What to Give Friend for 40Th Surprise Birthday -Need Ideas Please

Updated on March 28, 2012
M.C. asks from Chicago, IL
10 answers

A good neighbor friend is having a surprise birthday party at a hotel, drink & apps, her sweet husband has planned it. I am at a loss of what kind of gift to give?
What should I give & how much should I spend?

She is super fit runs, bikes, swims, has 3 little ones, reads, a sweet Christian friend from bible study.
Ideas please, I have none!

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So What Happened?

Oh thank you so much ladies, these are all great ideas. I love the personal ones and baby sitting one because our kids are similar ages & get along well & the balloons are so fun.
I will have to let you know how it goes but thanks again I was really stumped.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

you are describing one of my best friends....& because she brings joy to all around her, I gave her a bouquet of 40 balloons. She loved it!

She said it made her feel young, a little goofy, & was thankful that I had thought outside of the box. :)

3 moms found this helpful

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J.K.

answers from Fayetteville on

If you want to go personal and home-made? try giving her your own gift cards of "A night away from the kids" in which you take her kids for a night and give her and her husband alone time? Or get her a couples spa or if her husband is also active, get her (them) a couples gift card getaway to a sports place? Take her kids for her during this time to give them some couples one on one time?
Dinner gift card? Maybe just for two, offer to babysit the little ones?

4 moms found this helpful

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

How about a Leather Bible Cover with a verse on a plaque that can be mounted on it.
Otherwise, spa treatments are fun, movies and dinner gift card, A frame with some photos of her children at different ages, A shopping spree gift card for her favorite store.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

When she runs, does she use an iPod or something to listen to music? If so, an iTunes gift card might be good so that she can add some workout music and you can get it in any amount.

When one of my friends turned 40, three of us gave her a necklace that had 4 intertwined circles representing 4 decades old and 4 friends. If you are part of a group of friends, maybe you could go in on something together.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

What about a gift certificate for a spa treatment along with childcare (if she needs it). Maybe you and a couple of the other neighbors could go in on it? Depending on how close you are, $50 is reasonable. She could get a mani/pedi for that or if you go in on it... make it enough to cover a massage.

You could also do something luxurious just for her... I love the idea of the engraved leatherbound Bible cover. I received one many years ago for HS graduation and it is still a beautiful piece in our house...um... "several" years later.

I bought a personalized necklace for my sister this year for her 30th. It's a little more pricey, but it is BEAUTIFUL and she loved it! Here's the website:

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

I'm sure you could find something similar locally as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Chicago on

$40 gift certificate to something she'd enjoy. A local cafe or Starbucks if she likes coffee, Sephora, etc. Or, reach out to friends and family and have each write a wish for her and have them bound in a book. If you do this, give each person (or request that they use) a standard size of paper - will make binding much easier. I did this for a friend and it was great. You could ask that they all complete a similar thought (such as, "What I love about XXX most is...) or make a wish for the next 40 or a favorite Bible verse and why, etc... Or, just let everyone come up with their own ideas.

1 mom found this helpful

R.H.

answers from Austin on

Yep. A babysitting coupon for a free Saturday. Put in an expiration date and the hours you will do it.

Example this coupon expires in 30 days and is good for the hours 6PM to 11PM. or so...

Give us a 24 hour advance notice so that we can set up games...

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

A pedicure. I'm sure her feet get sore from running!! You could put together a little gift basket with some foot products as well. Etsy has some cute engraved neclaces, bracelets etc... I love supporting crafters!

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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Gift certificate for manicure or pedicure or massage -- depending on your budget. It is the thought that counts and that you are going to her party. Any nice 'spoiling' is just the cherry oon the cake IMO. Have fun.
Jilly

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

My body craves a massage. To me, that would be the ULTIMATE gift! Perhaps your friend would enjoy that-if she gets manicures you could include a mani/pedi gift certificate, also. Very sweet of you to care! Whatever you choose, she will feel blessed ,and receive it with great joy, I am sure!

1 mom found this helpful
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