Looking for 40th birthday gift ideas for men? There are so many ways to celebrate this important life milestone, but finding the right gift can be a serious challenge. Don’t panic – I’m going to share my top gift ideas for men of all tastes.
The Best 40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Men
1. Funny Whiskey Candle
A candle may not be the first thing that comes to mind when buying a gift for a guy, but this one has a funny saying and smells like whiskey and cedarwood.
I love the saying on the label: I’m not saying you’re old..but if you were a whiskey, you’d be really expensive.
You can give him this candle as part of a bigger gift or on its own. Just make sure he’s someone who would appreciate a candle.
2. Poker Night Gift Mug
If he’s a big fan of poker, why not plan a poker night with his friends for his 40th? You can give each guest a poker night gift mug filled with whatever you think they’ll love, like:
- Snacks – peanuts or jerky are great choices
- A mini bottle of booze
- A deck of cards
- Dice
- Poker chips
3. DIY Beer Garden
If he’s a fan of beer, make him a DIY beer “garden.” Grab a wooden crate and fill it with:
- Bottles of his favorite beer
- Snacks, like bags of peanuts and pretzels
- Potted herb to add some greenery – basil is a great choice
You can add a little sign that says “beer garden” or “biergarten” if you want to add a finishing touch to it.
Related: 25+ Best Gift Ideas for Men Who Have Everything
4. Vintage Whiskey Glass
One of the most popular 40th birthday gift ideas for men is a vintage whiskey glass like this one that has the person’s birth year and the phrase “aged to perfection cheers to 40 years.”
You could even fill the glass with a mini bottle of whiskey or whiskey stones.
Even if he’s not a whiskey drinker, he’ll still appreciate and use this glass.
5. 40 Letters from 40 People
Here’s a thoughtful and sentimental gift idea: have 40 people he knows each write a letter to him. If you can’t get 40 people to participate, then get as many as you can. He’ll appreciate it no matter how many letters he receives.
They can share their favorite memories with him, his impact on their lives, or their well wishes for the years to come.
Once you receive the letters, add them to a 3-ring binder and put them in clear sheet protectors. You can finish the gift with a thoughtful card.
6. 40 Sucks Pail
Turning 40 can be hard. Today, 40 is still young, but there’s the stereotype that you’re over the hill once you hit this milestone and everything is downhill from here. You can play on this idea by giving him a bucket full of lollipops and a little sign that says, “40 sucks.”
You can give this as part of a bigger gift or just as a gag gift. You’re sure to get a laugh out of him.
7. Mini Booze Card
Here’s a really cute idea that he’ll love. Make a big card for him with mini bottles of alcohol – or whatever drinks fit well with your card’s message.
Grab some black poster board and markers and follow the same idea as the pin above.
8. Custom Docking Station
Looking for more practical 40th birthday gift ideas for men? A custom docking station is a great choice. Docking stations can hold watches, sunglasses, keys and his phone. He can keep it beside his bed or wherever he usually charges his phone.
You can personalize the gift to make it even more special.
9. 40 Reasons Gift
If you’re looking for something a little more sentimental, this idea is perfect. Have your family and friends help you create a poster filled with 40 reasons why everyone loves him.
You can frame the gift, so he can put it on display. You can also find a pre-made poster canvas print on Amazon that will save you time.
10. The Toast Gift Box
Celebrate his 40th with The Toast Gift Box from Anthropologie. It includes so many awesome things, like:
- Sparkling white tea
- Champagne bears
- Popcorn
- Champagne lollipop
- Sparkler
- Copper champagne flutes
- A set of conversation starters by Table Topics
And it all comes in a beautiful keepsake box. It’s the perfect gift for any guy turning 40, even those who have everything.
11. Beer Brewing Kit
Has he always wanted to learn how to brew his own beer? His 40th birthday is the perfect opportunity to make his wish come true.
Give him a DIY home brew set. You can even find mead brewing kits, so there’s something for every taste.
Related: 15 Best 5 Senses Gift Ideas for Him That He’ll Actually Want
12. Gag Tumbler Gift
No one wants to believe that they’re getting older. This gag gift tumbler is perfect for the occasion because, let’s face it, it’s “weird being the same age as old people.”
This tumbler comes in a variety of colors and designs, so you’re sure to find one that he’ll love.
Plus, it has double-wall vacuum insulation to help retain hot and cold liquids. Whether he loves to drink coffee or even cola, this tumbler will keep it just the right temperature.
13. Old Man Survival Tool Kit
Didn’t expect to find a survival tool kit on our 40th birthday gift ideas for men? It’s a cute gift that will supply him with the essentials for turning 40. A few items that are necessary are:
Fill up the survival tool kit with anything you like, and feel free to add a card or a note that he’ll be sure to love.
14. Fire Extinguisher Bar
A fire extinguisher bar is a neat gift that he will never expect. He’ll think that you’re giving him a fire extinguisher, but once he picks it up, he’ll instantly notice that it is a bar filled with shot glasses and his favorite alcohol.
Quite a few options exist on Amazon, but they are expensive, like this one.
You’ll need to buy the alcohol somewhere else because you obviously can’t buy it at a store like Amazon.
15. Custom Photo Cube
Custom photo cubes are another nice gift option, and you’ll find that they’re very affordable, too. MCS offers a custom cube on Amazon that is six-sided and clear.
If you don’t mind spending a little more and want a fancier cube, this 5-inch keepsake cube is a top choice.
Of course, you’ll need to supply the photos. You can add great photos to the cube, such as one with you and the person or animal pictures.
16. Weekend Getaway
Weekend getaways are always welcome – birthday or not. You can find plenty of options locally, even if it’s just a short ride from his home. Groupon may have some good deals, but they’ve been a hit or miss in recent years.
Whatever trip you decide to book, you’ll want to give him a few, additional gifts that he can wear during his travels, such as a grandpa t-shirt, “weird being the same age as old people” mug or a “straight outta my thirties” shirt.
Related: 15 Trendy Birthday Gifts for Husband
17. Achievement Unlocked T-Shirt
Gamers will love a t-shirt that is game-oriented. You can opt for an “achievement unlocked” t-shirt with his new level, 40. Numerous options are available on Amazon that are fun and witty.
A few shirts that he may like are:
18. 40 Lottery Tickets
One of the 40th birthday gift ideas for men that he’ll surely love, especially if he wins, is lottery tickets. You’ll need to buy these locally, and you can give him a frame to put all forty of the tickets inside.
Scratch off lottery tickets work very well because they’re instant, but you can also buy others if a larger drawing is going off soon.
19. 40 Beer Glass
He’s hit a major milestone, and now it’s time to drink to forget just how old – or young – he is. A fun option is the 39 + one middle finger mug. You’ll need to be sure that he has a good sense of humor, which you’ll know better than me.
If you want to be a little less brash, you can choose one of the “Vintage” and year mugs, kind of like this one on Amazon.
20. 40th Birthday Survival Kit
He’s survived this long, but he may need a survival kit for the year ahead. A survival kit is easy to create, and you can even add all of the unique items that you give him to a Ziploc bag.
And, what can you add? Anything you like, but this idea has rubber bands, pudding (because he’s going to have trouble chewing soon), Band-Aids and a few others.
