Gift ideas?

[fn2187]

Any ideas for a birthday gift for a 40th female. She is extremely wealthy so I feel giftcards are out. She has everything but I know would appreciate a thoughtful gift. She is hosting a party and is likely paying around $200 for me to attend, if you think that matters. I’m clueless on what to spend and what to get. In all my other friend groups, we don’t have parties and don’t give gifts.

[emilyinchile]

A thoughtful gift would be something that aligns with her interests, so I think we need more info to be helpful! And what's your budget? I don't think it matters that she's spending X amount on the party, that's her choice.

[spindle92]

My bestie is mega wealthy (like multi millionaire) and so I feel your pain in the gift giving dept.
I started buying her personal things between her and I that we laugh about.

For example, we both have horribly dry feet. One year I found this amazing heel cream that turned our heels baby butt smooth. We started referring to it as heel crack. I bought her a damn case of the stuff for her bday.

something silly but thoughtful about you two.

[turbo]

A donation to a charity or cause that you think is meaningful to her (or that would tie back to your friendship) and a thoughtful, handwritten card talking about how much she means to you - favorite memories, times she’s been there for you that she may not realize impacted you the way they did, etc.

I do cards like this and I call them “eulogy cards” (because they’re what I would say if I was to give a eulogy about the person I’m writing the card to) and so far they are far better received than any gift ever would be. Include a few photos or something from over the years if you have them.

[ellipses84]

I don’t think you need to spend the amount she is spending on the party, but I’d probably spend $40- $150 depending on how good of a friend. A $40 gift where you really thought about what she likes could be more meaningful than anything $$$.

A nice bottle of wine for later, or other top shelf fav. alcohol of hers.

A little gift basket of your favorite things, like beauty stuff.

Some books she might like that you recommend if she reads lot.

Shop local. I have a makers collective shop near me that has vintage stuff too and I always find things you wouldn’t find elsewhere and wouldn’t necessarily know the cost of. If not you can go to Etsy and find something really niche that matches her interests that nobody else has. For example if she’s a Taylor Swift fan who also loves Star Wars, I bet they have a mash-up t-shirt that includes both. Or look for subtle swiftie gift guides.

Beautiful or luxurious but functional gifts that you can use more than one of, like a floral pattern throw blanket.

A subscription service - flowers, plants, unique food, beauty, etc. depending on her interests are the cheaper ones and some allow you quarterly or 6 months instead of 12 If that is cost prohibitive.

Cute workout clothes if she wears them or works out all the time.

An experience, like concert or special museum exhibit tickets if there’s something she would love.

[7costanza]

This might be regional, but a glassybaby with a name/color tied to some significance for her would be nice. Not sure how popular glassybaby is outside of Seattle but they are very pretty!

[emilyinchile]

Feb 6, 2024 19:38:20 GMT -5 7costanza said:

This might be regional, but a glassybaby with a name/color tied to some significance for her would be nice. Not sure how popular glassybaby is outside of Seattle but they are very pretty!

Based on the name I'm imagining some kind of doll made out of glass which I hope isn't right because that seems weirdly terrifying.

[sadlebred]

Looks like glassbaby is a candle (guess, no where near Seattle). Maybe a custom fragrance candle? I know of a few national chains that do this.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Feb 6, 2024 18:32:58 GMT -5 spindle92 said:

My bestie is mega wealthy (like multi millionaire) and so I feel your pain in the gift giving dept.
I started buying her personal things between her and I that we laugh about.

For example, we both have horribly dry feet. One year I found this amazing heel cream that turned our heels baby butt smooth. We started referring to it as heel crack. I bought her a damn case of the stuff for her bday.

something silly but thoughtful about you two.

If you are close, this is definitely what I would suggest.

The favorite thing I got for my 40th is a mug that says 'The one where I turn 40' in the Friends font.  I loved Friends, I don't even watch it anymore but watched the whole series multiple times, so that just tickled me to get and to use (even though I'm 41 now). 

[7costanza]

Feb 6, 2024 20:08:18 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Feb 6, 2024 19:38:20 GMT -5 7costanza said:

This might be regional, but a glassybaby with a name/color tied to some significance for her would be nice. Not sure how popular glassybaby is outside of Seattle but they are very pretty!

Based on the name I'm imagining some kind of doll made out of glass which I hope isn't right because that seems weirdly terrifying.

Ha! They’re glass votive holders.

[sadie]

I always do experiential gifts for my bestie. We like crafting and frequently do art classes together. We've done paimt your pet, knit a chunky blanket using your arms, glass blowing, make a wreath out of fresh greenery, cocktail making, cooking. We've done Wine About Winter wine tasting experiences at local towns.

[livinitup]

Something from her birth year?

