50 gifts for a 50th birthday

[PurpleSock]

My auntie turns 50 in July and she's been like a mum to me since my own mum died when I was a teenager so I want to go all out for her birthday

I was thinking about getting her 50 smaller gifts that I could maybe make into a hamper (or maybe gift separately depending on what they are) but I need some inspiration.

I also don't want to fall in the trap of getting cheap rubbish just because it's cheap and I need to get the number of gifts up

Any suggestions or recommendations would be great, for background, she works in a school full time but not a teacher, and dotes on her 3 grand children, she also speeds a fair amount of time caring for/helping out her mother in law and is the most wonderful loving and generous person I know and I really would like her give her something wonderful back after all she's done for me!

I'm of the same vintage as your aunt. 50@50 would not mean as much to me as it would to you. One present, something thoughtful and useful but something probably wouldn't (or couldn't ) buy myself. Along with that a card or letter with some heartfelt words.
As you get older, at least, as I do, I find I need and want less stuff.

C'mon, MINI, I would want a case! Lol

Absolutely.

However - 4 cases of wine + two bottles of single malt equals 50 items. Sorted!

Also, if a joint family gift, a vineyard trip and wine bought en primeur would be a very special present.

(I’m slightly alarmed at all the past years photos and afternoon teas being suggested. The lovely aunt is currently 49! Sod the photbooks. Dinner at a great restaurant with a brilliant wine list is what I’d want. Or something, like wine futures, that posits an exciting future. Not dull memories of the past - as if her active life is over.)

Op I think you'll struggle to avoid tat / clutter I'm not that much younger and would end up sorting 50 things into keep / use up / charity.
I'm always fighting a decluttering battle.

Things I'd appreciate more would be a meal out, one maybe two keep sakes necklace or bracelet, ornament & bouquet of flowers.

I do kind of like the 5 book suggestion which could be done with books, CDs or DVDs. But so many people inc older people have gone digital with these you need to know your recipient.

If you want to do 50 items you could do a playlist with 50 songs or a photo book with a mix of 50 poems, photos, memories etc.

Not very environmentally friendly to overload her with stuff. How about a nice course you do together?

Perhaps a couple of home made things, family photographs, a nice letter explaining how much she means to you, something from the kids (home made shortbread in a nice tin?), a voucher for a nail appointment?

50 gifts would drive me mad. At 50 I was actively reducing the stuff I had.

I was skint when my mum and dad had their 50 th wedding anniversary. I bought them 50 daffodil bulbs which I planted with my Dc in their garden. Seemed to go down well.

I did 30 gifts for my friend. I went round all the beauty counters and got samples of creams and perfumes so I could then spend more on other presents. You'll be surprised how much you get if you ask nicely and explain!

I don’t want to be a wet blanket but as I’ve got older I find my desire for “stuff” has dramatically declined. I have a drawer full of soap, hand cream and talc, a display cabinet of knickknacks and ornaments, boxes of jewellery, a fridge covered in magnets, a kitchen full of gadgets and shelves full of books. The idea of fifty things is lovely but the practicality is a lot of unnecessary stuff, I would much rather have one substantial present.

This. I’m nearly 50. I have no interest in gardening, never have done, and have accumulated all the soap, pens, mugs, hankies etc that I’ll ever need.

I would much rather have 1 good thing - hand knitted jumper, weekend away, meal out, piece of jewellery... or time. I’m not sure you can buy and package extra time though!!

Another one who's 50 and would absolutely hate this - I don't want 'stuff' - have just decluttered! And 50 things is just far too much anyway. Would much rather a nice meal or evening out with my niece. It's time together which feels precious.

But OP is ignoring the advice from those aged 50...maybe her aunt is the exception, I just can't imagine welcoming 50 items into my home!

Get your family together and have a professional photo done which you can get framed for her. That’s the sort of present I’d like. Other than that a spa day, theatre tickets, membership of something like the National Trust or an Art Pass. Take her and the family out for a birthday picnic.

I’m 50 and wouldn’t like this, sorry nice thought, but one thoughtful gift would be much more appreciated.

Another 50s person who says no to this idea, I am constantly decluttering, have had enough of fancy teas, soaps etc and I don't really drink alcohol. What I would like are theatre tickets, a nice meal out (not afternoon tea) or to go to some sort of craft workshop with you (pottery, silvercraft, pattiserie or similar).

Bless you, it's a kind thought but fifty is too much. What about one gift per decade?

I'm 50 and would love this as long as I didn't end up with stuff to keep long term. I love nice soap (plastic free), seeds would be lovely, as would travel size hand cream and some lip balm. I love books, my favourite soft drink, sweets, bookmark, favourite biscuits, face mask, good tweezers, nail varnish, a mini bottle of fizz/rose, photos of the family especially my children/grandchild. Lots of good small presents about when you know someone well.

You say she works in a school, so I'm going to guess that she may be a ta in a primary. If so all these little gifts of cheap stationery, (bloody) mugs, mini bottles of wine will be exactly the type of nonsense that she gets every Christmas and end of year. She is likely to be low paid too. ( I am a former Ta of many years). Please just buy her one lovely gift. A beautiful scarf, a lovely watch. That is the way to spoil her and make her feel special. Please don't buy her something to use at work!

Disfordarkchocolate's list of is far more comprehensive than mine!

why not do 1 gift for every decade instead? you're more likely to end up with better quality pressies. I went to a 50th once where they had done the 50 pressies thing and the opening went on and on, and on. ended up a bit excruciating actually, even though well meant!

I know I’m hogging the thread but I feel unexpectedly strongly about this subject!

OP, if you’re thinking of the equivalent of 50 stocking filler gifts - it’s a well meant but terrible idea. (Unless you know this is what she’d like.)

If, on the other hand, you’re considering something altogether more advanced and thought through - cases of wine equalling 50 bottles; 50 saplings to start an orchard or a woodland; 50 pearls or gemstones to fashion a significant piece of jewellery; even a subscription for a year’s worth of monthly flower deliveries - then I/we, the Universal Over 50 Aunts of MN/she would be truly grateful. Impressed. Astonished. Delighted!

Hopefully the OP knows her Aunt well and will know if she would like this sort of gift or not. My (late) DMIL would have loved something like this, she adored getting presents and unwrapping things, my own DM would hate it. Personally I wouldn’t like it, but I hate any presents except charity goat type gifts, I am fortunate to have everything I want in life. For my 50th party I very clearly put ‘no gifts please’ on my party invite, which most guests respected. (Still got a few plants which I couldn’t keep alive, I loathe gardening ).

50 daffodil bulbs as suggested below = excellent idea. And then one nice thing. Sorted.

It's totally the wrong time of year for daffodil bulbs though, you plant them in late autumn, you probably wouldn't find them on sale in July.

50 bits of tat? No thank you. And the poor recipient having to sit there ploughing through the tat-opening ceremony for the amusement of the giver.

I do think you should take on board the comments about "stuff". So many people are trying to reduce the amount of things in their lives, both for environmental and mental health well being reasons.

This would frustrate me a bit and its going to be difficult to buy 50 things without it getting expensive and/or boring.

What about something like - take her for a meal/spa/hotel stay/day out/afternoon tea 50 miles away.