Birthday present ideas for me… help please!

[YourDreamyHare]

I’m turning 40 next week, and a few people have asked me what I would like (one being DH, who is lovely in all other ways, but hopeless with gifts - so I don’t mind that he’s looking for some ideas).

The thing is, I can’t think of anything. We don’t have lots of money, but I have everything I need. I don’t want anything expensive really but suppose it would be nice to get a couple of little treats, just nothing too extravagant.

I have a watch that I like. I have boots, clothes, coats. I don’t buy much, but I take care of the stuff I buy so that it stays in good condition. I don’t want perfume, as the ones I like the smell of are generally very expensive and I think it’s wasteful, so tend to stick with a nice body spray.

I know I sound really fussy, just wondered if anyone has any suggestions. I’d be very grateful.

Always books for me but I appreciate it might not be your thing. One of my best 60th birthday presently was a few hours wandering around my favourite bookshop with a “buy what you want” brief. I was very restrained and stopped at five, it could have been WAY more.

If you can't think of anything surely you don't want anything and it just becomes buying you something for the sake of it?

I know I should really not respond to these regular threads because I'm weird about presents and refuse to accept any but the concept of not wanting anything so asking strangers to describe things they want just so you can get a thing for the sake of having a thing is really odd.

Following as I'm exactly the same position OP!

would any of these spark an idea @YourDreamyHare

@DappledThings

"I know I should really not respond to these regular threads" Correct

Can you ask everyone for vouchers for a specific restaurant and have your husband take you on a nice date? Or pick the experience of your choice, whatever you really enjoy? I'm like you and don't really need any stuff but I love doing things with the people I love

Yeah you should've taken your own advice and not responded.

Why is it always the people who are "weird and quirky" about something really mundane like gift giving who feel the need to barge into threads that they specifically have no interest in and let everyone know they're not interested? It's like a toddler walking into a room full of adults having an adult conversation and announcing "I LIKE TRAINS" at the top of their lungs. It's not about you love, sit down.

Beauty advent calendar, Spa break, voucher for favourite shop, books, scarves, jewellery - do you need any new tech, headphones? Are there any plays you want to see, gigs you’d like to go to?

What a lovely problem! Tickets to a show? Dinner and the cinema? Bulbs for the garden? Rose bush? Vouchers for M&S for new winter coat or whatever. Hope you gave a great time choosing.

Books, pretty notebooks, a heavy wooly scarf, swimming socks (good ones, I saw someone talking about them once on here and used a voucher to get them!) , gloves, a voucher for hairdressers or beautician, jewellery box

Are there any shops you like, but feel it's extravagant to buy from?

I was talking to my daughter about my ideal gifts today, and I thought vouchers, either from Lush (I know a lot of people on here think it's tacky, but I love their stuff, especially the face masks) or Waterstones (I generally buy books second hand, but i do love a new book occasionally!)

Another thing I used to love is cinema vouchers, but now DD and I have monthly passes. Though actually, it would still be nice as we could spend them on food and drinks when we go.....

If you have a favourite restaurant, maybe vouchers for that? Or even for your favourite hair salon or beautician?

(I would love to get my hair cut more often, so vouchers for my salon would be great).

Saving OP a job. If she doesn’t want anything she shouldn't feel obliged to spend time and effort coming up with something just for form's sake.

I think YABU. She's stated exactly that she doesn't want 'stuff for the sake of the stuff', nor even things she would like but considers overpriced. She is actually seeking ideas for mindful gifts. Good for her.

Your idea of a mindful gift is no gift. Fair enough. You aren't OP; she's saying she wants her loved ones to be able to give her non-wasteful gifts that will bring genuine pleasure. I'm loving PPs' suggestions so far - hope some of them hit the spot!

I've given quite a few Crowd Farming boxes, subscriptions and adoptions to my food-loving friends. Always well received, though I ditched the adoptions as no-one went to visit their tree, vines or bush!
www.crowdfarming.com/en

Fancy versions of things you'd use often or a treat you wouldn't usually afford:
A 100% cashmere scarf or sweater
Bath products from Neom or Origins or REN
Theatre tickets or tickets to a favourite band playing live
A beautiful pen or purse
A piece of jewellery.

my favourite 40th present was a tiny leather loop keyring hand stamped with a personalised message from NOTHS it was less than £15 and husband uses it every day and looks lovely and I wish I had one!
plant and a plant pot for the garden?
monica vinidar necklace
Apple Watch
new nose cancelling air pods
cashmere scarf/ hat
nice pen
a posh version of a tool of some sort for kitchen / garden so you see it all the time
Lamp
Picture and frame

It is my birthday very soon. I get my Liberty advent calendar every year. And a wee surprise.

How about some artwork? I got a big limited edition print one year and love how it reminds me of that time, and have asked for something similar for my next birthday - also the big 4 0! Happy birthday OP!