
What Gift Should I Get My Brother for His 40th Birthday? 14 Epic Ideas He'll Actually Love
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He’s turning 40. Big milestone. And no—he does not want novelty socks.
Whether your brother’s the stylish type, the sentimental one, the low-key legend, or the guy who already has everything—these gifts are guaranteed to land.
Here’s the best of the best: 14+ handmade, personalised 40th birthday gifts for your brother he will actually use, appreciate, and talk about long after the candles are out.
Table of contents
Let's take a look at the top 40th birthday gifts your brother will love!
What it is: A vintage-style leather bag that’s got that effortlessly cool look.
Why it’s perfect: For the brother who's always on the move—whether it’s commuting, travelling, or carrying all the random tech and chargers he swears he needs. It’s the kind of bag that levels up any outfit and will age beautifully with use. Functional, smart, and solidly grown-up.
What it is: A heavyweight wooden memory box personalised with his initials.
Why it’s perfect: It’s a proper ‘grown man’ box—for storing treasured items, family letters, medals, photos, cards or even that vintage watch collection. For the sentimental or stylish brother, this is a legacy box disguised as décor.
Want to make it extra special? Ask family and friends to each write a letter or share a memory to include inside. Add baby photos, old birthday cards, childhood drawings — anything that tells the legendary story of his 40 years of awesomeness.
What it is: A handcrafted organiser for his gaming setup—controller, headset and all.
Why it’s perfect: Because he deserves a setup that looks as elite as his skills. No more controllers lost down the sofa or tangled headset wires. This looks slick on any desk or gaming zone, and suits any gamer bro—whether he’s competitive or casual.
What it is: A custom memory box shaped like a football shirt, engraved with his team colours and surname.
Why it’s perfect: For the football-mad brother who’s still got every medal, ticket stub and programme. Create him a box that celebrates his sport obsession. Add a badge, photo or old shirt inside for extra big-bro nostalgia.
What it is: A leather travel watch roll, custom personalised with a gold monogram.
Why it’s perfect: For the brother who’s into timepieces or needs somewhere to keep his favourite accessories while travelling. Clean, compact, and ultra-luxe—it’s a smart addition to any overnight bag.
What it is: A refillable leather notebook, personalised with his name or initials.
Why it’s perfect: Whether he’s a writer, thinker, note-maker or big idea guy, this gives him a space that’s all his. Great for work, travel or just processing life post-40. You can even add a personal message to the inside page.
What it is: A sleek leather wash bag, engraved and built to last.
Why it’s perfect: He’s not using that old gym bag anymore. This is grown-man grooming gear. Perfect for weekends away or chucking in a suitcase for work travel. Durable, personal, and finally solves his toothbrush-in-a-sock situation.
What it is: A celestial-themed keepsake box with his zodiac sign and name engraved.
Why it’s perfect: For the brother who’s a little bit spiritual, a little bit into astrology, or just loves a cool-looking box. It’s perfect for storing jewellery, small keepsakes, or tarot cards if that’s his vibe.
What it is: A smart leather keyring that opens up to reveal a photo inside.
Why it’s perfect: One of those little gifts that hits big. Add a family photo, favourite memory or even a silly inside joke. Stylish and sentimental all in one.
What it is: A retro-style mug with his birth year and a personal message.
Why it’s perfect: A funny, low-pressure add-on gift for any car-loving 40-year-old. Especially good if he’s partial to a proper brew or just loves seeing his ‘vintage’ year in print.
What it is: A leather-strap chronograph with working dials and serious style.
Why it’s perfect: Turning 40 deserves a good watch. This one’s classic, masculine and quietly impressive. For the brother who’s done the smartwatch thing and now wants something timeless. Comes boxed and gift-ready.
What it is: A wooden organiser for keys, phone, wallet, and watch.
Why it’s perfect: He’s 40. He’s got stuff. This keeps it all in one place. Great for brothers with a home office, hallway table, or anyone constantly asking where they put their keys.
What it is: A chunky, hand-carved wooden mug with proper Viking vibes.
Why it’s perfect: For the brother who loves beer, BBQs or fantasy. Pair it with a craft ale or whisky miniatures and let him drink like the legend he is. Excellent conversation starter at any birthday bash.
What it is: A custom shed, bar or man cave sign with any name or slogan.
Why it’s perfect: For the DIY king, garage tinkerer, or back garden bar guy. Personalised with his nickname, address, or favourite phrase—it’s a fun, original gift that he’ll actually hang up.
Ordering is easy! Here’s how to place your order online with Make Memento:
Ordering your brother’s 40th birthday gift is a breeze with Make Memento. We offer reliable UK delivery, ensuring your gift arrives promptly and beautifully packaged.
No stress, no drama—just thoughtful gifting made simple. You can check our delivery options for more details here.
Ready to make his 40th unforgettable? Start shopping now and find the perfect birthday gift for your brother at Make Memento.
Visit our online store today and make his big day extra special with a personalised gift he’ll actually love.
A meaningful 40th birthday gift for your brother is something personal, thoughtful, and long-lasting—something that reflects who he is and what he values. Whether it’s a luxury leather messenger bag he’ll use daily, a personalised memory box filled with keepsakes, or a custom photo keyring with a sibling snap inside, the key is to make it feel like you actually thought about it. Gifts that match his hobbies, style, or even his sense of humour are far more memorable than generic presents. Bonus points if it makes everyone at the party say, “Where did you get that?”
When your brother already seems to have it all, go for a birthday gift that’s either practical but elevated , or personal and one-of-a-kind . Think refillable leather journals for the planner, custom watch rolls for the collector, or engraved boxes for storing his favourite things. If he’s tricky to buy for, choose something that adds real value to his day-to-day life—like a sleek desk organiser or a personalised wash bag. These kinds of gifts feel luxurious, but still useful, and they stand out from the usual ‘tick-box’ birthday presents.
To make your brother’s 40th birthday gift feel truly special, add personal touches wherever possible. Choose a gift that can be personalised with his name, initials, or even an inside joke between you. You can also include extras—like a handwritten card, a printed photo inside a keepsake box, or even pre-fill it with meaningful items like old family photos or football memorabilia. It's not just about what you give—it's about how it’s presented. That extra effort turns a great gift into an unforgettable one.
Luxury doesn’t have to mean overpriced—it means quality, longevity, and personal value. Great luxury gift ideas for a brother’s 40th birthday include: a leather chronograph watch, a monogrammed leather travel bag, a bespoke watch roll, or a personalised leather keyring with a hidden photo. These gifts feel premium, look stunning, and are built to last—making them perfect for a milestone birthday like the big 4-0. You can also package the gift in a keepsake box or include a note for that added personal touch.
You can order unique and personalised 40th birthday gifts for your brother directly from Make Memento. Every gift is handmade to order, with custom options like engraved names, initials, messages, or photos. We offer UK-wide delivery and beautiful, thoughtful packaging—so your gift arrives ready to impress. Whether your brother’s into gaming, travel, football, or just appreciates good design, our collection is full of gifts that feel personal, not generic.