The 36 Best Gifts for Women in Their 40s, Because They’ve Earned it Dammit

One of the clearest signs you’re a woman in your 40s? A trip to the nail salon comes without any hesitation: You know exactly the polish color you’ll be choosing, thank you very much. That’s why I was so delighted by this pick your own set of three nail polishes from Sundays, a NYC-based nail salon that also sells its own line of non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free polish. But that’s not all: The color selection is vast while the luxe polish glides on smooth. I also especially love the packaging—give her the chance to select her own or pick out a go-to hue and pair it with the brand’s bestselling top and base coat. She’ll love it.

For the gal who finally has time to plot out her garden, this trio of hand-carved ducks are the perfect flourish to gift. Made from sustainable bamboo and reclaimed teak, it’s the tiny details that make them sing (hello, hand-painted polka dot booties). You can decide to go for one or all three for a sweet outdoor focal point that she can mix in amongst the blooms.

The latest offering from Aura, the Aspen 12-inch HD digital picture frame blends elegant home décor with a chance to surface the zillions of meaningful photos on your phone’s camera roll. The cloud storage is unlimited; the anti-glare display means that every photo has a chance to shine. There’s even paper-textured matting, so the frame feels as authentic as its non-digital counterparts. “I love this frame,” says PureWow executive editor Alexia Dellner. “It brings me so much joy every time I see another memory pop up (and my kids are obsessed too.)!” And the best part is the dual orientation, which comes included so you can easily pivot from portrait to landscape mode. For the photo taker in the family, this is the perfect gift.

A miracle product that combats aging doesn’t exist, but this one comes pretty close, relying on locally sourced Okinawan ingredients to support skin strength and luminosity. The result? A collagen-rich appearance that helps ward off inflammation by limiting the accumulation of senescent cells to leave skin feeling more balanced. Better yet? The serum’s citrusy scent and how it practically melts into your skin.

A focal point in any room, the woman in your life will not only love the scent of this candle (firewood), but the dark-colored glass vessel it comes in. As for the fragrance? Expect the warm and smoky scent of burning wood that will remind her of a winter day huddled up by a fire with a good book. It’s a luxe item to place on the coffee table, but also a conversation piece.

It’s our desert island product for a reason: Ilia’s multi-stick (available in 12 different shades and shimmers) makes buildable color for cheeks and lips achievable and lovely. A dream for anyone in search of a beauty one-and-done, this product brings immediate polish, waking up the skin with an application that’s easy and luminescent. My personal endorsement? This is the singular beauty product that I am certain to keep in my purse, the car, my makeup cabinet—the list goes on.

A spring-inspired fragrance she can wear year-round, this Jo Malone staple features notes of peonies, red apple and blush suede. Simply spritz on wrists, neck and pulse points and the fragrance will naturally diffuse as her day goes on. She’ll delight at the scent, but also the subtle message you’re sending about her overall vibe (the mood of the fragrance is pegged as luxurious, seductive and charming, after all).

Sure, Airpods are the way that she gets her sh** done and manages to keep up with friends and family (and run the world) at the same time, but there’s more: The newest version means she can also bolster her communication skills on the road. How? Apple’s new “live translation” feature in combination with Apple Intelligence makes it possible to translate conversations in real time. (I tried it out and it’s quite instant.) The perfect product for her to carry on her next trip to Paris or on that getaway to Spain.

A splurge? Yes. But this sweater—quite literally defined as a cocoon—will be the investment item in her closet that she reaches for the most. It’s oversized, so when shopping, check the sizing (and reviews) and size down as needed. She’ll relish the fact that it’s a year-round staple whether she’s wearing it out on a breezy summer night or when the temps start to dip. (Did we mention it comes in eight different colors?)

With seven(!) exterior pockets, a detachable pouch and a removeable strap, this duffel is pretty next level when it comes to organizing the things she carries. There truly is a place for everything—she can separate her keys, phone, wallet and more. Not only that, it’s spacious and lightweight.

This particular pair of earrings comes endorsed from several cool women in their 40s I know. How come? It offers just the right amount of subtle sparkle without going overboard. It’s also an earring that works for day and night. The two-tone pavé also manages to always catch the light in all the right ways.

