Sister Is Turning 40 and Need Great Ideas!

Updated on January 25, 2009
S.B. asks from New Castle, IN
13 answers

My sister will be 40 this week. I respect that she does not want a big deal made of anything but I want to give her a special gift for this special occassion. We are 9 years apart so we have never been super close. She is getting together with coworkers/friends one night. Don't want to do anything embarassing but still want this to be a memorable birthday - for a good reason! Let me know what you would do!

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S.T.

answers from Columbus on

Invite a few of her coworkers to a nice restaurant and take her to the comedy club......40 is just a number....you know she may be getting older but she is also getting better....take it from a 43 yr old

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K.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi S.,

I have a sister who turned 40 in November.
Is your sister married?

What we did is cordinate with her husnband - we're all out of state too. He took her to the mall to eat and then they went into Tiffanys.
He had the salesperson prepped with a previous call and they pulled out 3 rings in the price we specified.He told her, pick one since your sisters are buying it for you.

She was in Heaven!!! Absolutely felt the princess of earth hahaha ;)

Good luck,

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K.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

How sweet of you! My sister and I are also nine years apart, but we are pretty close. Anyway, I would suggest maybe a special day just pampering her. A day at the spa, manicure, massage....something like that. If she has kids that need to be taken care of, arrange for a sitter and everything. I'm sure she'll appreciate that!

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

If you have pictures.......how about " THE JOURNEY......." and put together an album for her.

Maybe a massage, pedicure and/or manicure to relax & enjoy.

Get some of her old girlfriends together and maybe some past w/ present for dinner......girls night out.....even tea or something like that, depending on her personality.

If you have contact with some of her old friends, have them write some things about their memories and put them in an album. Could be only writings but could be combined w/ photos.

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C.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

What about a trip to a day spa. Could you afford to treat both of you to one. Not sure who in Tis area that would be maybe Mitchell's. I would not want to do this by my self but with my sissy possibly.
Or maybe rent a chick flick or go to the movie together and treat her to dinner.

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D.H.

answers from Toledo on

get her a gift bag. Put in it a package of ensure, some fix a dent, a hair net, and anything else you find in the geriatric isle. She will laugh herself silly. I did this for my sister for her #40, SHE REALLY ENJOYED IT.

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M.H.

answers from Lafayette on

I'm not sure what kind of budget you have, but you could do a gift basket. Fill it with a couple movies, movie snacks, a great book, her favorite hand lotion, etc...Good luck.

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R.B.

answers from Toledo on

I just turned 40, and my whole family (parents and 5 siblings) all pitched in for a beautiful ring made of tiny diamonds in a layered flower pattern with 2 pink sapphires. It was very unexpected and something I can wear everyday and remember their thoughtfulness. Spa packages are always a welcome gift, too, or a bouquet of roses in different colors.

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C.W.

answers from Columbus on

Ah, turning 40! When I turned, my cousin bought me this beautiful bracelet that she actually made at a crystal store. It was gorgeous and all the colors that reminded her of me. It goes with so many of my clothes!

Also, when I turned 30, that same cousin gave me a box with hilarious items in it. "Are you there God, its me Margaret", cassette tape of Captain and Tennel (or someone from our era), toe socks, Mr Wooly key chain, Pop Rocks candy, Huge tooth comb, etc. It made me laugh and cry as this cousin was in the hospital having major surgery but she thought about me first before going in.

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A.B.

answers from Dayton on

hi. i just turned 42 but for my 40th birthday my husband planned a surprise party with my friends. the coolest thing though was that he had them send him comments about what my friendship had meant to them or things they apprecatiated about me. some of them wrote on pretty paper and sent it some just sent him email and he printed them. he compliled them and i and a couple of my friends created a very simple scrapbook. it was so great to see that i have been so blessed with so many friends and that in someway i have be blessed to help them. it is a scrapbook that i treasure and continue to read (espcially on those otherwise difficult days). Maybe you could have people resond to an email or someting for you sister. Hope she has a great day and 40th year!
A.

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A.K.

answers from Columbus on

I got a spa day for my 40th and I LOVED it! Maybe the two of you could go together.

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P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would plan for a weekend date with your sister for just the two of you. A time to go get a massage, take in a movie and a meal for just the two of you. Bring along some happy memories of your childhood and have a picture album made up for her with pictures of your family (mom, dad, her and you, favorite pets or vacation shots etc., to give to her as you talk about favorite memories over your meal together.
Shared times alone with special people are the best gift of all.
You can end the day together with her immediate family and your immediate family for her favorite dessert being served with her favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

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T.M.

answers from Dayton on

Hi S.,
I did something for my friends 50th that was really neat. Time might be a matter though if her b-day is this week, but here's what I did. I asked all her friends and family to write a note, card or letter expressing how she had been a blessing to them. Some included special memories, or photos as well, and they were to give them all to me, without her knowing.
I took a photo box and decorated it with scrap book type stuff (I am so not crafty, so I had a friend help) I put "Linda's Blessing Box" on it. For her birthday, we had a surprise party, and afterwards I presented it to her. It took her a while to go through all the cards and letters, she was very touched. And it's something that she can keep and continue to go through.
(People from out of town just emailed it to me, I printed it off on pretty paper and stuck it in the box as well.)
Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

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