Birthday Gift for Friend

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a spa service (facial, massage, pedicure, manicure, whatever is in price range) at Lifetime Fitness center. Depending on where you/she are in Naperville, the Warrenville one on Diehl is probably closest. Even if not a member there, can use the child center when receiving a spa service as I recall so the kids could be well entertained while the mom is able to relaaaaax :)

new outfit for her new body or new workout clothes

How about a cute workout top or yoga pants or something?

Would she like some workout clothes? I get mine at Walmart. I get lots of compliments on the Danskin line. They are very inexpensive and I really like the way they fit. You could get a complete outfit for that.

Work out clothes is nice, especially if she's a close friend and you know her style. Otherwise maybe a pedicure. You could do a gift certificate or you could both go together and chat while it's being done. Afterwards go for coffe or ice cream or cocktails!

Maybe you could go to an inexpensive play or production of something. I'm sure there are small community theatres near you and the tickets are probably within that $30 range. It would be a fun and different night out for sure!

I have to disagree with some of the other answers. Just because someone works out does not mean they need a yoga mat. I have a bunch of yoga junk that people have given me as gifts. When I go to the gym I either lift weights or run on the treadmill, I don't need yoga stuff. Also, I tend to stay away from buying other people work out clothes, agian you don't know what they use and you don't know what will fit them. If you don't know the details of what she does and/or wears at the gym, don't get her something useless.

If she likes to go to the spa or get her nails done and has time to do so, a gift certificate is a great idea, however some moms don't have time for that. I got a gift certificate for a mani/pedi, and never had time to use it and it is still sitting in my office and is probably expired.

Have you asked her what she would want? I have a friend that I have a terrible time buying for and so I finally asked her one year if I could take her shopping for something for her birthday. We went shopping together and I got her a sweater that she tried on and wanted. Now we are both moms and we still do this and we have a lot of fun, get a chance to get away for an afternoon, and I know that she will use the gift that I gave her.

My final suggestion is, if they are working on their home or you think she wants to declutter, you could get her a gift certificate to a home improvement store or the Container Store or something like that. Personally I am against gift certificates, but purchases like that tend to be more than $30 and this way she could apply it to her total.

Good Luck,
D.