Any Ideas For My Birthday

MIRRY_2

My husband asked me last night what would I like for my birthday from him and the kids.
He knows that we are watching the pennys because we are aiming to pay off our car loan by xmas. I am trying to think of useful presents (things that will save us money because I will need them or they will come in useful)...
he said Its my birthday so I should just get what id like.
Thing is I seem to have everything I need and I just cant bear the thought of spending our hard earned cash.

any ideas much appreciated.

ageandjo

Funny that....my oh asked me the same last night too:D

You want something for you, how about a voucher for a beauty session or something? Treat yourself after all the hard work of paying things off?
Or
Handbag
Earrings
Winter coat
money to buy what you want?

Queenie

Do you have any hobbies that he could buy something for? Could you use that hobby to make a bit of pin money on Ebay?

Is there a magazine subscription he could get you that would be useful ie: grow your own mag or somesuch?

Is there a cookery book or a homemade beauty recipes book that you might like/enjoy which would also be *useful* in the sense that you could then be making things for Christmas gifts and alleviate that expense/burden and still enjoy the process?

Are there some special bath/pamper products that would be a treat? A pampered Mum is a happier and more productive Mum

Do you have a bread machine/slow cooker? (not very personal I know but would also be the "useful" idea you are asking for.

Would a membership to something such as English Heritage or National Trust be something of interest? (Free entry to many/most of the attractions for members)

A new program/software for the computer that would interest you and still be practical and 'money saving' - a money software for tracking your finance? (I know, not romantic, but they can be fun ) Or some other software perhaps?

Difficult really because only you know *you* best. What are you interested in? What do you enjoy? Are their things you tend *not* to buy for yourself because you put the children/hubby first but would like?

Perhaps it doesn't *have* to be a gift involving money - maybe a gift of guaranteed time out on a regular basis would be practicable? You could use that time to spend with friends/do an evening course/just *be*.

If money is tight, then a future promise for something on your dream/wish list of life would be more appropriate at this stage?

halloweenqueen_2

Wow queenie!!
I was just going to say vouchers!! You can always use them when you need to then (check any expiry dates!!)

leesmithg

An Ann Summers gift voucher.

Dobie

To take the vouchers idea a little further, why not ask for 'job' vouchers. Each child & your husband gives you a voucher to do a job for you so you can relax. For example a washing up voucher, a cooking the dinner voucher, a breakfast in bed voucher, dusting, vacuuming - anything really. You can then 'cash in' your vouchers when you need a bit of 'you time'. No money involved but it's something you can appreciate as & when you choose.

Otherwise you could just ask for a family day on your birthday when they do all these things for you without having to be asked including planning, shopping for & cooking all the meals & maybe a family trip out to the park or swimming baths or wherever you like to go really.

twink

i woul go on a lovely family picnic and take a cake and have a fun day, get your photo taken of you with a birthday banner wrapped round you and frame it, then in the dark days of moneysaving look at it and smile, remembering a lovely day in the bosom of your family and that is whats most important, sorry if that sounds daft:D

AussieLass

DH & I don't exchange gifts. Haven't done so for quite some time. What we do is treat ourselves to an outing. Movies together, my choice if it's my birthday. etc or something we like to do. I chose a walk & picnic one year. You dont really need money to celebrate your day. Just as long if it's acknowledged and spent happily. Enjoy your day Mirry & Ageandjo.

kiwichick

Queenie wrote:

Is there a magazine subscription he could get you that would be useful ie: grow your own mag or somesuch?

Excellent idea Queenie, my DH did this for me on my birthday last year. I absolkutely LOVE anything to do with gardening (not that I'm too great at it mind). I wanted a subscription to gardeners world for my birthday so we used our tesco vouchers cause a years sub in cash is over £30 but in vouchers deals its about £7.50 or somthing. FANTASTIC. They do have a range of mags to choose from if thats something you might like??

Have a look here;
http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/browse.aspx?N=4294967271&bid=HLifestyle

Al.

PS-Happy Birthday for when its the day :beer:

elona

If you have a look at the thread for magazine subscription offers then they sometimes offer a free gift worth about £30 like perfume, hair straighteners, posh face cream etc.

For about £6 you could get stuff worth near £40!

MIRRY_2

youve all inspired me, thank you.

Ok this is what I have in mind so far.

Saturday morning (my birthday) I would like my husband to take me to a wealthy place where they have lots of charity shops (I love hunting for bargains). Then I like the picnic Idea for lunch kids will like this (weather permiting).
Then a trip to lakeland plastic, where my hubby can treat me to homebaking products ( interested in jam making).
Then in the evening a movie and hubby cooks me a meal.

charity shop = should save money if I find anything that we need.
Picnic = free
lakeland = anything I buy should be to save money.
Movie = may look to see if anythings on in the week to record.....
does anyone know of any good listings
(we dont buy the whats on guide).

Also told my hubby that they all have to make me cards out of my box of card tricks lol.