40th wedding anniversary present ideas

[tigwig]

Well does anyone have any?! Me and my sister have hardly any money to spare and our parents would go mad if we spent too much anyway as they have been helping to support both of us financially recently. Anyway we are looking for something thats more thoughtful rather than expensive. I just don't know. Something that says how great they are whilst at the same time to celebrate their anniversary too. Does such a thing exist? Any ideas welcome, thank you.

[milly143]

For my Dad's 60th birthday last year we bought a large photo frame from Wilkinson and had one centre photo of the whole family togther then seperate photos of each person and their partner/kids around the outside (we have a large family so it worked well). We then also bought a nice photo album from WH Smiths and filled it with photo's from when he was a child right up to modern day with pictures of all the family and friends on special occasions and so on, kind of like a time line of his life. He absolutely loved it and it probably cost us about 20 quid in total.

[joannie10]

could you maybe even have them for dinner with all things red (for Ruby wedding?). Will be some costs for the food but does not have to be too mad - I am thinking strawberry jelly for pudding!

[bednobs]

how much do you want to spend? I always find theatre tokens a good idea for people i can't think what to buy!

[tillyh345]

I think Joannies idea is great, I am sure they would love that, if you do it as a surprise. Most parents just want their family around them on special occassions. Have a lovely time whatever u decide on.

[flyingpig]

There is a rose called Ruby Anniversary which you can get from David Austins of Shropshire.

[margie04]

I gave my brother and his wife a pair of red glass door-knobs - just like rubies, they were!

[NoMercy]

Why not cook them a ruby/pink themed meal?

Red tablecloths or Napkins, pink champagne or Rosé wine, Strawberries, steak in pink peppercorn sauce, Pink or red balloons...

[mrs_overall]

As well as an inexpensive pressie, you could write out 40 "promises" between you. Each promise could be something like doing the ironing, cleaning the windows etc

[NoMercy]

That's a lovely idea, Mrs. O.

[mrs_overall]

Thanks NM. I've hinted to my kids I'd like something like that, but when i do, selective deafness kicks in

[Barmaid]

To be fair Mrs O, would you want your eldest doing your ironing?!!!!!!!!

My parents recently had their 40th. We bought them a token gift - a rose for their garden and then made donations to charity in memory of their best man (dad's brother) who died a couple of months earlier.

[mrs_overall]

Barmaid, that is a thoughtful gift.

I trained my eldest to iron at an early age and it is just about the only thing he can do right

[tigwig]

thank you for the answers. I did end up googling for further ideas and in the end we decided on a china plate that's personalised and will go with the others in their dining room! For under £20 too lol.