What do I want for my 40th birthday?? I need help writing my dream gift list please!!

[janmoomoo]

I know its sad (or maybe its a good thing) but I cant think of anything! People keep asking me what I want for my 40th birthday and DH has been asking me to write a list that he can send round or come up with something that everyone can club together for, but my mind is blank.

Can you inspire me and help get me going? What would you absolutely love as a big pressie?

[Niecie]

I had an eternity ring for mine but anything sparkly would be good.

I don't think, apart from DH, that anybody bought me anything that was particularly different from normal.

How about an fab (and expensive) handbag?

[lilolilmanchester]

For my 40th I got from guests:
lots of vases/flowers
vouchers for local beauty salon
cookery books
biographies
posh toiletries
loads of jewellery
jewellery box
booze (lots of wine, fizz, 40 year old port)
photo albums and photo frames
CDs

Didn't ask for anything from DH cos i had a big party.

So long ago, I can't remember. Am closer to my 50th now and reckon I will do a "no gifts, donations to charity" for that one, but thoroughly enjoyed the presents for my 40th. Well worth compiling a list so your DH can subtely ensure that you get what you want!

[lilolilmanchester]

they did get me very drunk so you are welcome to them LL!!

[IfYouCanKeepYourHead]

For my 30th I got a personal shopper at Selfridges - it was BRILLIANT! You don't pay for the service, she just takes a commission of what you buy - but if you go in wit a budget you were going to spend it anyway - only that way you get waited on, campagne, told all sorts of lovely things - and you get things you know look brilliant on you!

[IfYouCanKeepYourHead]

my h is a but sporadic!! Or should I say sit!

[zazen]

My 40th birthday is tomorrow and I've asked folks to contribute to my fav charity. here called End Fistula.

Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labour without prompt medical intervention, usually a Caesarean section. The woman is left with chronic incontinence and, in most cases, a stillborn baby.

Like maternal mortality, fistula is almost entirely preventable. But at least 2 million women in Africa, Asia and the Arab region are living with the condition, and some 50,000 to 100,000 new cases develop each year. The persistence of fistula is a signal that health systems are failing to meet the needs of women. This is how much each dollar donated is used here

I know it's not very exciting, but 60 dollars means some woman who has had obstetric fistula can have a cesarean section to have her next baby - not bad eh?

Call me old fashioned, but as I get older my priorities have changed and personally I wouldn't want an expensive handbag to wear on my arm when I know that I could have used the money to help save the life of a little baby and help his or her mum to fulfill her wish to be a mother in good health.

just my tuppence!
Happy Birthday BTW

[janmoomoo]

Mmmm, nice things. Have been having a sneaky look at Tiffany website, but a bit dear. But reckon some silver jewellery could be good. Guess I would have to choose the specific piece tho to avoid disaster.

Fab handbag sounds like a good bet. Will check Radley and Orla Keiley.

[janmoomoo]

Zazen, you are a very lovely person. I feel bad now.

[lilolilmanchester]

well done zazen and happy birthday for tomorrow.

[lilolilmanchester]

janmoomoo, don't feel bad. I considered doing charity thing for my 40th but didn't. only because I knew my best friends would end up doing both charity donation and present, so would end up spending more. And I did enjoy my gifts, as selfish as that sounds.
Tho I have a friend who's been compiling her 40th birthday present list for at least 5 years, and am sorely tempted to give her an Oxfam voucher, whether it's on her list or not!

[janmoomoo]

OK, so back to the handbags....!!!

We considered charity list for our wedding but didnt go with it in the end for various reasons.

[zazen]

Don't feel bad! I had a big blow out at my 30th! Still have the candelabra gathering dust in the drawer under the sink!

I just realised though, that as we get older, we have more responsibility IYSWIM?
I like to help other people if I can, and having had a three day labour and fetal distress myself yadda yadda, I just feel strongly that if I had been born 40 years ago in Eritrea, by some chance, that my baby would have died and I would have obstetric fistula, just like that - no fault of anyones.

so that's why i choose to fund cesarean sections, so women can go on after their repair job to actually have a baby

I just feel so lucky I was born near a hospital, and my DD was also, and not 100 years ago also. I also feel blessed I've reached 40 My sister died suddenly when she was 30.

All these chance events lead me to think I'm here to try and do good, and to leave the world a better place if I can.
Just imagine, there is probably a 15 year old girl trying to push out her baby right now in Ethiopa, and failing. I want her to have a full life, and in Africa, that means having children, hence my reasons for supporting this charity, and in particular for 'buying' cesarean sections for women who have been repaired.

I am going out with friends for a cocktail to celebrate my birthday - I'll toast you and that 15 year old girl also! Chin chin!

[lilolilmanchester]

janmoomoo, if there's one special thing you want and would rather people contributed towards, then find a subtle way of suggesting this. You might have enough vases/photo frames/toiletries etc etc

[janmoomoo]

You are doing a good thing zazen, have a nice birthday.

I think birthday lists are great, and it saves you getting lots of rubbish that sits in a cupboard. We all clubbed together and got my friend a fantastic digital camera for his birthday and another friend we got a car stereo with ipod connector/controls.

But I was just having trouble getting inspired!

[mumwhereareyou]

i've just had my 40th last week and got the following:
radley bags x2
flowers x 5
tula bag
tula purse
pandora bracelet
nintendo ds
underwear

and a nice meal with family
.

[janmoomoo]

Lovely! TWO radley bags? You have great friends mway.

[LongLiveGreenElizabeth]

What a good idea for a present Zazen. Better than perfume or a cookery book. My dd was transverse and I also had that surreal feeling of relief that I wasn't a poor African woman or born 200 yrs ago.............

[LongLiveGreenElizabeth]

ps, happy birthday!

[zazen]

Thanks LLQE (I'm sure you are wishing all the birthday girls well )

Dh surprised me with a bunch of beautiful roses and big snog!!

The phone was hopping with good pals who remembered it was nice to catch up.

And then we went for an ice cream and a walk in the park as a family after dinner! it was a lovely day!

Hope you had a good one janmoomoo

[mumwhereareyou]

I know but have to say that they were from a outlet place so didn't cost as much as people in RL think.

I have had quite a bad year and am truly grateful to my close family and friends for making it such a special day.