Nice 40th birthday gift for friend... Budget of around £20

[MontyBowJangles]

Any ideas please? I'm shit at present buying. She's a lovely friend, would like to get her something to keep. She's quite well off tho and hard to buy for!

Am looking at bracelets on Lisa Angel but don't know if they're naff (I wouldn't get a personalised or engraved one, cos they are a bit naff imo).

Help please!

I tend to get presents people can use, so that if they don’t like them they can consume them quietly or hand off to a relative / another friend.

A really nice handcream from space nk, or a lovely posh lip balm or bath salts/soak/handwash or candle is something she can say ooh how lovely and either use or easily regift.

I have unworn bracelets sitting around that dear friends have given me but that id never wear.

For something like that I'd maybe offer to take her for afternoon tea or something. If you also want something for her to keep, you could take a nice photo of both of you there, and frame it for her?

Or there will be some really nice books around in Waterstones etc now as we’re entering gifting season. Or a plant that lasts a couple of months (but that she doesn’t have to keep alive for a decade) like a azalea or orchid.

OR a nice coaster with her initial on it, a nice mug with some nice coffee/teabags. Anthropologie and Oliver bonas will both help you!

For friends good enough that I know books they’ve loved, I find a first edition of one that means something to them and that’s within their budget.

My budget, obviously

Yes, and if that’s too much money, you can get some lovely clothbound classics. From Penguin I think.

I agree that a posh brand hand cream/candle/shower gel is a winner... way more than jewellery. Maybe a White a company candle? They are £20 and a lovely gift.
Or take her out for lunch or afternoon tea.. also a lovely gift

Oh yes, the Penguin clothbound classics are beautiful.
Looking at the last four first editions I bought, they were under £10, so probably less than the Penguin books. It’s more the trouble of reading the descriptions online to find one in good condition.

I got my friend something like this. It was really pretty and looked far more expensive. I liked it as it acknowledged her birthday/age without being tacky. There are lots of similar ones on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/721526792/40th-birthday-bracelet40th-birthday-gift?gaorder=mosttrelevant&gasearchhtype=all&gaviewwtype=gallery&gasearchhquery=40th+birthday+bracelet&ref=srgallery-1-16&organiccsearchclick=1&pro=1&frs=1

Thanks everyone!! Books are definitely her thing so I shall investigate this cloth bound classics suggestion.

If not, I'll pop to John Lewis and get some posh bubble bath.

We've already done afternoon tea and a spa day this year (she paid for the afternoon tea for my birthday, which wasn't a special one...). I always think they're nicer in the spring/summer and her birthday is next week.

She's currently on an intensive training degree thing as well, until next year, so feel she won't have time for a lunch out or anything.

www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/bath-body/body-cleanser/bath-salts-powders/calm-bath-salts-MUK200021239.html

This is the one I was thinking of. If someone got me this and then maybe a fancy cupcake in a little box, I’d think I’d died and gone to heaven!

A friend bought me a Fosh water bottle which I thought was an odd present ....but I use it all the time. I take it to work, to keep fit classes etc.