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Original poster

What dis ypu buy your mum for her 60th?

35 replies

Ouchjuststoodonlego · 19/05/2020 10:27

Just that really. I was hoping to gather some ideas as I am clueless.

Mum is quite sentimental but also quite practical.
I thought of jewellery but she doesn't stick with the same pieces of jewellery and has a fair bit already. She wouldn't really want art or ornaments.
I think that she would prefer something that she can keep to an experience for this birthday.

Likes gardening but wouldn't want a plant or tree.

Isn't really interested in expensive handbags or clothes.
Wears nice perfume but this doesn't seem special enough.

I am lost. Any thoughts or things that went down well with similar people would be amazing.
Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Diorissimo1985 · 19/05/2020 10:40

Not helpful in the current climate but my sister and I got her a theatre trip and special lunch, just us three together. So lovely and as we all live 100s of miles apart she said it was exactly what she wanted.

For her 50th we got her a ring which she still wears everyday!

Seeline · 19/05/2020 10:41

My DSis and I clubbed together and bought a greenhouse.. We and our DHs then erected it for her. She was about to retire and loves gardening. She is early 80s now and still uses it every year for seedlings, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

Raera · 19/05/2020 10:46

My DC arranged a holiday in a cottage for us all as joint gift for DH and me as our 60th birthdays were quite close.
You said something to keep rather than an experience, but the lovely memories, the photographs and the knowledge that they wanted to spend their time with me are the things I will keep and hold very close.
It might have to be next year though, but if I was her, I wouldn't mind waiting.

Terralee · 19/05/2020 10:49

Trying to remember! I know for my mum's 70th I bought her a pair of gold stud earrings she could wear to work (as she's still working) & her last birthday (71) I bought her a silver chain with a turquoise pendant that she loves.

I suspect I would've bought her some jewellery for her 60th & probably some clothes that she would've chosen.
My sister usually gets her favourite perfume for her birthday which is Chanel no5.

How does your mum feel about turning 60?
My mum was dreading it.
But then she realised it was just another day.

hotstepper4 · 19/05/2020 10:53

I bought tickets to go to the top of the Shard and have champagne.

Obviously now thanks to covid you can't do things like that. Lockdown makes everything worse!

Perhaps a lovely canvas of your dc? Or her pet if she has one?

AuntieMarys · 19/05/2020 10:56

I turned 60 last week. I am very specific about things ...I don't like surprises. I also don't need stuff!
So my adult dcs bought me a selection of hard backs, a couple of vinyls and lots of gin. Perfect.

TrickyD · 19/05/2020 11:01

I spent almost 60 years not bothering to wear a watch. DSs bought me a Gucci metal one for my 60th. Apart from swimming bathing etc I have worn it continuously. Brilliant present. Does your DM have a watch?

Terralee · 19/05/2020 11:04

Ooh yes a watch - that's what my sister bought for my mums 70th!

She's always wanted diamonds so she bought her a pretty Rotary watch with diamond chips in the watch face that make it sparkle & she wears it every day.

Original poster
Ouchjuststoodonlego · 19/05/2020 11:04

She's not overly thrilled @Terralee but I think that she will be fine once it is here.
That's part of the reason that I want to make it special.
We did have a family holiday planned but that has had to be cancelled.

@Seeline a greenhouse is a great idea. So much so that we did it last year. Grin

I think part of me wanting to get her a thing rather than an experience is that it is unlikely that it will be possible to do much for a while and I don't want it to go unmarked.
She is definitely someone who shows love by buying gifts. I think because they were so poor when She was growing up.
I am hoping that rules will have been relaxed a bit to allow us to have a little party or something in the garden but who knows.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchjuststoodonlego · 19/05/2020 11:06

Thank you all for all of the ideas. They are giving me things to think about.

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rosegoldwatcher · 19/05/2020 11:06

I will be 60 next month. Feeling a bit sad reading this thread; I had a big party for my 50th and planned the same for this one but, y'know, covid. The party was and would have been my big present.
I won't be expecting anything major from my DH or DCs. Maybe I should?!
To answer your OP though

  • a case of her favourite wine and quality wine glasses?
  • a fabulously lavish bouquet and a murano glass vase?
amusedbush · 19/05/2020 11:07

My mum isn't 60 yet but my dad turned 60 in February. He is easily pleased but difficult to buy for because he buys himself whatever "stuff and things" he likes throughout the year, leaving nothing for gift-givers!

