40 Years of Love: How to Choose The Right 40th Anniversary Gift

December 24, 2025

40 years of commitment, love, memories and dedication deserves a special celebration, and more than that, a unique gift. This milestone is worth commemorating with a thoughtful gift to represent all that you and your partner have achieved together over these last 40 years. This time in your life is also referred to as the Ruby Anniversary, which represents intense passion and eternal romance.

When selecting a gift for this special occasion, you want to ensure that the gift is not only appropriate for the 40th year, but also captures the journey that you and your spouse have endured together over the last four decades.

40th Anniversary Special
Traditional and Modern 40th Anniversary Gifts
- Choosing an Appropriate Gift for Your 40th Wedding Anniversary
How to Make Your 40th Anniversary Gift Uniquely You
- When Is The Right Time To Give?

40th Anniversary Special

Reaching 40 years of marital bliss is truly remarkable. It represents a bond that has endured trials and tribulations, as well as the beauty that comes from a true love story. Think of a ruby stone; it has a beautiful vibrancy, it is very rare, and has been appreciated for centuries by people all over the world.

Like the ruby stone, the gift you select for your spouse for this special milestone should reflect your love, gratitude, and the significance of a loving relationship.

Traditional and Modern 40th Anniversary Gifts

Traditional gemstone: Ruby
Color theme: Deep red
Symbolic meaning: Love, courage & devotion

If you want to honour traditionalists, then ruby gifts are the traditional way; however, if you are looking to incorporate a more modern twist into your gift, there is space to be individualistic.

Choosing an Appropriate Gift for Your 40th Wedding Anniversary

The most important thing to remember is to be sure you choose a meaningful gift over an expensive gift. If you are in a situation where you are using your creativity to create a truly one-of-a-kind anniversary gift for your partner, then go for it.

Consider personalized gifts for your loved one on their 40th Anniversary. Personalized or engraved gifts will create sentimental value in the life of your loved one.

Gifts such as engraved jewelry, custom photo frames, memory books and personalized keepsakes with dates, names and initials are ideal as they will create a lasting memory for the recipient.

Ruby jewelry is a traditional and timeless gift choice for 40th wedding anniversaries. Some popular types of ruby jewelry include ruby rings, diamond or ruby set pendants / necklaces, diamond or ruby set earrings , and diamond/ruby set bracelets.

Each piece is beautiful, means something, and will allow you to show how much you love each other for many years to come. Consider gifts based on the experiences of your partner as a way to celebrate this special date together.

This allows couples to celebrate together, create new memories and be thankful for their relationship with each other throughout their life. Finally, couples who enjoy spending time together in their home may appreciate ruby or ruby-tone earrings, gold bangles, diamond studs, gold hoops and much more.

Gift ideas for the 40th Wedding Anniversary for Different Relationships Include:

A romantic, personal gift (e.g. ruby jewelry) and/or a personal letter expressing your feelings.

Stylish ruby gift, photo album, or memorable celebration for the couple’s parents to celebrate their 40th year of being married.

A classy ruby gift or keepsake to honor the couple’s special bond.

How to Make Your 40th Anniversary Gift Uniquely You

Make Your Gift Unique by Adding Your Own Personal Touches – Use the same colour theme for both your gift and your personal note. Also, you may want to use the same colour theme to wrap your present.

When Is The Right Time To Give?

Focus on the attachment to one of the most important moments of your life: the attachment you share with your significant other. The 40th anniversary gifts should reflect the journey you have travelled together, the sacrifices you have made for each other, and the romantic moments you have experienced throughout this journey. In short, continue to treasure your true love over the red ruby, as it grows even more precious with age.

AUTHOR BIO

Utkarsha

Utkarsha is a skilled content writer with over three years of experience in the fashion industry. She currently contributes to Stonex Jewellers, where she has developed a deep understanding of effectively capturing the essence of the jewellery sector. With a versatile background in fashion and lifestyle writing, she brings a keen eye for market trends and audience preferences. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, Utkarsha is adept at conveying the cultural and emotional nuances behind style choices and their timing.