What do I want for my birthday?

[SENandSENsibility]

I just don’t know! DP and my family keep asking me and I haven’t got a clue. I don’t need anything. I’m not pining for anything in particular. If you were me, a 40-something working mother with hardly any free time, what would you ask for?

Eco friendly stuff:
Reusable makeup remover pads
Solid shampoo / conditioner

Lemon fragrance

££ tech:
Sonos speaker
Bose headphones

Fair-trade dark choc

Local to you items to support independent shops (e.g. takeaway voucher for artisan pizza, local coffee), something from local art gallery (ours sells eco coffee cups), or local artists (check etsy etc.).

Book from Hive (supports local bookshops).

Craft supplies? Brushes, wool, lino etc.
Scribd (stationery) or ScrawlrBox (art) subscription?

Photo print from www.brightonphotography.com/ (I bought myself one recently, love it, reminds me of seaside living!)

Bamboo socks.
Bamboo towels. Bamboo pants!

A night alone in a hotel. Uninterrupted, no phone, incommunicado, and a socking great fry up in the morning!

Second the idea of a night away by yourself. Maybe at a spa ?

Bit more materialistic than PPs- but if you like hot chocolate, then a velvetiser from Hotel Chocolat 👌🏼

Expensive option - A night alone / just you and DH in a nice hotel ends ticked to see a film you fancy follows by a slap up mal and a few glasses of wine.

Cheaper option - a picnic with lots of fancy meats & cheeses for you & Dh prepared by everyone except you at a local beauty spot / beach .

New winter coat or boots.

A voucher from the whole family for a spa so I can either use it towards an overnight stay (I love the excellent hot and cold buffet in the one I used to go to..) or buy a couple of full body massages. 🌹

Oh god, I’d love a night in a hotel on my own. Not really practical, alas.

So many people rave about the Velvetiser (which really ought to be the name of a sex toy), but I’m scared I’d just drink hot chocolate ALL the time.

I like the idea of a picnic prepared by everyone except me.

A night alone sounds grim lonely and very dull. Also a waste of money. A night out with a friend sounds much happier

Nice boots 👢. Some nice leather beautiful boots. Mmmmmm

Wool

Molton Brown stuff

Earrings

Theatre tokens - they never expire, and I assume theatres will open one day.

That's what I asked for for my last birthday. Mine's coming up soon too. Might skip the Theatre Tokens, still haven't spent last year's.

If you don't already have one, a Kindle. I love mine beyond words. The daily deals and monthly/seasonal sales mean that you can pick up current bestsellers which are £10+ usually for 99p and classics are all free. A basic Kindle (which now has a light) is about £70 but the Paperwhite is not much more and it has better screen resolution and is waterproof so you can read in the bath.

Yy to the Velvetiser, but you can only use it with HC chocolate. A regular milk frother/steamer does the same job but you can use it with any hot chocolate/drinks (and it's cheaper).

Do you have enough time to dedicate to a new hobby? DH bought me a guitar a few years ago and although I can only manage ten minutes here and there learning has been wonderful and very fulfilling.

I already have (and adore) a Kindle and a Kobo and hoover up the daily deals - it probably adds up to my biggest non-essential spend every month. Such a fantastic invention.

And you’ve reminded me that I should resurrect the milk frother that’s been languishing in the cupboard for years.

I don’t really have time for a new hobby, but I could ask for a course in something I already do (like crochet) and the time off to use it. Or something for swimming - but what?

It's my birthday next month, I've asked for some silicone baking equipment to replace my very old metal tins, new slippers, and a couple of recipe books.

A hair cut and condition?
Vouchers to use at beauty salon?
Special swimming shampoo (if there is such a thing).

It’s my birthday next month and I really don’t need/want anything. A couple of thoughts though:

I’m currently getting all the photos on my phone printed, so photo albums.
I’ve been working on my family tree for about 10 years, and I think it’s time for a DNA ancestry test.

It's my birthday next week.
I have asked dh and 3 x dd's (2 adults) for Apple AirPods
A flower subscription (bloom and wild)
Neals yard goodies

A meal at home of fish platter / antipasti and champagne.

M&s chocolate ganache cake.

I'm 48 next week and know what I like

Oh might add and ancestry kit to the list too.
I forgot I was after one of those .
Thanks @8thArmouredBrigade

My kids have asked what I want for my (big) birthday this year and I've asked for a garden shed.

So, anything you'd like for the garden, OP? Hammock? Nice bench? Or just some plants or a voucher for a garden centre (I may have finally reached THAT age...)

Seems pretty hurtful and odd to tell a loving dh and children that you want a night in a hotel ALONE! Bit strange really. I would want a night away WITH my dh and ds, not without.

How funny that people find it wrong to want a night away solo! Different personality types I expect. Whilst I'd live a weekend away with DH, I'd also adore a night with in a lovely hotel solo. Delicious dinner, glass of wine, fabulous book - utter bliss. Just not having to think about anyone else for 24 hours.

I've just ordered myself a pair of earrings from Swarovski as a treat (no birthday, just because!). They're fairly simple studs that I will wear everyday but they're just beautiful and more expensive than I'd be prepared to pay normally.

I take my hat off to you, @spagbog5

If you were a carer for my daughter, you’d want a night off, too, @Bbq1.

A weighted blanket?

I'm like you OP, I don't want or need anything. I now ask for flowers/hand cream/fluffy socks and general consumables. A bit boring maybe but I get pleasure from them so that's sort of the point.

Yarn? Maybe a couple of Caron Cakes?
It's my birthday next week. I've asked for some wireless earbuds as my phone doesn't have a headphone jack, and a book that I wanted that relates to my degree. It was £20 and I couldn't bring myself to pay it so when DH asked, I asked for it immediately. DH also bought me another pair of Converse, but I've already had those. I know the book has arrived, but there is no sign of the buds yet.

I'd also REALLY like a laminator and some sheets, but I'll save that request for Christmas.

I'd also love a couple of nights away, but with my best friend so that we can loll about in/next to the pool and just catch up for 48 hours (we live really far apart). A night away sounds blissful.