A 40th birthday is one of the most exciting milestones in a woman’s life. Her 40th year is a time to reflect on four eventful decades past, and look forward to the years ahead, offering opportunity and adventure at this midway point of her life.

A woman turning 40 likely has a specific lifestyle that she leads, with all the interests and hobbies that go along with it. Perhaps she’s a mother who enjoys camping in her down-time, a solo-traveller planning her next escape, a marathon-runner planning her next career move – whoever she is, she’s certain to be completely unique. Which means when her birthday comes around, you’ll want to find a unique 40th gift for her that will reflect her individuality and passions.

A digital Gift Card is a fantastic 40th gift idea because it allows your giftee to have some choosing power in what they receive. Read our guide below for thoughtful 40th gift ideas that are sure to make even the choosiest woman feel treated on her birthday.

40th birthday gift ideas for her

Give a timeless gift to a timeless woman with Swarovski

Fine gold and silver jewelry never goes out of style, however knowing which she wears, and what forms of jewelry is her preference isn’t always an obvious choice. You can ensure she gets exactly what her heart desires with a gift card to Swarovski. With a wide range of gold, gemstone, and silver jewelry and watches, the birthday girl can spoil herself to the exact item to suit her aesthetic.

Inspire her next chapter with Barnes & Noble

Whether she’s dreaming of her next real-life escape or loves getting lost in the pages of a great story, a Barnes & Noble Gift Card is the perfect 40th birthday gift. From gripping thrillers to inspiring travel memoirs and practical guides for outdoor explorers, she can choose the books that speak to her adventurous spirit. Give her the freedom to explore new worlds — no passport required.

Treat her to sweeter dreams with Bed Bath & Beyond

As we get older and busier in our lives, finding a good night’s sleep can become harder than it used to be. While you can’t give her the gift of longer sleep-ins, you can help make her bed even more comforting with a gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond so she can find everything she needs to make her bedroom even more comfortable. Whether it’s fresh new linen sheets she’s looking for, or even a new mattress entirely, this 40th gift for her is the bedroom glow-up she didn’t know she needed!

Have her smashing out her new PBs with Academy Sports + Outdoors

We all have our go-to fitness options of choice – and so does she! Whether she’s stretching it out on the reformer, or running through her bicep curls in the home gym, there’s always some gear needed to help keep her strong and motivated. With a gift card to Academy Sports + Outdoors, she can choose from a wide range of sport and fitness gear, from activewear to training and sports equipment. Help her chase her personal bests with this thoughtful 40th birthday gift.

Spoil her to well-deserved self-care with Spafinder

Indulging in some self-care knows no age, but finding time for it can be harder as we get busier in our lives. Give her the perfect excuse to slow down with a Spafinder Gift Card. Redeemable across hundreds of leading spa and wellness centers US-wide, she can treat herself to facials, massages, mani and pedicures, hairstyling, health retreats and so much more. Give her the ultimate 40th birthday gift this year with a gift card that truly says; ‘you deserve this!’.

Give her the perfect excuse for an adventure with Virgin Experience

Sometimes the best gifts we can give are those that inspire lifelong memories! With a gift card to Virgin Experience, you can help give her a reason to try something new, perhaps even something she’s been dreaming of doing for the past number of years. Make 40 a year she won’t forget with a supercar drive, an off-road horse-riding tour, an abseiling expedition, or even a weekend getaway with this extra special birthday gift.

Toast her to forty unforgettable years with Prezzee

As her forty-year milestone approaches, this is the perfect time to reflect on why she is so special to you. Whether they’re a partner, friend, or family member, she’s certain to love a unique 40th gift that represents the individual she is, and the exciting adventures ahead of her. A Prezzee Smart eGift Card is the perfect 40th gift idea because it gives her full choosing power on the day of her special milestone.

With a Smart eGift Card, she can choose from hundreds of US brands across retail, dining, travel, experiences and more. And even if you live countries apart, you can still surprise her with a 40th birthday gift virtually thanks to Prezzee’s international gifting offering. Have her feeling like the woman of the moment with a little help from Prezzee!

Frequently asked questions about 40th birthday gifts for her

What is a good 40th gift for her?

Choosing a birthday gift isn’t always easy. When trying to find a 40th gift that will make her milestone feel extra special, these gifting considerations can help you find something suited to her:

• Consider the practicality of the gift - Does this item align with her current everyday activities or interests?
• Consider her current lifestyle – For example, if she has kids, maybe she won’t want a gift for the kids, but something she can enjoy for herself.
• Consider her gifting preferences – Some people prefer experience-based gifts or vouchers over physical gifts as they prioritise activities and trips over owned goods.

How much should I spend on a 40th gift?

How much you choose to spend on your 40th gift for her is completely dependent on your own budget, as well as your relationship with the birthday girl. If she’s a friend or indirect relative, most people will choose to spend between $40–$130. If she's your partner, sibling or daughter, you may choose to spend more.

What to write in a 40th birthday card?

When thinking about what to write in her 40th birthday card, it’s important to consider tone, which will be informed by the relationship you have with her. Do you often use humour together, or, are compliments or heart-felt words of wisdom more your way of communicating your love for one another? Here are some examples of both types of 40th birthday wishes that you can include in her card:

• Dear x,
  Happy birthday! Forty looks good on you… I’m jealous! Have a wonderful year tackling new adventures… and new gray hairs! 😉
  Love, your [sister/brother].
• To my dearest x,
  To think only a couple of decades ago we were 20… where has the time gone?! Thank you for all these years of friendship, the occasional morning headaches, and lots of adventures – I couldn’t have chosen anyone better to do them with.
  Love you lots, x
• To my dearest daughter,
  I can’t believe I’m writing this right now… 40?! Really?! How old does that make me?! You will still always be my little girl. I’m so proud to call you my daughter, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you my love. Hugs and kisses, [mom/dad].

Do you bring a gift to a 40th birthday party?

While it isn’t customary to bring a gift to every birthday of someone near and dear to you, a decade birthday (such as the 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday) are important milestones and often call for a special gift. Thinking of something that will suit them - especially if you haven’t seen each other in some time – can be tricky. A digital gift that gives them a little bit of choosing power is always a thoughtful and convenient gifting option. You can browse Prezzee’s Gift Cards to learn more about how they make a great gift for important birthdays such as her 40th.

What is a good 40th birthday gift for my daughter?

Knowing what to give your daughter on her birthday isn’t always a simple task. While you may have nailed her tastes in jewelry or hobbies when she was younger, knowing the exact things she loves in her older age can be a bit of a guessing game sometimes. Some helpful gifting considerations for mums when choosing a 40th gift for their daughters can include:

• What are some hobbies or interests you share? Giving her a gift card to an experience provider can allow her to choose a special date that you can enjoy together!
• If you want to give her something timeless like an item of gold jewelry but you aren’t 100% certain on what exact piece she’d like, a gift card to one of your favorite jewelers could be a great option. Then you can shop together and learn about her favorites on your shopping trip together for future reference!

Sometimes, the busiest of us can’t enjoy a little self-care, even if we secretly have been longing for it! By giving her a gift card to a local spa or wellness center, you can give her that motherly care, While letting her indulge in the spa and wellness services when it best suits her. Talk about the ultimate act of motherly love!