A Personalized Book for a 40th Birthday: A Gift That Tells a Story
A 40th birthday is the age when there are already stories, and you can still laugh about them. That is exactly the material for a personal book: four decades, three memories that have to be in, and the guest of honor in the illustrations. A gift that friends make together in one evening, and that stays on the shelf long after the balloons have deflated.
Why a book and not an ordinary gift
At 40 they already have everything: the bottle, the voucher, the restaurant. What they do not have is something that says "we see you." A book written about a person, in the words of their friends or family, is exactly that. And it costs less than dinner for two.
How to make it with friends
- One of you collects one memory from everybody. In a group text, no ceremony.
- Pick the three best memories. A rule of thumb: one funny, one embarrassing, one moving.
- Decide on the tone. For a 40th, funny with a moving ending works almost every time.
- Get one clear photo of the guest of honor, face toward the camera. You can add up to three more people to the illustrations: a partner, the best friend, one of the parents.
- Answer the seven short questions, and within about a minute you get a cover and ten pages.
What to do with the text you get
Read it as a group. You can edit any page, ask for a rewrite, or leave a note and we write it accordingly. When everyone is happy, we illustrate the cover and two pages for free. You see how the guest of honor comes out in the illustration, and only then do you order the full book.
What you get and what it costs
A printed hardcover, 21 pages: a cover, ten text pages, and ten illustrations, with a dedication from all of you. The price for your country is shown before you pay, and you can see current prices on the create page. The book is sent to print after you approve it. In the US, delivery takes about 12 days, so it is wise to start a few weeks before the party.
And for a 50th birthday?
The same idea, another decade of stories. For other milestone birthdays, the way is the same.
Start a book for a 40th birthday. The sample is free, and the guest of honor will thank you.
Questions about a book for a 40th birthday
How many people can take part in the writing? As many as you like. Collect a memory from everyone and pick three. Up to four people can appear in the illustrations themselves.
Is a 40th birthday gift for a woman and for a man the same book? The same process, a completely different book, because the memories are different. The text is written for the guest of honor, with the right pronouns throughout.
Can I hand over the book at the party as a digital copy if we run short on time? The personal book for adults arrives printed. If time is short, start today: the sample is ready the same day, and printing and delivery in the US take about 12 days.
What do I write in the dedication? One sentence from everyone, in words you really say. Not "we wish you," but "forty, and still the last one to show up."
How much does it cost? The price is shown before you pay. If you split it among friends, it comes to less than the cake.