40th birthday party favors aren’t a must, especially since it’s an adult’s celebration, but they are a nice gesture. They’re a thoughtful way to thank the guests for coming and helping to make the party so special. Favors can also serve as a simple memento of the fun times that were shared by all.
If you’re wondering what would make a good item to give at the birthday bash you’re planning, we’ve got tons of great 40th birthday party favor ideas of all kinds.
Considerations for 40th Birthday Party Favors
When choosing which 40th birthday party favors to hand out, there are a few factors that will impact your options.
Here’s what to keep in mind as you think about the right party favors to pick for your soiree:
Number of Guests/Size of Group
You need to have enough favors to give one to each guest. If you’re hosting a large group, then you’ll likely want to keep the item small, simple, and affordable. Have a few extras on hand in case unexpected guests pop in.
Budget
Party favors are a simple token to say thank you, so you don’t need to spend much. A budget of $3 per item or less is perfectly acceptable. For a smaller, more intimate guest list, you may want to spend a bit more per person.
Theme or Color Scheme of Party
When you’re unsure about what a good favor would be for your event, consider something that matches or complements the theme or color scheme of the party.
Themed favors can be a fun way to tie it all together and create cohesion.
Time Constraints?
If you’re trying to come up with the favor idea at the last minute, you need to stick with something easy. Don’t attempt to tackle a DIY if you have no time, because you’ll end up stressing yourself out 😯
Keep it simple and select a favor that you can purchase in bulk and package quickly.
Presentation/ Packaging
Think about how you can package and present the 40th birthday party favors that you choose. Many items will look great with just a colorful ribbon, gift tag, or cute label.

Dressing them up with playful packaging will show your guests that you took that extra step to give the favors a personal touch.
Customized 40th Birthday Party Favors
One easy way to make any ordinary party favor look more polished is by having it customized.
You can take a basic item purchased in bulk from an online retailer and personalize it with event details like the birthday celebrant’s name, the party date, etc. Many companies offer engraving on items for no additional cost, or a small fee.
You can also include a sweet message on a beautiful gift tag or label. That little extra touch will make the favor really stand out and make it seem more special for the guests. 😉
Practical 40th Birthday Party Favors
Practical party favors don’t have to be boring. Everyday items can be cute, useful and will surely come in handy for guests.
Consider giving guests one of these 40th birthday party favor ideas:
- Monogram Notebook
- Keychain / Key Ring
- Match Boxes
- Bookmark
- Magnetic Notepad for Fridge
- Sunglasses
- Hand Fan
- Luggage Tag
- Passport Holder
- Deck of Playing Cards
Decorative 40th Birthday Party Favors
Decorative favors provide guests with a small keepsake that they can display at home. Not only are they lovely to look at, but they’re treasured reminders of an event worthy of celebration.
These beautiful items aren’t elaborate or expensive, but will be cherished for years to come:
- Trinket Dish
- Decorative Keepsake
- Hanging Ornament
- Picture Frame
- Candle
- Votive Candle Holder
40th Birthday Favors for Garden Themed Party
Inspire your guests to have a green thumb with a garden themed party favor.
These simple items will help party goers grow something beautiful in their own homes:
- Mini Succulent Plant
- Flower Seed Pack
- Mini Cactus
- Gardening Gloves
- Flower Bulbs
- Small Potted Plant or Flower
- Mini Garden Gnome
- Individually Packaged Single Carnation
- Citronella Candle
- DIY Hanging Birdseed Party Favor
- Small Birdhouse
Ideas for Kitchen Themed 40th Birthday Party Favors
While not everyone loves to cook, every guest can benefit from a cool or useful item to keep in their kitchen.
Consider one of these kitchen-friendly 40th birthday favors to bring out their inner chef or help them to be a more inspired host or hostess:
- Wine Bottle Stopper
- Cheeseboard and Spreader
- Wine Glass
- Bottle Opener
- Fridge Magnets
- Coasters
- Spices, Seasonings or Rubs
- Salt & Pepper Shakers
- Tea Towel
- Measuring Spoons
- Tea Infuser
- Coffee Mug or Tea Cup
- Kitchen Hand Soap Bottle
- Cookie Cutters
Yummy in the Tummy 40th Birthday Party Favors
Tasty treats make for a perfect party favor! Guests can enjoy some of them right away or bring them home to snack on later.

