40th Birthday Gift Ideas

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

"It Took ME 40 Years to Look This Good" T-Shirt from Bang Tidy

Tired of old ideas for party favors, gifts and decorations generally advertised for the 40th birthday celebration? Presents for a 40th birthday, as with any other birthday, should be fun and also useful to the recipient. Take your time and choose the right 40th birthday presents to create smiles and memories that will last. What's the point of a gift that isn't remembered or treasured?

Coming Up With a Plan For Choosing the Best Gift

Some people like to be pampered on a birthday. Some may like a flashback to childhood. Still others would enjoy a really good laugh. Ideas for 40th birthday gifts should center around the recipient's favorite things, as well as personality. For instance, you don't want to give a completely serious person a gag gift.

That person may be offended instead of amused. However, if the birthday gift recipient has a great sense of humor, do take advantage of that opportunity. When giving gag birthday gifts, remember that it is a nice gesture to also give serious birthday presents.

Original Birthday Newspaper

Take the birthday gift recipient back in time with original newspaper headlines from the day of his or her birth. OverTheHillGifts.com offers this unique option for 40th birthday presents. There are two designs. The traditional option is a framed replica for hanging on the wall. The second is a frame that has a voice-recording feature for adding a personal message.

Funny T-shirt

T-shirts make great 40th birthday presents since they are so useful. Since 40 is often a fun milestone, why not make the T-shirt a funny one? Funnyshirts.com  has a selection of T-shirts with sassy remarks on them, fitting for 40th birthday gift ideas. One reads "It took me 40 years to look this good." Another states "Blow Me" with a candle under it. Below the candle it reads in parentheses "It's My Birthday."

40 Days of Maid Service

Everyone can use a little break now and then. House cleaning is one of those things that seems endless, but is necessary. So 40 days of prepaid maid service is a good option for a 40th birthday present.

Spa Retreat

Gift certificates to spas are good ideas for 40th birthday gifts because they allow the recipient to relax. In this fast-paced world, people often don't have time to think about themselves anymore, let alone relax. Spa gift certificates can make good 40th birthday presents for both men and women. Some may think men would not appreciate this gift, but they need to relax, too.

Chef for a Day

This is another of the 40th birthday gift ideas that caters to the recipient. Plan a day where you will cook three square meals and two snacks for the one celebrating a birthday. It goes back to the fact that people need a break once in a while. These type of 40th birthday presents should be redeemed another day besides on the birthday. Hopefully, many people are already catered to on their birthday. Utilizing it another day, like after a long day's work, will make it an even better gift.

Time Capsule

A flashback to childhood is always good. Ideas for this 40th birthday gift time capsule include candy from childhood, classic toys and classic cartoons. Some classic candy may include Dots, Pop Rocks, candy necklaces, Jolly Ranchers, Atomic Fireballs and wax lips.

Classic toys that make good 40th birthday presents might include Mr. Potato Head, Cabbage Patch Kids, Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs, Slinky and Sit N' Spin. It might be quite comical when all the adults start trying out the Sit N' Spin in hopes of recreating childhood fun.

40 Favorites

Another fun and useful 40th birthday present is to put 40 items related to the gift recipient's favorite hobby or something they like in a decorative basket or container. Line the basket with tissue paper and maybe some decorative scarves or bath towels.

Some ideas include yarn for those who knit, art items for artists, tools for the do-it-yourselfer, office supplies for the business-savvy, fancy bath items, nail polish and makeup, and even snack foods. The ideas are virtually endless for this one. To get more ideas for this present collection, simply browse stores that the recipient frequents. Chances are you'll find something this person would enjoy.