What to get friend for 40th birthday??

[castanhope]

I'm a terrible gift picker outer!! I want to get my closest friend something special for her upcoming birthday. It doesn't have to be "budget", but since we don't usually exchange gifts I don't want it to be expensive and make her feel like she should reciprocate when it's my birthday. I want it to be something personal (not a gift card), but I'm terribly unsentimental and I feel like anything meaningful is too mushy and unlike me. It has to be simple, but show her how important her friendship is. Ugh, I need help!! She likes to read, she likes jewelry but doesn't wear it often, she has 3 kids, she loves Disney and travel...yep, I need help. I can only pick out great gifts for people under age 12!!

 

[deva]

How about a digital photo frame loaded with pics of your times together? You could also add photos of her family/Disney trips etc

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

For my 40th my best friend took me to NYC for lunch & a show. It was great to do something together which we don't get to do as often now.
How about taking her to some type of show or maybe a girls spa afternoon. Sometimes these types of gifts are more special than an actual "gift".

 

[belle's mom]

For my 40th last year one of my co-workers knew about my obsession with mickey mouse purses/wallets. She in addition to the group gift from everyone, got me a mickey mouse weekend travel set of bags. I do a lot of small trips( 2-3 days) to disney and think of her everytime I use them.

I also like the idea of a show and lunch. Something that she wouldn't normally treat herself to. A Spa Day for the two of you, or a group of friends, comes to mind.

 

[okeydokey]

How about a scrapbook with 40 of her favorite photos?

 

[ckay87]

My friends and I are all celebrating our 40ths this year. We were born in 1969, so I've been giving this book:

1969: The Year Everything Changed by Rob Kirkpatrick


Evidently, in addition to our births, it was an overall interesting year Wish I could remember.

 

[disneyfam]

I gave my friend a 40 of everything basket. THere were 2 different gift certs in the amount of $40. She likes to gamble so there were 40 quarters, 40 dimes, 40 nickels. 3 bags of pnut m&ms, 40 in each bag of course. couple of bags of almonds-40 ct, and couple of bags of chocolate covered coffee beans, 40 in each bag of course.

She loved it. The counting of the food items was the hard part.

 

[Bearvet]

If she likes to read, what about a Kindle? I read on the DIS that the price was just reduced. Might be a very cool gift!

 

[krcit]

One of my close friends took pics of my 3 kids without me knowing and had them framed. It was so nice and thoughtful-meant so much to me!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I love the idea of a show/lunch date as your treat. Make some memories that you buys will both enjoy.......maybe something Disney-esque (I did not look to see where you were located, if it is doable, a lovely idea.

 

[C.Ann]

I know you said that you didn't want to go the "gift card" route, but as a person who absolutely LOVES to read and can easily read 2 books a day, I would be thrilled to pieces with a GC for a book store..

Many people have given me these for my birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc., and I have to say they really did "shine" among the rest.. To me it indicated that the givers were really in "tune" with the things I enjoy..

 

[Green Tea]

this is kind of a gift to share. What about a little engraved necklace that says 40 on it. give it to her and tell her to pass it on to the next friend to hit 40. keep a running list of who has had the 40 necklace. she might wear it a month before she knows another friend turning 40, or a week or a year. but it is fun to see who has worn the special necklace.

 

[The Princess]

How about a cookie bouquet? I send them all the time for different occasions.