Top 40th Birthday Gifts for Men: Awesome Ideas for Guys Turning 40

I have selected here what I feel are some of the best 40th birthday gifts for men as they reach this major milestone year.  But I confess that my husband recently turned the big four-oh and he can be credited with a lot of these ideas.  These gift suggestions range from amazingly cheap (but not chintzy) items to more expensive luxury presents. Most of these gifts are suitable for any male coworker, client, work associate, friend, husband, brother, or other family member or acquaintance turning 40 years of age.

So, okay, when brainstorming ideas for what to get the guy, the first suggestion that comes to mind is an over-the-hill gift. But there's oh-so-much more if you really stretch your creativity.

A man turning 40 will appreciate not only humorous gag gifts and funny T-shirts, but also cool gadgets he can use, fun books that make him look at his new decade slightly differently, nostalgic music and movies, and unusual items of luxury he'd never go to the trouble of getting for himself, not to mention the failsafe gift baskets filled with tasty food, which are the perfect default choice if nothing else will work. You'll also find a small selection of cheap items that are ideal for those, let's face it, obligation presents for forty-year-old male coworkers.

We all know that when he hits the big four-oh, he's in for it - the over-the-hill joke gifts, that is.

People can't resist point out that the "old man" is turning 40, and from here, it's just one stop to dentures and walking sticks. He'll have to face the teasing again for the next few decade milestones, too. (Don't we all!)

You'll find a few over-the-hill gifts for guys here. But if you think it's all getting kind of old (no pun intended - well, okay, it was) - then check out these humorous gifts with attitude and warmth.

From books like Forty Things to Do When You Turn Forty, You Know You're Forty When..., and the witty How to Survive Your 40th Birthday to T-shirts that say "Forty Rocks," your guy will actually feel pretty great to get these funny birthday presents.

In fact, if he was feeling over the hill before, he may just get a new perspective on the whole thing and start feeling younger than he has in years!

Create a fun environment with the fabulous music of the Billboard Top Hits 1972 and celebrate the year of his birth at the same time. At the party, you will not believe the memories that are evoked simply from playing songs that he grew up with.

Affordable presents are the name of the game these days. With the recession hitting folks hard, it's becoming increasingly popular to make your own birthday gifts or buy cheap gifts, taking seriously the motto, "It's the thought that counts."

These aren't just inexpensive gifts, though - they're funny, cute, thoughtful, or creative gifts hand selected for men age 40.

And they're appropriate for a work party, if this is a gift for a guy you work with.

Take a special look at the 40th birthday glasses - these are great for the party.

And don't miss the set of 1972 coins celebrating the year of his birth.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, try this awesome motorcycle piggybank. How could he resist it?

40 Year old guys were some of the first members of Generation X, the relatively small generation that followed the baby boomers and grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Forty is a great time for a guy to think back over the first half of his life and (knock on wood) towards the next half. 

I've selected some fascinating books about this generation.  He'll have fun poring over Totally Awesome 80s or exploring the, um, positive attitude of X Saves the World: How Generation x Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything From Sucking.

Milestone Birthday Presents by Gender

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