Presents for 40th birthday

[00alwaysbusymum]

I have a lot of 'friends' who are hitting 40 this year, but not what I call close friends, rather women I have worked with for years or mums from school that we socialise with. All women I really like and get on with.

What are 'nice' gift ideas that are not just a bottle of bubbly... was thinking about £15/20 ish as I'm going out on various birthday celebrations with them so want to give something.

They are all reasonable financially comfortable as they all have good jobs so hard to buy a 'nice' present !

Following as I'm in exactly the same boat...

A nice candle?

I think it's always nice to get a bouquet delivered.

Gift vouchers for a massage or beauty treatment - include the list with the gift so they can start choosing x

For my 40th one of my friends from work gave me a picture frame with a photo of a group of us in it.

It might sound like a nice idea, but no one wants a photo frame as a present. It’s boring, sorry.

My friends bought me my birth weight in chocolate, but they new me very well and that I was utterly miserable at turning 40.

White Company candle
Posh shower gel / body lotion set eg Korres or Caudalie
Laura Mercier Bath Creme - comes in lovely pot
MAC lipstick in a shade to suit them
Space NK voucher
Book

'knew' not new

I had some lovely gifts for my 40th, and the best ones were handmade or something that were a bit unusual. Obviously not everyone makes stuff but if you can, definitely do!

Hand knitted socks
Framed watercolour of my favourite animal
Homemade jam
Lavender oil
15 different sheet face masks (LOVE this, I am still indulging myself with them)
Orchid
Bottle of silver tequila

Bubbly too which is fab

A bottle of posh wine?
I think a bottle of champagne is a great gift though, hopefully they may even feel they need to share it with you

I would like - a Lamy pen, a Moleskine notebook, a Chanel nail varnish / lipstick in that price bracket.

I’m 40 in a month. I would feel all embarrassed if my friends bought me something. Would rather just go out for a nice coffee and cake or something similar. I always find presents awkward - probably just me.

I bought a few people last year - a brass stamp (wooden handle) with their initial in a fancy script and some lovely sealing wax in gold and silver and the traditional dark red. It went down really well and you can pick up a boxed set for about 15 quid.

tbh I can't see the need for presents if they aren't close friends. Surely a card would be enough.

I’d rathee have a photo frame than a candle actually

It was my 40th last year and I have to say I don’t think you can have too many bottles of bubbly!

The majority of my friends will turn 40 over the next few years, and several already have. It wouldn't have crossed anyone's mind to buy or receive presents, so we won't.

Men lead less complicated lives generally.

We're all 40 this year too. For my group of 6 close friends we all chipped in 30 each and we all picked something special we'd like as a treat. I got a necklace, one pal
picked a handbag, another a pandora bracelet, one got Euros for her holiday and another a necklace. If there's a few of you would you chip in together?

For other pals we've done a nice bottle of something a bit more expensive than normal, photo frames, candles, scarves and jewellery. Also a beauty voucher or voucher for meal out if it was a couple.

I'd find it hard to pick make up for someone but maybe a voucher for Frasers or Debenhams where they could choose themselves

Xxxx