40th Birthday Gift Ideas for People Celebrating Midlife in Style

21 of the best gift ideas for 40th birthdays

L-R PJ Johnson, Dinosaur Designs, Our Place, Marais, Emma Lewisham, Merit, Garden Glory, July and Duck Ragu·Photo: Images Supplied

Middle age has never looked better. From a butterfly-flecked serving platter to luxe fragrances and the chicest garden hose around, we’ve got you covered for even the hardest-to-buy-for friends and family.

Words by Simone Richardson And Alice Jeffery · Updated on 24 Jul 2025 · Published on 02 Jun 2025

They say 40 is the new 30. And as with any transitional moment in life, there can be pressure to commemorate the occasion in a big way. From little indulgences that enhance their everyday routine to more generous offerings that they’ll treasure for years to come, finding the right gift is part of the fun.

P Johnson silk scarf

$295

P Johnson’s tailoring is a cut above the rest. And the brand’s woven silk twill scarves are endlessly elegant. The square design can be worn tied at the nape of the neck with a favourite blazer or even wrapped around the handle of a classic tote bag.

Buy at P Johnson

Merit Retrospect fragrance

$147

Cult US label Merit launched its fragrance in Australia earlier this year. Retrospect is a shape-shifting scent that opens with airy florals and settles into a warm musky base – and it lingers for over 12 hours. The sculptural bottle, inspired by modernist jewellery, is designed to be left out on display.

Buy at Merit

Loewe Pebble mini bucket bag

$3400

A forever piece in deep burgundy, Loewe’s design is crafted from smooth calf leather and finished with the house-engraved anagram on an oversized pebble closure. The structured silhouette and adjustable strap make it easy to wear crossbody, over the shoulder or carry by hand.

Buy at Marais

Duck Ragu custom stained-glass mirror

$83

Melbourne label Duck Ragu turns stained glass into playful, one-off mirrors. Each piece is handmade by artist Poppy Templeton using repurposed glass and old-school copper foiling – with designs that range from geometric bursts to kookaburras and cocktails. Templeton takes custom orders for a more personal gifting choice.

Buy at Duck Ragu

Cushla Whiting Contours narrows cuff

$2100

Inspired by the contour lines on a map, Melbourne designer Cushla Whiting’s Contours collection nods to her background in architecture. Alongside earrings and pendants, the edit includes striking wrist cuffs in varied silhouettes and finishes – like this sleek silver style.

Buy at Cushla Whiting

Imbibe Recover Rest gift box

$80

This is not your average bedtime beverage. Imbibe’s antioxidant-rich hot chocolate blends Rainforest Alliance cocoa with creamy coconut milk powder, magnesium, amino acids and other minerals – all designed to promote deeper rest, soothe the nervous system and support recovery. It’s paired with a handmade ceramic cup for a wind-down ritual worth looking forward to.

Buy at Imbibe

Degoey Planet Butterfly serving platter

$399

This sculptural two-piece platter is all whimsy – handmade from earthenware clay and finished with glossy powder-blue butterflies. The metallic silver glaze mimics steel, but every irregular stroke reveals an artful human touch. It’s designed to be used as a centrepiece for cheese, dessert and more.

Buy at Degoey Planet

July carry-on suitcase

$325

Frequent flyers will love July’s signature carry-on suitcase. It comes equipped with an ejectable battery with USB and USB-C ports, holding enough power to charge phones and laptops on the go. And you have the option to personalise the case with their initials or a picture of their pet.

Buy at July

Garden Glory hose kit

$359

Green thumbs will obsess over Garden Glory ’s luxury hoses. The chicest addition to their backyard, this gift may well repay you with fresh cut flowers or veggie patch produce in due time.

Buy at Garden Glory

Curio Practice blanket

$530

Curio Practice’s handwoven blankets are the definition of everyday luxury. They’re made from merino wool and come in bold checked designs to fit queen- and king-sized beds – but we think they look equally chic thrown across a sofa.

