Are your looking for that special gift for the women over 40 in your life, here is an updated guide on the best gifts for women over 40.
Whether you’re searching for gifts for your mother, daughter, sister, friend or anyone else you hold dear, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below. Perhaps you’re a husband looking for gift ideas for your wife. Or maybe you want to show your loved ones this list as a gentle hint about what you would like yourself!
This list includes my own favorites as well as suggestions you’ve left for me in the comments from previous years. So, if you have a great gift idea, don’t forget to tell me about it in the comments, so we can make this an even better resource.
This gift guide is mostly about fashion and items of style. I believe that every woman loves to receive gifts that make her feel more beautiful and confident in many ways.
Gift ideas for women over 50, over 40 or any age: How to choose what to buy
You know your loved one better than anyone, but it can be tricky to keep coming up with new ideas from year to year.
Think about their interests, and about any hints they may have dropped. Is there anything they have admired in the past few weeks or months, or said they would like?
Having said that, gifting is a chance to buy something they wouldn’t necessarily have treated themselves to so a surprise will be just as welcome. I’m sure they will love whatever you choose. Whatever you opt for, it shows you are thinking about them.
Below are my suggestions for gifts for women over 40:
Gift ideas for women: A tote
If you’re like me you like your bags big! A tote is both stylish and practical in every season to carry all the stuff that you need.
I often carry a tote when I want to take my big and heavy DSLR camera places! You can find a great selection of totes from Nordstrom here.
My recommended pick is this leather tote bag from Kurt Geiger London. It’s timeless, so easy to combine with many outfits.
The bronze color works as a neutral so will go with everything in her closet.
Kurt Geiger London leather tote
Read our article on the 10 affordable designer handbags in stores now.
Great gift ideas for women: Contemporary jewelry
I strongly believe in the power of modern, contemporary jewelry to really lift up an outfit and make the wearer look modern, fresh and youthful.
And my love for bold, contemporary jewelry is on trend right now. Great jewelry is featured in all the latest runways.
Below is a piece that I love. It mixes beads and chains and is a great contemporary necklace that will make every outfit special. If your loved one is working from home currently, a necklace will mean they will look great on those video conference calls without having to worry about the bottom of their outfit!
Karine Sultan layered necklace
Or, you could opt for a bracelet. This one (below) from Karine Sultan is an on-trend cuff style. The trend for 2020 is to wear your cuff with an evening dress, or to wear with day wear over the cuff of your sweater.
Or how about a pair of subtle stud earrings? The earrings below from All Saints are an interesting geometric shape which will add interest to everyday looks.
Etsy also has some great jewelry options. Here are some of my favorite Etsy stores.
Gift ideas for women who have everything: A good book
A good book is always a good idea, particularly right now with so many of us at home and looking for reading material. If you feel life is on hold to some extent right now, it’s great to be able to keep your finger on the fashion pulse with a good book.
Christian Dior’s The Little Dictionary of Fashion was written by the man himself in 1954 so it understandably has a charming, vintage feel to some of the tips. It’s a fascinating glimpse into what he felt were the three fundamentals of good dressing: Simplicity, grooming and good taste.
The Little Dictionary of Fashion: A Guide to Dress Sense for Every Woman
if you’re on a journey of self discovery, i enjoyed reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle. She takes you on a powerful journey from a woman who was too conditioned by society and her environment, to a woman who is fully in control of her own life. It’s also a love story between 2 women. Glennon is married to US soccer star Abby Wambach.
Her teachings are very much in line with what I teach in my program on building self confidence.
It’s often said that French women have the best style in the world. Whether you agree or not, they definitely have a certain je nais sais que, exuding confidence and getting better with age when it comes to their styling.
Now, the authors of How to Be Parisian, have written a book all about how to be older, but better.
If these have whetted your appetite, I have also created a comprehensive list of style books and audio books you can choose from.
Leggings
Leggings are a wo1man’s best friend year-round and if you follow our guidelines on how to wear leggings, you will look fabulous in them too.
These leggings are super soft, opaque and have a waist (which is great for flattening and hiding your belly!). Perfect for YouTube workouts, a daily walk, relaxing at home, or wearing under dresses and tunics to stay warm in cooler weather.
