40th Birthday Gift for Best Friend

[kwelch10377]

My best friend turns 40 at the end of next month. The orginial plan was for me and our other friend to take her away to Baltimore for a weekend. When we first all became friends about 15 years ago we use to make frequent day trips down there. Well my other friend had to back out and I don't have the extra money to pay for the whole trip myself.

I feel bad that we had to cancal the trip and to top it all off I found out her half brother is throwing her dad a 60th birthday party the day before her birthday and not doing it as a joint party for both of them. She is pretty upset about it.

I am at a loss what to get her. She has tons of stuff on her Amazon wishlist that I could get her but I am trying to avoid something generic, I want to do something special. She loves Disney, movies, music, pop culture stuff and different nostalgic things from when she was growing up. I was thinking of maybe doing something that is related to each year of her life, but that might be come pricey.

Any thoughts or ideas? One thing that does factor in is that I live 5 hours away from her so a party really isn't possible and there really isn't anyone down where she lives that I could depend on to help me out to put one together.

 

[Janepod]

My best friend turns 40 at the end of next month. The orginial plan was for me and our other friend to take her away to Baltimore for a weekend. When we first all became friends about 15 years ago we use to make frequent day trips down there. Well my other friend had to back out and I don't have the extra money to pay for the whole trip myself.

I feel bad that we had to cancal the trip and to top it all off I found out her half brother is throwing her dad a 60th birthday party the day before her birthday and not doing it as a joint party for both of them. She is pretty upset about it.

I am at a loss what to get her. She has tons of stuff on her Amazon wishlist that I could get her but I am trying to avoid something generic, I want to do something special. She loves Disney, movies, music, pop culture stuff and different nostalgic things from when she was growing up. I was thinking of maybe doing something that is related to each year of her life, but that might be come pricey.

Any thoughts or ideas? One thing that does factor in is that I live 5 hours away from her so a party really isn't possible and there really isn't anyone down where she lives that I could depend on to help me out to put one together.

Personally I would stick to the Amazon list. I have one and I really appreciate when people use it, rather than "going rogue."

Alternatively, a gift card to a restaurant in Baltimore and a promise to go with her later.

Funny that she wants a combined party. My family tries to combine my birthday with my brother's every year. I hate it! HATE IT. I want my own cake, for once.

 

[kwelch10377]

Personally I would stick to the Amazon list. I have one and I really appreciate when people use it, rather than "going rogue."

Alternatively, a gift card to a restaurant in Baltimore and a promise to go with her later.

Funny that she wants a combined party. My family tries to combine my birthday with my brother's every year. I hate it! HATE IT. I want my own cake, for once.

I usually do stick to the list, but for this birthday I want to go "rogue" and not get someting like Season 8 of 2 and a Half Men or Debbie Macomber book. She has enough stuff like that and I want to get her something more sentimental or nostalgic which she is totally into that stuff. I just can't think how to bring something together.

I don't think she really wants a combined party but I she is pretty bothered that the fact that it is her 40th birthday wasn't even considered.

 

[Janepod]

I usually do stick to the list, but for this birthday I want to go "rogue" and not get someting like Season 8 of 2 and a Half Men or Debbie Macomber book. She has enough stuff like that and I want to get her something more sentimental or nostalgic which she is totally into that stuff. I just can't think how to bring something together.

I don't think she really wants a combined party but I she is pretty bothered that the fact that it is her 40th birthday wasn't even considered.

Ah, that makes sense. Hopefully they're planning a surprise for her.

 

[kwelch10377]

Ah, that makes sense. Hopefully they're planning a surprise for her.

I already asked her brother and they are not.

 

[bedogged]

My best friend turns 40 at the end of next month. The orginial plan was for me and our other friend to take her away to Baltimore for a weekend. When we first all became friends about 15 years ago we use to make frequent day trips down there. Well my other friend had to back out and I don't have the extra money to pay for the whole trip myself.

