Dach a friend of ours turned 50 last year, and we too were in the same vote.. what do you get something for someone who is hitting a milestone.. i then got onto a website store called paperworld... where they sell the original news paper from the day you were born... they are pricey but it comes in a beautiful folder etc and you can choose the paper you want ie Sydney Morning Herald or a Melbourne/ Brisbane paper.. its a kind of quirky idea but very original..not exactly 'practical' but interesting! All the other guests at the party and birthday person were all amazed and kept commenting on it... I hope someone does it for me when I turn 40.

best of luck present hunting

leis x