What was your best 40th birthday present

[givingupchocolatemonday]

Wasn't sure where to post this..

Looking for ideas for a close family frriends 40th birthday who is devastated about turning 40 🤣
I want something special that she can use and not for the house
Friends have already bought photo albums etc and the typical 'notonthehighstreet.com stuff

I was thinking some expensive pajamas however Everything seems to be too sexy or too grannyish?

What present did you receive that you loved? Or hated so I can avoid?!

Large cream Cashmere scarf/wrap/shawl
I have one that is my holiday go to - plane journeys, chilly spring or autumn evenings or in colder climates can be folded into a thicker scarf
I’ve just bought a pale grey one in tkmaxx sale that is more like a small blanket but soft and fine enough to use as a wrap or pashmina

Voucher for cream tea at a posh country house hotel

Mine was a trip to Barbados to see the test match,a tad niche I knoww.

@JaceLancs

Large cream Cashmere scarf/wrap/shawl I have one that is my holiday go to - plane journeys, chilly spring or autumn evenings or in colder climates can be folded into a thicker scarf I’ve just bought a pale grey one in tkmaxx sale that is more like a small blanket but soft and fine enough to use as a wrap or pashmina

It's also my 40th this year and this is something I might just ask for. What a lovely idea.

I'm just place marking.... need ideas too.

Love the scarf idea. MIL got me a cashmere scarf a few years ago. It looks fab with every single winter outfit. Like the idea of one that's more like a wrap.

My favourite presents were .. Designer bag, tickets to ladies day, jewellery, gin 😊

I got a big peugeot salt and pepper grinders, le creuset shallow casserole (doesnt fit the ‘not for house’ brief I know), niche perfume and jewellery from a studio I love. Me stuff and things that would last rather than be ephemeral. I still enjoy the look of an outrageously expensive 30th birthday bowl I bought on a birthday trip to Paris.

I went to Majorca with some girlfriends for a long weekend, it was epic.

I also got a gorgeous necklace that I wear all the time.

Various budgets -

One hundred stars dressing gown
Spa trip
Jo malone candle
Cashmere scarf/gloves
Small leather purse for little handbags

My favourite gift when I turned 30 was a voucher to buy some beautiful sunglasses!

Costume Jewellery
Handbag
Voucher for my favourite restaurant
Afternoon tea voucher
Martell Brandy

Forgot my Jo Malone candle I actually got 2.

Silver bracelet from Julia Beusch.

Surprise trip to Paris. 4 days of luxury..never been topped.
On return a bathroom makeover..had been installed.

I went to see David Zyla. Best money I have ever spent! I'm a copper autumn :-)

I have some lovely white silk Pjs from the White Company - not particularly granny-ish I wouldn’t say.
For my 40th I had a trip to Barcelona ( train from Paris)
A Mont Blanc pen
A vintage watch (1940s)
An Alexander McQueen scarf - this was 10 years ago when the skull scarves were all the fashion.

.66ct diamond earrings 💎 might be outside your budget though...

A trip to Paris! Was fabulous and while I was there DH brought me to the studio of the handbag designers who made the bag I had for our wedding and I got an amazing large leather tote which I used every day for about 6 years and still have and love. Overall, it was a brilliant trip.

I got lots of gifts , had a big party and went on a trip of a lifetime. My favourite present was a bread maker, all my friends chipped in for it. They were going to get me a spa day but luckily my DH told them this is something I would really like. So this doesn’t fit in with your not for the house spec but it was a fabulous present, so well used and so loved.

My 40th was 5 years ago & I too dreaded it!! But I had some great presents including:

A holiday to Mykonos with my sister;

A DKNY watch that I like so much I wear it every day from my Dad;

A pair of pink Nike gym trainers from my Nan (now RIP).

An unusual pretty silver bracelet from a best friend.

Some sexy River Island sandals I liked from my Mum.

& other things from friends & family.