How to Stay Sporty Once You Turn Forty

Life, as they say, begins at forty; and let's face it, as people are living longer these days, we can all afford to step back a decade, and even though the 40th birthday gifts and cards might let slip your actual age, there's no reason to get depressed. In fact, 40 year olds have a number of things to celebrate: you're already on the property ladder, you'll receive lots of nice 40th birthday gifts, and you've only got another thirty years of work to gookay, so maybe the last one isn't the most endearing of gifts, but you get the idea.

The 1960's are widely recognised as the decade of the twentieth century, a time of good music, exciting cinema and radical movements within the political and cultural world. It was the decade for the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Pink Floyd. It was the decade for Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Graduate and Coronation Street. It was the decade that saw John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Martin Luther King. It was a decade to celebrate, and marking the occasion with a 40th birthday is like an honorary badge to tell the world that you were there.

For many, turning forty can be the start of a new era as the kids are more independent and you find you have more time on your hands. In some cases this can be the start of the famous mid-life crisis, but if that's another way of saying 'learning to live a little', then bring it on! If the man in your life has been talking about how good a Ferrari might look in the driveway then you could always indulge him with an action packed adventure day of 'Ferrari 360 Driving at Silverstone'? As 40th birthday gifts go, they don't get much more exciting than this!

One of the hardest parts about getting older is the realisation that feeling young is no longer the same as looking young, and as we age, it becomes more and more difficult to burn off that biscuit you ate when no one was looking. It's important to stay active but this doesn't always mean we have to be stuck in a gym for several hours a week; and giving someone a years gym membership as 40th birthday gifts might not send out the best message. There are a number of activities you can do to stay fit, even if you have a phobia of sports centres; what better way to treat your loved one with a birthday gift of a lifetime experience?

40th birthday gifts of 'extreme sport' might be just the thing to remind that special someone that the 'naughty forties' can be a chance to really let go. Choose from a number of outdoor activities such as: 'Coasteering', Scuba Diving, Surfing, Bungee Jumping, Rock Climbing, kayaking, Ice Climbing, Microlighting or even Paintballing. They could be gifts just for the birthday boy/girl, something you can either share or even something to enjoy with the whole family. Whatever you choose, these unique 40th birthday gifts are sure to be remembered.

But if 'extreme' sports sound a little too extreme, then you could always plump for a more relaxing day out with the birthday gift of a golf lesson or perhaps a day out in the wild as part of a horse riding experience. For those who prefer the idea of getting the adrenalin pumping without having to do much work at all, then a day at the races might make a better choice of birthday gift Greyhound Racing package gifts will have their hearts pounding from the safety of the audience. One of the greatest things about treating someone with these special 40th birthday gifts is that you can be a part of it too, so don't forget to take a camera with you and capture every moment.

Turning forty is the greatest of gifts in itself, a milestone in anyone's life. If anything, it should be a great excuse for a fabulous birthday party (with lots of gifts!) and if you find yourself with an invitation, make sure you select the 40th birthday gifts to mark the occasion well. But what gifts do you buy for someone who probably has everything they need by now? Well, personalised 40th birthday gifts can make lovely keepsakes and are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face.

Personalised Calendars make excellent 40th birthday gifts - they come with twelve amazing images that can incorporate any name and can begin in any month to ensure a whole year's worth of enjoyment. Or how about a personalised bottle of whiskey or champagne? With these sentimental 40th birthday gifts, you can put any name or message on the labels and celebrate the special occasion in style.