We're off to a 40th birthday party on Saturday night.  Friends of ours who are husband and wife are having a joint party in their home.  I need ideas for a present.  I've thought and thought and thought about this for weeks and can't come up with a thing.  Do we get separate presents or a joint one?

A voucher for a meal's out, as I think they struggle for babysitters and, before it's suggested, I'm not up for offering to babysit! :)  All other suggestions most welcome as time is running out.

maybe some kind of family activity?

I bought my OH a bernese mountain dog for his 40th - but I guess as its friends that might not be a good idea :D

What about a cinema or theatre voucher? They could take their kids along if they couldn't get a baby sitter. Champagne usually works too if all else fails

earl if you consider my suggestion of a voucher i'd suggest looking on a site called experience ecosse, its all scotish ones and much cheaper than the usual voucher days

edited to ad, i particularly like the cruise ones, starts at £59 which is not bad really.

How about a joint one of a welsh lovers spoon you can get lovely carved ones? Otherwise a spa idea or activity?

i've often bought cinema or theatre vouchers for hard to buy for people. they cover a multitude of genre even family films or shows like 'lion king' etc.
oops edited to say someone got there first with this suggestion!!
if you know they are holidaying soon then maybe a gift of foreign currency? but not sure exchange rate is at its best!

Any chance you could club together with another guest(s) and book them into a nice hotel for D/B&B?  I know you said they have trouble getting babysitters but surely one among their family and/or friends would make a special effort?  It could be delayed for a couple of weeks or more down the line if necessary to suit making arrangements etc.

For OH's 40th we went to NY for a 5 night break.  By the time mine came around (very recently of course :-D ) I waived the need to go overseas (couldn't bring myself to leave the dogs!) and settled for a luxury mini break closer to home and some special jewellery.  To me it just marked the occasions more than a fancy restaurant etc because that's the average birthday, anniversary type outing.

There are lots of offers around at this time of year in local country house hotels etc that needn't break the bank, especially if a few folks chip in and it would IMO be much more special and memorable to have even just a one night stay in pampering surroundings than a night out somewhere - especially with 'the weans' in tow :-p

If they can't get out much what about a subscription to an online DVD rental company like lovefilm.com and and a crate of wine so they can have movie nights at home.

something retro from 1969?trouble is i don't know what,all i can think of is the moon landing and concord.maybe you could combine the two and get them a trip to the moon on concord.sorry,i did try.

You could offer to be their photographer for the night (if you're any good - or willing!!).  You can make them an album and it's so easy to get photographs copied onto anything that you might be able to give them something customised too.  Try Snapfish for ideas.

If you can get hold of photographs before the event you can get custom products made up pretty quickly, so you could see if anyone has any teenage or baby pics they are willing to share with you.  Siblings are usually happy to give up the embarrassing ones!

Another option is Amazon vouchers.  My OH and I buy a lot of films, books and CD's from here as prices and delivery are usually excellent.  We've also bought bigger things such as iPods and Cameras too so your friends will be able to use your vouchers to contribute to something bigger if they wish.  It also means that they can buy something separate or combined which saves you from having to make that decision for them.

Finally - offer to buy them a celebration breakfast/brunch for the day after and send them out whilst you clean up after the party.  It might not be the most glamorous present but you know it'll be a most memorable and appreciated one!!

xxx

Thanks for all the suggestions, but I'm still undecided!  Keep em coming please. :)

how about treating them to one of those family portrait photos.they'll always have something special then to remind them of a wonderful time in their life,and you'll know that your gift is being used and appreciated.x

If it was me I would go down the separate present route, I'm sure they're having a joint party for ease but maybe individually they'd like their 40th to be special.  Maybe you would give us a bit for info on the couples, what they like, where the live etc..

Some quick ideas though:

Female - spa package, maybe a massage, facial, mani/pedi at your local beauty salon - maybe you would even join her make it a bit of a girls afternoon out with a nice lunch too

Male - a bit harder but is he into any sports? perhaps you could try & get him 2 tickets for a sporting event maybe a local cricket match, again your OH could go along too if he fancy's it.

With those ideas they will get individually treated, do something so the other one can look after the kids & you too get to do something fun!

Moonpig cards are a great way to personalise things like this!
Hopeless at links without guidance...but if you google moonpig,it's easy.
You will have time...just...
I have used them a lot.
Karen :)

Thanks Karen, got the cards done a while ago.  I'm a big Moonpig fan too, in fact think it's been a couple of years since I've actually bought a card in a card shop. :)