Any ideas??? We're on a fixed income and although I would love to give 40 dollar bills or something like that, we just can't
we would be splurging to spend $25. So if you have any ideas, it ouwld be appreciated!! Thanks so much!

We had a friend's 40th birthday party a while back and the wife was adamant that the gifts be funny and inexpensive so we used a roll of quarter--40 of them-- $10 --and made a slot machine as the wrapping. Friend loved the casinos so this worked.


I don't know how crafty you are, but you could take 2 rolls of quarters and slide each into an empty half of a paper towel roll ( or maybe two toilet paper rolls and fasten to a heavy piece of cardboard or wood with super glue or heavy tape. Cover the rolls and the base with wedding gift wrap. I would turn each of the rolls into a bride and groom--but if you are not crafty, you could get an appropriate size picture of a bride and groom ( or even pictures of the actual couple then or now) and wrap them around each tube---so it looks like the topper for a wedding cake. You could make a cardboard arch over the bride and groom figures to make it look more like the cake topper and put "40" on the arch. depending on what you want to spend, you can decorate it with little bells, etc from the craft store , inexpensive stickers or wedding wrapping paper to cover up any imperfections.

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Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

E. Roosevelt

If you've been invited to an anniversary celebration did the invitation stipulate gifts or no gifts? We recently celebrated my parents 60th anniversary and I stipulated no gifts on the invitation. If an invitation says no gifts, then I don't take a gift, only a nice card.

Maybe a gift basket with pasta sauce, pasta, a bottle of wine and a couple of wine glasses? I think you can do this pretty inexpensive.

We made these for my parents anniversary party as decorations at tablesides-their 60th- but could be used as a gift also..Mine still sits on top of our piano..We took their old wedding picture and had it made into a wallet size..We bought a 1.00 wine glass at pier one and put the picture inside..Then put those clear marbles inside the glass..Looks very pretty..

Wedding Cake Musical Water Globe

I gave one very similar to this one as a gift. This particular one is only $19.99. The mall would usually have stores that carry items like this one and at times they offer free engraving.

Do you know what their interest is?

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Loida Chan
A Bargain Shopper who believes that Life's Luxuries can come at small prices.

I bookmarked this for future use -- I think it's really beautiful.

How about a really nice photo of the couple in a new picture frame. For me personally I love photos and picture frames. Good luck peace to all. Catherine

There are a lot of inexpensive items that you can find that will fit your budget. For occassions like this one, I like giving household items that are unique in design.



Ceramic bowls, 'Frangipani Flowers' (pair)




Ceramic condiment set, 'Dance Fans' (set of 4)

You can find similar items like this one at places like Pier 1.

Do you know the couple's interest?

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Loida Chan
A Bargain Shopper who believes that Life's Luxuries can come at small prices.

We were invited to our Auntie's anniversary (50th) in which the invitation stated 'no gifts.'
Being that she was our Auntie we decided to do something special anyways.

We contacted her son who was doing a slide show as entertainment during the reception. He emailed us a few pictures of the actual wedding day. We chose one, and printed it on our computer printer and placed it into a double side-by-side picture frame.

When the reception day arrived, we packed our laptop and printer into the car and we were off.

As pictures were being taken, we made sure Auntie and Uncle were in the same pose around their cake as they were 50 years ago. We took several pictures and left to a secluded area of the facility and began looking at pictures and printed one that we liked, placed it in the photo frame, wrapped it and placed the gift on the table with the others.

Auntie was in disbelief that we were able to pull something off like we did, and to this day still talks about it. It was unique and inexpensive. Less than ten dollars for the picture frame and a few cents for the photo paper and ink.

You will be able to come up with an idea, have fun with it.

I would not buy anything that they had to put somewhere. A lot of people that age are trying to get rid of things not add things. Do they like to garden, drink wine or coffee, go to the movies? Then a gift card for any of these would get used and they would not need to find a place for it. Do you live close to them? If you like to bake your gift could be a homemade dessert each month for their whole 40th year. That way not only do they get a yummy gift they get a visit from you which may be much more of a gift to them.

Since the 40th Anniversary is considered the Ruby Anniversary, maybe you can look into giving something in Ruby or Red Color. If they enjoy wine, then look for a good Red Wine. Here is a top rated red wine that is not only good but very budget friendly.


Perrin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2007
Price: $11.99

Check out your local Bevmo store, they often have specials where often you can buy 2 bottles of wine for the price of 1.

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Loida Chan
A Bargain Shopper who believes that Life's Luxuries can come at small prices.

That is really true. When my in-laws had their 50th anniversary, they got so many knick-knacks that they literally were stressed about what to do with them all I mean, how many "50th anniversary" "things" can you really use

I love the idea of a home-made dessert every month for a year or some other consumable type gift.

After reading one of the above posts I remembered that Mom and Dad did receive 2 or 3 restaurant gift cards. They've been able to go to restaurants that they normally wouldn't.

I love getting gift cards, no matter where they are for. I would think a gift card for a restaurant or even a $10 Wal Mart one would be appreciated, as most older people in my area at times have to do without everyday items on a fixed income.

If you are interested in Restaurant Gift Certificates then try

RESTAURANT.COM

Right now you can purchase a
$25 Gift Certificates for $2
$50 Gift Certificates for $4
$75 Gift Certificates for $6
$100 Gift Certificates for $8

Enter Promo Code SUMMER to get your discount
Code ends Wed, June 30

So you see your $25 can go along way if you decide to do this.

Might be a good idea to find out what kind of restaurants they like as you do not want to send them something they will not use.

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Loida Chan
A Bargain Shopper who believes that Life's Luxuries can come at small prices.

Isn't that the truth???

At Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary---all guests were told if they just "had" to get Mom and Dad something to bring a roll of pennies (50 pennies, sort of goldish color). those were then totalled up and a donation was made to the local public library in Mom and Dad's name. Mom and Dad picked the "charity".

After 40-50 years of marriage, chances are the couple has all the "stuff" they need/want/can use! And chances are they don't feel like dusting anymore "knick-knacks"....gift cards, personalized coupon books, gift baskets (movie basket w/ pop, popcorn, movie/rental GC, candy--or something along those lines) or donations in the couples name would seem to be the most rational thought...

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

We will celebrate our 44th in November, so I speak from some experience. I would not want knick knacks of any kind, no matter how clever or cute. Food, gift cards, or maybe a photo album to hold the pictures that will probably be taken at the party. I love gift cards. A restaurant card is always appreciated. I like movie gift cards. And who doesn't like a gas gift card? Make sure that the card is something they can actually use and is something that won't cost them more money than the card itself. Example, my daughter got me a $25 card for cooking classes at the local grocery store. The cheapest class there is about $35. And she wanted me to take my grandson. So if I had ever used it, I would have been out $45 for her gift. I bought groceries instead.