I feel bad that we had to cancal the trip and to top it all off I found out her half brother is throwing her dad a 60th birthday party the day before her birthday and not doing it as a joint party for both of them. She is pretty upset about it.

I am at a loss what to get her. She has tons of stuff on her Amazon wishlist that I could get her but I am trying to avoid something generic, I want to do something special. She loves Disney, movies, music, pop culture stuff and different nostalgic things from when she was growing up. I was thinking of maybe doing something that is related to each year of her life, but that might be come pricey.

Any thoughts or ideas? One thing that does factor in is that I live 5 hours away from her so a party really isn't possible and there really isn't anyone down where she lives that I could depend on to help me out to put one together.

How about getting her one of the Dooney & Bourke Disney purses?

 

[kwelch10377]

How about getting her one of the Dooney & Bourke Disney purses?

She isn't really big on purses.

 

[Hillbeans]

My best friend turns 40 at the end of next month. The orginial plan was for me and our other friend to take her away to Baltimore for a weekend. When we first all became friends about 15 years ago we use to make frequent day trips down there. Well my other friend had to back out and I don't have the extra money to pay for the whole trip myself.

I feel bad that we had to cancal the trip and to top it all off I found out her half brother is throwing her dad a 60th birthday party the day before her birthday and not doing it as a joint party for both of them. She is pretty upset about it.

I am at a loss what to get her. She has tons of stuff on her Amazon wishlist that I could get her but I am trying to avoid something generic, I want to do something special. She loves Disney, movies, music, pop culture stuff and different nostalgic things from when she was growing up. I was thinking of maybe doing something that is related to each year of her life, but that might be come pricey.

Any thoughts or ideas? One thing that does factor in is that I live 5 hours away from her so a party really isn't possible and there really isn't anyone down where she lives that I could depend on to help me out to put one together.

Is she into concerts or shows? Maybe you can purchase tickets for something over the summer half-way between where you both live and go out for the night? I also like doing experiences for birthdays rather than giving gifts, within budget.

 

[kwelch10377]

Is she into concerts or shows? Maybe you can purchase tickets for something over the summer half-way between where you both live and go out for the night? I also like doing experiences for birthdays rather than giving gifts, within budget.

She isn't really into shows, the only concerts that she goes to anymore are New Kids and she always goes with her one friend from High School. That is "their thing" and I don't think it would be the same for her if I took her. I thought about the DMB since we use to go all the time and we haven't been in years, but her sons first birthday is that day of the concert.

I have given her Phillies tickets before since she is a big Phillies fan, but since I have done that before I don't want to repeat.

I would love to be able to meet half way to do something, but she lives in Philly and I live in Boston and while it is a 5 hour trip you never know when it can turn into a lot more than that. I have no problem driving down to Philly since my family all lives there but I really can't think of any expereince that would really "wow" her and make her birthday special.

 

[SMD]

Since you said you wouldn't mind driving, could you ask her brother if you could be invited to her father's party, and would it be alright if you got her her own small cake? And maybe some of those 40th decorations from the party store just to put at her seat? Then you could also get something from her Amazon list, if you want to give her something to open.

 

[kwelch10377]

Since you said you wouldn't mind driving, could you ask her brother if you could be invited to her father's party, and would it be alright if you got her her own small cake? And maybe some of those 40th decorations from the party store just to put at her seat? Then you could also get something from her Amazon list, if you want to give her something to open.

I think that might be a little intrusive.

I am planning on going down there that weekend no matter what, not only to at least see her at some point over the weekend for her birthday but I am also running a 5K down there. I am hoping to take her to lunch or dinner and give her whatever I decide on.

 

[BeckyEsq]

My friend and I just got a 40th birthday friend for another friend. It's a charm bracelet from Origami Owl. We were able to personalize it with her birthstone, initials, a "sister" charm (we are sorority sisters and think of her that way) and some symbols for her hobbies. We figured it was something her husband or anyone else was not likely to get her! Very reasonable as we both wanted to spend around $40 each (we keep gifts small).

