DH 40th - what to do for a present - one big one or smaller ones?

[Danceaway]

DH has said he'd like a guitar, the one he wants new is £1400; I don't think he realises it costs so much. I can manage it out my savings but as SAHM don't know when I might replace the money - but I don't need it for anything for myself and he is generous and I wouldn't mind spending it on him. He has one of these guitars already but found out the person it belonged to committed suicide so feels funny about playing it now!! Think I feel funny about spending so much as if I do run out of savings (c£3k total from pre kids days) I will need to ask him for money anyway... so in the very long run he may end up paying for it if you know what I mean...
If I don't get him the guitar, I'd get him a nice jacket, ipod dock, cufflinks, poss a couple of CDs but prob £400 - £500 tops. Wonder whether the big guitar gesture is worth it or whether he'd prefer smaller stuff. Or should I just ask him??

I think talking to him about it is the only thing to do here. If he'd really prefer the guitar, then you'd be wasting £400 - £500 on the other stuff. Would he really expect you to spend half your savings on him anyway? Perhaps all he needs is "permission" to spend that much of his own money? We don't have separate money but I know when DH wanted a new expensive bike, he felt bad about wanting to spend so much. My saying it was ok to go ahead and spend it was really what he wanted.

Could you part exchange/sell the guitar he feels funny about playing to bring the cost down, or does he want to keep it even though he doesn't play it?

I was going suggest flogging the old one too?

I know I've thought about flogging old one to offset the cost! I am torn between wanting to present him with an extravagant gift - or being practical and asking him to decide. I might just get it. Agree I could be wasting money on stuff he doesn't really want otherwise, he's the type to buy something if he really wants it - doesn't get himself stuff often tho'. He woujldn't expect me to spend half my savings and that's part of the attraction cos he's a really lovely DH and I'd like to spoil him!

Molesworth sorry I didn't answer you - no I don't think he'd want to keep old one. I've always wanted to learn so perhaps he could teach me on it if we don't sell it, have always wanted to learn and don't have an issue with the history myself.
Thanks all for helping !

My dh plays bass guitar and wanted a new one, so I hoped to team up with pals and get him one for his 40th, however like you I discovered they were hideously expensive. So we got him a mandolin, he loves it! He now plays it more than his guitar.

Another idea is a photobook like these. I got one for dh last Christmas, I put in some of him as a baby, growing up, all the cars and bikes he used to have, the bands he was in, his world travels, then his marriage and our babies. It took ages to do but worth every minute. He absolutely loves it! The format is great and it's provided many a talking point at family gatherings.

Thanks Rhubarb the photobook is a lovely idea, def for Christmas if not this birthday. Might drop a hint about the mandolin option! Would be a nice ornament as much as anything.