Birthday Presents

[Gibbon]

Are you well enough for a party (even a low key one?)

If so, you could point out that "stuff" seems pretty pointless, but if they want to chip in for the party, that would be good.

I went dogging for my 40th - relatively cheap and great fun - our local track (now closed) did a sit down meal for around £25 giving head.

Spending time with people probably means more to you and them.

[original PM]

Help with funeral costs, I hadn't thought of that. It's certainly a practical gift that would take another weight off my mind.

Buy one online....

Here

[northernladuk]

I have suggested this a number of times on 40th and 50th threads but normally to people looking to buy for someone, not the actual birthday boy but here is what I did for my partners 40th who didn't really know what she wanted.

I went round the main players in her life that were asking and worked out that I allocated them a month of the year and they then booked some event in that month involving either just them and us or a group thing. Could be anything as simple as a meal out to a trip away or spa day or more fun like a weekend in Ireland and in Spain (examples of what my other half did). They then gave a 'voucher' inviting them to that do in that month, even if it wasn't booked, just a promise.

Outcome was my partner had over 12 invites to events with family and friends lasting the whole year. Each even had a birthday balloon and badge so was like having 12 intimate parties rather than one big one. She had something to look forward every 3 weeks or so for the year so made it memorable. Having a large family and being a social butterfly it worked a treat for her. Wouldn't have worked for a lazy miserable bastard like me so have to see if it's your cup of tea.

[doodab]

The thing is I do quite fancy a new synth to play with, and a new telescope with a longer focal length, both of which would have a resale value reasonably close to what they cost so I could argue they aren't really "wasted" as my family will be able to monetize them once I'm gone. I think I could get away with asking ms doodab and my folks for something like that, although given the amount of stuff I'm ebaying I could easily buy them myself and avoid the guilt.

[doodab]

I have suggested this a number of times on 40th and 50th threads but normally to people looking to buy for someone, not the actual birthday boy but here is what I did for my partners 40th who didn't really know what she wanted.

I went round the main players in her life that were asking and worked out that I allocated them a month of the year and they then booked some event in that month involving either just them and us or a group thing. Could be anything as simple as a meal out to a trip away or spa day or more fun like a weekend in Ireland and in Spain (examples of what my other half did). They then gave a 'voucher' inviting them to that do in that month, even if it wasn't booked, just a promise.

Outcome was my partner had over 12 invites to events with family and friends lasting the whole year. Each even had a birthday balloon and badge so was like having 12 intimate parties rather than one big one. She had something to look forward every 3 weeks or so for the year so made it memorable. Having a large family and being a social butterfly it worked a treat for her. Wouldn't have worked for a lazy miserable bastard like me so have to see if it's your cup of tea.

Nice idea. I don't know how well it would work for me as it can be a struggle actually doing stuff sometimes and like I say I'm actually fairly anti-social at heart, I already turn down quite a few invites. I could quite do with some sort of quite retreat somewhere on my jack jones TBH, perhaps organising something like that is an option.

[Pogle]

I got a very nice emerald and diamond ring for my 40th - to replace the very cheap engagement ring we bought when we got engaged. I don’t really want 'things' for birthdays anymore, I'd rather go to places and as my birthday is in August and we're usually on holiday we hire a boat and crew and go off on the sea for the day.

But how about a therimin? I got one for Himself and its great fun to learn to play, and is great for creating spooky noises at halloween

[Zippy]

Pogle has it

People want to buy something for you, not something 'worthy'. As you point out you may live for quite some time, so ask for something fun.

[mudskipper]

How about a titcam? Ours gives us lots of pleasure.

[doodab]

How about a titcam? Ours gives us lots of pleasure.

Maybe. I do enjoy photography, actually got myself a new macro lens and proper flash for crimbo (before I knew I was ill). I should get out with it a bit more, I've hardly used it.