Las Vegas is tops.
I went with my husband for his 40th and we had a ball.
so much to do , great shows, food, weather ...

Take him away for the weekend, or even just a night, without the kids. That's what I would want!

If he likes food, how about a chefs table dining experience, such as Marcus Wareing in the Berkley ?
Initimate setting for up to 8 people in the kitchen .
Food out of this world and a real treat .
Wine is where the pricy stuff is .

Have a look at the personalised stuff on "notonthehighstreet.com"

It's great for finding unusual gifts for hard to buy people

Check out rosierobins.com.
They do wonderful personalised posters which you can frame easily. They come in different sizes. I got one for my friend's 40th recently and she loved it so much- I also got one for my father's 70th birthday- he is difficult to buy for, but young at heart and he absolutely loved it!
http://www.rosierobins.com/posters/pers ... print.html
For the last 'like' you could have 'Turning 40!'
PS I am not in any way affiliated with Rosie Robins- just a satisfied customer!

I think some husbands feel that they never get "guilt free time off" as whenever they did get any "me time" they feel guilty that they are bailing out on the family, usually at the weekend, leaving the wife doing all the childcare. So I got mine a series of golf lessons at the south london golf club (i think it is called something like that, on Burntwood Lane). He did them after work one evening each week and because I had bought them for him, it was completely guilt free - he loved it. And they were remarkably good value.

the ashes are sold out - I know this as I got some of the last tickets for Trent bridge.

A girl once go me a news paper from the day I was born on my 30th. I left her!

A nice thing to do is to do a 'memory lane' box filled with all his fave things - or things that will make him nostaglic about his youth.

I got one for my 40th and it was filled with things like: legwarmers, tickets to see Duran Duran, blackjacks and fruit salads, back copies of Smash Hits, DVD of House of Eliot....etc etc.

Does he like cricket? The Ashes are in England this year - maybe tickets to see that with hospitality?

not the real world? He could have a photowall of his favourite views in Vegas ... what's not to like? Ok, if Vegas is too far - how about a weekend at the Owl Sanctury just outside Norwich.

ginger pig do various courses, or a wine course at Christie's. Clearly not up to Clapset's standards but on the basis I'm guessing you live in the real world I'm thinking of real ideas!

... think the Hangover Part I, II and this could be Part III ... that's a 40th!

a weekend in Vegas with his mates eating steak ...

Thanks for your replies so far. I was rather thinking about an experience, a day or week-end out, something to do rather than a material thing. The 6 nations game might be an idea. Thanks also for the flight idea, however he's done something relatively similar for his 30th.
any other ideas would be really welcome, something to do with gastronomy maybe?

A watch ...

A bottle of expensive whiskey or cognac ...

A humidor full of cigars ...

A season ticket at the rugby or football team of his choice ...

A trip with mates to a 6 nations away game for a no holds barred mash up ...

Proper men's presents! I might buy myself all of the above.

Obviously depends on what sort of person he is but I gave my husband an 'experience' for his 40th - a flight wing walking. It was amazing and he loved it. I also made a wall next to his wardrobe of photographs of all his favourite views in his life, home, holidays etc. He loves it. Simple but nice.