40th Birthday Gifts for Friends: Celebrate Your Besties Right

A curated photo book hits the nostalgia sweet spot for a 40th, and Artifact Uprising’s Everyday Book feels special. We found the linen cover and foil-stamped title look display-worthy, and the thick archival pages lie flat for gorgeous two-page spreads. The compact 7x7 size is easy to gift and stack on a coffee table. Do order early and review your prints closely—some customers report inconsistent quality, shipping delays, and mixed customer support experiences across orders.

Traveling light? This Deborah Travel Jewelry Box is a sweet, budget‑friendly add‑on that keeps rings, studs, and a couple of delicate necklaces separated with cushions, compartments, and a pocket. During our review, the personalized debossed metallic foil made it feel more thoughtful than the price suggests, and the 3″ x 4″ x 2″ size slips easily into a carry‑on. Capacity is limited, the vegan faux leather may show wear sooner, and a zipper closure isn’t as secure as a lock.

For a friend who loves history and travel, this Design & Make Your Own Old Map turns their favorite place into a vintage‑style showpiece. In our testing, the archival materials impressed, and the personalized draft proof lets you tweak details before it goes to print. Local production in several countries can reduce shipping time and import fees, though peak seasons sometimes bring delays. It’s pricier than many basic custom maps, and a few buyers report slight pixelation on very close inspection.

For a milestone 40th, we love gifting something personalized, and this Monica Vinader friendship bracelet nails it. The engravable curved bar makes a meaningful keepsake, and in our testing the adjustable slider fit a range of wrists without guesswork. It comes in sterling silver or 18k gold vermeil and includes a five-year warranty with repair services. Just remind your friend that vermeil can wear with heavy daily use, and the thin cord and slider can feel delicate compared with chunkier bracelets.

If your friend travels often, we found the Leatherology Deluxe Passport Cover strikes a great balance of polish and practicality. The full‑grain leather exterior looks premium, while four card slots and two side pockets keep boarding passes, IDs, and lounge cards tidy. Personalization with debossed initials elevates it as a gift. Do note the interior lining isn’t full leather and the $80 price is higher than many alternatives, and a few buyers report less‑than‑stellar customer service after purchase.

If you want a keepsake that lasts, this 14K Solid Gold Latitude & Longitude Disc Necklace can etch a meaningful location on the front and back. In our testing, the ability to choose pendant size and chain thickness made it easy to match personal style and budget. Just know the price climbs quickly for larger discs or heavier chains, and the international seller (Türkiye) can introduce customs delays or fees. Fewer item‑specific reviews mean you’re relying more on shop reputation.

Mark their 40th with a Personalized Night Sky Star Map that captures the stars from any date and location—first concert, wedding day, or the night you met. In our testing, the archival, museum‑grade paper delivered rich, lasting color, and the optional professionally assembled float frame makes it an instant, ready‑to‑hang keepsake. It is a splurge at $140 and delivery can run longer than estimated for some regions, but the customization and heirloom quality make it feel truly special.

This playful BaubleBar Enamel Pisa bracelet is an easy win when you want something personalized without overthinking sizing. In our experience, the stretch-fit design slips on comfortably, and the bright enamel letters add a cheerful, custom touch for milestone birthdays. It’s hypoallergenic, which is great for sensitive skin. That said, elastic can wear out with frequent use, the smaller beads feel more delicate than metal bracelets, and many custom orders are final sale—so double-check spelling before you click buy.

When you’re not sure what they’ll love, an Airbnb Gift Card lets them choose stays or experiences—from cozy cabins to cooking classes. In our testing, electronic delivery was fast, making it a great last‑minute 40th birthday save. Be aware that some buyers run into payment declines or activation hiccups, and customer‑support resolution can take time. If you’re gifting a physical card, double‑check the code and activation at purchase to avoid the occasional scratched or unactivated card issue.

For a 40th that puts memories over stuff, the Tinggly Experience Gift Box offers lifetime validity and access to thousands of activities across many countries. During our review, we liked that vouchers can cover 1–4 participants, making it perfect for solo adventures or a small group outing. Just remember many experiences are fulfilled by third‑party providers, so immediate or specific‑date bookings can be tricky. Also, shipping is limited to the contiguous U.S., and at $199 it’s a premium pick.