A fun t-shirt that says “established 1984” - I liked this on my last milestone birthday, mostly because it was fun & not something I would buy myself. I’m not a big kitschy person but birthdays strike differently.

[brooklyn]

For my best friends 40th, I bought her a drawing of a favorite restaurant that we used to frequent weekly in our teens. (Yaffa, for the New Yorkers)

She loved it!

[isabel]

I agree that an experiential gift could be great.

One of my gifts to DH this year was a class at a stained glass studio.

If I were getting a gift for one particular friend, I would totally get us a hotel room and plan a long hike.

[meanie]

spindle92 what is the foot stuff called? I want my feet to feel like a baby's butt too 😂

[lilac05]

The best gift I received for my 40th birthday was a compilation of videos that a friend collected and put together with video messages from friends and family. It was a labor of love on her part, but didn’t cost her a penny. It was the most special gift I received.

You could do something similar in writing with a journal from www.journalsnotcards.com if you have mutual friends or don’t mind asking people to share a favorite memory with her during the party.

[rachers]

What about some nice stationary? There are usually local shops that can do a monogram or her name. I never mind having pretty stationary and it’s not something I usually buy myself.

[litskispeciality]

2 friends that I don't see often got me really special gifts for my 40th

A customized Tumbler with Rainbow Brite my favorite 80's cartoon character
A tee shirt with the Rainbow Brite that said "Made in the 80's" (unknown, probably Etsy?)

My husband also had a special cake decorated with Rainbow Brite*. Ironically none of these folks were in touch ahead of time, I just happened to put Rainbow in my 40th b-day FB invitation. It meant so much that they all put in the work to give me something so special, especially from a friend who couldn't make my gathering.

Another friend turned 40 during the height of COVID, battling cancer so no party options. One of her friends started a FB message asking friends to send a card (no gift) to friend's address by x date, so that friend could deliver a huge pile of cards on the actual birthday date. This message kept spreading to different groups high school, college friends, old co-workers and so on. Actual birthday date the woman posted a picture of a GIANT pile of cards and packages and said it took over an hour to get through them. I started doing this for my other friends on a much smaller scale. One friend was shocked and pleasantly surprised to receive a birthday card and a small gift card from a friend she sees once a year.

*I shared a picture of the cake on the bakery's website and my FB tagging the bakery so that they would get more business

[gerberdaisy]

I struggle with this every year with my SILs. Even though money is not a concern, I find they don't often buy themselves things. Recent gifts have been...

book of the month type subscription (was a local bookstore that did it)
nice pajamas
mani/pedi GC
vuori joggers
earrings from local store

[litskispeciality]

lilac05, I love that idea! My brother is turning 40 this year and it's already on my mind to do something to make sure it's special as I don't think he'll be up for a big thing. I had thought of cards and videos, but then he has to throw physical cards away. I think giving a little money to someone to help gather messages, videos whatever is such a help.

OP, As you've probably seen in a lot of these threads people are overwhelmed with cups and certain items, so just be sure to check in with your friend if they have enough of something before buying it. I love the practical gifts listed above. I love getting a nice (Bath and Body Works, Dr. Teals) basket of bath stuff for Christmas because it's fancy, and I'll actually use it.

[bex1973]

Feb 6, 2024 18:32:58 GMT -5 spindle92 said:

My bestie is mega wealthy (like multi millionaire) and so I feel your pain in the gift giving dept.
I started buying her personal things between her and I that we laugh about.

For example, we both have horribly dry feet. One year I found this amazing heel cream that turned our heels baby butt smooth. We started referring to it as heel crack. I bought her a damn case of the stuff for her bday.

something silly but thoughtful about you two.

Go on...

[spindle92]

meanie, bex1973, and anyone else.
The magic cream is of course no longer in production.
It was Bath and Body work's True Blue Spa Glycolic acid Cracked Heel cream.

A quick google search shows you can buy a 10 oz jar for $120 on ebay.

I have tried so many others and nothing has come close to this heel crack.

[bex1973]

Feb 7, 2024 14:34:41 GMT -5 spindle92 said:

meanie , bex1973 , and anyone else.
The magic cream is of course no longer in production.
It was Bath and Body work's True Blue Spa Glycolic acid Cracked Heel cream.

A quick google search shows you can buy a 10 oz jar for $120 on ebay.

I have tried so many others and nothing has come close to this heel crack.

Oh. Boo. Well thanks for nothing tease!!! LOLOLOLOL

[definitelyO]

I would go with something customizable.

My bff loves bourbon - for her 40th I got her a personalized engraved bottle of her favorite. Like this

I also considered the personalized ice cube molds - if she likes something like that.  with some fancy glasses, etc...