What did you want for your 40th birthday?

[NeedAHoliday2021]

We’re planning a weekend away and a London show, family meal and a meal with friends but dh wants to buy me something special. Stuff I genuinely want would be a new kitchen, sofas and carpets (planned for next year) which dh says are family things we need and not a birthday present. Realistically we’re probably looking at around £500 ish budget. Can anyone give me some inspiration?

Boots
A piece of jewellery - i want a white metal chain at the moment, I'm mulling it over.
A high risk investment- can you buy 0.5% of a racehorse? Something like that.

Nice necklace

Racehorse ownership package

Oh wow - I like Gilbert I’m not sure that’s a 40th birthday thing but I might get drunk one night and buy a share in a racehorse now you’ve planted that seed (I rarely drink but still).

I was thinking jewellery. He gave me a diamond necklace for my 30th but I broke the chain at the start of lockdown but maybe earrings to match or a bracelet? I looked at Tiffany’s but decided it’s not my style (except the £20k rings that are over budget).

I got a Mulberry Alexa as my original one was trashed and I was excited they'd brought them out again to coincide with my 40th, so kind of them

My dad got a £400 leather/pilot jacket for his 40th 22 years ago.
He wasn't impressed tbh.
But he told us this week he has asked my stepmum to bury him in it as it's his most favourite thing and it's been with him through the births of all grandkids, a move to France and my stepmums cancer/treatment/recovery.

Get something to make you feel spoilt (shoes?) or something you can be buried in/with 50 odd years from now.

Or a Tattoo??

Don't get house stuff though. Thats really rubbish

Maybe a handbag… I have 2 Kate spade bags and a Tory Burch one which I love. Maybe a small Mulberry bag? (In the sale)

Am I the only one who saw mulberry Alexa and thought they'd branded/pimped the home gadget?

My brain works in mysterious ways!

I wanted a Dales or Highland pony for mine but I got one 7 months or so early 🤣🤣

I’m planning on a stay at Warwick castle for my 40th, in one of the outrageously expensive suits, which will be next spring. Could you do something like that? A stay at a disgustingly expensive hotel?

We’re doing that in London but dh wants to buy me a thing to treasure. Maybe art?

@Kezzie200 I googled expecting a designer echo dot

When I turned 40, I decided it was time to invest more in me so I asked my husband to gift me Botox and microblading. Best decisions ever

Maybe my eyes are going but I don’t think I’m in need of Botox or weird eyebrows. Possibly at 50 but my face isn’t old looking.

Got an Apple Watch because I wanted one and also to get into habit of walking more. But I wish I had got a necklace as a watch only lasts some years, but it was a lockdown birthday so getting the watch was easier. A piece of jewellery is always my choice for big birthdays. Got a ring for 30th.

It's a few years ago now but we went to Paris without dc for 3 nights & stayed in a romantic small boutique hotel with a view of the Eiffel tower from our room. By leaving the bathroom door open you could also see it illuminated from the bath.
We spent a long leisurely hour in the bath drinking champagne as the sun set & them went for dinner
I also got a beautiful leather bag by the designers who made the bag I had for our wedding
I remember that trip so fondly

I got a designer handbag for my 40th.
DH also made me a lovely photo book.

I went on a massive holiday on the actual day of my birthday and I had a party a few days before. I planned both of those things.
My DH treated me to a lovely earring and necklace set which was a complete surprise. 12 years on I still love to wear it.

It was yesterday.
I wanted my husband back. He died 5 weeks ago.
Realistically, I didn’t want anything especially big or expensive for existing for another decade.
DH would probably have got a weekend away for us, and that would have been great.
Otherwise, I wanted some clothes that cost more than I would have spent myself and books. I didn’t want or need anything much.

@badlydrawnbear So sorry to hear of your loss. Love is worth more than all the material things in the world.

Oh @badlydrawbear I am so very sorry for your loss. That is so terribly sad.

@badlydrawnbear I’m so sorry and I completely hear you. I’m not worried about stuff, time and memories is what I want. I like the idea of jewellery as my granny has given me some special pieces of hers that my granddad gave her like a beautiful Ruby necklace he gave her for their Ruby wedding anniversary. I like the idea of my dc having those items past on to them with memories.
Sending you lots of love. I feel very grateful I’m reaching 40 (not there yet) as my twin will never have that chance.

Some cryptocurrency.
I am told by a colleague that a wise "investment" will be a very wise move.
I am too ignorant to make a balanced, informed decision on this 😄

If spending £500 id like a child free night away, maybe a concert/ show and nice dinner.

As we've got older we tend to buy each other things we can do together. I don't need physical 'things'. I have plenty of things. I prefer an experience I'd remember,

A trip to Hawaii. So I took myself :)

I got a longine watch which I had wanted for years. I adore it. I also got a Chloe handbag but I was too scared to use it so I sold it!
I would choose jewellery. I still own some small diamond studs my mum got me for my 21st and they mean a lot to me.