If you were turning 40, what would you like as a present?

[Pinot]

My sister's birthday next month. BIG ONE. Budget up to £200, hopefully less

She's the first in my little circle of f&f to turn 40, so I have no experience.

Help/advice if you pretty please?

Marking place. Am about to turn 40, many people asking what I want and I don't know - looking for inspiration!

Hmmm, I would like a spa day with my lovely sister. One day, 2 treatments and lunch. But I have a young family and so that to me would be a slice of heaven.

Or.......
Handbag
Expensive make up brushes and kit
Jo Malone stuff

Ooh spa a good idea, or Jo Malone.

Maybe a nice piece of jewellery (Alex Monroe, Laura Lee etc) or a watch?

Spa day sounds good - or ASK her !!

I was probably naive but when I hosted my 40th party (quite a few years ago now ) I had no idea that people would bring presents and I was rather embarassed as I would have clearly said 'no presents please' - as I did for my next big birthday . The best ones were bottles of champagne, bouquet of flowers and a voucher for a beauty salon.

Like many others in this age group I really, really didn't want any more 'stuff'.

my friends clubbed togather and bought me a necklace that really suited me, and DH bough the matching earrings and bracelet the following CHristmas. I also had a Kindle for my 40th, and that has really been well used

My best presents were:

Spa day (I see a theme here!)
Michael Kors watch
Jo Malone stuff
iPad (out of budget, my friend asked for Apple vouchers for her 40th)
Flights to Barcelona

I'd prefer a surprise party arranged for me, all my best friends invited.
On the menu; champagne, red caviar, blini (and not me doing the frying).

No presents, unless you are my DH (a trip or some jewellery would be lovely).

A nice bit of jewellery, Jo Malone fragrance, a spa day, Dermalogica stuff, Elemis stuff, Mac/Bobbi Brown make-up, a cookery class at a posh restaurant e.g. patisserie lesson or something, concert tickets for a fav band..... Gosh, Ragwort, I don't say no to stuff unless it's of no use because someone hasn't thought about what the recipient does or likes. I do agree it's a waste then. Perhaps if the OP's Sister has most things an activity rather than keepsake would be better.

I have asked her - she said a photo album

We're doing a party for her too.

I would love these ideas, but she's the opposite of me. She wouldn't know Jo Malone if it bit her on the bottom, for e.g.

Thanks for all the ideas so far - mush appreciated. I am pulling my hair out here!

iPad, lovely handbag, special piece of jewellery
Vouchers for something frivolous

I would love a spa day, but not everyone would.

When I turned 40 I asked for old copies of old family photos of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents as well as some of me and my brother when we were wee. It's one of the best presents I ever got. I have loads of them up at home as they are black and white and so lovely. Maybe that's what she is hinting at!

Hunter welllies?
An archery set
a game- like a beautifully crafted set of chess
local hand carved something...statue?
cookery lesson
flying lesson

YOu could make her a photo book, her life up to now...make sure you leave some pages at the end for her to fill in?

You lot are so good! :)

I am 40 soon so I've been making a little wishlist, no way I'd get (or expect) all of these but nice to give those friends and family who'd like to get me something special a few ideas:

Spa day (obviously a favourite!)
Beachcomber bracelet These are Pandora style but more to my taste, am hoping I may be lucky enough to get one then a few beads from different people, it would be a lovely keepsake
A decent leather bag but no idea which - maybe Peony & Moore?
Cashmere (but not itchy like the Hush sweater I received today!)
A Roberts digital radio
Bobbi Brown make-up brushes
A silver sports watch (waterproof)
Design your own Converse (I have the design ready and waiting on the Converse website!)
A decent leather biker jacket to replace my cheapy version
This lamp

Hope this gives you a few ideas :)

That's an awesome list, CB. Thanks

We club together and get stuff for people. Best gift recently was personalised piece of jewellery (at recipient's request) plus vouchers for a very swishy and luxurious hotel site - and the hotel thing was the biggest winner.

I would like something like that - an experience, not stuff.

My best present was a snowboard

I'm not your typical girly girl, but I know who Jo Malone is and if I didn't I'd probably have a sneaky google anyway!
But you can't go wrong with a spa day or an overnight spa wkend if you have time or some sort of other experience day.

Depending on where you live, a theatre experience package. You get theatre tickets and dinner for 2 in London.

If she wants a photo album and doesn't like the rest of the usual stuff how about a really nice photo frame?

I got loads of lovely pressies -jewellery, clothes, bubbly, vouchers, but if none of those appeals to your DSis, I also got a Kobo from a couple of friends, which I love!

If she wants a photo album what about making her a lovely photo book at one of the many places online. You could fill it with photos that mean something to her, have great memories, from childhood or her children if she has any.

I gave my dad one for Christmas filled with pix of his grandchildren and loved it. Shows it off to anybody who'll look

My best present was a trip to Morocco without the children...to be taken in a few weeks.

If she's not into 'stuff'. How about a photo book telling the story of her life so far? maybe with funny quotes or stories if you have the time / imagination?

An experience is also a really good idea. What is she into? a cookery day at Leiths was a hit with my dh. Hot air ballooning? skydiving? You can get a flying lesson in a plane for about £100. Or for something a bit more relaxing maybe a night away in a posh hotel?

I also got 2 spa days which was a big hit.

My dsis bought 40 smaller presents all to do with things in my past or little treats for now. It was wonderful and such a laugh to open. Must have taken ages to do though.

I turned forty last week and my best present was the one from DH; a big picture frame with mounts for seventeen photos inside, ranging from 4"x4" to 10"x10". We have filled it with photos of the children and us on our holiday in Devon last year. Every time I see it it makes me smile. I think it might have cost about £50 to £75-ish.