My Sister's 40Th

here is something we did for an aunt, funny but not a gag!
we had it set up so that 40 people stoped by with just little somethings. We chose flowers. Each person brought a single flower of their choice, and each person came at 10 minute intervals. She got to visit with lots of friends and family and at the end of the day she had 40 flowers to comemerate the day. One person made a flower out of dollar bills, really neat looking, one person made a flower out of ribon. home made is fun, store bought is quick!!
We did this for some one else with a twist. it was a 50th birthday and each person brought a "cake", all but the last one were fake, made up goofy things. One person brought a chocolate bar in a pan (chocolate cake), one put marble in a par (marble cake), ...... it was fun also!!!

Maybe see if there is a spa in the area, you could give her a gift certificate for a pediacure/mani or facial.

T.,
I'd like to echo the idea of doing a scrapbook for your sister's 40th. I did a digital scrapbook for my sister on her 40th (I used Creative Memories on-line, but have also recently done a few with Snapfish and Kodakgallery - they are easy and fast!)

In my sister's case, since I had inherited all the family photos, I did one page for every year of her life - going back and finding pictures from her childhood. Since she was the third child, there weren't a ton of just her by herself, so she also got photos of her with my brother and me, but she didn't mind that.

High school and college were harder, as I was out of the house by then and my dad wasn't taking as many pictures - so I got in touch with some of her friends and asked them. After she had kids, it was easier, as I was taking lots of photos of my niece and nephew (and her with them).

I also like the idea the other person had of asking for photos and stories from her friends and family members. That way, she'll get photos that she didn't have access to otherwise. Just scan the photos in and you can do a lot in the way of cropping and enhancing digitally. Good luck! She is very lucky to have such a caring sister who wants to help make this milestone birthday very special!!

scrubs are a nice gift--precious moments nurces figurine---a pass to the slopes-- halmark birthday card with lottery tickets in it--a photo (with you and her in it (and as children)

something nostalgic; stirrs up a memory from the time you two were kids.... an old photo enlarged and framed with a thoughtful card. it is simple and inexpensive you could include a gift certificate to a spa (what nurse doesn't deserve to be pampered but rarely does anything for herself) just a thought....

You could do a scrapbook/photo album for her. Get the rest of the family involved, so that the work isn't all on your shoulders. Ask each of her siblings and nieces and nephews (maybe old friends, too?) to contribute photos, a funny story, a drawing--anything they'd like to add. Maybe each person could do up 1 page. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't appreciate something like that!

When my mom turned 50, my stepsister mailed out a questionnaire to all her family and friends. It was like "What 3 words describe J.?", and "What is your favorite memory of J.?". It was a hoot to read everyone's answers.

If anyone in your family is a sewer, you could get some photographs copied onto fabric (I think Kinko's can do this) and then either make a quilt or even just a throw pillow. There are companies online who can do this, too, all you have to do is supply the photos, but it's not cheap.

Have fun, and good luck!

i think a day of pampering is a great gift for your sister. spa, hair done, nails done and out to eat!!!!

Congratulations to your sister! Aothough her interests are outdoors, have you considered the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch? It is written by a young man who found out he had terminal pancreatic cancer. Rather than bemoan his situation, he chose to livie his life as fully as possible. I hope that your sister will not be bummed by this wonderful birthday. I found my 40's to be very liberating. I am enjoying my 50's even more. Again, congratulations to your sister! Liz

Ah the big 40, ( I turn 39 tomorrow) I'd go with the day at the spa too, or something to pamper her with. Right about now after the holidays we've had, (my husband lost his job a week before Thanksgiving, NOT a good time to lose your job.) I'd really enjoy a good pampering!
Happy 40th to your sister!

What about a day of pampering at a spa?

You could put together a photo album of photos from her as a baby all the way to the present with her nieces & nephew. Pick out loving photos to funny photos, maybe add some great comments.

You could have the neices and nephew draw pictures for her or take funny pictures holding paper to spelling/say I love you auntie so and so.

That is all I have for now.

Write her a letter. She sounds like a wonderful person by what you just said. Just elaborate it a little more.