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Birthday Presents

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    Birthday Presents

    I have a bit of a dilemma. I have my 40th birthday coming up soon so more than a few people are asking for gift suggestions. Six months ago I could have given them a shortlist covering everything from books to synthesizers but with recent events the acquisition of stuff has become much less important to me, and due to a perceived lack of time to enjoy them I've already invested in pretty much all of the affordable things on my wishlist. There is practically nothing I want that I would feel comfortable suggesting as a potential gift.

    What should I do? Ask for cash gifts I can put in the warchest or towards the deposit on a house? Have a good think and come up with some inexpensive trinkets or experiences that I don't *really* want but would at least enjoy? Or leave people to figure it out for themselves?
    While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.'

    #2
    Got any kids? Ask for babysitting vouchers.

    If any of your friends are female and attractive ask for a BJ.

    Comment


      #3
      Ask for them to invest time rather than money if they feel the need to get you something?

      Go macabre and ask them to all chip in for a coffin/headstone, and revel in their awkward reactions?
      Originally posted by MaryPoppins
      I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
      Originally posted by vetran
      Urine is quite nourishing

      Comment


        #4
        I had exactly this dilemma about 6 months ago....

        in the end I

        1) Took me and a few mates to Majorca for a long weekend
        2) the missus got me a Segway Safari voucher....... (it was more fun than it sounds!)
        3) Sister in Law got me a golf lesson at the Lee Westwood school of golf (Lee Westwood not included)
        4) Eveyone else just got me some random bobbins

        all in all not much different from most other birthdays - can be a bit of an anticlimax unless the missus is rich enough to shell out for a Porsche!

        Comment


          #5
          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 dog racing for my 40th - relatively cheap and great fun - our local track (now closed) did a sit down meal for around £25 a head.

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

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by d000hg View Post
            Go macabre and ask them to all chip in for a coffin/headstone, and revel in their awkward reactions?


            Help with funeral costs, I hadn't thought of that. It's certainly a practical gift that would take another weight off my mind.
            While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.'

            Comment


              #7
              Ask them to make a donation to a charity of your choice, maybe set up a Virginmoneygiving or Just Giving web page to make it easy for them.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by mudskipper View Post
                Are you well enough for a party (even a low key one?)
                I've already organised that

                Originally posted by mudskipper
                Spending time with people probably means more to you and them.
                Yeah it does, although that's more down to me than them as I'm a bit of a loner at heart and I find making the effort to socialise when I don't feel like it very draining. I've actually found it a bit of an effort to make time for people and been intentionally avoiding them to some degree. I should try a bit harder there as I do enjoy it and it generally does me a fair bit of good to get out of the house. It's a bit of a BS excuse but it's hard when a lot of activities I used to do together with friends like a game of tennis or a visit to the pub are more or less impossible these days. Well, I could go to the pub but it wouldn't be much fun sitting there watching everyone get pissed while I drink water. I still do the odd meal out though.
                While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.'

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by doodab View Post


                  Help with funeral costs, I hadn't thought of that. It's certainly a practical gift that would take another weight off my mind.
                  Is this realistically your last birthday, barring miracles (sorry to be blunt)? If so it's not a crazy idea perhaps.
                  Originally posted by MaryPoppins
                  I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
                  Originally posted by vetran
                  Urine is quite nourishing

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by d000hg View Post
                    Is this realistically your last birthday, barring miracles (sorry to be blunt)?
                    No need to apologise, it's better to get to the point on these things IMO.

                    It's hard to say for sure, I'd guess the odds are probably about 50/50. When I was diagnosed I was told I had less than 6 months without chemo and with it 18 would be good going. The six months are nearly up. OTOH every cancer patient is different, so if the current chemo works well I could be one of the 5% (of late stage stomach cancer sufferers) who get another 5 years. You have to remember the vast majority of those are over 65 as well, so as I am young and fairly fit my odds are probably a bit better.
                    While you're waiting, read the free novel we sent you. It's a Spanish story about a guy named 'Manual.'

                    Comment

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