Check out our extensive guide on how to wear leggings.
Yoga wear
Does your loved one do Yoga or Pilates, or go to the gym when she is able to? I’m sure she’d love to look more stylish while exercising. I find if I look good while heading to exercise class, I feel more motivated.
Find out what are the best workout clothes from women over 40.
Scarves and wraps
Is the woman you want to surprise too fond of her boring black coat? Give her a great scarf to break up the all-black. The Halogen scarf (below) is cashmere so will be super soft against her neck.
A printed scarf like this one from Nordstrom (below) is chic and timeless, yet adds interest to your overall look. It would also look lovely with a classic beige trench coat.
Nordstrom cashmere & silk wrap
A waterfall style wrap or cardigan is very versatile and flattering. Plus, if you aren’t sure about her size, you don’t have to worry as this style is one-size-fits-all. Wear while lounging at home, or as outerwear over a sweater and jeans on cool days.
MELIFLUOS DESIGNED IN SPAIN open front wrap
Read more on our article on how to wear a scarf.
Shoes as gifts
It’s true! Women love shoes. We want them in all kinds of colors, heights and styles. Sneaker style shoes especially are very popular this season, and are always a great option, as are silver or gold flats and brogues.
Would you like to see your woman in a particular kind of shoe? This is your chance to really surprise her. You know her size (or if you don’t, just take a peak inside a pair she wears often), so you can order some fabulous shoes online.
If you’re looking for some inspiration before making your gift choice, you might want to check out this piece on the top shoe trends for this season.
Recommended shops for shoes: Zappos and Nordstrom
Silk shirt
When buying clothes as a gift, it’s a lovely idea to look out for luxurious fabrics such as silk, satin or cashmere. A silk shirt is a timeless option which looks just as good worn for a night out, for work, or with jeans for everyday.
A cashmere sweater
Talking about luxurious fabrics, cashmere is soft against the skin and almost feels silky to the touch. If your recipient finds wool sweaters itchy, cashmere could definitely be the answer. A tunic sweater would look good with leggings.
Nordstrom Signature cashmere tunic sweater
Gift ideas for women: A stylish coat
Has your loved one had the same coat for years and years? Perhaps they’d like to change their winter look this year. A wrap style is a good option as it’s flattering for the vast majority of women. Why not choose a bright color to cheer up dreary, gray winter days.
There’s more inspiration in this article on how to choose a winter coat.
Waterfall cardigan
Another flattering style for all body shapes is a waterfall cardigan. A draped style is perfect to wear as a layer to create a long, lean effect – and to stay warm, of course.
Wrap dress
If you want to buy clothing but don’t know what, you really can’t go wrong with a classic wrap dress.
It’s a universally flattering style that has the bonus of being flexible in terms of sizing as you can tie the belt in different ways.
Take a look at the best wrap dress styles for women over 40.
Crossbody Bag
Every season, bags have a new shape trend. However, if you want to make sure the bag you choose is truly timeless, a crossbody bag is a good option.
This bag from Tory Burch has a clean styling and classic versatility that is perfect to partner with any look.
Recommended shop: Nordstrom or Forzieri
Clutch bag
I’m sure your loved one will be heading out to a few dinners or seasonal events during the festive period. How about a clutch bag, so she has a stylish purse to keep all of her essentials which will go with her evening outfits?
A wallet
A wallet is always a necessity. Choose a style from her favorite brand and she’s sure to use it for many years to come.
Kate Spade New York bifold wallet
Best gift ideas for women: Luxurious pajamas
Pajamas are one of those gifts which can either be boring or beautiful. It goes without saying that you should go for a beautiful option.
There’s no better feeling than slipping into a stylish pair of pajamas and relaxing with a glass of wine, or a herbal tea, and a book before bedtime.
What could be nicer than coming down to breakfast in a beautiful robe? A lightweight robe is particularly useful when traveling as it easily fits into your suitcase for relaxing in your hotel room.
There’s also plenty of inspiration in this piece on the most stylish pajamas for women over 40.
Perfumes
Ok, this present is not super original but you can’t really go wrong by gifting a popular perfume.
