40 presents for 40th, how to ‘present’?

[The6thQueen]

Husband’s 40th soon. I’ve gone with the 40 presents idea, know what I’m buying him, but no idea how to ‘present’ them!
40 days of gifts sounds like the novelty will quickly run out, 40 presents in one go sounds overwhelming. I don’t think he’d like a gift hunt.

Any suggestions gratefully received?!

what's the distribution like? size, value, usefulness to just because as it's his birthday?

I like opening a few at a time if smallish. (eg Christmas stocking like)

or one at a time if a big present. What does he do at Christmas?

To not stretch it out over too many days you could do one the first day, two the second, three the third etc

There was a thread a few years ago on here about a mumsnetter who did 80gifts for her grandmothers 80th it was very entertaining, I’m just here for the comments.

I pray to God that no one hides 40 gifts around my house on my 40th birthday and makes me look for them all as well. I couldn't think of anything worse tbh.

Social media has a lot to answer for!

I think if anyone did that to me, I'd just say 'sod that' and go out. I don't know where this idea has come from, but it's a terrible, terrible idea. Just why?

Do a treasure hunt is my suggestion.
I'm another one who'd hate it, but you know your DH best. I suppose some people love mountains of presents.

What about as a hamper typre thing

Love this idea especially as you say its stuff he'd use etc

Dh job always needs new specialist bits, tools equipment, I could easily buy 40 things work related and edible. That would all get used or eaten. Not in landfill.

My friend that did it for her husband has no social media at all. She’s been with him since school and did it for his 18 presents for his 18th, 22 years ago. I don’t think social media was a big thing back then. 😂 Some people do it just for them. Our group of friends are definitely not on Facebook, insta etc.

I'm 50 in a few years and if I get 50 gifts I will be over the moon. I love these ideas.
@The6thQueen could you do a treasure hunt but theme the gifts (ie all food stuff together) so there's only about 6 or so hiding places (I can think of 40 gifts no problem but I couldn't think of 40 treasure hunt clues 😂).

Derailing...
I did one for each decade for my DP which wasn't such hard work...

I can never think of one present that my DH would actually like... 40 would give me nightmares. So well done.
But no advice, I'd prob just give them him all at once. He's 40 not 4.

Can you give us an idea of the size of the presents? Would they all fit in a large decorated hamper? Or laid out on the sofa or dining table?

I think it would be nice to give them all in one go on his birthday, but with no pressure to have to open them all there and then - he could dip in and out through the day.

Heh @The6thQueen i knew what all the comments were going to be before I even read the thread...

I don’t tend to like the X for X years presents because, well, people have probably already outlined the reasons. One time there was someone here who was adamant that her grandmother (or maybe great grandmother) was absolutely going to love 80 presents...80!!

Anyway I digress.

40 for 40 is just about acceptable and is probably feasible without giving tat just for the sake of it, so you’ll get a pass from me!

I think the dip-in idea is great! Probably the best way of doing it.

Advent calendar style with numbers on, his choice then if he leaves a few grouped and opens 1-5 on day 5 etc.
lots of other good ideas dotted throughout too.

I tend to find if I lead with a 'I know this isn't really your thing but humour me' sort of conversation to dp it helps in these situations. He can then roll his eyes to opening one a day or all 40 in one go but knows that actually, not only is he getting his 40 baguettes, you're getting something from it too (btw hope it's the bake before you eat baguettes, cos other wise he'll be eating for hours on his birthday 🤣😉)

Yes only children are allowed enjoyment on their birthday 🙄🙄🙄🙄

I think OP meant bugatti as in the car, not baguette as in the bread product 🤣 I'd be pretty upset if my husband promised me a car and walked in to find a nice crusty French stick 😄

Start it, 40 days till you're 40 - and give a present a day? You could number the gifts and he draws a number out each day?

I did this for my DH. I gave them all at once when he got home from work, me and DCs set up a little surprise party for him, big balloon, cupcakes, cake (this was more for DCs. He loved it. Some were serious gifts, some novelty.

Could you stagger for 7 days before
Day 1 = 1 gift
Day 2 = 2 gift
By the time you get to day 7, that's 28 gifts
On his actual birthday there would be 12 left, one for each hour

@IWineAndDontDine ah bugger, you are correct. Hope I haven't spoilt the surprise...

I'll look out for the car parking thread that follows shortly. 😛

I won’t tell them how many presents my kids have had on their birthdays/Xmas some years. That would probably send them over the edge. 😬

Why? I did 21 presents for my boyfriend on his 21st back in the 90s. Just a big hamper of gifts.

And a few friends and I did 50 gifts for a friend's 50th. She opened them over a week!

Both pre social media and nothing to do with it!! Not everyone lives their life to post pics on the socials, babe.

OP how about a sort of raffle or tombola? Draw a ticket and win a present? Or do it over a few days?

@pop 🤣 he’d probably love 40 baguettes.

I should have known I’d end up needing to explain myself; that mumsnetters cannot do face value or answer the question 😬. You’re as bad as the kids I teach!

DH knows about the gifts, it’s not a secret. He’s thoroughly happy with the idea; preferred it in fact, as he doesn’t need or want anything big, but would rather have small useful/meaningful gifts.

It’s not about me - it’s about making him feel special and cherished after a truly, truly shitty few years for him.

Does that make everyone feel better; it’s not about me, I’m not killing the planet, it’s not consumerism, nor is it for social media (we’re not on it)?

Raffle could be fun - the children could get involved and help out too