Special 40th birthday gift for DW - HELP!

[goofyguy1958]

I have been trying to come up with something special for my DW's 40th birthday -- we will be celebrating it during our May 2004 Disney Magic Cruise -- and would like to solicit some ideas. Since all the posts here at DC have been so informative I figured someone here could get me started. I have taken the $4 a day I usually spent on coffee and a soda and been squirreling it away, without DW knowing, for almost two years now. I figure I will be around $2,000 for the sneaky gift. Hey, that's a lot of money, maybe I should rethink this. Seriously, I want this to be the most special birthday my DW will ever experience and could use some suggestions. By the way, she isn't as big a Disney nut as I am -- I guess that is why I am so good at squirreling things away.

 

[AnnMorin]

Are you going on a seven day or shorter. The reason I ask is if you are going on a seven day the jewelry prices in the caribbean are outstanding! for my 40th birthday DH got me a gorgeous sapphire and diamond bracelett in St. Marten that cost less than half what it appraised for back home here. On my 41st Bday last year (although after turning 40 now all of my bdays are 40 from now on ) we were on the western and he got me a beautiful diamond band. Again it appraised for more than double what we paid. For 2000.00 you could get one heck of a peice of jewelry! the diamond band cost between 800.00-900.00 I don't recall the exact amount but it appraised back home for around $2000.00. They started out wanting $1300.00 so you do have to talk them down.

 

[Verandah Man]

we will be celebrating it during our May 2004 Disney Magic Cruise

Are you going on a seven day or shorter.

Hey Cruel, didn't you read his post, he said he was going on a May 2004 Disney "MAGIC" cruise.

Don't flame me anyone, AnnMorin and I have a joke going on, besides, I wanted to play BD for a change!!! Now back to the topic at hand, or neck, or wrist, or wherever you put on jewelry these days!!!

 

[4nana]

I have taken the $4 a day I usually spent on coffee and a soda and been squirreling it away, without DW knowing, for almost two years now.

Goofyguy, want you to know, I think that is so sweet!

Another vote for jewelry!
I just love my Anniversary band...
3 stones to represent: past, present & future...
Says it all !!!

 

[AnnMorin]

Just confessed my sins to him... from here on out please refer to me as cruella de ville or cruel for short

I think that three stone idea is a nice one! My anniverery band is the "old style" like a wedding band but all diamonds but I love the sentiment of the new one past, present and future...hmmmm maybe I should print this out and leave it lying around for Jay to find
Ann aka Cruel

 

[gonna go cruising]

I must say that is such a sweet idea to have thought about this for so long ahead of time. I am sure no matter what you choose to get for her, she will be genuinely touched at your thoughtfulness.

 

[4nana]

OK...."Cruel"

I can tell by your posts that things are looking up this week!?

~ Sandie

 

[AnnMorin]

Not really..check your pm and I will fill you in.. Andy just has a way of helping me to see the humor in things...

 

[jiminy579]

goofyguy,
I think no matter what you choose, your wife is going to appreciate the thought you have put into her gift! Now since I am not a jewelry fan, another choice I have to throw in the mix is handbags!!! Ooohhh, the more expensive the better! For $2000, not only can you get her an amazing one, but you can sneak some extra cash inside for her spa treatments on the cruise, and still have some left over for a great bottle of champagne!


Ann,
you are MUCH too sweet to ever be referred to as Cruella De Vil!
She is a wretched character!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Ann you are one cruel lady

I love the idea of the 3 stone band - hope to get one myself some day (anyone think Mark will read this thread)

 

[jiminy579]

WDWLVR,
Just print it out and leave it laying around the house!!!
It's worth a shot!!

 

[WDWLVR]

DeeAnn he's a regular on this board so I'm thinking this might be sneakier

 

[jiminy579]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
DeeAnn he's a regular on this board so I'm thinking this might be sneakier

Very sly!!! Let's spread some pixie dust on this thread in hopes that your wish comes true!!!

