Disclosure: Some of these items were gifted in return for an honest review.
In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled a diverse range of gift ideas that cater to the tastes, passions, and lifestyles of those navigating their 40s. From personalized and meaningful presents to practical and indulgent options, you'll discover the ideal gift to celebrate this significant moment in their life. So, whether you're shopping for a friend, family member, or your significant other, let's dive into this treasure trove of gift inspiration to help you make their 40s even more remarkable!
What can I buy for a 40 year old?
Here are our top picks this year:
Incohearent game
Continuing to have fun and a sense of humour as we grow is key - this hilarious party game for teens and adults will be a hit for those wishing to spend quality time with family and friends! Compete to make sense out of gibberish - Try saying the nonsense words out loud. Can you hear the hidden phrase? Listen closely - Can you decode the phrases before the timer runs out?
Although this game is for 17yrs+ you can select certain cards for use with younger family members (remove the 'kinky' cards for example!). It's amazing how obvious the phrases are once you've got the answer...and how tricky it can be to hear them before you do!
Groove Pillow and pillowcase
Groove Pillow – perfect to rest a weary 40 something head upon, especially if you’re starting to experience a few older aches and pains in the neck and shoulder region. Suitable for all adults, the award winning, orthopaedically approved Groove Pillow® is designed to relieve neck pain by cradling the head and neck. Insufficient support and some sleep positions such as stomach sleeping can trigger pain in the neck and other areas of the spine. Based on the anatomy of the cervical (neck) and shoulder area, the Groove Pillow® includes a specially contoured dip in its orthopaedic memory foam that supports the neck area and facilitates neutral spinal alignment by guiding the upper body into a more comfortable sleeping position whether you lie on your back or are a side sleeper.
This one above also features an amazing pillowcase (available to purchase separately) which is mulberry silk on top, and cotton underneath - perfect for taming frizzy hair, eliminating bedhead and making sure your pillow doesn't contribute to wrinkles!
I have been trying out this pillow and pillowcase for last few weeks as I often get neck pain and discomfort an it really is SO comfortable! It's also a standard size width so you really do feel like you can turn over and roll from one side of the pillow to the other without falling off the end like some other contoured pillows out there.
If you're looking to kit out your whole bed with something new and equally as supportive, then we can highly recommend the Simba Essential Hybrid Mattress for a comfortable night sleep. We have recently added this mattress to our IKEA Hemnes day bed to make it more supportive, paired with the mattress topper it has made a huge improvement.
Van Gogh The Essential Paintings
Perfect for an art lover - This magnificent boxed-set features stunning, accordion-fold, color reproductions of Van Gogh's essential works, accompanied by a separate booklet with background and descriptions of each painting.
Van Gogh's brilliant colors and expressive brush strokes come vibrantly to life in this sumptuous book that features approximately fifty of his most important works in generous accordion-fold pages. The large-format reproductions, printed on heavy stock, are presented chronologically, allowing for a close study of Van Gogh's development as an artist. In addition to his more well-known works, such as Irises, The Starry Night, Sunflowers, the Bedroom, Almond Blossom andWheatfield with Crows, readers will also discover how he experimented with landscape, still life and portraiture and how his influences changed over his brief but prolific career to embrace Impressionism, Neo-Classicism, and Pointillism, and incorporated elements of Symbolism as well as the techniques of Japanese woodcuts.
An accompanying booklet features thumbnails of each painting along with captions that highlight key elements, as well as a brief appraisal of his life and work. Both volumes are encased in a sturdy slipcase. The set is a must-have for fans of Van Gogh and an excellent resource for understanding why he remains one of the world's most beloved painters.
For more stockists visit Prestel.com
Hive & Keeper - Raw honey gift
The perfect gift for foodies, or those who love to look after their natural health and well being! Hive & Keeper is a British brand curating unique homewares and gifts that put provenance, great design, natural materials and treading lightly on the planet at the heart of what they do.
Hive&Keeper state:
“All of our beekeepers are good custodians of their bees and the environment
and work with landowners to encourage planting for pollinators, sustainable land
management and protect the natural landscape for their bees.
“We write the name of the beekeeper, where the bees are kept, when the honey
was harvested and how many jars were produced (always less than 500) on
every honey.”
As well as the honey being sourced responsibly and from British hives all of the
jars and labels are also sourced within the UK to keep transport miles and their
carbon footprint low.
