I'd suggest a trip to Verde just off Northcote Road and get a little basket of their products - the Italian Lemon hand cream is wonderful (and much less expensive than the big brand names, so you can get more for your £50!)

Alternatively, if she drinks, a really nice bottle of wine - I'm sure some of the local wine merchants could advise you.

I tend to think that "consumables" are better presents for people you don't know terribly well, that way you're not trying to choose something they will have to wear or have in their home for ages.

A vintage magazine from month/year of birth

A jar of Jo Malone body cream costs £50. I just got one from a friend for a birthday recently and I love it. It keeps my skin very soft and smells great - and lasts all day. I have quite sensitive skin but it's been fine. Also Laura Mercier do a lovely body cream too. The Creme Brûlée sounds disgusting but is possibly the best smell ever.

Just a few ideas: a nice leather journal from Aspinal, Selfridges vouchers, leather wallet from Ted Baker, a signed edition of a book she likes they can be quite cheap when they're not first edition (Abe books), nice make up set from a posh brand or a silk scarf. Maybe worth checking if there's a group present you could chip into ?

X

Don't even go there!

Hello
Can anyone recommend a 40th birthday gift. It's for a female friend who is not a close friend as such but I've been invited to her birthday. I'd like to spend about £50 but don't want to have to "make" anything, e.g. photobooks etc. If anyone has any suggestions as to what they have bought friends in the past, please let me know.