Gift Ideas for Friend's Birthday?

I love getting flowers! A bottle of wine, a plant, tickets for a fun show that the two of you can go to at a future date?

Something useful that won't collect dust or clutter up her cupboards would be good.
Flowers and balloons are all good and well but you throw them out after a few days.
Starbucks gift card
candle in her favorite scent
flashlight - always useful in home, garage, car, etc.
an emergency kit for her car - was one of the best gifts I ever got

If you have time to do a bit of shopping and can put things together : wine gift basket - 2 bottles of her favorite wines, some decorative bottle stoppers, a foil cutter, corkscrew, small cheese board, perhaps 2 novelty wine glasses.
I'd not leave that on a porch (too many porch pirates out there) but give it to her or someone in her house that would bring it inside so it's not unattended.

I would like it. I just like being remembered :) I've given a bottle of rose, flowers, chocolates, etc. I've had balloons, flowers, a cupcake, etc. We've done balloons and cake for a friend of ours ... friends get a kick out of it. It's just nice to be surprised. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, just a little something is very festive and nice.

Personally, I'd drop a card letting you know you are thinking of her on her special day and you can't wait to get together soon to celebrate it with her! Save any gift for when you can see her in person. I'd rather get a personal, loving wish from a friend than balloons any day of the week!

If she likes flowers than get those or get some that she can plant. A card and a bottle of nice wine would be nice if she drinks. You could give her a gift card to her favorite restaurant or department store.

I have mixed feelings about flowers and balloons - they're pretty, but they're gone so soon and there's nothing left over for a special birthday. And leaving them on the porch? Unless it's totally secluded, it's a big announcement that says "No one is home. Help yourself to flowers and while you're at it, break in." My neighbor in law enforcement says he sees it all the time - and there are already problems with plain cartons (UPS, etc.) being stolen from porches.

I'd drop off a card and say you can't wait to see her to give her a gift. Why not do something along the "40" theme? Maybe $40 in lottery tickets if she likes to play, or $40 at a store, boutique or salon she loves - something she wouldn't spend on herself otherwise. You could do Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts or something like that, but if she goes there all the time anyway, your gift will just get rolled into her regular visits.

You may not have time, but one great thing to do for a special birthday is to write up 40 (or 50 or 90) reasons why you think that person is so special, 40 special memories you have of things you've done together (funny, warm, meaningful...anything) - something she can keep, treasure and read on good days and bad. That's something no one else can give to her.

does anyone thing flowers are stale? i LOVE getting flowers, and i have a great flower garden myself!

some people don't like presents that don't last, but 40 is around the age we start realizing that we've got too much stuff. flowers or cupcakes or candy make great gifts IMO.

some of the most well-received gifts i've given, though, have been getting a great photo put on a shirt or blanket. if you're old friends and have shared memories this is especially effective.

khairete
S.