MY 40th Birthday present - Help Please!!

[Crystaltips]

I know this might sound stupid to you - but my DH has asked me what I want for my 40th birthday - and I truly have no idea ....
I feel that I ought to mark the occasion somehow - but I am not really into "trophy" presents.
One friend got a diamond ring ( she HAD to tell me that it was worth £4,500 ) - but she's very materialistic ...
ANother friend got a car and a diamond bracelet - but she's just had an affair - and I felt sorry for her DH ... If THAT'S what he thinks makes her happy then good luck to him.
I don't really want jewellery - it only gets wrecked!
I thought of a holiday with the kids - but we are lucky enough to have those things already.

I know that it sounds really shallow - but everyone WILL ask me what DH got me - and I don't want them to think that he's the tight one. In my view - it's the small things that make all the difference - silly cards and the odd bunch of flowers or meal out when I need cheering up.
He's a darling man - and I don't really want to fleece him for the sake of it ... Any ideas ?
Thanks

well it's my 36th birthday on Saturday and my DH always surprises me

One year it was a simulator flight session, another it was driving a racing car (and that is fantastic BTW )

Is there a Centre parcs near to you? They do pamper days where you can spend all day in the fab spa and get treatments. DH could go too. Your gift doesn't have to be something to keep but could be a lovely memory

How about some art? A really fab painting, a beautiful piece of sculpture. A pretty carriage clock? A tree for the garden? An antique french bed?

I dunno, as you say it's the little things that matter, maybe get someone to draw/paint a picture of you both, that you can hang on your living room or wherever wall and you can look at it for years to come and remember that day?, or maybe go up in a hot air balloon for the day with your family (they're big and can fit quite a few in, saw one take off), of hire a boat for the day and have a romantic picnic, the works, certainly memorable (oh and the you don't want people to think dh is a skin flint...don't think anyone should judge your dh by what present he gets you (shallow))..hope you think of something soon.

Crystaltips - me too! I have no idea either. We agreed that he would buy me a few little things to open on the day and then when we are on holiday he will buy me some art or jewellery. But although we are quite well off and it is clearly a big birthday I don't think I will ask him to spend more that £500-800. I think anything more expensive is just being flashy!

However, we are having a big party tomorrow which will probably cost a couple of grand in total so I feel that is my big present and sharing the day with my friends and family is what brings me most enjoyment so I'm very happy with that!

Happy 40th

It was my 40th a couple of weeks ago and I'm a lone parent so didn't have the same dilemma but I went away for a weekend of pampering to a health club/hotel place with no kids and people cooking my meals which was lovely.

I couldn't think of anything for my parents to give me so they paid towards that (we don't have much money and are not given to extravagant presents!!) which was perfect.

Happy 40th anyway - welcome to the club!!

Ooooh at 40 I want a facelift!! or Liposuction grin] or a Tennis Coach .

I think a holiday would be really nice actually - just you two on your own somewhere secluded and romantic!!

Or a cooking course in Italy with some famous chef!!

How about a weekend at Raymond Blancs Manior des Quatre Saisons? It is supposed to be very child friendly (not in a chicken nugget way though) and at the same time, very luxurious. I hasten to add that I have never been but have only heard of the legend.

I'm 40 in 6 weeks time

We've just moved house and DH says he is buying me part of a sofa

I don't think he is joking