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 😂

`My husband took me to Italy for mine so no help there if you don't want a trip away!

Firstly, you are going to be 40 all year so you could consider taking a trip at another date when you can get a dog sitter

I was going to say an antique book / first edition type thing of a favourite author or poet but someone has beaten me to it.

DH gave me a lovely watch for my 40th. I don't like blingy ladies watches so it's a classic branded mans watch with a big traditional face which I can read without my glasses on. Only men ever notice it 😁

A puppy? If you are stuck at home then it's a good opportunity to housetrain a new dog. Appreciate you might hate the idea though and if your dog is very elderly a new dog with the zoomies may be a nightmare for it.

Craft activity, residential weekend to do something, DH to dog sit.

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A beautiful wooden bookcase, or custom made shelves?

If your main thing is reading, why can't he respect that? Either a new Kindle, or a very generous book token, would be perfect. Or is there a particular first edition you would like?
Or maybe a solo trip to a literary festival (& he stays home to look after the dog)? I'd love that.
Otherwise, what is the point of him spending money on things you don't want?

You can go away on your own, or with a friend though!

Special/Illustrated/signed edition
First edition if you read classics
Trip to a signing/book convention/festival incl. overnight stay and train/flight?

New bookshelves

I’m tempted 😧

I got a smart watch from DH for my 40th (never had one before). It's been so useful!

If you have lots of unfinished craft projects, is there something he can do or buy to create/improve your crafting space? Table/storage/lighting/radio?

Op, I like the bookcase idea...on a similar theme, a beautiful reading chair or reading lamp?

I also love giving clocks and personally I would love a watch. And one of those lovely Welsh blankets...been eyeing those up for years.

A reading chair, lamp and blanket - my little nana nook. I love it 😅

Perfect! With your lovely dog at your feet x

Fancy gym wear?

A book subscription - i bought this for my ex for Christmas

https://teatimebookshop.co.uk

Tickets to the Hay On Wye book festival in May; we have done this 5 years in a row:

https://www.hayfestival.com/home

Fresh flower subscription
Make up lesson
Pilates (or other) class subscription
Dinner with a tasting menu and wine flight

Hope you have a great birthday.

We renovated our box room, daybed with more pillows than I can count, two fluffy blankets and plenty of bookshelves.

My reading den and nobody is invited.

My daughter took me to the Hay festival for my 70th last year. We had a wonderful time and came back with a few more books!
Or
Michelin restaurant meal . A once in a lifetime experience and always remembered.

What’s your favourite book? How about trying to source a first/signed edition? Or visiting the setting of your favourite story or your favourite author’s home/place of birth?

@KatsPJs That's a bloody hard question! Not quite the same but we're planning to visit Lizzie Borden's house planned after I read Sarah Schmidt's book "See What I Have Done": Official Lizzie Borden House

That's a while in the future though post-dog 😢

Go for it! 😊 You too can be dangling from a man's chest at 10,000 feet.

We went there! DD covered her in Drama for GCSE level, they wrote scenes for a play about it, and we already planned to be in the area for our Summer holiday.
Not the sightseeing I planned orginally but it was morbid fascinating. It's a B&B now.

What about a dog friendly cottage stay, somewhere close by but rural. Take the doggo on some short quiet walks. Pub lunches, home for a bottle of wine, good read.

Oh wow. I'd really like to stay there!

A new handbag that I wanted. From work a Japanese head spa treatment, from friends gift vouchers for my aesthetics practitioner. We did a takeaway nice tea from my fav restaurant and I was happy with that. I didn’t want a fuss at all.

I know the books idea was pooh poohed but one of the best gifts I've ever received (and subsequently given) was the bespoke Willoughby book subscription.

Every book is beautifully wrapped. They didnt send me a single dud (nor the recipient when I gave it to someone). You can pause it. They'll send a replacement of you have read anything already that they send.

The person I gave it to has also subsequently given ut as gift because they loved it so much. Highly recommend.

If you could get to Bath Mr B's do a reading spa. You get a consultation before you go by phone, then they select a load of books to show you over tea and cake. And part of your ticket is money towards books. Gets you reading stuff you might not have thought of. A few friends have done them and loved them. I'm sure other places will do them.

I think I need to go to Bath. That sounds amazing.