What shall I buy my brother for his 50th?

[margaritasbythesea]

I love him very much but I feel very uninspired.

A bit of background: we really only have each other as family, so I feel my present is important. He doesn´t have his own place as he has just relocated and I know he is worried about money. I often help him out in various ways.

I don´t earn very much but I do have some savings. I was thinking about spending about a hundred pounds. DH says I should dig into my savings and give him 500 pounds cash. He has asked for a shirt, which I always buy him.This seems like a huge amount of money to me. I would like to buy him something treaty though.

I had thought of buying him a watch, a nice leather messenger type bag (he likes nice things) or a high quality chef´s knife (he is a good cook).

Alternatively, I was going to send him the money to cover his birthday party which I am sure he is worried about paying (I can´t go).

What do you think I should get him. I know my ideas are ´nice´but each time I look at the options I feel they are a bit dull.

Would he like an experience day?

www.buyagift.co.uk/gifts-for-men

I thought about it but I am not sure that he would. Thank you for the reply.

Given his current situation and that it's his 50th, I agree with your husband.

How much will the party cost? That plus a nice shirt would be very generous imho £500 sounds like an awful lot.

I don’t think you need to spend £500 if that will take up a lot of your savings.

Does he like nice shoes? What about a valet box?

Example

www.tower-london.com/accessories/shop-by-category/shoe-care-kits/loake-luxury-valet-box?gclid=CjwKCAjw8LTmBRBCEiwAbhh-6LM71ozRiCy5OP3J3zjw5anz-uatYGP7ztvdSifM60wycuXnP2IDIBoCOkQQAvD_BwE#fo_c=1038&fo_k=ccfcc79d4f3d99ad5110bd768b0ac380&fo_s=gplauk?esvr=1&esvt=302-GOUKE167422&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-11928-1&esvcrea=244790462141&esvplace=&esvd=m&esvtg=pla-348721815000&esvo=HPH3129&esvaid=50181

Shop around for price

You're very generous with any of the those options!

I'm 50 next month and I expect my brother to give me a box of chocolates a month or so after my birthday!

Has he's got a GF? A night away in a nice hotel. Dinner, b&b?

I sort of agree with your DH, but if £500's a bit of a stretch how about £250? Sounds like it would make a massive difference to him. I'd also keep an eye out in charity shops for a nice print or etching, or set of vintage glasses as well.

Thanks for the suggestions. I seem to be paralysed! And I have to send whatever it is on Tuesday.

I'm not sure how much the party will cost, but alcohol always adds up.

I like the idea of a picture. I'm tending towards a shirt and a nice surprise cheque, though. I s that very boring?

I'd like someone to give me a cheque!

If you'd like to get him a picture there's no rush if you send him a cheque and a card for the day. You can add a line saying there's something following, which gives you some time to hunt around. A shirt is nice, but maybe not special enough for a 50th.

A shirt, a cheque, and a message saying "I'd give you the shirt off my back"

Pity you cant go to his party as you are the only family he has.
Could you invite him to yours for a weekend and you and dh bring him out for a nice meal?
In our family big birthdays go on and on: family celebration/ various friendship groups with dinner etc.
500 is a lot bit depends on what % of your savings that is and how long it would take you to replace it.
Cheque sounds great and if ye have a tradition of a nice shirt keep that going.

I gave my brother £50 worth of gardening vouchers for his 50th. He gave me £50 worth of gardening vouchers for mine! We are boring but have the same interests.

A nice shirt and a £100 Cheque seems appropriate to me.

What are his interests? Does he like walking? Twice I have bought men binoculars and they are the one thing that gets used time and time again and never become unfashionable. There are some specialist online retailers with some good deals.

Thanks all. I think I am going to choose the shirt and a big cheque. M and S shirts are a running joke in our family so I am hoping they'll come up with a good one today.

I'm gutted about not going to the party but I'm working and we don't live in the same country. He also gave me very short notice! He often comes to visit, so we can celebrate together then.