My dear DIL is turning 40. She doesn't want to be reminded of her age and I get that. She does, however, enjoy gifts and I want to make this a special day.
My dilemma is this: She and my son will not go out to eat, or anywhere for entertainment right now. Anything I buy her for grooming or for spoiling she will not use for a long time.
She does have a Peleton bike and loves that. She got a lot of new clothes for Christmas, and has most of the kitchen gadgets she needs.
Depending on her personality what about a book of affirmations? Maria Shriver's book, I've Been Thinking, is good. Little Buddha has a gratitude journal. What about a blank journal and nice pen to write in it?
I like the flower idea too. Not just grocery story flowers, but a nice bouquet with a vase.
You said she's into her peleton bike so what about a fruit bouquet from an edible arrangements if you have that near you?
I saw the suggestions of things like flowers, chocolate, exercise clothes, etc. Those were things I was thinking, too.
Other ideas:
-wine or a wine of the month club
-Book of the month club if she's a reader
-Board games
-Cookbooks that go with/support her new kitchen gadgets
-A new purse
-Jewelry
-A really nice soft blanket (last year my class got me an UGG blanket. It's expensive, but it's super soft!)
-A nice water bottle to use while using the Pelaton bike
-A Fitbit or other fitness technology if she doesn't have one
-A themed basket of some sort. This year my class did an "Italian Basket" for me for Christmas because I'm Italian and love Italian food. There was different types of pasta, different types of sauces, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, an Italian cookbook, a gift card to an Italian restaurant, etc.) You could do an exercise basket, a winter fun basket, a quarantine birthday basket, home pampering basket, etc.
I just sent a friend an edible arrangement with birthday balloons for a "milestone" birthday. She loves chocolate covered fruit and I was able to make a custom box with chocolate covered strawberries and pineapple. I have always enjoyed the fruit bouquets from there, if she wants something healthier. A fun treat!
It's always nice to get a special delivery on your birthday. I recently turned 40 and my Dad sent me a balloon bouquet. It did have the number 40 on it because I didn't mind that.
A beautiful bouquet of flowers is always nice too.
Have you ever shopped on Goldbelly? Is there a special food or dessert she likes? You can order items from all over the country on there. I got my favorite gluten free pizza delivered and a gluten free cake since we were not going out anywhere. In normal times, I would have spent the weekend at a hotel and eating in NYC for my 40th!
Do you live near her? Would it be easy enough to swing by there every day and leave a small gift on her porch? The first one could say something about enjoying 40 days worth of goodies. I know she doesn't want to be reminded of her age, but maybe that will make 40 seem enjoyable knowing she gets a gift every day! Then just come up with something little every day to enjoy: favorite candy bar, small plant, letter, soft socks, fresh fruit, earrings, ..... You could put each in a little brown bag with a heart and the day # on it. On day #40, you could give her something bigger like a charm bracelet or a scrap book you put together.
Another thought is a memory book where you upload pictures of her growing up and write something about each one. Most photo places will do that.
My other thought is a "______ of the month" club where she gets something every month that she would love - fruit, wine, misfit veggies, etc...
I just saw a cool cake called "send a cake" - you can look it up. Looks like something fun you could give her.
Last edited by SusanTeach; 01-06-2021 at 06:20 PM..
Reason: Just saw an ad, so I wanted to add that to it.
What I would want? Relaxing stuff from Lush lol. Bath bombs/lotions, especially the Sleepy series. I am super picky on jewelry (used to work in a jewelry store).
I treated myself to a new pair of wireless ear buds (Samsung Live Buds), because with masks it is a real pain to be all tied up with extra cords plugged into my phone.
I also got an Aerogarden for Christmas and I think its great for people who love to cook and have their own herbs on hand! A food delivery service gift card is also great (hellofresh/goodfood etc).