40th birthday gift ideas?

[dizzyupthegirl86]

Im being asked what I want for my 40th birthday coming up in September and I’m really at a loss! I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions I might not have thought of.
it’s my boyfriend asking me, we don’t live together. Budget likely to be 300-500.

we can’t go away other than maybe a UK city break, but as we already do that on occasion anyway, I feel like I’d rather have an actual present?

I’ve considered a nice handbag or purse but I’ve got a handbag I really love that’s about ten years old now and in great condition coz I only use it once a week when I go into the office!
im into skincare and ‘self care’, I get regular facials and massages so considered an LED mask type thing (after chat GPT suggested it) but I got a knock off version last year and barely used it.
im quite into cooking and kitchen gadgets but I have a decent blender (another chat GPT suggestion) and espresso machine already. For past presents he’s bought me an always pan and the pot and that was a GREAT idea!

I’ve been taking mounjaro for the best part of a year now so have lost five stone and am really enjoying fitness and exercise lately but clothes is a tricky thing to buy because I still need to lose more weight.

I’ve got a lot of candles already which is usually a safe bet, but of course once it’s burnt it’s basically no more!

does anyone else have any suggestions? Jewellery is the only other thing I can think of, which might be quite nice as it’s something I’ll always have!

Spa day / weekend
dyson hair dryer or air styler
Fitness watch

Thank you!
I’m going on a spa weekend with my friends for my actual birthday (because he can’t get time off work that week, otherwise we’d have gone away ourselves) I’ve got a Dyson hair dryer already and I bought myself an Apple Watch about six months ago! Chat GPT has also suggested an oura ring but I’m not sure I’d see any benefit from it if I’ve already got the watch!

Do you like to read? I recently had my 40th and was gifted a personalised book embosser, something i would never have bought or thought of myself, I love it

some le creuset stuff for the kitchen?
any gig, show or play you'd like to see?
DIY F&M hamper with fancy treats - can do condiments, wine etc as well as sweet stuff if you're trying to lose weight
nice pair of boots/trainers?
although you've got the one handbag, maybe a slightly different style, e.g. smaller one for holidays/nights out?

Although on what you've said I'd probably go jewellery. Could even combine it with an overnighter to Birmingham or somewhere with a jewellery quarter/ few decent shops to have a look round and nice meal.

I do like to read but another great present he bought me (with some guidance) was a kindle paperwhite and I haven’t read a physical book since!

I like le creuset but hate cooking with cast iron so the stuff I have (the mugs are great) are probably the most use I’d get from it!

i really like the theatre actually, I’m near Birmingham funnily enough so do go a bit! There’s a show (Hadestown) I’d like to see in London, but we couldn’t do it around my birthday so then it feels like it turns from a birthday present to a weekend away in the autumn which we can do anytime, if that makes sense? Like it doesn’t feel like a milestone present.

id sort of forgotten about the jewellery quarter somehow but yes that would be great!

I have been told many times I’m difficult to buy for 😬 what doesn’t help is that his family all just tell each other what they want for gifts so there’s absolutely no element of surprise.

What’s the rush?

I could understand if he were planning a holiday, but (given this is S&B!) you may be close to your ideal weight by September - and in the meantime have all summer to think about what might be the perfect thing.

I’m not generally keen on receiving clothes from men, but as a one-off (assuming you’re still together then) why not something like a leather or suede jacket? Or a really great pair of shoes. Obviously you would choose the thing.

Jewellery should be a pretty ideal gift - but only if it’s something you’re actually eager to have.

I just turned 40 and my husband took me to the Maldives but I bought myself a ring (I always buy myself a birthday present!) My mum bought me a voucher for my favourite photographer to do a family shoot. The kids got me a personalized leather notebook cover and a perfume I love but rarely buy myself as it’s $.

Expensive trainers
A Longchamp Le Pliage bag
A weekend bag
Perfume
A gold or silver cuff bangle / hoop earrings
Cashmere poncho
Posh dressing gown

As you can tell there’s a long list of things I’d love if I had a big birthday coming up ☺️

Ooh some good ideas here!
No rush specifically but he’s asked me twice and both times I’ve said I’ll think about it!
I wish there was an item of clothing I’d always longed for but I can’t say there is really and frankly I don’t go out anywhere near as much as I used to, to wear something fancy anyway.

I actually went to New York for my 30th and it was amazing, in an ideal world I’d have loved for us to go away but something like that just wouldn’t be in his budget. I’m happy going to Bucharest with my mates to a fancy spa instead for the actual day.

I think a bangle or bracelet is my preferred choice at the moment because it feels like the sort of thing I could keep forever and say ‘I got this for my 40th’, you know? Whereas something like perfume (or a fancy candle which is usually a safe bet) - once it’s gone, it’s gone! I especially like the idea of something from JQ as it won’t feel as ‘off the shelf’!