Your best 40th birthday present

[Fespital]

It's mine soon and I'm being asked what I want and I just don't know! Since Covid it's been really difficult imagining what real life is going to be like when it's all over. It's making it harder to imagine what I'll value forever. For my 30th I got some hand made bespoke diamond earrings (cost c.£150) so something around that value would be great. And I like it to be an item rather than experience (have spa break and afternoon tea still to book from last birthday!) All thoughts very welcome.

gopaddycampbell.wordpress.com/

Is that South African Sky @FlemCandango? Its really gorgeous!

Yes that one, and it really is.

My best friend bought me a stand up paddle board best present EVER

My cake, it was brilliant

Fellow ‘81 baby here too ! For my 40th, I asked for money towards a piece of artwork. I struggled to find ideas, but knew that the artwork was something I could enjoy for a very long time.
Happy birthday in advance

A really nice bike. I went part time just before so it also saved me money on travel

I had a weekend in Paris . It was lovely.
It's my favourite city. I also went there for my 30 th 😀

When I was 40 my husband paid for me to have a “refresh”. Hair dyed, eyebrows dyed, eyelash extensions, new ear piercing, dermaroller face treatment, enlighten teeth whitening, a couple of brown spots lasered off, new skincare, new makeup and outfit. I had been feeling like shit for a few years and had lost myself in being a mum - and afterwards I felt like “me” again, which was the best gift anyone could have given me.

Finding out my then h was/is a boring bastard.

My DD1 sourced second hand copies of the last 40 Man Booker prize winners.

Oh this. This is a gift. What a star your DD is, that’s amazing!!!!

Kindle Oasis, absolutely love it.

Hmm, I got married to DH on my 40th and didn't ask for anything special.
I think he bought us a box of Malteasers.
Feeling slight gift-envy now.🙄

My Dad bought me a watch I wear when I'm not at work (bare arms policy at my workplace).
It's from Ernest Jones, by DKNY, rose gold plated, with zirconia round the dial, just under £200 I think.
I've worn it for 4 years now & it still looks nice.

A contribution to chooselove.org.

I got my first bike.

Always had to borrow or be the one left out as a child.

I've booked bikeability for myself too this year. Can't wait.

My parents bought me a small piece of ‘grown up’ furniture for my 40th which I appreciated as it was something I couldn’t afford and will last a lifetime I hope.

For my 30th, my family paid for my downstairs to be redecorated. I’d had a rough few years and so the opportunity to totally change the colour scheme and ‘start again’ was lovely.

I don't have family and my DC aren't old enough to buy me things so I had nothing 🤣 (oh and it was during lockdown so I didn't see anyone either!).

A tent and tickets to Camp Bestival. Best weekend ever!

My family clubbed together to get me a Go Pro and I went to Disneyworld with my son. I was widowed just before my 40th so I wanted to go somewhere that reminded me of DH. I treated myself because I know he would have taken me there if he could have.

My Dad spent hours making a photo album of me from birth to 40th.

I also had a cake with my favourite childhood book character on.

It was mine in February so couldn't go away. My DH got me a pizza oven! An ooni one, I was so disappointed. However one of the best gifts ever, made the last few months of lockdown more fun Friday night is now pizza night. We all sit outside and enjoy family time

I've asked for a dog for my 40th.

Thank you all so much! That's sparked some really great ideas.

I like the idea of art but corny as it sounds my favourite art is done by my DC and what I'd love to look at more than anything is their faces. So maybe a photo shoot and canvas would be good.

I would also like teeth whitening but they're quite sensitive already so a bit worried they'd get more sensitive?

One of my favourite ever was an Oodie. An enormous oversized hoodie. Barely had it off.