What shall I ask for from DP for my 40th birthday?

[ChewedEar]

I turn 40 in a few months.

DH's asked me to let him know any 'big' ideas I have.
I have none.

I suggested books but he wasn't at all impressed. That's not a 'big' idea.

Holidays or nights away aren't an option.
I don't want jewellery or keepsake stuff.
A spa day sounds like my idea of hell.
I hate the theatre.
I suspect he'll book a table at a fancy restaurant anyway.

What did you get from your DP for your 40th? What do you wish you'd got?

Please help me with some inspiration 😂

But you said it's what you want. So it is special to you. Fair enough if you want to jump through the hoops he's set you because he thinks you aren't capable of choosing something you actually want but to me that's a very strange way to treat someone.

Something like a literary festival/weekend (just for you or close enough that he could come for some of the day)?

I got a hydrotherapy hot tub.

I don't know where you live but something like this? He could come for one day, you could stay in London overnight.

https://events.bl.uk/events/histfest-2026

(if you like history books, of course!)

Bookbinding workshop? The Feb one is sold out but they come up a few times a year.

https://www.faber.co.uk/product-category/events/

Some kind of course for one of your crafts or a new one? I have always wanted to have a go at glass blowing.

A couple of years ago a did a tailoring course.

You could go off and do that for a day while DH stays at home with your dog?

A ticket to one of the book events that are posted all over a TikTok, I love reading too.

Thank you for all these suggestions. A book festival is a great idea, plus a course in some random craft I've never tried before. Thank you!

And skydiving... wow 😵

Depending on your specific crafting hobby, is there a possibility for a workshop or 'retreat' based on that?

My ultimate treat is a once-a-year crochet retreat sanctuary that I go to alone and have made many friends along the way. It's a weekend (or a day event only) of sheer indulgence in my craft and a perfect opportunity to shut the world out for a while

We did indoor skydiving last year for DHs birthday. There was an 85 year old doing the VR sky dive for her birthday!

Why can't your old dog come with you for a weekend away? An obvious present for you is a nice night away in a cottage where you can read. If you are interested in that I'm sure Mumsnetters will recommend dog friendly places to stay.

If reading is your main hobby, is there a first edition classic you'd like (and attainable/affordable)?

Wow! Did you enjoy? I’m tempted, but I’m a lot older 🤣

That’d be my choice - if I didn’t already have one. I love mine!

One thing I once ‘steered’ Dh into, was some pretty expensive sheepskin boots. I left a printout on his desk with size, style and colour clearly circled, and told him it was to save him having to rack his brains.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/7908227

Hope that link worked! There is a bookshop in Wigtown where you stay in the flat above and run the bookshop for the time you stay there.

This looks great. And a very nice business model for the owners 😂Bloody genius.

Ugh. Myriad reasons.

She doesn't travel well. She's very nervous in new places. We'd be in an even worse situation of being completely constrained to a hotel or Air BnB because we wouldn't leave her in a strange place alone while we went out for the day. At least we can leave her for a few hours at home.

Weekends away, overnight stays, holidays etc. are off the agenda for a little while.

It was an amazing experience. There was a split second 'OMG What am I doing?' moment as we edged over to the open door, but as soon as we left the plane it was great.
I'm actually scared of heights, but you don't feel high. As long as you don't look down. 😳 😂

I think any profits you make at the bookshop go to charity.

What about a beautiful bookcase for your books? I'm guessing being an avid reader you already have bookcases but what about a smaller antique bookcase that you can put your favourites in?

I got a new bike with a proper old fashioned basket.

Hubby and myself have a rule now, we no longer buy presents, just a card. You get to an age where you no longer need anything, and I hate buying something just for the sake of it.

Unfortunately my 2 sister in laws buy me a birthday present and I dread it, it’s always something I don’t need/want, I usually stick it in a charity bag 🤦‍♀️.

I’m plucking up the courage to inform them I don’t want anything, one of them is such a bunny boiler. Her disabled husband can’t make a text or phone call without her being involved, she’s a control freak, 😝

What about a special/first edition of a particular book? It's special for him to buy but also special for you and something to keep?