Although a number of subscription options are available, featured here is 'The breakfast honey gift set' (also available as a subscription)
A limited-edition British breakfast honey gift set, each honey is different, straight
from the hive and a perfect way to brighten any morning!
Hive & Keeper has selected 3 of their limited edition honeys that taste
particularly good on toast, with porridge and in tea.
I have been testing out these jars of honey over the last couple of weeks and they are amazing! The timing could not have been more perfect, as I came down with a terrible cold not long after they arrived and quickly started on the honey and lemon tea, golden lattes (includes honey) and honey and raw garlic combinations! I also LOVE honey on brown toast for breakfast, and in my porridge on a cold morning so this set was perfect. I'm afraid it wont last long here!
Jigraphy football map of the UK and Ireland
Perhaps you have a football loving 40 something year old to buy for? This jigaw will keep them occupied, whilst focusing on a topic they are passionate about! Updated for the 2023/24 season, this amazing 300-piece jigsaw maps 148 clubs across nine leagues and builds into a stunning map, illustrating the football clubs of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Made to order, this is a great gift for any football fan.
The Copenhagen Company reed diffuser - Cedarwood and Seasalt
Give the gift of a beautiful smelling abode! If you're looking for a unisex home fragrance that will fit in any room of the house, then this is your answer: A fresh and salty sea breeze is combined with subtle blue freesia then gracefully blended with delicate florals and held together by a strong cedarwood and musk base.
Middle Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Violet Leaves
Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk
We've placed this one in our downstairs bathroom and it smells divine, and strangely familiar...like something from my childhood but I can't quite put my finger on it. I wish this blog had a scent button so you could all give it a sniff and see if you can work it out!!
The Secret Life of Clutter - Helen Sanderson
By the time you get to your 40's you'll have amassed quite a few things no doubt...some worth keeping and some not, but lots that will be hard to let go of.
Over the last 15 years Helen Sanderson decluttering has helped hundreds of people to create clear, beautifully-designed, well-organised homes. Helen provides the ultimate holistic decluttering service. Her work is about so much more than tidying up or getting rid of stuff.
Our spaces and mindsets are closely linked so Helen can help with both. Without addressing both aspects, many people find the clutter comes back or emotional baggage won’t shift.
A psychotherapist, interior designer and one of the UK’s most well-respected clutter experts, she provides the ultimate holistic decluttering service.
Helen helps people create beautifully organised, clutter-free homes and live more mindful and meaningful lives. She works with her clients holistically, both to uncover what their homes reveal whilst supporting them to let go and move on.
Her ethos is to work with compassion, and to empower people to take positive action to support change. This leads to life-changing shifts, which leave people with a new-found clarity, and homes they love, that love them back.
Helen is the author of The Secret Life of Clutter - as seen here, which is a fab gift to help a friend or family member get started on the path of decluttering.
You can buy Helen's book here or see more about her decluttering services here
The Juggler's Box - Clio Gray
Why not gift the gift of time out with a good book? This historical fiction book by Clio Gray was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Prize 2022, and is described as a writer who, "has an exceptional eye for detail, and her characterisation is superb".
Perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Sarah Waters, and Bernard Cornwell. The Juggler's Box is a riveting historical adventure, full of dangers, triumphs, and a journey like no other:
A body is found in a Salt Hedge with a crate of purloined books. Ruan Peat
is on the case. Hela believes she has the means to achieve Hungarian
Independence, if only she can get her hands on it. No one will be allowed to
stand in her way.
Greta Finnerty is smuggling a dead English officer through French lines, with
urgent news for the Dutch Authorities. Three strands pulling deftly drawn
characters together from remote Norwegian mountains, ancient
Russian battles, Irish and French Uprisings, until all three strands become
one in the exciting historical adventure that is The Juggler’s Box.
Kelly Loves Sushi Kit
Are you looking for a gift for a foodie in your life? Kelly Loves provides an Ultimate Sushi Kit, typical to the Far East. The kit contains everything you need to create a whole range of exciting and flavour-packed sushi rolls and maki, including toppings such as fried onions, ginger and wasabi. Kelly Loves provides authentic, delicious cuisine for recipes that can be made in the comfort of your home.
The sushi kit is the perfect option for both families looking to change up their weekly menu options or to gift to someone you love. It's the best time to get creative in the kitchen and bond over sushi.
Available at Kelly Loves here, we will be giving this a try soon - so I will pop back and let you know what we thought of this one!
Sarah x