If your loved one already has a favorite perfume and you want to play it safe, while still choosing something a little different, have a look to see if there is a new version of that scent available or a gift box.
You could buy a classic fragrance which she has loved for decades. This CHANEL perfume set is feminine and floral.
Or try a new fragrance like this bottle from Guerlain, which has a fresh oriental scent and is inspired by a tropical island in Thailand.
A scented candle
If your loved one loves to relax at home, a scented candle is the perfect gift. The Voluspa candle (below) smells of Prosecco, ripe peaches and apricots, and has a burn time of 100-hours.
Silk pillowcase
Have you got a silk pillowcase yet? Sleeping on silk helps to keep your hair looking good when you wake up as well as being kind to your skin. It has really helped me reduce the sleeping wrinkles on my face. The pure silk pillowcase from SLIP (below) comes in a range of colors so you can choose her favorite shade, or match her bed linen.
Bath salts
What could be better after a long day, or a long walk, than slipping into a warm, scented bath. Choose a bath salts gift set to help her relax.
LifeAround2Angels bath bombs gift set
Also take a look at these 14 self-pampering ideas for when you can’t get to the spa.
Face cream set
I don’t know of one woman who doesn’t use some sort of face cream. Either opt for her favorite brand if you know what she usually keeps on her bathroom shelf, or choose something more luxurious than she would normally buy herself.
I love the Laura Mercier range (below) as it feels very nourishing – and it smells lovely!
Laura Mercier hydrating duo set
Face mask set
Face masks can sometimes be tricky to give as gifts if you don’t know what skin type your loved one has. However, a sheet mask set like this one (below) from glam up features a huge choice of masks to suit everyone. My favorite is the green tea.
A mirror
One item I use almost every day is this mirror. They are not cheap but will save you so much frustration each day as the light is a lot brighter than on most mirrors and you can actually SEE those nasty little hairs that you need to remove.
As my eyes have deteriorated quite badly over the last few years, I have found it increasingly difficult to apply eye makeup or maintain my eyebrows. This mirror makes that so much easier!
I bought the mini Simplehuman mirror which magnifies 10 times! Also available on Amazon. You can buy the bigger one at Nordstrom. The bigger version is great for applying makeup but does not magnify as much as the smaller one.
Jewelry case
Pretty and practical. This jewelry is ideal for keeping rings, earrings and necklaces together after you take them off at night. It’s also perfect to take jewelry essentials away on vacation if you are planning a trip this holiday season.
Estrella Bartlett mini jewelry box
A planner
Maybe you’ve noticed, people are living longer.
But living longer doesn’t always mean living your best life. You may know older relatives who are less active, who are forgetful–maybe even isolated, lonely and depressed.
It doesn’t have to be that way, but it does require commitment and consistent behavior to avoid the traps of growing older.
And that’s where Five for Life, and the Five for Life Planner© come in which will help you take five daily actions that will help you live happier for longer.
I’m in the habit of writing in my journal every day now, and a planner like this can be really helpful to start your day right. (Want to know about this planner and creator and the business behind it, then check out my podcast with Molly).
Or if you don’t want a planner which is set out for you, you could always opt for a more traditional journal.
Water bottle
If the woman you are buying for loves to exercise and is often out for a walk or a run, how about an attractive water bottle to take with her?
For exercise
I use this roller every single day. It greatly helps with keeping your muscles supple and massages my legs, back and shoulders. I also use it to open up my shoulders. If you’re interested, I can do a demonstration at a future date on how I use it.
This roller also helps with cellulite as it evens out the fascia which will help smooth your legs and upper thighs.
It’s my perfect tool to keep injuries at bay, my back and shoulders in check and my legs smooth. Highly recommended!
Leather gloves
As the cooler weather sets it, it’s important to keep your hands warm. So, you may as well do that in the most stylish way possible. Colored leather gloves are particularly on trend this season, so look for a bright or autumnal color which is an alternative to the usual black or tan.
Glasses case
Most of us wear glasses of some sort and we need to take them anywhere and everywhere. This is one accessory that will get a lot of use. And if you want to keep your glasses in one piece this case below will come in very handy.
iPad cases
If you love your iPad as much as I do, you need a good case. And why settle for boring when you can have fun with a print instead. I love the art inspired pattern on the Fintie iPad case (below).
