Gift for lady in her early 60s

[BringBackThinEyebrows]

I'd love some ideas on what to buy for a woman in her early 60s. Budget is £100. She prefers staying in since lockdown rather than events or experiences, so maybe something she can use at home. Some info:

-Already has loads of beauty products and knows exactly what she likes
-Has a dog and loves country walks
-Has a tablet she enjoys using
-Likes stuff in National Trust shops
-Enjoys crafts but has tried to declutter her craft supplies this year
-Enjoys reading fiction (especially crime fiction)
-Likes clothes but doesn't treat herself to new clothes often
-Already has all the kitchen gadgets e.g. velvetiser

Any suggestions welcome Especially if you're a similar age and know what you want.

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

@tearinghairout

I think the point about spending a lot of money is a good one. £100 is a lot to spend on anyone who's not immediate family, surely? She might or might not want to go for lunch with you, but with the nice bowl of fragrant hyacinths and sincere thank-you, you can't go wrong, really.

Did you read the OP?

[evilharpy]

My MIL is 70 but still likes the same things she did at 60. She would love £100 worth of anything from Molton Brown. Or cashmere bed socks from White Company. Or nice gloves from somewhere like Brora but not fingerless ones. She definitely would not like wellies or a shawl.

[slobberydog]

@tearinghairout

I think the point about spending a lot of money is a good one. £100 is a lot to spend on anyone who's not immediate family, surely? She might or might not want to go for lunch with you, but with the nice bowl of fragrant hyacinths and sincere thank-you, you can't go wrong, really.

Op has explained that her friend has gone above and beyond for her, financially and time wise and is an all round lovely human. And she can afford it. So why not?

[funandfrolics04]

My mum is her her 60s too and very much lost her confidence since the pandemic.

I am getting her an online course floristry for Christmas, as she loves arts and crafts from www.inbloomandco.com

I think the floristry course is above budget, but I've seen they do a gardening course too.

I thought it would be nice for her to learn a new hobby and hopefully build her confidence back up from there

Good luck and please do let me know what you go for as it's my mums birthday in Feb too! Xxx

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

I want someone to get me a diptique solid perfume, so pretty and lovely scent. I got two for someone my age (60), from space NK, they are good at delivering on time.

[tearinghairout]

I think the point about spending a lot of money is a good one. £100 is a lot to spend on anyone who's not immediate family, surely? She might or might not want to go for lunch with you, but with the nice bowl of fragrant hyacinths and sincere thank-you, you can't go wrong, really.

[AtlasPine]

@MostUseful

This thread proves, even if a similar age we are all so different. And as some pp's have pointed out I would be embarrassed if someone I'd tried to help out reciprocated with an expensive present.
So, maybe a thank you card and a nice bunch of flowers or better still, have lunch together, your treat.

Absolutely this. I would welcome a jigsaw because it would mean the person knew me enough to know I like them. Other women my age would be horrified at this. I would find it difficult if you gave me jewellery or perfume, neither of which I favour. Some other women might love this. It’s the thought which illustrates you listen and know your recipient rather than the value.

[MostUseful]

This thread proves, even if a similar age we are all so different. And as some pp's have pointed out I would be embarrassed if someone I'd tried to help out reciprocated with an expensive present.
So, maybe a thank you card and a nice bunch of flowers or better still, have lunch together, your treat.

[LiterallyKnowsBest]

Now that we know more specifically who the gift is for - I have to admit that I too would be a little wary of a generous gift from a neighbour, no matter what kindnesses I had shown them over the year. (Thinking about it, I have actually assisted a neighbour this year, in a way that will have saved them more than £100, though it only took a couple of messages and we certainly haven’t become friends.)

So I can’t exactly put myself in OP’s shoes. In a previous profession of mine, a case of wine was the usual gift from any particularly grateful client. That might, or might not, seem oppressively flamboyant depending on neighbourhood and relative incomes. Anything more personal really would depend on how well these neighbours know each other.

Ps - when I become 60 I sincerely hope no one at all will find it necessary to append that information with the words

‘with a young outlook’ or

‘but doesn’t look it’ or

‘she dresses younger than her age’ or

‘but she’s still interested in …’ or

‘she still like to go out and …’



All things I read too often on MN and far, far too often elsewhere.

I will still be myself, and will still expect to be respected as an individual.

[ButtonSister]

I'm of similar age and would like a wildlife night cam, but no reason why your neighbour would want the same thing.

[ButtonSister]

The hamper, go for a luxury hamper. Unless you absolutely know she would like something specific like a kindle or posh wellies £100 is a lot to spend on a specific item she may not actually want.