After peeping this purse in person at Cuyana’s NYC-based boutique, the beauty of this bag—with its ruched silhouette—is clear. Made from ultra-smooth Turkish lambskin leather, it’s a bag that you can dress up or down. It’s also spacious. You can expect to carry all your essentials in this pretty purse (which comes in a variety of colors, btw).

The photos she snaps are nothing if not properly framed. A trip to Framebridge—or a gift card so that she can go herself or shop online—is just what she needs. The in-store (and virtual) staff are pros at choosing the right frame for her photo (or art). For example, a recent trip to the Brooklyn-based boutique led me to pair an ornate gold frame with a drawing my son did of Big Ben as a way to play up the IRL aesthetic. Bottom line: It’s the easiest way to upgrade her décor.

Oh those aches and pains, they come and go in your 40s, which is exactly why she’ll love this purse-sized massage gun that still packs a punch thanks to three different speeds, attachments and a 12mm amplitude. She can use it before (or after) a workout or to soothe an achy spot that’s giving her troubles.

We’ve never encountered a more versatile shirt. The one-size-fits-all silhouette is available in a multitude of fabrics (for the spring/summer season, our preference is linen) and ready-to-wear in a variety of ways (with a dress, with jeans, as a bathing suit cover-up). She’ll love this shirt’s range almost as much as she’ll love the quality (Frank & Eileen is renowned for their attention to detail on everything from the bust-flattering button placement to the bum-covering hem).

It sounds silly, but a pair of cute and high-quality socks are another one of life’s little luxuries that far too often we don’t buy for ourselves. And doesn’t every woman in her 40s deserve good socks? This style, complete with a bold and bright heart detail, is made mostly from organic cotton. The heart also comes in a variety of colors (red, sage, vintage blue, gold, blush). We recommend buying a variety.

When it comes to the perfect suitcase, she can feel a bit like Goldilocks. This medium-sized softshell bag from Away is just right. The soft, high-strength nylon exterior holds up to wear and tear (rain or shine) while the size is ideal for a weekend away (but also a one-week getaway). It rolls easily, too, and includes Away’s expansion feature for added room should you need. My favorite part is the ability to unzip from the top (versus the middle), which makes it a bit easier to organize the things she needs to carry.

This holy grail product from French brand Biologique Recherche is something she’ll want in every bag she carries. Not only does it nourish and sooth dry lips, the combination of ingredients—shea butter, jojoba, vitamin E and more—smooths flakiness, too, so that your lips feel softer and better cared for.

This clutch-style bag—designed by Princess Diana’s nieces Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer—is timeless, but also makes for a sparkly statement piece, something she’ll adore. Handcrafted with a shimmering metallic lizard print, it features an eye-catching crystal centerpiece in the form of a re-imagined Aspinal shield lock featuring 69 Preciosa stones. And that’s not all: She’ll can expect plenty of interior organization, too, thanks to two open compartments separated by a zipped pocket (there’s an additional slip pocket, too) for a bag that’s versatile, but also chic.

Yes, this 14-karat gold necklace is a bit of a splurge, but it also ladders up to one of her most important causes: The Center for Reproductive Rights. Directly translated, it’s the French word for equality. She’ll wear it proudly all around town.

This luxe and thermo-regulating PJ set not only offers a flattering fit, it’s crafted with a soft stretch-knit that features enhanced breathability and comfort that will keep her sleeping cool and comfortably all night long.

Move over, book club; Mahjong is the game she wants to host night after night. This chic and beach-inspired set includes the traditional tiles, but comes with an option to personalize. (How cool would it be to monogram with her initials for an added bit of thoughtfulness?)

This black-out sleep mask comes with anti-aging benefits thanks to the collagen-infused satin design that brings hydration to puffy eyes overnight. (We tried it, it works.) An adjustable nose wire and cushy foam provides maximum comfort, and ensure light stays out and it stays in place.

Her baking skills are no longer novice, they’re next level. This means she needs a bakeware set to match her abilities. Enter these non-toxic essentials: The set (available in nine different colorways) includes circle pans, a loaf pan, a square pan and more. Each piece is naturally non-stick and comes with storage. Beyond all that, all of Caraway’s pieces are just…pretty. You can’t go wrong.