Phone cases
I definitely need a new iPhone case. This phone case from Casetify looks pretty, as well as offering protection if you happen to drop your phone.
A gadget
A Kindle is a great gadget for the avid reader who can’t live without books. When cold weather sets in, an e-reader will allow your loved one to read as much as they want to without leaving the comfort of home.
Fitbit
Have you tried tracking your activity with a fitbit yet? The Fitbit Charge (below) allows you to track activity, heart rate and sleep patterns. Ideal if you want to make sure you’re getting in your daily number of steps.
Fitbit Charge 4 fitness and activity tracker
Selfie stick with tripod
If you want to take better selfies for your outfit photos to upload to your social networks or in my private Facebook community, you will need this very affordable selfie stick with tripod.
It’s the one I use for many of my videos and photos. Just pop it on a table and use the remote or the self timer on your phone for the perfect full outfit photograph!
Benro selfie stick with tripod
Wireless earbuds
If you are searching for a present for someone who runs, exercises or likes to have a pair of headphones for airplane travel, these could be a great option.
Altec Lansing wireless bluetooth earbuds
Special chocolates
Many women love chocolates. If the woman you’re buying for is no exception, then it’s hard to go wrong with a special gift-wrapped box of assorted treats. She might even be kind enough to share with you!
Sweet Shop USA assorted chocolates
Donate for her favorite cause
If you’re buying for the woman who truly has everything, why not donate your gift for a good cause? Buy an animal for World Vision, sponsor a child, donate to the Red Cross or provide some microloans through Kiva. It would greatly help others.
I hope I have given you some good ideas.
How about you? What will you be buying the loved ones in your life this year? What is the best gift you’ve ever received? Are there any great gift ideas for women that you think I’ve missed?
Like always, I would be happy to hear your feedback and get your gift ideas for women over 40 as well! What would you like to receive as a gift?
Continue reading:
- The 10 Best Designer Handbags You Can Definitely Afford
- A Present For Yourself: The Best Style Books
- Pajamas For Women: The Best Types Of Women’s Pajamas For Women Over 40
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My husband gives me good jewelry, I love wearing these pieces with such happy memories from over the years. I never grow tired of these gifts!
Some great ideas. But what anout someone who dose not wear jewellery or into “fashion”- yes i am looking at you mother. I plan on buying my mother a few plants. The perfect gift for her.
Do love to receive jewellery as long as it fits my style and with guidance my husband has given me some beautiful jewellery for birthdays and Christmas. I do also love to receive a spa voucher. I love receiving massages or a cranial sacral therapy session so although it’s not necessarily an exciting gift to unwrap, I appreciate its value enormously.
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk
You have updated the items haven’t you? As I have been reading through the whole post again. Loving everything. Especially those red heels although I want them in patent leather. I am slowly (after three years… adopting your wisdom as contemporary jewellery and modern shoes/boots to keep up to date. You are so right in that.
All great idea except pajamas. No PJs in my house. lol. The adventurous can substitute lingerie.
A great choice of items Sylvia. I am just going to add something: a lovely holiday! For the last 20 years I have been away at Christmas or just before and accumulated some fantastic memories. If we are away for the actual day we either buy something wherever we are or exchange something small (ie earrings).
Yes you are absolutely right Lorraine. That is the present that my husband always wants. He would rather have experiences than any material things… Like you I’m almost always away at Christmas.
I also prefer experiences to things. Tickets to a play, have me over to dinner, etc. and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
I think once you reach a point where you are old enough to buy your own things, that physical stuff shouldn’t be given. My husband I stopped giving each other stuff years ago, and don’t by for adults in the extended family either. We only give to our teenaged kids and to nieces and nephews.
Very good selection. It confirmed me that I don’t need anything anymore. We are not into presents for Christmas in our family, so I am done. Not very exciting, but relaxing.
Good to hear it Greetje!
Lovely choices, Sylvia! A scarf is always a welcome gift, and I often give jewelry to my sisters. Some very pretty pieces here!
Thanks Patti. Great you like some of my choices.
Why so expensive may I ask good ideas though..
I’ll make sure to add more cheaper options next time 🙂