My wonderful sister, who is an amazing mother of 5, and my best friend on earth, will be turning 40 in May (I'm a few years behind!). I was wondering if anyone has any creative, fun, heartfelt, or all of the above, ideas for a present? I think I could swing spending about $150 or $200 max (but certainly wouldn't be opposed to spending less!). I know that's a lot of money, but like I said, she is my very best friend, and has been a great friend and mommy mentor to me. And you only turn 40 once! As I mentioned, she has 5 kids--her youngest is 2 weeks younger than my younger baby (10 months), so maybe we could get away for a night together this summer? She doesn't have any hobbies, except for blogging and photography--got a great camera from her hubby for Christmas and has been wanting to go to a photo seminar this summer, so maybe helping out with that is an option? Any ideas??? TIA
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! I love the scrapbook idea, but we don't have many recent pics of us together (sad, I know). I think it's because of all those years of having babies (we have 7 kids between us).
I contacted my brother-in-law. We're going to throw her a surprise 80s themed birthday bash--complete with retro candy and music, a rubiks cube cake, etc. That will be my big gift, but I'll still go out with her to get a pedi or something. Then AFTER the party is over, I'll make a scrapbook of it so she'll always have her 40th birthday photo album.
Thanks again for all the great ideas--you're all so helpful!
If you're willing to spend that much, take her into NYC to see a show, she'd probably love the girl time and day away from the family. Or get tickets to a concert locally.
For my husband's 40th, I came up with 40 Things I Love About You (by carrying around a little piece of scrap paper in my pocket and writing down all the little quirky funny things that he does), then I typed it up and arranged it nicely, put it on nice card stock and framed it. With a sister, I am sure you can pull up all kinds of funny/sweet memories of things that she's done over the years. Good luck.
it's more of a sentimental gift i. what about creating a photo scrapbook - (I'm thinking the kind you can make online through kodak- fairly easy) -maybe with a 'sisters' theme with pics from when you were young and growing up and now as mothers. my sister has made a few and they came out beautiful. you can add captions or poetry or other thoughts.
Do a spa day with your sister.... then out for a nice meal.... My best friend lives in FL and I only see her a couple times per year, and when we do get together the kids are usually around, so each summer when she is visiting her family nearby, we plan a spa day... if we are low on cash we just get our nails done and then have a nice meal... you can do as much as little as you want at a spa, and no matter what you get done it is nice to relax and be pampered!
Massage -and or a facial!
Another thing is there are these great services that take your videos & pictures-put them to music. They are great to play over & over.
I know an amazing lady who can do it if you're interested.
Why don't you have a spa day (either with her or let her go alone) at a hotel near by. Most hotel spas have things that you can do all day, so even if you just get a message or a pedicure, you could still spend the entire day there.
Another suggestion would be to go somewhere nearby over night. Maybe she would like a B&B or maybe someplace that has a beach?
Hope this helps!
A.,
I would go for a spa gift certificate! Maybe that's because I could use a massage right about now :) But my sisters got one for me on my 40th birthday and oh boy did I enjoy that. My youngest sister and I went to the spa that day and then we met my other sisters for lunch. I had a great time!!.
So, if you like the idea, do the spa and lunch or brunch or dinner and a movie.
It's all up to you. But whatever you do, I hope you guys enjoy your day.
This costs very little and could be a fun "gag" gift to add: a bottle of "red, red" wine and a UB40 cd. Get it? UB40 now? :)
How about a photo album. Pics of her & family from childhood to present day. Shutterfly & other sites make it relatively simple. You can create a pretty large album for $100.
i think you should take her to a spa. and since she's mom i have a cooler idea. Have all her kids paint their hand prints on a poster board in all different colors. and have it framed for here. Or you can take a picture of that board and print it wallet size so she can take it with her everywhere.
You have great ideas already! I would not get a" thing", but a fun time or activity would be very special. If you and she went away or if she and her husband went away.. Maybe even a a "Styacation" in her town, but with a wonderful hotel, nice restaurant.. she could take beautiful photographs and just relax..
I do not know if you are up to this, but volunteering to watch her kids, maybe with your mom for a weekend so they could go away?
I know I would love to have had the opportunity to attend a seminar of my interest. What a treat. I have never treated myself to one..
My husband got his brother a book from New York Times or some similar site of all the newspaper covers from his birthday each year. Maybe there is something with famous photos to inspire her photography. I think most moms would really want a massage, facial, nails, toes or all in one day though! That's what I'd want!