[Ragwort]

I agree with snail's point of view, I am the same age and would feel very embarrassed if a younger neighbour (whom I had been more than happy to help) spent that sort of amount of money on me. I would think very carefully before spending £100 on a neighbour. A heartfelt thank you letter and a bowl of hyacinths or similar would be appreciated.

And to whoever asked - yes I have got to the age of 64 without owning a kindle and I wouldn't one .

[NinaProudman2022]

@KimikosNightmare I think we are all different regardless of age. I have a friend who is 62 who has a young outlook (she no longer has a dog but lives in a large farm house in the country and she would be happy with any of those gifts). But each to their own it was just some ideas and one might strike a cord with OP.
PS she has just ordered herself three sets of cocktails one for each of her daughters (in their 30’s) and also a set for her and her husband. She also appreciates nice wine. She wears scarves to tone in with her outfit (based on colours and print) and not just because they are a high end brand. We are all different with different tastes likes and dislikes.

[beetr00]

@BringBackThinEyebrows

shop.kew.org/homeware?product_list_limit=16

www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/living

[MountainAshley]

Am I the only one who has already spent too much money because of this thread?

I have 4 pairs of cashmere fingerless gloves on their way to me, to give as gifts. The recipients are aged 20 to 85!

[KimikosNightmare]

@Plopcorn

I gave someone letterbox flowers and bulbs from Bloompost, every Friday for a month. They were greatly appreciated. I’d like some myself actually, there are some really nice ones!

I'd love that. I buy flowers as part of the weekly shop but more is always appreciated.

Although whilst I think that's a fantastic gift I suppose others who might think it's a waste of money.

[KimikosNightmare]

[quote NinaProudman2022]I am mid 50’s some things I might like are;

A Neom Diffuser
A kindle if I didn’t already have one
A nice scarf
Perfume (if you know what she likes)
Voucher for a spa or beauty salon nearby
Posh skin care
Some local handmade chocolates
A nice fleece jacket something to throw on for year round dog walks
Some nice PJ’s
Gardening vouchers
A cocktail selection from here www.orogin.co.uk/shop/cocktails[/quote]
I'm 62. I don't know what a Neom diffuser is but as I've got to 62 I reckon I don't want or need one.

Unless someone really well posh skin care is a waste of money unless it was the specific brand and range from that brand which I use.

I hate spa days.

Is there a 62 year old woman on the planet who doesn't have a kindle?

I wouldn't be seen dead in a fleece jacket.

A nice scarf- hmm I've got Liberty and Hermès and scarves from independent up and coming designers. Nice scarves is very subjective but a possibility.

Pyjamas are too utilitarian- even nice ones- they're just part of normal shopping. It would be like giving me a set of saucepans.

Cocktails are for 20 year olds.

Out of that list- the only ones I'd be happy with would be perfume, either one I use or a new one to try (as long as it wasn't a celebrity perfume) and the scarf.

[KimikosNightmare]

@MintJulia

Does she have neoprene lined decent wellies?

That's a terrible present. By the time you've got to 62 you either know you need a decent set of wellies and have bought them or you have no need for them.

I'm 62 - if someone gave a pair of wellies I'd think they'd taken leave of their senses.

[NinaProudman2022]

I am mid 50’s some things I might like are;

A Neom Diffuser
A kindle if I didn’t already have one
A nice scarf
Perfume (if you know what she likes)
Voucher for a spa or beauty salon nearby
Posh skin care
Some local handmade chocolates
A nice fleece jacket something to throw on for year round dog walks
Some nice PJ’s
Gardening vouchers
A cocktail selection from here www.orogin.co.uk/shop/cocktails

[cecinestpasunepipe]

I'm 69 and what I really want for Christmas is a sander and a wallpaper steam stripper.

[Bambi7]

Ugg scuffette slippers. I know a 62 year old that loves these and someone in their 80's. Apparently they're practical, super comfortable and look good. They come in all sorts of colours.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Since she's a walker, I'd also second the idea described earlier of an Ordnance Survey Map centred on her postcode

We haven't really used paper maps for years. We would of course carry one if we were going up eg the big hills in the Lake District or snowdonia but I can't see ever needing one for our local area.

[gofg]

I'm 62 and while I would be grateful for any gift I have always known exactly what I do and don't like, and with a budget of that amount I would far rather receive a voucher so I could choose something for myself.

[Innocenta]

What's on your list, @Kummerspeck ?

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I really want a cashmere travel wrap/shawl now.

I’m in my 50s and really wouldn’t.

I agree with concentrating on the person rather than her age.