£50 to spend for a 40th birthday - suggestions please!

[TiredThursday]

An old school friend is turning 40 soon. We don't buy presents but I wanted to send her something for this milestone. She's a mum of three so I wanted something just for her that she wouldn't justify buying herself so it's a treat rather than something useful. Budget is £50. Was initially considering a Diptique candle - has anyone got any better suggestions?

Personally, lovely as the candle is I’m sure, I’d rather have a really nice bottle of wine and expensive chocolates.

Is she likely to like a Diptythingy candle or is she likely to think 'you spent £50 on me and all I have is a fucking candle' as if you're going to set fire to money, it might as well be a fiver, not a £50 note.

What about a voucher for a manicure or soenthing she'd like so a treat and 'me' time for her.

Champagne
Gin
St Eval candle gift box
Afternoon tea voucher
Hotel chocolat gift box

Does she wear jewellery? I've had some gorgeous earrings from a company called Atrio on Etsy. Or you can design a ring for her here: www.lesgeorgettes.com/en-gb/create-your-own-ring-atelier_bague.html?s=70390001600058::703018599F0000

How about a Clogau Keyring and a bottle of fizz/nice box of chocs.
It should last a lot longer than a candle.

I do like the idea of champagne but is that something that you're likely to get a lot of on milestone birthdays so it's less special? She would appreciate the candle as she has impeccable taste. I was also thinking of some form of cashmere but £50 doesn't go far for that. Her children are still young so whilst I would love to gift her a massage or something similar, I'd worry finding the time would cause her stress.

I would love the candle, or anything Jo Malone

www.nearlynewcashmere.co.uk/collections/accessories2

Some lovely cashmere accessories. I love this site.

I’ve bought several jumpers.

Gift her a massage and offer to babysit while she has it.

I'd love to offer to babysit but unfortunately we live 200 miles apart!

Jo Malone is also along the right lines, just having a look at their candles.

@BarbaraofSeville

Is she likely to like a Diptythingy candle or is she likely to think 'you spent £50 on me and all I have is a fucking candle' as if you're going to set fire to money, it might as well be a fiver, not a £50 note.

hahaha this is exactly what I would think if someone bought me a candle! She would appreciate the candle as she has impeccable taste It is possible to have impeccable taste and also not like candles as evidenced by me

I always go for a nice hamper of things in these circs, lovely chocolates, coffee/tea, jarred fruit in liqueur. Or something like really expensive sherry or dessert wine.

A cashmere scarf? JL have ones at £60 In loads of colours

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-cashmere-knitted-scarf/teal/p5685579

I got someone a quartz roller recently for a special birthday. Something they'd never buy themselves but a tiny bit of luxury. You could
Get a nice serum to go with it?

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Rose-Quartz-Facial-Roller/p/SKDFR?swatch=No+Colour

Or what about a luxury bath product something classic and fresh smelling like Elemis

https://uk.elemis.com/skin-nourishing-milk-bath.html?bottlesize=323&gclid=CjwKCAjwiY6MBhBqEiwARFSCPuKJliA7eqN79BAfpQy8Hq6V6MFUbbj9o2EIc3GjPSv0BtBNz2kpahoCanEQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was given a Diptique candle once and had no idea it was so special , I just shoved it in the PTA raffle .

Thanks Alice, I like all of those suggestions!

And Ragwort, your reply really made me laugh. Wonder if the raffle winner appreciated it?!

I would love the Diptyque candle! Far more so than wine or chocolate.

What about a lovely bouquet of flowers delivered?

I'd be over the moon with a dipytique candle!!
I'm not so bothered about getting booze, on my birthday I had two bottles of spirits, I appreciate the gift but I have so much already, I don't like drinking at home so it's just 2 more things in the cupboard

@TiredThursday

I'd love to offer to babysit but unfortunately we live 200 miles apart!

Jo Malone is also along the right lines, just having a look at their candles.

Then can you pay for a baby sitter?

I got some mini bottles of champagne for my 40th. Really good ones, I forget the brand but it was vintage. I loved them. I never get to drink because I'd have to open a full bottle and the rest would go to waste. I could split one with a friend and it would be a glass each. That was five years ago and I still have one left.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and opinions, got some more research to do!

An amazing bath oil and a small candle?

Oh how exciting 🙂 I would just put the cash in a card.. I am on a low paid job and would love 40 quid to just buy a hair dye, face cream and nice shower gel and body spray. I never buy this stuff for myself.. 40 pound would get me all of these