I made him a little hamper with posh biscuits, coffee from a local roasting place, the latest book in a series he enjoys, and a delivery subscription to a rum club. He was chuffed to bits.

Sgtmajormummy · 19/05/2020 11:09

I gave mine a luxury Scrabble board and a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Which now belong to meSad.

nettie434 · 19/05/2020 11:18

A flower subscription? Or a plant one? Obviously that won't be something permanent but it's a definite luxury. I like Rosegoldwatcher's idea of wine/glasses or flowers/vase because you get the combination of something extravagant on the day and something to keep.

UnfinishedSymphon · 19/05/2020 11:20

We took her to see her sister overseas, they hadn't seen each other for 25 years

BikeRunSki · 19/05/2020 11:21

We wrote down the stories she told us as children. DSis did illustrations, and we got it bound.

Toilenstripes · 19/05/2020 11:23

What about a balloon ride and nice lunch?

nettie434 · 19/05/2020 23:42

What about a balloon ride and nice lunch?

Would definitely need to be in that order for me Toilenstripes!

Muncho · 20/05/2020 00:49

I was 60 2 weeks ago. I'm awful to buy for as I don't want 'things'. I don't live in the same country as my children so we had planned a 1 week family holiday, 5 kids and their partners, a 11 grandkids who I rarely see but have brilliant, funny, loving video chats with (don't seem to go a day without one of them video-calling me).

Holiday plans had to be scrapped and instead, each of my kids (age 41 to 25) wrote a book for me. Their childhood, as seen through their eyes for times, events etc that were shared family experiences. The eldest 3 grandchildren did the same (eldest three are 21, younger ones between 9yo and 3yo - that book was really funny!).

They used Groupon vouchers for 140 page photo book each adult and smaller ones for the little kids.

There are about 10 photos of the same family events that they all wrote about; it is fascinating hearing a shared family event from such a wide age range. One event in particular, if there wasn't the shared photo and slight detail, you wouldn't believe we were all at the same event.

I still can't believe how thoughtful my family are and the sheer amount of work put into my gifts. One very happy 60 year old.

Original poster
Ouchjuststoodonlego · 20/05/2020 09:18

Thank you again for all of the ideas. I'm afraid that I still haven't got on anything that is quite right yet.
She doesn't wear a watch and already has a couple languishing in her jewellery box.
Doesn't really drink enough to appreciate wine or spirits and her practical side would worry not be interested in expensive glass wear.
She is just so difficult. I am sorry. I sound negative about all of your lovely ideas and really don't mean to. She is bloody awkward.

@Muncho I did similar to your book for my parents when dh and I got married. My parents absolutely loved it. I am glad that you did too.

@rosegoldwatcher I hope that you have a really fabulous birthday and can have your party a bit later.

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Alarae · 20/05/2020 09:29

While my mum isn't 60 yet (good thing due to Covid!) , I have already planned to take her to the Fat Duck where we can enjoy the tasting menu as she has always wanted to go but could never afford to.

For my dad's 60th, I took him on the Orient Express as like my mum, had always dreamed about going but could never justify the cost. When he opened his gift it was the first time I had ever seen him cry!

Giving an experience was so precious as I knew how much it meant and the memories would last forever.

rosegoldwatcher · 20/05/2020 09:38

@Ouchjuststoodonlego - thank you, I hope so too.

The tasting menu is a lovely idea. If you are situated in a more northerly county I can recommend The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds. This is Michael O'Hare's flagship restaurant; the tasting menu is sublime.

DreamingofSunshine · 20/05/2020 09:41

I bought my Mum a David Austen rose. You can get ones for pots if easier. Not too sentimental but still special and she says it makes her happy to look at it each day.

snowspider · 20/05/2020 09:48

For my sixtieth I suggested and was given by my three a bell tent and they came and built a treehouse (well tree platform really). My sister sadly died a few months before my sixtieth and we shared the same birthday so had originally planned a big joint birthday holiday. The children printed some pieces that my sister had published on her wonderful blog and framed them for me. very poignant and beautiful. they all came and dps family too and camped for the weekend.

Original poster
Ouchjuststoodonlego · 21/05/2020 13:22

@snowspider your bell tent sounds amazing and what lovely, thoughtful ideas. I am sorry for your loss. Flowers

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