – Brainstorming Tips!

Finding that perfect present for a 40th birthday can seem surprisingly difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you’re stumped about what to get for the birthday guy or girl for their 40th, or just looking for something really special, there are a few things to keep in mind. These brainstorming tips will help you home in on just the right type of gift to give for the big 4-0:

Consider the birthday party theme

One fun way to come up with a gift idea is by tying it into the birthday party theme. Since the theme is probably influenced by the honoree’s hobbies or interests in some way, a related item is sure to be a winner. Gifts definitely do not have to match the theme, but it can give you a clearer direction to go in when looking for good options.

Propose or chip in on a group gift

You may already have an idea for a great gift that you know the birthday celebrant will absolutely love, but your budget just doesn’t match up with it. Don’t give up on it just yet! Consider proposing the idea of a group gift. Ask other family members/friends if they’d like to go in on something pricey so that it’s affordable for all of you. This allows everyone to spend the same amount on a high value present. If a group gift has already been established by someone else, you can ask to chip in. This is one of the best ways to gift something truly spectacular.

Consider your relationship with the birthday celebrator

When it comes to gift-giving, your relationship with the birthday guy or girl can influence your options. For example, if you’re really close to the person, you’ll probably want to give them something heartfelt and meaningful. Or, you may wish to have a little fun with it and go for a lighthearted, humorous type of present. If the guest of honor is a friend or co-worker, it may be more comfortable for you to stick with a practical gift.

Think about the interests and needs of the guest of honor

Considering a person’s hobbies and interests when shopping can help you to narrow down 40th birthday gift ideas. You can give them an item related to their favorite pastime or activity that they enjoy. Another option is to give tickets or a gift certificate for a place or experience that will offer them an amazing time and incredible memories. If you aren’t quite sure what they’re favorite things are, don’t hesitate to ask their spouse, child, best friend, etc. Gain a little insight into their interests so that you can personalize the present.

Fabulous 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

The birthday guy or gal is turning 40 and fabulous, so why not give them an amazing gift to match?! Hit it out of the park with a spectacular present that’ll knock their socks off.

These marvelous gift ideas bring the “WOW” factor and are guaranteed to be great!

Practical 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

There are many reasons to want to stick to a practical gift. You may not be extremely close with the birthday celebrant, or you may simply be unsure of what they’d really enjoy.

Sometimes even close friends and family can be difficult to shop for, or they may be the type of person who seems to have everything. In that case, these ideas could be just what you’re looking for! They’re easy enough to find and won’t cause you to stress over discovering that ideal option.

Here are some ideas for practical presents that will definitely be well-received:

Budget Friendly 40th Birthday Gifts

Don’t let searching for the right gift on a small budget stress you out. There are many ways to gift something that’s meaningful without spending too much money. After all, it isn’t the price tag that matters, but rather the thought and consideration that goes into selecting a great gift.

Some of these suggestions are designed to be homemade and from the heart, while others can be purchased and given a personal touch with a tag or label attached.

Here are a few budget-friendly 40th birthday gift ideas to consider:

DIY 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

If you like to get crafty and give your gifts an extra personal touch, you can go the DIY route. These creative ideas are fun to put together and will really get you excited about gifting the item and seeing the receiver’s reaction.

Your effort and thoughtfulness are sure to be truly appreciated by the birthday guy or girl.

Check out these suggestions for an original, one of a kind DIY gift for 40th Birthday:

“40 Reasons We Love You” Framed Poster or Print

DIY Craft Beer Cake

Perfect for a beer lovin’ 40 year old 😉

40 Rocks!

40 Sucks! – A Bouquet of 40 Lollipops

Sweet & Thoughtful 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

If you prefer gifting something truly special and sentimental, think outside of the box. Since a 40th birthday is a milestone, it’s a great time to reflect and reminisce about wonderful memories that have been made over the years.

From favorite photos to precious moments represented by mementos to making the world a better place through a donation, there are many ways to give a thoughtful gift.

These sweet & thoughtful 40th birthday gifts will be treasured and enjoyed for years to come:

40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Travelers

Looking for a great gift idea for someone who’s always on the go? Or perhaps the birthday celebrant is just about to get started on an exciting journey to new places.

These fun and functional gift ideas are perfect for the 40 year old traveler who’s ready to explore the world:

Hobby & Leisure 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

Giving a gift that’s related to a hobby is one way to guarantee that it’ll absolutely be appreciated! These items are the perfect complement to a favorite pastime. They’re also a perfect way to help the guest of honor get started in a new leisure activity that they’ve always wanted to try.

Explore these ideas to find a fun hobby gift that is sure to please:

40th Birthday Gift Basket Ideas

A great way to gift a thoughtful selection of items centered on a specific theme is by giving a gift basket. Create a unique DIY basket by purchasing an array of carefully chosen items separately.

Next, choose the actual basket, gift box, or other packaging, and put it all together just the way you want inside. Add some raffia or gift basket grass, wrap in cellophane, and you’ve got a beautiful basket with thoughtful items the receiver can use and enjoy!

Another option is to order a pre-made basket from an online retailer, which will save you time and give you the gift of convenience. You’ll find a wide variety of gift baskets to purchase at many different price points, making them an excellent option for any budget.

Check out these ideas for a themed gift basket that’s full of wonderful little surprises:

40th Birthday Gifts for Women

Whether it’s your spouse, sister, mom, aunt, or a friend who’s celebrating the start of a new decade, you can put a smile on her face and a spring in her step with a stylish and thoughtful present. Treat her to something fashionable and sleek with a cool gift that’ll help her enter her 40s with flair.

These chic gift ideas are fun, feminine, and functional:

40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Men

Shopping for a 40 year old man might seem like a challenge, especially if you’re looking for something sophisticated yet useful. Gift him an item that’s sleek and cool that he probably wouldn’t buy for himself.

These manly ideas are sure to be a slam dunk with any dude:

Personalized 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

A simple way to turn any item into something one-of-a-kind is by having it personalized. You can add the birthday guy or girl’s name, initials, nickname, or even an inside joke to a wide array of practical items. Another option is to choose an item that can be customized with an image or photo of your choice. Your thoughtfulness will be on display when you take the time to make it unique.

Taking that extra step to personalize any one of these items will make it a great gift that the receiver will surely love:

Funny Gifts & Gag Gifts for a 40th Birthday

If silly gifts are more your style, there’s no better birthday for trying funny ideas than the 40th! Gag gifts are guaranteed to have everyone laughing and feeling light-hearted.

If the birthday guy or gal has a good sense of humor, consider one of these goofy 40th birthday gifts:

Unique 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

Looking for an original idea that’ll really surprise the birthday celebrant? Avoid gifting an ordinary present and amaze them with something a little different.

Try one of these creative and unique gifts that can be specifically selected to match their personality and interests:

Experiences as Gifts for a 40th Birthday

While store bought stuff can be great, there’s one gift idea that will give memories to last a lifetime. Experiences make for an excellent gift, since they’re both thoughtful and exciting. The receiver will have something special to look forward to, and the value of the gift can truly be priceless!

Consider gifting tickets, a gift certificate, or planning out a trip to one of these awesome events or activities:

pin these 40th birthday gift ideas for later!