80th birthday present ideas?

[GlitteryFluff]

It's my grandma's 80th birthday next month and I have no idea what to get her so I want to pick mumsnetters brains please!

This is going to sound awful - but I don't know that much about her. I don't see her that often and when I do it's just general chit chat so I don't know any specifics about things she loves.

I was looking at newspapers from her day of birth. Have also seen books called 'your life in pictures' which goes through all important events in her lifetime. That's the best I have so far.

She doesn't have a garden. They live in a small flat.

Does anyone have any ideas of special presents for an 80 year old lady? Budget of about £50?

A Photobook, eg upload photos to PhotoBox or similar, and they turn it into a book, with your text alongside.

Next question is do you have photos she would enjoy, eg of herself when younger, or her extended family / pets / places she went on holiday?

Maybe spend some time with her? Take along an instant afternoon tea, small sandwiches, scones, some pretty little cakes. You could pick it all up from the supermarket if you are short of time. You would probably both enjoy the chatter.

Other ideas are put together a beauty hamper ~ hand cream, perfume, lipstick etc, or a luxury food treats hamper.

They do some lovely things on Bettys of Harrogate (the teashop people). Nice, traditional teatime stuff. bettys.co.uk

Pot plant? Cashmere - scarf, gloves, bedsocks? Nice leather gloves?

Isn't there someone you could ask what she likes - your parent, her husband?

Agree that something like going out for afternoon tea, theatre, manicure etc might be a nice idea. My parents are in their 80s and really, really don’t want anymore ‘stuff’ in their lives. They have been inundated with photos, biscuits, nice soap etc over the years. My DM is very ‘outgoing’ so for her 85th birthday I treated her to a city break & spa day.