<p>What I gave my friend of 46 years on her 50th, and which she loved:</p>
<p>A small journal book, which I titled “50 Memories for 50 Years.” On each page, I listed a different memory - some humorous, some serious, some just “facts” of our almost 50 years as friends: my jealousy 
of her “princess phone”; the “recipes” we made as 5 year olds from different weeds, flowers and grasses; the time her father jumped the fence to save me when I fell from the swing set…</p>
<p>worrywart - check your local Kinkos and see if they can scan to disk for you.</p>
<p>BTW, I made a photo book for my friend and it sits on her coffee table for all to enjoy. She simply adores it. It makes an amazing statement and so incredibly inexpensive. Guaranteed, she’ll love it!</p>
<p>Worrywart,
I am still new at the jewelry making…but I have been making a lot of “gifts” and some of the ones I am inspired to make are interesting to me…you can certainly PM me and let me know what you are interested in…and if I can do it, I will…because I enjoy it and I learn with each new creation…I think I get a creative “fix” out of it…I like color…and beading allows for unlimited variations of color, texture etc…</p>
<p>I also like Jmmom’s suggestion of a 50 page book with 50 memories… you could always bead a simple bookmark to go along with that…</p>
<p>think back on your friendship with her and decide what you want her to have… from you to mark this mid-point in her life…I know it is more than likely way past her mid-point but, that is how I thought of mine…when I turned 50 I felt a sense of relief where I decided to not do things that I really didn’t want to do anymore… they can be simple things, like not make the bed…or make basic dinner instead of a nice meal… or challenge a friend when they say something that resonates in a bad way…or not challenge them…give them a mulligan… think about your girlfriend and give her a gift from your heart… and if you need someone else’s hands to do the crafting, that is ok. You can design it…</p>
<p>I’ve just caught up on today’s posts and the color photocopies are another great idea. Unfortunately, I pulled out all of my photo albums this morning and couldn’t find any photos that would be clear quality. They’ve all darkened with age. I’m going to have to hunt a little harder this weekend to see if there are other sources I’ve forgotten about. This setback may propel me toward the 50 memories idea instead. (That should be a challenge considering my forgetfulness as of late.)</p>
<p>^^ The 50 memories just came rolling once I started. And a key is not to think each one must be “momentous.” Sometimes I would hit a blank moment, but something else flew into my memory within a few minutes.</p>
<p>jmmom, you still have a friend from when you were 4?? I am so jealous. I never kept any of my friends growing up. You and worrywart are lucky to have friends to share such old memories with.</p>
<p>mousegray, I do consider myself very fortunate to have a friend who values me as much as I do her. We’ve been through the usual boyfriend breakups, wedding parties, births of firstborns, etc., as well as life threatening and degenerative diseases. She knows things about my life that I don’t share with my own mother or children (because I don’t want to worry them.)</p>
<p>Sterling silver charm bracelets and charms aren’t very expensive. You could easily put one together that represented various aspects of your friendship. I know charm bracelets are very old fashioned but I still kind of like them.</p>
<p>Worrywart-</p>
<p>Try getting someone to help you out with Photoshop for the faded quality pics. Old pictures can be semi-restored with most kinds of these programs!</p>
<p>The book idea is wonderful! Other ideas–
–a framed collage of pictures, letters, memorabilia. I have given and received these and love them.
–a day/night out together. Go to a day spa and get pedicures and a facial. (if you do this all the time, not a good idea. But I never do these things) Go to a special show or event together.
–Make a donation in her name to something important to her.
–Have a star named after her. (Heard about this but do not know cost)
–Special jewelry (as stated above). Great idea!</p>
<p>MiamiDAP-</p>
<p>I hope you were joking, but on the chance that you weren’t: I’m sorry it was so tough for you.</p>
<p>Go to ebay and find a magazine from 1959 and one from 1971 and have them framed together</p>
<p>CelebrationJAR.com - amazing way to celebrate someone you love. Used this for a 50th birthday and a 40th wedding anniversary for my parents. They really felt loved when they read all of the sweet messages and memories from friends and family</p>