The late, great Nora Ephron always managed to always combine razor-sharp life observations with levity and light. This book is no exception—and is absolutely a go-to gift for women of a certain age. In it, Ephron offers a collection of essays that examine everything from menopause to motherhood and, almost two decades since its debut in 2008, her truths still ring 100 percent true.

This geometric mushroom-shaped lamp is just what she’s been looking for to provide a bit of mood lighting for the bathroom, hallway, even just the bedside table in the guest room. Featuring an organic glass structure—and available in a range of bold colors—it’s inspired by Italian Modernist design and will add a warmth to whatever room she places it in.

She’s never not learning, which is why MasterClass is the perfect gift to help her scratch that itch. A monthly subscription will get her access to 200+ classes across 11 different categories (think Alice Waters on the art of home cooking or Shonda Rhimes on how to write for TV). The sky’s the limit—just like her quest to pick up new skills.

This award-winning dry-oil serum seeps into skin overnight to deliver the skin firming, lifting and perfecting power of an IRL facial (in particular, the ones offered at Sarah Chapman’s luxe London boutique). In actuality, it feels like drenching your face in a serum so silky and rich, it almost instantly revives your complexion (credit to the cocktail of skincare essentials—vitamins A, C and E, plus a range of antioxidants to be exact).

This soft, unstructured Mary Jane-style flat is the kind of shoe she can wear with anything in her closet. Made from handwoven leather with a cushioned insole, classic strap, it’s versatile and chic. We’ve also noticed numerous New Yorkers wearing the style in a multitude of colors and it’s always a stand-out.

For the Goldilocks of coffee drinkers, Ember’s temperature-controlled mug will allow her to set the exact temp she prefers to sip her morning cup of joe at, which means it’s never too cold or too hot. “I’ve never used a gift more,” Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay says of her beloved Ember mug. “It takes me all day just to drink one cup of coffee (easily distracted, party of one), but this gadget saves me from ruining my fix with multiple runs to the microwave. Simply put, it ensures the perfect sip, every time.” This mug also features a smart LED which alerts you when the desired temp has been reached, and it retains said temp for 1.5 hours. It’s honestly a coffee (or tea) drinker’s dream.

It’s one of those everyday items she always wants to upgrade, yet somehow the umbrella options in her entryway are always cheap and on their last legs. This classic style is wind-resistant and features a high-strength steel frame. It also fits easily into any compact tote and, with a range of designs, is as cute as it is practical.

Her bedding needs a refresh, which is why this 100 percent cotton duvet—backed in crisp percale—is the perfect gift. She’s also old enough to know the importance of a high-quality duvet. We especially love the ribbed texture of this one, which delivers peak softness that she can sleep in year-round.

This functional (and fabulous) travel tote made from jute canvas and vegan leather truly makes plotting out a weekend getaway feel much less daunting—at least the packing part. We love the inner organization, especially the bottom compartment that is perfect for shoes, toiletries and more. She’ll easily fit attire for a three-day weekend inside, and then some.

She never met a fromage she didn’t like. That’s where this decadent cheese sampler comes in: Featuring four hidden gems that have been specially selected from Murray’s Cheese in New York, it’s all about the joy of experimentation, as well as tried-and-true varieties. (Every box includes a funky Cave-Aged award-winner, a best-in-class American chèvre and two unique Spanish selections.)

If you know her size, why not gift her a pair of chic yet comfy heels in the season's hottest color? “Now that I'm of a certain age (ahem), I really value good quality footwear—but I still want to look stylish!” says executive editor Alexia Dellner. “FRANKIE4 is a PureWow editor favorite and I’m obsessed with the color of these burgundy pumps that will go just as beautifully with jeans as they do a party dress. The podiatrist-approved shoe comes with plush cushioning, arch support and a low heel, plus the brand’s famous Sole Saver pack that ensures a perfect fit.”

OK, so dealing with actual flowers might not be her specialty—or preference. This LEGO offering—from the brand’s botanical collection—is the next best thing. Packed with vibrant blooms ranging from peonies to hydrangeas to ranunculus, it’s a time investment (there are over 1000 pieces!), but she can pace herself and will relish the creative outlet almost as much as the final result.