40th and 50th Birthday Gift Guide

Watches
On my good pal Kai's 50th birthday, I sported him with a vintage watch that was both unique and stylish. I knew he liked watches because every time we got together he wore a different watch coordinated to his outfit.

• You can shop for memorable timepieces at antique stores, boutiques and watch shops. Or, even go online to Worldofwatches.com for a great selection.

Domestic Diva
A professional chef knife makes a wonderful 40th or 50th birthday gift for the domestic diva in your life.

• A good 8" or 10" chef knife will last a lifetime! Global is a Japanese knife company that produces several striking, yet functional knives, a favorite for many chefs and myself.
• Shun also manufactures terrific chef knives out of Japanese VG-10 steel.
• Mac knives made here in the USA, are durable and would make for welcome additions in any kitchen.

Pair a chef's knife with any one of the following gastronomical reads and you have the perfect culinary gift!

My top "foodie" reads:

• Julia Child's "My Life in France,"
• Jacques Pepin's "The Apprentice, My Life in the Kitchen,"
• Auguste Escoffier's "Memories of My Life." Escoffier is a legendary French chef who changed the course of culinary history.

Cooking Themes
Keeping with this tasty theme, cooking lessons with a pro make a delicious 40th or 50th birthday gift.

• If your friend has been yearning to learn how to make homemade pasta, what better gift than some personal instruction. (Just be sure that you stop by for the leftovers!)
• Contact a local cooking or culinary school to find a chef who's available for cooking lessons. You might also be able to hire the chef from your friend's favorite restaurant to set up in-home or in-restaurant cooking instruction.
• Or, find a Culinary School or Program in your city!

At a restaurant

• If you know that your good friend will be dining at his/her favorite restaurant on a particular night, call ahead and spring for a flight of champagnes or wine pairing for their dinner.
• For one of my best gals' 40th I arranged for a champagne tasting to be sent to her table. She loved the surprise!

Jewelry
From bubbles to baubles, you can't go wrong with a gift from Tiffany's

• Elsa Peretti, one of Tiffany's designers, has created many gorgeous sterling silver pieces that are affordable and can be engraved--perfect for any best pal's 40th!

Books
Books make wonderful gifts, especially coffee table tomes inscribed with a heartfelt handwritten message.

• For the art lover, how about a book on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, or, for the impeccable artist in your life, a book about Ray and Charles Eames or legendary designer Tony Duquette.
• Those interested in self growth and personal manifestation will certainly enjoy Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" or "The Power of Now," Lama Surya Das' "Awakening the Buddha Within," and Gahl Sasson and Steve Weinstein's "A Wish Can Change Your Life." All are wonderful, inspired reads.

Photo Gifts
A homemade photo book for either a 40th or 50th birthday is a great personal gift.

• Photo labs and most Walgreen's, CVS, and Wal-Mart can turn your own digital photographs into amusing photo books for under $20.00. Simply visit the store's photo center with a CD of your pictures or order a custom photo book on-line.
• For more creative and advanced photo ideas, like making stickers, postcards, mugs, stationery, playing cards and more try moo.com or snapfish.com (just sign up for a free account).