Either way, these delicious and flavorful favors definitely won’t go to waste:
- Mini Loaf Bread
- Small Jar of Honey (“Thank you for Bee-ing here”)
- Coffee Beans (“Thanks a Latte”)
- Tea Bag Packets
- Fortune Cookies (“So Fortune-ate to have you attend”)
- Mini Homemade Pie (“A Sweet Thank You”/ “You’re as Sweet as Pie! Thanks for Stopping by!”)
- Soup Ingredients in a Mason Jar
- Mini Jams
- Assorted Pastry Favors
- Color-Coordinated M&M Candies
- Mini Bottles of Champagne (“Sip Sip Hooray!”)
- Hersey Kisses
- Mini Cupcakes
- Loose Leaf Tea
- Macaroons
- Jar of Candies
- Lollipops
- Lemondrops (“Thanks for dropping by”)
- Hot Chocolate
- Container of Mints
- Popcorn (“Thanks for Popping by!”)
- Mini Bottle of Wine
- Chocolate Covered Spoons

Pamper & Indulge Guests with these 40th Birthday Party Favors
Since guests may be tired after all of the excitement from the birthday celebration, why not send them home with something relaxing?
From personal pampering products to simple stress relievers, an item that helps them unwind could be the nicest way to say thanks.
These indulgent favor ideas will help guests chill out at home:
- Mini Hand Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Bath Bomb
- Mini Hand Sanitizer
- Face Mask
- Lip Gloss
- Stress Reliever Ball
- Scented Soaps
- Slippers
- Scented Body Scrub
- Bath Loofah
- Bubble Bath
- Manicure Set
- Pedicure Kit
Packaging Your 40th Birthday Party Favors
Once you’ve found the perfect 40th birthday party favors to give guests, you need to package them appropriately.

To ensure that you wrap the items up and present them in a stylish way, consider these key factors:
Size
Choose a package that allows the item to fit comfortably inside without getting squashed. For oddly-shaped favors, you may want to wrap them in clear cellophane or place them in a box.
Cost
Take the cost of the packaging into consideration and keep your overall favor budget in mind. You don’t want to spend more on the packaging than the item itself.
Freshness
Edible or plant items should be packaged properly to ensure freshness. When handing out a food item that you’re going to wrap up before gifting, keep it sealed in the original container until the night before or morning of the event. This will prevent it from going stale.
There are many attractive ways to wrap up a party favor that will make it more personalized. It shows guests that you didn’t just hand them something you bought in bulk, but rather have taken the time to make it truly unique for the party.
One of these great ideas could be perfect for your favors:
- “Chinese Take Out” Box Style
- Muslin Bags
- Mason Jars or Mini Mason Jars
- Cellophane Bags
- Clear Plastic Box
- Brown Paper Lunch Bags
- Mini Tin
- Glass Jar
- Mini Woven Basket
- Clear Candy Tubes
- Small Gift Boxes or Bags from a Dollar Store or Crafting Store
- Clear Makeup Bag or Pencil Case
The Final Touches – Personalize Your Party Favors
The last step is putting a personal touch on each favor with a tag or label. You can print them out or hand write on each one, adding a simple message of gratitude and thanks.
It’s an easy way to show that you put effort into making the favor something special.
- Custom or Regular Stickers
- Self-Stick Rhinestones or Jewels
- Ribbon
- Curling Ribbon
- Jute String or Twine
- Washi Tape
- Die-Cut Shapes
Sound the Party Horns!
While they aren’t essential, 40th birthday party favors are a nice gesture that guests will truly appreciate. A simple item can carry a lot of meaning, giving your guests something to enjoy even after the celebration has ended. Select a sweet and simple item that you can package nicely, personalize it to add an extra touch, and hand out to guests before they go. It’s a great way to say thank you for joining the fun.pin these 40th birthday party favors for later!