Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List

The best 40th birthday gift ideas

Mark this happy milestone with practical gifts for everyone.
By Liz Zack  on 
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Turning 40 is a pretty awesome milestone: You already have a decent sense of who you are, your finances are relatively stable, and if you have kids, you’ve probably found your groove with this whole parenting thing.

By that 40th trip around the sun, most people probably already have most things they “need,” so a birthday gift is an opportunity to shower them with plenty of things they wouldn’t spring for themselves. From practical to over the top, here are 24 birthday gifts for the big 4-0 that will make you a hero.

L’occitaine Shea Body Shower Oil

assorted L’occitaine products
Credit: L’occitaine

It’s about time to upgrade from the squeeze bottle of Dove, or worse, that bar – and make showering more luxe. Keep the bottle right in the shower and feel like you’re at a posh spa every time you lather up.

LILYPELLE Oversized Heated Camping Chair

two people camping
Credit: LILYPELLE

Got kids who play sports? You, my friend, are about to spend a lot of time on the sidelines. Which is awesome when it’s a gorgeous fall day and the sun is shining, definitively less awesome when it's 17 degrees and the kids are in overtime. With this chair, you won’t care either way.

Custom Initials AirPods Case with Keychain

assorted Airpod cases
Credit: Peace and Love Collective / Amazon

This monogrammed AirPods case means that no one can “mistake” yours for theirs. And they look fancy.

1984 Hat

man wearing 84 hat
Credit: NewEleven / Amazon

Wear it with pride, child of the ‘80s, and make sure everyone knows you didn’t get it at a vintage store (cause you look so young, obv) — you actually lived through it. You earned this fashion statement.

84 hat
Credit: NewEleven / Amazon

Refractory Materials Fireproof Imitated Human Fire Pit Skull 

black skulls burning on a firepit
Credit: JTRF Store / Amazon

For the right, slightly goth recipient, this may be the most magical gift they’ve ever received. These campy “skulls” are made from fireproof material, so you can make like Genghis Kahn and throw them into the blaze during your next fire pit night.

Label Maker Machine with Tape

label maker, label and app
Credit: Nelko / Amazon

Give the gift of supreme organization with an app-powered label maker. With this tiny gadget you can tackle pantry chaos or make return address labels for your holiday cards: Choose your own adventure.

label maker, label and app
Credit: Nelko / Amazon
Label Maker Machine with Tape
$19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01

RENPHO Eyeris Eyemask 

woman wearing eyemask
Credit: RENPHO / Amazon

Built-in heating pads and oscillating pressure is the ocular pleasure you didn’t know you were missing. This eye mask is foldable and the headband is adjustable so you can share — if you must.

RENPHO eyemask
Credit: RENPHO / Amazon
RENPHO Eyeris Eyemask 
$52.49 at Amazon
$98.19 Save $45.70

TRZLIFE Desk Vacuum

desk vacuums in pink and white
Credit: TRZLIFE / Amazon

It’s the little things that make the biggest difference — like a crumb-free keyboard, once and for all. Keep this little guy close at hand and hoover to your heart’s content.

hand holding white desk vacuum
Credit: TRZLIFE / Amazon
TRZLIFE Desk Vacuum
$15.97 at Amazon
$16.97 Save $1.00

Temperature Control Smart Mug, Self-Heating Coffee Mug LED Display

hand pour milk into coffee cup
Credit: VFZO / Amazon

Serious about great coffee? Us too. This warmer assures that your cuppa maintains perfect temperature, even after that morning meeting that went 30 mins long. Oh, and it charges your phone too.

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Glowforge Aura Laser Engraver and Cutter Machine

laser engraving
Credit: Glowforge / Amazon

For the next-gen in crafts and DIY, spring for a laser cutter. From custom acrylic name signs to macaroons with your monogram on them, this machine is massive fun for the creatively inclined.

Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow for Adults

woman sleeping with body pillow
Credit: Utopia Bedding / Amazon

Who says you have to be pregnant to use a body pillow? A full-length cushion, which can be covered in any case to match with décor, will support an aging (yes we said it) body in all the right places. 

woman sitting with body pillow
Credit: Utopia Bedding / Amazon

Nugget Ice Maker

woman eating out of a bowl
Credit: Silonn / Amazon

Nugget ice is just superior to frozen water in any other form. Full stop. This countertop machine ensures a steady supply. 

nugget ice maker
Credit: Silonn / Amazon
Nugget Ice Maker
$179.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $60.00

iRobot Vacuum

iRobot vacuum
Credit: iRobot / Amazon

Even if your recipient has a cleaning team come every other week, this can help stay on top of pet hair and other crumbs during the off week. An app helps to map the home, and then all that comes next is to set this little guy free  – he’ll make sure all the dog hair and cereal crumbs are gone by the time the birthday boy or girl gets home.

iRobot vacuum and app
Credit: iRobot / Amazon
iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Vacuum and Mop
$229.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $120.00

Becokan Beach Bags

woman holding beach bag
Credit: Becokan / Amazon

Waterproof and sandproof, this gift seems more expensive than it is. At 20 inches by 7 inches, it fits all the beach essentials from a towel and sunscreen to flip flops and a phone charger.

green striped beach bag
Credit: Becokan / Amazon
Becokan Beach Bags
$11.99 at Amazon
$17.99 Save $6.00

Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards

paddle board in water
Credit: Roc / Amazon

The gift of a paddle board is the gift of pure relaxation and fun. This one is inflatable, which means it's infinitely portable and can be easily stowed in a trunk and at at the ready for impromptu paddles.

paddleboards and equipment
Credit: Roc / Amazon
Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards
$199.99 at Amazon
$224.99 Save $25.00

Laneige Lip Mask

mask in a pink jar
Credit: LANEIGE / Amazon

This lip mask is a game-changer. If there is someone on your list who has yet to be converted to this soothing, healing, salve – you are about to make them very happy.

BOB AND BRAD C2 Massage Gun

person massaging leg with massage gun
Credit: BOB AND BRAD / Amazon

Way less expensive than that “other” brand, this massager has thousand of positive reviews on Amazon. Great for after a run, first thing in the morning, or simply to alleviate tight, tired muscles from sleeping the wrong way.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera Sky Blue

polaroid photos in photo book
Credit: Fujifilm / Amazon

Not just for teenagers, imagine how fun the next neighborhood hangout will be with photo artifacts in hand21` . Just like old-school Polaroids, these images are ready in seconds and yes, the camera even has a selfie setting.

Nutrichef 17 Cup Automatic Yogurt Maker

a family eating yogurt from the yogurt maker
Credit: Nutrichef / Amazon

The foodie on your list probably already has an ice cream maker. But do they have a yogurt maker? Healthier and incredibly delicious, you can make 17 different flavors at the same time.  

Twelve South AirFly Duo

bluetooth connector and charger with pouch
Credit: Twelve South / Amazon

Goodbye junky airline earphones. This transmitter allows travelers to plug in and then connect wirelessly with their headset of choice. What’s more, it makes sharing a breeze: everyone can watch the latest adventure flick together on family vacations. 

DreamSky Wooden Digital Alarm Clocks for Bedrooms

two alarm clocks
Credit: DreamSky / Amazon

Upgrade their daily alarm with this lovely and well-priced swap. Better yet, plug the phone in across the room — this clock won't vibrate as texts from mom come in.

wooden alarm clock
Credit: DreamSky / Amazon

Vortex Optics Triumph HD 10x42 Binoculars

woman using binoculars
Credit: Vortex / Amazon

There is some weird truth to the fact that as you get older, you pay more attention the birds in your yard. We don’t know why this is true — it just is. Whether the 40-year-old on your list has become a birder or just wants to peep the horizon now and again, these 10x42 binoculars are comfortable and durable.

black hd binoculars
Credit: Vortex / Amazon

Mini Projector

family watching movie on a projector
Credit: PVO / Amazon

This mini-projector is compact and portable, making it the perfect to pack on a camping trip. Project on the inside wall of the tent or string a sheet up for plein air viewing. It even comes with a remote control.

RF Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle Paperwhite

man reading on kindle with remote
Credit: Sycelu / Amazon

It may feel like the world’s laziest contraption – but it may also be the world’s most awesome. Imagine being under the covers while reading, and how annoying it is to uncocoon and click the page advance. But a remote tucked into your giftee’s palm, safely snuggled under the blankets? Pure bliss.

kindle reader with remotes
Credit: Sycelu / Amazon

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