My sister is turning 30 next month and I want to get her something special for her birthday. Can you guys recommend something?
I would like to spend about $500 (but could spend more if it is something really good). She definitely loves the finer things in life, and I would like to get her something she wouldn't treat herself to.
She is a mother of a one-and-a-half year old, so she isn't in need of high heels or fancy dresses-- she has an active social life but it seems to be mostly with her friends and their babies.
She is now a full-time mom so she doesn't need career-focused stuff. She also doesn't have much time to go to a spa or to a fancy dinner.
She probably has all the handbags and wallets she needs.
I would do something like flowers for a year. It's probably not something she treats herself to, and would be a nice surprise every month. I love getting flowers and just unexpectedly getting them once a month would instantly brighten my day. HTH!
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Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds. -Buddha
Dont know if this is practical for you but when I used to babysit in college a ladies husband paid me for a year to come over once a week for a few hours so that his wife could get some free time so run errands without the baby. I think it was a birthday or aniversary gift I cant remember.
I dont know where everyone lives but housekeeps around here are 50-100 per day... 2000-5000 per year. But its a great idea!
It usually depends on the size of the place and how long the person will be there. Our cleaning lady is $15 an hour for a 2000 square foot place in Chicago. She is there for 3 hours max.
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
Collette wrote: How about paying for housekeeping for a year? I know I would love that!
I love this idea! I would love this too. Rates around my area are approx. $20 /hr. Most people I know have someone do 3 hrs. every other week = ~$120 /month. $500 worth of cleaning would still be a pretty nice gift!
Along the same lines one of my friends got $500 to her nail salon. It was nice because she could pretty much pop in there whenever she needed to and get her nails done. Would only work if you're into that though. You could also get her a nice piece of jewelry, maybe a unique gold necklace or pearls? Or you could combine that with maybe a pair of nice chanel sunglasses?
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http://v247.tumblr.com One cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind -Thoreau
I think that $500 worth of housekeeping (perhaps once a month for a year) is a great idea for a present!
If you wanted to give her something lasting, I like Vanessa's ideas about jewelry. I personally am coveting the Michele watches and you could get her one of those for around your price.
This is sort of random, but since you mention she likes the finer things in life, I've always thought that receiving a really sumptuous wonderful cashmere throw or bed linens from someplace like Frette is divine -- I was given a cashmere blanket once and it's one of my very very very favorite gifts and I wouldn't have ever gotten it for myself!