The 35 Best Gifts for Women in Their 40s, Because They’ve Earned it Dammit

Limited edition with a story to tell: Sounds a lot like the woman in your life. A Nordstrom exclusive, this Diptyque candle conjures up the sweet and citrusy scents—think plum, orange, patchouli—inhaled at Café Verlet in Paris. The goal: To inspire a moment of whimsy that replicates the candied fruit in the window at this iconic shop. It’s a luxe item to place on the coffee table, but it’s also a conversation piece.

Speaking of conversation pieces, this trio of hand-carved ducks are the perfect flourish to gift to the woman who loves to garden. 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.

Gift this product duo to the woman in your life who relishes skin-related selfcare. The vitamin C serum—which contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid—can be applied directly onto clean skin daily while the retinol serum is best applied two or three times a week. The result? A reduction in dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles (which, alas, are more common in one’s 40’s) and a complexion boost that will improve radiance and even out skin tone. Did we mention it’s moisturizing, too?

It’s an eye sore she can’t stand to look at: A pile-up of cords on the kitchen countertop, her home office, even her nightstand. This charging station provides an easy solution thanks to its clean design and functional layout. After all, it can accommodate up to three phones, an iPad, even a laptop. Clutter problem, solved.

Stylist Allison Bornstein has mastered the art of getting dressed, and this beautifully composed guide featuring her best advice makes discovering your own personal style not only attainable, but fun. Perfect for the woman who is eager to create her own capsule wardrobe, this book—featuring tips like Bornstein’s viral three-word method, plus her AB closet-editing system—will make this the gift that keeps on giving (and one she refers back to time and time again).

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.

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 your 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).

This classic game is a longtime favorite that requires an intimate knowledge of famous people and gossip as you try to remember famous relationships, past and present. For example, who did George Clooney marry? Any recollection of Jennifer Lopez’s ex? Each card has a different celeb’s picture on it and the goal is to find the right match or pair. Gift to the gal who likes to host and is always seeking an ice breaker.

She’s committed to her Android device and proud of it. That’s where these wireless earbuds from Google come in. They’re as easy to activate as they are to wear, thanks to their flush-to-ear design and customizable ear tip sizes which helps them stay in place. Designed to pair via Bluetooth with the Google Pixel phone, they also work with any Android device, delivering high-quality audio and up to five hours of play time.

She has a hankering for pizza, but knows it will never be as crispy and tasty as what she could get at her favorite pizzeria. That’s where this mini-oven comes in: Throw the cheese and toppings on your pizza crust, then pop this device on the grill. In under 10 minutes, she’ll have a personal-sized pizza that’s better than the one picked up at her local brick oven joint.

A splurge? Yes. But this sweater—quite literally defined as a cocoon—will be the 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. It’s a year-round staple whether she’s wearing it out on a breezy summer night or when the temps start to dip.

Whether you buy it in a poppy color like daffodil or opt for a timeless neutral (we love stone), this phone tote will help the woman in your life pare down the things she carries to the most essential items (a phone, of course, her keys, a lipstick—that’s kind of it?). Made sustainably from a lightweight Italian pebbled leather, it’s petite and pretty all at once.

Does she have a new home and a ton of wall space to fill? Assuming you know her taste well enough to know she’d appreciate it, go for an abstract piece of art that’s bright and cheery—like “Color Cloud” by Jessica Poundstone—and we’re sure she’ll find a spot for it in an entryway or on a bathroom wall.

Oh those aches and pains, they come and go in your 40’s, 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.

She already loves Audrey (but of course) and Paris is always on her list of bucket list trips. Combine the two and you’ve got this stunning coffee table read, featuring never-before-published stories about her films, family, friendships and more with one common throughline: The influence of Paris on the late actress’s life. (Did we mention the book includes a foreword by Audrey’s son Luca Dotti?)

A spring- and summer-friendly quilt, made from 100 percent cotton, is just what’s on her wish list to give her bedroom a bit of a refresh. Available in blue (our fave), ivory and soft pink, this Rifle Paper Co. design—a collaboration with the Company Store—is lightweight and luxe, featuring a classic pattern and woven in Portugal.

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 40’s 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 (sage, vintage blue, gold, blush).

It’s a life goal to organize that photo archive. This tool will give her a running start. In mere seconds, she can scan and digitize 35-millimeter, Super 8, 8 millimeter negatives and more. A great gift for mom or grandma who has been meaning to bust out all those boxes, digitize them and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

You can never have too many totes (life motto) but this one takes the cake: Made from a proprietary blend of sustainable materials, it will hold all the essentials (a laptop, your lunch, a pair of shoes to commute in and more) in its 12 x 13-inch shape. And it organizes them too, thanks to six interior pockets including one for your phone. It also comes with a detachable crossbody strap and zips closed. Function meets fashion—what more could a gal want?

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.

Sunglasses trends are forever evolving, but this super cool design—featuring inverted lenses—is unique and, well, pretty damn cool. Basically, the lenses are concave vs. convex, for a look that’s slightly different, without being too weird. Add to that a range of brand-new colorways and her summer has never been chicer.

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.

Yes, this 14-karat gold necklace is a bit of a splurge, but it’s also quite special and is engraved with her daily ideology: “Liberté, égalité, maternité.” (A portion of the proceeds go to the organization Every Mother Counts.) More details to love: The heart-shaped design as well as Clare V.’s signature flourish: Hand-painted bisous lips on the back.

Her iPhone camera roll is in the tens of thousands. That makes the Aura picture frame the perfect outlet to display her work. Simply download the app and select the photos and videos you’d like to share. The slideshow format, HD quality and picture-frame design will make her almost forget she’s not looking at hard copy images. And she’ll love seeing so many favorites cycle through.

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.

These 18-karat gold vermeil hoops from LA-based designer Sophie Buhai are delicate, versatile and also on trend. She can wear them to school pickup, brunch, even for a Zoom call. They’re also unique: Gold vermeil is a technique that originated in France in the 18^th century (basically, sterling silver is plated with gold).

Gardening gloves, a transplanter, a garden trowel—those are just a few of the seven stainless steel tools that come included in this neatly packaged set. Even better, the tools are both sturdy and well-made, according to online reviewers. Gift it to the gal who spends every waking minute pruning and potting and planting.

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).

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 invest in, yet somehow the umbrella options in her entryway are always cheap and on their last legs. This durable and water-resistant option (with an interior floral pattern) feels romantic and wistful and is just what she’d hope to be carrying the next time a rainstorm hits.

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.

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.)