My mum is getting married - what on earth do I buy her!?

[RunningBear78]

Hi,
I'm really stuck ... hence a request for some help. After 30 odd years together my mum and 'step-dad' have (finally) decided to get married. The main reason being to ensure that when should one die the other will automatically get the house. All very romantic! As they head for 70 I suppose you get more practical about these things.

Anyway, the wedding is a registry office affair, with just the kids. We'd all like to buy/get them something, but we are just not sure what. They have been together ages, plenty wealthy, have loads of stuff and birthdays & christmases are hard enough to buy for, so I'm totally stumpted.

I wondered about buying a set of household items to be donated to a local women's shelter or something, but apparently the shelters/charities would prefer money. Little bro suggested a night away somewhere close to a swanky restaurant (they can cover the food costs!) but I'm not convinced.

So, just wondered what I could get for them? I would like something a little meaningful, but have only 4 days left to sort something out. I appreciate I perhaps should have thought about this sooner, but hey ho.

Thoughts appreciated!

[SirChenjin]

I think your brother's suggestion is great - was going to suggest that, then noticed he'd beat me to it.

Otherwise, going with your charitable theme, how about something from Good Gifts? www.goodgifts.org/

[Queenofknickers]

Some sort of 'experience' eg hot air ballooning etc? Lunch at Fat Duck etc?

[quoteunquote]

A night away sounds lovely, something nice they can have as a memory.

[scaevola]

I suggest a small item they can keep/display.

Plus either a night away or a donation to a charity they support (especially if you can get something 'named' after them).

[RunningBear78]

Many thanks for the suggestions, I like the goodgifts website, and might combine with a little something or the night away.

[timetosmile]

Sound like you don't have much time..but how about a poster/picture (like the photobox ones) with some lovely, happy, romantic photos of them from the past 30-odd years?
Would it help to think what you would get a couple that age for a ruby wedding anniversary present rather than think about a 'wedding' present iyswim - something to celebrate their life together so far.

[OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly]

When my aunt got remarried her two grown up children got her and her new husband a wedding tree/wedding cake tree (can't remember the exact name) and it's now in their front garden.

Plus an engraved plaque for under the tree with the date and their names on it - unfortunately it's in white marble with grey flecks and the first thing everyone said was that it was like a gravestone, it's become a family joke now!

[Raeray]

I bought my mum and her husband a charity type gift - think was from oxfam. Like yours they had everything they want /need etc and were really pleased with this present!

[Minion]

Can you get photos of them throughout their lives put into a coffee table type book for them?

[Pandemoniaa]

As another ancient person about to get married, I've had some difficulty answering questions about wedding presents. Because yes, we've got all the usual household stuff. In fact, we've probably got far too much stuff already.

So I've either said that there's really no need to get us a gift or that something silly/quirky/handmade/personal to us would be lovely. So far I've had a fantastic book about English Folk traditions (this has a relevance to both of us) loads of cake being delivered on the day and a truly fab teacosy.


So far as your dm and her dp are concerned, my advice would definitely be that "personal" is almost certainly better than "costly". I like the idea of trees for the garden and a photo book. Other ideas could be to get them an annual subscription for an activity they enjoy - National Trust, say?

[Gwennan]

Are you buying for your mum or both of them?

If it's just your mum, you could get her a blue gemstone necklace/earrings/bracelet to be her something blue on the wedding day.

I'm not sure what your budget is but the hotel idea sounds lovely. Personally, I'd be very appreciative of being given spa vouchers. Are there any nice ones nearby? I'm sure a lot of them offer treatments for couples, which might be a nice way of relaxing after the wedding is over.

[MrsHelsBels74]

I bought my dad & step mum one of these figurines when they married

I can't find the exact one & some are a bit twee but I like the sentiment & the simplicity.

[RunningBear78]

Many thanks all!
Plumped for a bamboo bike for a health worker/midwife in Africa as both have spent their working lives in and around health/medicine so is quite appropriate. Also bought a little blue thing for mum - I decided blue hands due to the stunningly awful weather, probably didn't count!

[SirChenjin]

Sounds perfect! Hope you all have a fabulous day