I.X. asks from San Clemente, CA on November 01, 2011
Husband Turning 40 Want to Make Is Special
so my husband often shares his birthday with the Thanksgiving holiday. this year we are celebrating it early so we can actually invite people over and not have it interfere with the holiday. I have often done gag gifts, or print funny pictures of him, but this year I just want to be nice. I am making him his favorite meal (thai steak salad). I think I'll get out the china and just make if really nice. He loves wine, food, and family so thats my focus. Gifts are difficult because he looks a quicken everyday so I can get nothing past him, no surprises. He already knows what he's getting. I just want to do a little something extra that he's not expecting. Any ideas? What did you do special for your spouse on a big birthday?
More Answers
T.K. answers from Dallas on November 01, 2011
Can you dig up something from his past that he is proud of, dust it off and have it framed? Something he is proud of accomplishing in his 1st 40.
Or maybe something big on his bucket list - Frame a picture of yellowstone or whatever and give it to him as an act of solidarity that we are going to make this happen.
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M.L. answers from Houston on November 01, 2011
Is he looking forward to something? Jumping out of an airplane, horseback riding, a fishing trip, see a favorite band on tour, ice skating, flying a friend/relative down he hasn't seen in a while and misses... anything at all you can surprise him with a really neat event?
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B.B. answers from San Antonio on November 01, 2011
Yourself in a bow later that night??? ;)
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☆.A. answers from Pittsburgh on November 01, 2011
I think if you put your time & energy into the meal, the wine, etc...maybe a nice cake (a grown up cake--almond torte?) he will appreciate that since he's a foodie!
For my husband's 50th I had a party at the house with all of his friends, relatives, etc. He didn't "want" a party but he ended up LOVING it. So glad I insisted!
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M.W. answers from San Francisco on November 01, 2011
My hubby just had a bday. I made sure he got some time alone to do whatever he wanted to do..or do nothing at all...but in peace and quiet. I made his favorite meals that weekend and every night we made love. He loves soccer so we got him an Adidas warm up suit. Your hubby loves wine and food so I think if you provide his favorites then he will be a happy camper. Maybe make him a card with "40 reasons I love you" and have the kids make their own also. He will treasure those for years to come!!
My hubby loved his bday and it was not full of presents and didn't take a ton of time to prepare.
I vote for your idea to make his favorite dinner and serve on china..and then let YOU be the dessert...maybe add some whipped cream too!!
Good luck and best wishes at celebrating a fabulous 40!!
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K.L. answers from Washington DC on November 01, 2011
I'm not sure if you're already set on having a gathering at your house? My husband just turned 40 last month. I told him that 5 couples were meeting at our house and then we were going out to dinner. (I told him that much b/c I didn't want him to think I was planning some big surprise party, and then be disappointed with the actual plan) So our friends came over and we all were having our pre-party drink. My husband kept saying he wanted to arrange a cab or a car service so no one would have to drive. Two of my girlfriends kept insisting that it was no big deal, they'd drive. About 30 minutes later the limo pulled up!! He was so surprised and excited - it was worth every penny. The limo took us to dinner and then to a different venue for karaoke. It was expensive, but we all felt so pampered and special. It was a really fun night.
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J.H. answers from San Antonio on November 01, 2011
Every time you go out to Walmart or something like that and swipe your card, take an extra $10 or so out as cash back. Then you can pay cash for an item and he won't see it show up. (Unless he reconciles the receipts with the Quicken...then he'll see you're taking cash out.
Beyond that, I have no idea. Since loves food, wine and family, maybe you could go to Micheal's or Hobby Lobby and get some wine glasses and glass etch. You'll also need contact paper, a paint brush and a little razor/scalpel. You make a stencil out of the contact paper, put it on the wine glasses and paint on the glass etch. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes. (I can't remember what the glass etch bottle says for length of time.) Then rinse off with water. Viola! You have custom made wine glasses. ??
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S.L. answers from Savannah on November 02, 2011
as a surprise, I invited friends and family to his favorite restaurant, including his parents who had to fly in. i found his favorite cake from childhood. we spent 3 hours as a large group, eating great food, having ice cream cake, and just had a blast. it was a great way to turn 40!
if you are doing it at home, get him out of the house on a fake errand, maybe a golf trip or something. decorate up with a tablecloth and candles and china. make it a very adult party that he can really enjoy. serve his fave foods. he'll love you forever!
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