 

[walczak4]

I am also a big fan of jewelry but an even bigger fan of romance! So, to top of a wonderful b-day cruise & beautiful gift, what if you have your wedding vows renewed on the cruise. I know it's more in line of an anniversary cruise but MOST women would love the idea. Of course, you would probably have to fill her in on that part of the trip so she could pack the perfect "wedding" gown

 

[justmestace]

Walczak4...I think the vow renewal is a great idea!! I would so totally love it if my husband did something like that for me!
I can't even beg my way into getting him to do that!!!

Goofyguy....you HAVE to do that!! It would be sooo romantic, even if it is for her birthday.

 

[dairyou]

Vote me in for the 3 stone diamond ring. I don't wear jewlery, but my husband bought this for me and I absolutly love it! 1 1/2 carats is a good size. Not too big, not too small...

Deb

 

[GoofyDisney]

Really sweet idea!!!

First of all, you are going on the Magic, so I would say that jewelery is the way to go with the great shopping at the ports.

St. Maarten for the Eastern and Cozumel for the Western.

Second, you could just wander through some of the shops with out looking conspicous and then "for fun" start trying on and pricing stuff. Then when she gets that "gleam" in her eye, JUST BUY IT!

I know it shocked the pants off me when my DH did that to me and I walked out of there with a white gold channel set tennis bracelet. It is stunning and I never in a million years expected to be buying jewelery. We just did it to have fun and see what was out there. And then BAM he bought it.

That was a huge surprise and a great way to get what I wanted. (Because frankly when you are dropping $2k, you want to make sure she gets what it is that she wants!)

From pretending to reality in 2.7 carats!!!!!

 

[goofyguy1958]

WOW!! I knew I would get some great suggestions here but I didn't think they would be so quick in coming. Jewelry is where I was leaning -- I already gave her the anniversary 3 stone ring on our 10th -- but I need some thoughts on what type and where is the best place to by it on the western Disney Magic cruise. Also, is it true, that when buying jewelry in the islands, that you are expected to haggle for the best price?

As for the renewing of our vows -- by the way we will also be celebrating our 14th anniversary at the end of the cruise -- I already asked and she is not up for that. Hey, I tried.

I feel like I need to explain my thoughts on this gift since you are all so nice and helpful. My wife is actually celebrating (?) her 40th on November 10, 2003 and she thinks the cruise is the real birthday present. This way I can be sneaky with the real present (I love giving a good surprise). In reality, I am the big Disney fan along, of course, with my DD and DS. So, the trip is for the whole family.

Again, thank you all for the kind suggestions and, please, keep them coming.

 

[AnnMorin]

Then Cozumel would be the best place to shop. Grand Cayman is a wealthy island and you will not find the jewelry deals there you will in more dependant countires. When in Cozumel shop in only approved stores. My favorite is Diamonds International. They have a lifetime trade up policy. So if in like ten years she wanted something better they will allow you to trade your piece in. (save your receipt) they will also give you papers and a written appraisel on your peice which is important to have. Never buy too early the stores know what time the ships depart. Offer low, leave return etc. The tag on my ring was $1300.00 and we got them down to about 1000.00 left and then came back a few hours later and got it for somewhere between $800-900.00. It appraised back home for double. It is important you know your stones and what you are looking for so you know if you are getting a deal. Shop at home first to get some ideas and then think of those prices etc. when on the cruise.

 

[logan1_2000]

If you go the jewelry route, I recommend Trident-Shivas on Front Street in St. Maarten. I have been to St. Maarten three times, including my last MAGIC cruise, and i have personally done business with them up to the few thousand dollar range, including anniversary diamond bands, resetting engagement stones, and diamond stud earrings. We dealt with Jay, but last I spoke to him he was in the family's store in Aruba. His mother, Varsha, was also very helpful. They were originally recommended to us when we spent the week on the island and met time share owners who spent time on the island annually for over a dozen years--the same type of people whom I would have asked for recommendations back home. The quality is superb, much like others who talk about getting appraisals for twice your paid price. Find their website under trident-shivas.com, I think, and even contact them before hand to find out more. You can fax them or email them a picture of something that you like and they can find or design something for you. They have shipped me jewelry on approval--If I wasn't satisfied, I could return and not be charged. Perhaps even get something prepared ahead of time and have it ready and waiting when you get there?!