 

[cluvsdisney]

I think that might be a little intrusive.

I am planning on going down there that weekend no matter what, not only to at least see her at some point over the weekend for her birthday but I am also running a 5K down there. I am hoping to take her to lunch or dinner and give her whatever I decide on.

Since you'll be in Philly, what about scooting over to AC for the night? Harrahs & Borgata's water club have nice indoor pool areas. You can lounge by the pool for part of the day then go for a nice dinner in the evening.

 

[wilma-bride]

I bought my best friend a 40th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke bag for her 40th Birthday

 

[kwelch10377]

Since you'll be in Philly, what about scooting over to AC for the night? Harrahs & Borgata's water club have nice indoor pool areas. You can lounge by the pool for part of the day then go for a nice dinner in the evening.

That would be a great idea but she has her dads party on Sat night. I'm going to be lucky if we can figure out time for lunch or dinner while I am there.

She mentioned the Hershey Spa a while back, but I looked at prices for that and it it way out of my price range.

 

[momw/2princesses]

How long have you been friends? Do you have pictures of you together through the years? What about a photo book of your memories?

My best friend and I have been friends our entire lives - even our parents and grandparents were friends. For my 40th birthday, she made me a photo book that spans all 40 years. It included pictures of us growing up, school, church trips, vacations, our weddings, each of us when the other's kids were born, and pictures that we took at Disney on a trip for our 40th birthdays. It is truly one of my most prized possessions! I love looking back at all of those pictures and the memories that we made.

I'm sure that whatever you decide, your friend will love it!

 

[ksjayhawks]

My friend and I just got a 40th birthday friend for another friend. It's a charm bracelet from Origami Owl. We were able to personalize it with her birthstone, initials, a "sister" charm (we are sorority sisters and think of her that way) and some symbols for her hobbies. We figured it was something her husband or anyone else was not likely to get her! Very reasonable as we both wanted to spend around $40 each (we keep gifts small).

I second the origami owl charms. Can do a necklace or bracelet.

 

[Donnainnj]

When my best friends turned 40 I got them 40 of Forty things. (did a similar thing for my MIL when she turned 60) Some things were cheap or free, such as a list of 40 memories, 40 Jokes, 40 smiles(a collage of faces they know smiling), 40 Best movies list, a cd of 40 downloads, 40 pennies (for my MIL it was 60, one for each year since she was born), 40 nickles, 40 dimes, 40 quarters, some were practical, 40 batteries, q-tips, safety pins, and there were a couple of gifts that money was spent on, like $40 gift card to a restaurant (amazon may work for you), and $40 in lottery tickets.
Donna

 

[kittengal13]

When my best friends turned 40 I got them 40 of Forty things. (did a similar thing for my MIL when she turned 60) Some things were cheap or free, such as a list of 40 memories, 40 Jokes, 40 smiles(a collage of faces they know smiling), 40 Best movies list, a cd of 40 downloads, 40 pennies (for my MIL it was 60, one for each year since she was born), 40 nickles, 40 dimes, 40 quarters, some were practical, 40 batteries, q-tips, safety pins, and there were a couple of gifts that money was spent on, like $40 gift card to a restaurant (amazon may work for you), and $40 in lottery tickets. Donna

LOVE this idea!

 

[kwelch10377]

How long have you been friends? Do you have pictures of you together through the years? What about a photo book of your memories?

My best friend and I have been friends our entire lives - even our parents and grandparents were friends. For my 40th birthday, she made me a photo book that spans all 40 years. It included pictures of us growing up, school, church trips, vacations, our weddings, each of us when the other's kids were born, and pictures that we took at Disney on a trip for our 40th birthdays. It is truly one of my most prized possessions! I love looking back at all of those pictures and the memories that we made.

I'm sure that whatever you decide, your friend will love it!

We have been friends for 15 years. I was trying to think of something along these lines and trying to incorporate a lot of the things that she loves that I mentioned earlier. I just really can't think how to bring everything together so it is a cohesive gift.