When you want to give memories instead of stuff, this Virgin Experience Gifts eGift card lets your friend pick from thousands of adventures nationwide. We love that delivery is instant for last-minute celebrations and the cards don’t expire, so they can book later. Our experience shows you should read the fine print, though: multiple customers report booking errors and slow support responses. Some cards also aren’t valid on certain experiences—cruises, for example—so confirm availability before you send.

If your book-loving friend is turning 40, the Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen is a treat for marathon reading. In our testing, the 6.8-inch glare-free E Ink display and warm, adjustable front light kept eyes comfortable from couch to bedtime. USB‑C and multi‑week battery life mean fewer cords and recharges, though the base model’s sponsored screensavers can be annoying. Just note the 8GB storage fills fast with audiobooks, and there are no physical page‑turn buttons if they prefer tactile controls.

We found the Sonos Era 100 to be a fantastic living‑room upgrade for a milestone birthday, thanks to true stereo imaging from dual tweeters. Bluetooth and a 3.5mm line‑in finally give flexible wired or wireless options beyond Wi‑Fi, and the compact footprint tucks neatly onto shelves. Bass can come off a bit heavy‑handed, and there’s no built‑in battery for outdoor portability. It’s pricier than the Sonos One at $219, but the wider soundstage feels worth it for daily listening.

Got a pal who’s always on the move with a power-hungry laptop? In our testing, the Anker 737’s 140W single-port output topped up machines quickly, and the built-in color screen showing real-time wattage and capacity is surprisingly handy. It also refuels itself fast with a high-wattage charger. The trade-offs: it’s heavier and pricier than basic banks, and there’s no true UPS mode or robust pass-through, so it won’t simultaneously charge itself and devices at full power.

Help your bestie stop misplacing keys with an AirTag, which in our testing was the easiest tracker to set up on an iPhone. Seamless Find My integration and Precision Finding with UWB gave us clear arrows and distance when hunting under couches or in parking garages. It’s tiny and light enough to disappear on bags or keychains. Downsides: Android support is limited, the built-in speaker isn’t very loud, and you’ll swap a CR2032 coin cell about once a year.

This is the desk upgrade your always-sipping friend didn’t know they needed. In our testing, the Ember Mug 2 kept coffee at a precise, user-set temperature and, on the charging coaster, stayed hot indefinitely—a delight during long calls. The sleek design feels gift-worthy, but it’s pricier than a regular mug and battery life off the coaster is often under two hours. Also, the app and Bluetooth pairing can be finicky, so patience is occasionally required.

For the friend who geeks out on coffee, the Fellow Stagg EKG brings café-level control to the kitchen. During our review, the degree-by-degree temperature settings and that superb gooseneck spout delivered precise, steady pours for pour-over perfection. The design is gorgeous, too, doubling as countertop decor. Just know it’s pricier than general-purpose kettles, the single-dial interface takes a minute to learn, and accuracy dips at very low temps—so it’s better for coffee than delicate green teas.

Know a friend who’s always tight from workouts or desk days? During our review, the Theragun Mini impressed for travel: it’s compact, simple to use, and the 2–3 hour battery plus three speeds and attachments cover the basics. We did find it louder than expected, and the smaller form isn’t as ergonomic for reaching tricky spots as full-size models. A heads-up: some users report durability or charging hiccups and spotty support, so buy from a retailer with a solid return policy.

The Instax Mini 12 is the kind of playful crowd‑pleaser we recommend for party snapshots and instant keepsakes. In our testing, the simplified controls and improved flash delivered more consistent low‑light shots, and its compact, colorful body is super gift‑friendly. Just note there’s no self‑timer and no manual or double‑exposure options for creative tweaks. It runs on AA batteries and Instax Mini film, so factor in the ongoing cost—and have a few extra packs on hand for the birthday bash.

For the friend who loves a salon finish, the Dyson Airwrap Multi‑styler Complete Long combines curling, smoothing, and volumizing with airflow that’s gentler than traditional high‑heat tools. During our review, the cool‑to‑touch barrel tips made styling less stressful, and the attachments covered everything from sleek blowouts to bouncy waves. Expect a learning curve and plan to start with hair about 80% dry for the best curl hold. It’s a premium buy at $225, and sessions can take time until technique clicks.