Shopping for a 40th birthday gift comes with a lot of pressure, there's no denying it. It's a milestone birthday that carries a lot of weight and signposts the middle of someone's life and you want to give a present that respects the gravity of this important birthday. Well, we're going to help you with our hand-picked list of the best 40th birthday gift ideas that are perfectly suited to all genders.

The 12 Best 40th Birthday Gift Ideas

1. A Hotel Gift Card for Over 750,000 Hotels

buy a hotel gift card as a 40th birthday idea
To kick off our list of the luxury 40th birthday gift ideas is a hotel gift card for over 750,000 hotels worldwide. When you buy a hotel gift card, you can give your loved one a luxury hotel stay in their dream destination, ensuring a comfortable and indulgent getaway.

That's right, with such an unbeatable choice in accommodation, they can choose from:

And thousands more! They also have 2 years to redeem their Hotelgift which gives them plenty of time to whittle down their choice of hotel. Whether they fancy a charming boutique hotel in the heart of London, a romantic beachfront resort in Greece, or a serene mountain retreat in the Swiss Alps, Hotelgift has an extensive selection of hotels to suit every taste and preference. It's the perfect way to pamper the 40th birthday celebrant and let them unwind in a luxury setting they'll never forget.

2. An Activity Gift Voucher

buy an activity gift card for a luxury 40th birthday gift
For the thrill-seeker and adventurer at heart, an activity gift card is the ultimate 40th birthday gift idea. This experience gift card opens up a world of exhilarating experiences including golf experiences, foodie excursions, romantic activities, family gift experiences to animal experiences. With Activitygift, you can encourage the birthday celebrant to step out of their comfort zone and create unforgettable memories on their 40th birthday - either with their friends, family or other half.

Why not challenge them to take a scenic helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, learn to surf on the beaches of Australia, or embark on a guided safari adventure in Africa? Activitygift offers over 980 gift experience worldwide that cater to all levels of adventure, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to add an extra dose of excitement to their 40th birthday celebration.

3. A Flight Gift Certificate

a couple redeem their flight gift voucher as one of the best luxury 40th birthday gifts
No milestone birthday would be complete without the excitement of travel. Give a flight gift certificate to your favourite soon-to-be 40 year old and inspire them to travel the world by choosing from over 980 worldwide destinations. With an airline gift card, they can jet off to explore the world, ticking off their bucket list destinations or discovering new ones. Whether it's a weekend getaway to a charming European city, a tropical escape to the Maldives, or an epic adventure across the United States, Flightgift makes it easy to turn dreams into reality. The gift of travel is not only an opportunity to explore new cultures and cuisines but also a chance to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

With a flight gift certificate, you can choose from three fabulous formats:

  • Physical Flightgift: printed on luxury photo paper and sent with free worldwide shipping
  • eGift: an eco-friendly gift voucher ready in 5 minutes and sent straight to the recipient's inbox (great for last-minute gifting!)
  • PDF: choose a PDF version to print at home and give in person

When you buy a flight gift certificate, you can choose to upload anything from £25 to £10,000, so if you're really wanting to splash out on your 40th birthday gift recipient, you can do so! And why not go all out and gift a voucher with the value of a first class flight - you're only 40 once after all!

4. Personalised 40th Birthday Cake from G C Couture

give a personalised 40th birthday cake from G C couture London as a luxury 40th birthday gift
Commission a talented baker to create a custom-designed 40th birthday cake that reflects the birthday person's hobbies, interests, or life journey. Whether it's a 40th birthday cake shaped like their favourite book, a hobby-related design, or a cake adorned with edible photos from their past, a personalised birthday cake adds a special touch to the celebration that everyone can enjoy a piece of.If you're near London, you can't go wrong with G C Couture. Based in the heart of Mayfair, their bespoke cakes are truly showstoppers and famous for their high-end, top-level cake design.

5. Personalised Star Map

give a personalised star map as a luxury 40th birthday present
Our next luxury 40th birthday gift idea is a custom star map from The Night Sky featuring the night sky on the date and location of their birth, framed as a beautiful piece of wall art.

6. Le Creuset Chef’s Apron

If your gift recipient is a wiz in the kitchen, they'll appreciate this top-quality Le Creuset Chef's Apron that lets them cook up a storm in style. Made from 100% canvas cotton and fully machine washable, Le Creuset is known worldwide for it's top quality products - and it's kitchen wear is no exception!

7. A Personalised Book

Share all the reasons you love them by gifting this fill-in-the-blank book that tells their story for their 40th birthday. It comes with handy prompts that helps you get inspired on exactly what to write that will make them feel valued and appreciated.

8. A Sunrise Alarm Clock

buy a sunrise alarm clock as one of the best luxury gifts
Technology has come too far to be woken up by that jarring alarm sound. With a sunrise alarm clock you get gently woken up by a light that gradually brightens your room and even get wound down gently for sleep with a sunset, soothing music and sleep sounds. These sunrise alarm clocks are sleek, stylish and a god send for those looking to elevate their sleep and wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready for the day.

9. Calm App Subscription

a subscription to the calm app is one of the best luxury 40th birthday ideas
Gift them a subscription to the Calm app, providing access to a treasure trove of meditation, relaxation, and sleep resources. With Calm, they can find serenity and mindfulness in their daily life, ensuring a tranquil start to their new decade.

10. A Weighted Blanket

Consider adding a luxurious weighted blanket to enhance their relaxation experience for their 40th birthday gift. Weighted blankets are designed to provide a gentle, even pressure across the body, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. They can improve sleep quality and help alleviate stress, making them a thoughtful gift for a restful night's sleep and overall well-being.

11. Sony A7C R Full Frame Camera

one of the best 40th birthday gift ideas is a Sony A7C R Full Frame Camera
Sure, we all have our phones, but the photos taken on a high-tech camera far outweigh the quality taken on just our mobiles. Choose to give the Sony A7C R Full Frame Camera as a luxury 40th birthday gift to let your loved one capture life's biggest moments with a high-tech camera that boasts advanced features and exceptional image quality. This unique 40th birthday gift allows them to document their adventures, create beautiful memories, and explore the world of photography, making it perfect for those with a passion for capturing life's beauty. It's lightweight, ergonomic and comes with a fantastic battery life.

12. Jo Malone Diffuser

a jo malone diffuser is one of the best 40th birthday gifts
Last on our list of luxury 40th birthday gift ideas is a deluxe Jo Malone diffuser. With this luxury 40th birthday gift, they can enhance their living space with a Jo Malone diffuser, infusing their home with exquisite scents and creating a tranquil atmosphere. Jo Malone's luxurious fragrances offer a touch of elegance to any room and provide a soothing sensory experience that their house guests will compliment whenever they step inside.

Which of these luxury 40th birthday gifts will you buy?

In conclusion, choosing the best 40th birthday gift can be quite the challenge, but our carefully curated selection of the finest 40th birthday gift ideas caters to all genders. From opulent hotel gift cards to exhilarating activity vouchers and personalised flight gifts, we have something to make this significant milestone celebration truly memorable. Whether it's about travel, culinary pleasures, self-expression, or relaxation, our list has you sorted. But if you're shopping for another important occasion, our blog is packed with gift guides covering luxury 21st birthday gifts, personalised weddings gifts and last-minute anniversary gifts to ensure you find a gift they'll actually want.