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Original poster

DP's birthday with no money

17 replies

erja · 25/02/2019 18:46

DP's birthday in a week. We are completely skint. I've told him I can't afford to get him anything and he said okay but seems a bit disappointed (it's a 'special' birthday, think 18, 21, 30, 40 etc).

I was going to get balloons, card, party hats etc and make it a big deal in that way but didn't want to get him nothing but he's one of those people who only really likes stuff that costs a fortuneConfused

Does anyone have any ideas of just little things that would be nice for a birthday present, that don't cost too much obviously?

I feel like I'm on autopilot this week and can't switch my brain on even slightly to think about what I could get!

OP posts:
macblank · 25/02/2019 18:50

When you say... Not a lot?
Less than £30?
If so, warrens the jewelers/amazon do some nice rings for that. Particularly Amazon rings can have messages engraved for free... You MUST know ring size especially for Amazon.

HK20 · 25/02/2019 18:51

What is he into?
If he's the adventurous type, maybe borrow some camping gear and go away for the weekend.

You can find plenty of lovely places to camp for next to nothing, and go to the supermarket for picnic-like snacks etc.

You could take a couple of bikes and explore the great outdoors

GVmama · 25/02/2019 18:52

Steak, bottle of decent red wine and a blow job! Happy days

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Orangedaisy · 25/02/2019 18:53

We were completely skint for DP’s 40th. i made a cake, made bunting with old catalogues and wrapping paper with the dCs, did handprint cakes from them, a treasure hunt for a bottle of beer and a jam jar of 40 bits of paper with memories of us. And invited his brother to stay who paid for a round of golf for them. He didn’t love love it all (he wanted tech but knew it wasn’t happening!) but we were pleased we had marked it and it’s a bit of a joke now. Thankfully things are better now so hopefully we’ll do something better for mine in a year or so.

Redtartanshoes · 25/02/2019 18:53

Don’t waste money on balloons and paper hats etc if money is tight.

SouthWestmom · 25/02/2019 18:55

For my husbands 40th all the family (his mum, dad, siblings) contributed to one nice present (a watch). Could you do something similar?

noenergy · 25/02/2019 18:58

Spend the money on a small present rather than on balloons and decorations.

Have a look on eBay or pop into tk maxx, u should find something

NewAndImprovedNorks · 25/02/2019 18:58

orangedaisy that is so lovely

SandAndSea · 25/02/2019 18:59

I would plan a special day of celebrations.

Eg.
Go for a country/beach walk.
Get a group together to do laser quest or something similar where everyone pays for themselves.
Invite people over for a do later on. (Maybe they could bring a bottle or food to share?)
Compile a good music selection to dance to.
Have a cheap buffet.
Make a cake and sing Happy Birthday with candles.
Make party hats.
See what you can get for clubcard tokens, eg. a meal out or something from Goldsmiths jewellers on triple the points value.

Forget any idea that you can't make it special - you absolutely can.

SandAndSea · 25/02/2019 19:01

Forgot to say: blow job and breakfast in bed.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 25/02/2019 19:02

Could you print off some vouchers for some things to do in the future? If your finances are likely to improve in the near future you could include some more costly things, but otherwise mainly free stuff such as go for a walk in a nice place, massage, a film and dinner evening of his choice etc...

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 25/02/2019 19:02

A promise... Wink

SandAndSea · 25/02/2019 19:03

I would also forget balloons unless you've already got them.

CheerioHunter · 25/02/2019 19:05

Steak, bottle of decent red wine and a blow job! Happy days

I came on to say the same!
Problem with jewellery and "cheaper" gifts is, unless its something you know he wants you'd be better off saving your money till a time when you can both think of something to do.
It probably wouldn't be what he wants, he'll feel guilty because he doesn't love something you've thought long and hard for and couldn't really afford.
I'd go down the "simple but meaningful" route.
A day out together.
If he doesn't get many passes out with his friends arrange a get together for him.
If you're not very often in the mood for trying new things out in the bedroom, think of a few things he's been wanting to do as a surprise etc.

You don't have to spend much for it to be special, but don't spend money for the sake of getting something

Fluffyears · 25/02/2019 20:16

DH is really difficult to buy for so I made a voucher last year for an ‘adventure’

AlecTrevelyan006 · 25/02/2019 20:22

Do you mean relatively skint or absolutely skint? Don’t waste money you don’t have?

Bake him a cake
Make him a card
Get a photo of two of you, frame it and tell him you love him

FinallyHere · 25/02/2019 20:26

Along tbe idea of a promise, could you make a book of vouchers, cup of tea in bed, lie in, sexual fantasy of your choice....

I did this as a penniless student once, we had great value out of it..

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