Buy at Curio Practice

Gozney Arc pizza oven

$1199

Gozney’s ovens bring woodfired pizzas to backyards big and small. The brand’s Arc is the most compact design yet. It’s perfect for setting up on apartment balconies, shared gardens or inner-city courtyards. The “plug and play” set-up means this oven is ready to go as soon as they unbox it. Just pop in the batteries and plug in the gas. Plus, one of Gozney’s key selling points is that you can cook a pizza in about 60 seconds. Just be sure you secure a standing invite to any future pizza nights.

Buy at Gozney

Ilio Nema Cypress Chios boucle coat

$995

Ilio Nema is the slow fashion label that focuses on traditional artisanal craft. Some pieces take up to five days to weave by hand – including the brand’s signature caftans. But this cosy boucle coat proves the brand is just as good at winter layers too.

Buy at Ilio Nema

Our Place Wonder Oven

$289

Until recently, air fryers weren’t exactly known for their looks. But Our Place just launched its Wonder Oven in Australia – and that could be about to change. The sleek, multi-functional appliance comes in four colours and can air fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat and toast – all in one chic, compact design.

Buy at Our Place

Conserving Beauty hyaluronic cloths and cannister

$200

Part skincare, part makeup prep – these multi-tasking cloths are soaked in a high-performance blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol and green tea. Created in collaboration with famed makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench , they hydrate, smooth and remove makeup in one sweep – leaving skin dewy and prepped for makeup. Each refill pack holds 14-times the serum of your average bottle.

Buy at Conserving Beauty

Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 mineral glow serum

$83

Emma Lewisham’s eponymous skincare line has amassed a loyal following since launching in 2019. Known for its signature purple packaging and efficacious products, the New Zealand brand just released an ultra-luxe tinted mineral sunscreen for anyone who wants a bronze glow mixed in with their SPF 50.

Buy at Mecca

The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook: The New Classics

$54.99

To mark the graduation from the dirty thirties to mid-life security, there’s nothing like the recipes from Melbourne’s culinary evolution to remind you what’s important. With dishes that serve a touch of nostalgia, or a fresh take on what’s new around town, The New Classics covers it all.

Buy at Broadsheet Shop

Maison Balzac cello apron

$79

For those who love to host, Maison Balzac’s cello-shaped apron is the perfect dinner party accessory. The linen design matches the Sydney brand’s whimsical take on homewares – the rest of the La Danse collection brings plenty of theatrics to the table.

Buy at Maison Balzac

Slip silk pillowcase

$115

Slip’s silk pillowcases don’t just add a luxe touch to bedding sets, they can also help skin and hair by limiting moisture loss. The smooth texture reduces the friction that can cause you to wake up with frizzy or tangled hair. And the cool touch also keeps hot sleepers more comfortable.

Buy at Aura Home

Baina Sulis bathrobe

$275

Baina’s towels are a favourite among Broadsheet editors. And when the antipodean brand introduced a bathrobe to its range, it became an instant wishlist item. If your friends and family are anything like us, they’ll love you for adding this luxe terry robe to their bathing routine.

Buy at FWRD Buy at Baina

Dinosaur Designs Temple Earth earrings

$105

There’s an artful quality to Dinosaur Designs’ Temple Earth earrings. Sculpted in the brand’s signature resin and accented with polished brass, the colourful design brings a sense of relaxed glamour to everyday outfits. Each pair is unique, with organic shapes and swirls that evoke the natural world.

Buy at Dinosaur Designs

Breville Smart Grinder Pro

$299

Caffeine fiends will love you for amping up their morning routine with Breville’s Smart Grinder Pro. There’s a choice of 60 settings that offer the perfect texture for any brew: French press, filter or espresso.

Buy at Myer Buy at Breville

Kitchenaid stand mixer

$699

A kitchen icon, Kitchenaid’s stand mixer is a must-have for bakers. Picking the right colour for the line-up of 15 might be the hardest decision you’ll make – is the recipient a classic cream person or more into a bold red? Fingers crossed they repay you with freshly baked bread and cakes for years to come.

Buy at Kitchenaid

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