Would it be unacceptable to make someone a 50th birthday present?

[Progress2019]

My best friend is 50 at the end of next month. I don’t see her much but I wanted to buy her something lovely, unfortunately the lockdown meant that we had no income at all, and have been living off our savings. Theres really hardly any spare money left.

Shes really hard to buy for at the best of times, as she owns a gift and antique shop. Shes not into fashion and beauty, and although shes a keen reader, she volunteers in the library, and I know she’d hate to receive books.

Her favourite book as a child was Heidi, and we have a thing, that whenever things are going badly with our lives (mostly child related, as neither of our teenagers were easy), we’d say ‘shall we go to the mountain?’ Or ‘my bags are packed, the cabins booked’, silly things like that.

Before lockdown, i’d bought her a really old copy of Heidi, and I was thinking, to go with it, I could make some felt bunting with mountains, trees, a log cabin, and maybe a goat. Is this a stupid idea? Her home is more quirky and eclectic, than minimalist or modern. I think I have all the materials, can sew and draw a bit.

My family would definitely not think something homemade was an acceptable present, especially for a milestone birthday but i’d love some more opinions. If it sounds shit, i’d rather know!

No, I’d love this. I also loved Heidi as a child and I would be chuffed to bits to get an old copy of it.

That is so thoughtful I think I would prefer a blanket personally? Perhaps a patchwork one with the hills etc if you could manage it

This sounds gorgeous! One of my friends has always given me something home made for special celebrations - wedding anniversary, births & birthdays, and they mean so much more than anything she could have bought.

What a prefect present! She'll be thrilled.

You sound like a kind and thoughtful friend who cares about what she likes and how she feels. I’d also write something about how much you value the shared idea of escaping, if you feel you can.

Blanket or cushion cover with apline 'stuff' on it??

Just trying to think of a simple baked good that could complement it that is swiss...

I think homemade gifts can be really lovely and so much more personal than anything you could buy. I'm sure your friend will love it.

Just trying to think of a simple baked good that could complement it that is swiss

Mailanderli are delicious and easy to make, could be gift wrapped nicely too.
www.about.ch/culture/food/mailaenderli.html

An old copy of Heidi is a great idea. And a blanket but not bunting.
Or the copy of Heidi and some amazing homemade shortbread

I also think home made is fine, but I’d also go for a blanket or cushion cover or picture frame you decorated. Unless she’s the sort to have home made bunting hanging in her home. Not many would to be honest, and she’d feel duty bound to have it up for you even if she had no desire to hang bunting in her home.

Unless she already has bunting up?

Mailanderli are delicious and easy to make, could be gift wrapped nicely too'

Lovely!

I would make a cushion cover rather than bunting. Cushions everyone has and she can swap around if she gets tired of it, but bunting she will need to hang up and then will maybe feel she must leave up for a long time. Unless you know she likes bunting in her house, I would avoid it.

Ok so not bunting! I can only hand sew, so won’t be able to make a blanket or cushion cover, but will definitely try making Mailanderli, as they sound delicious. If they turn out well then i’ll make her some of those.

Some brilliant ideas here, thank you.

You’ve really thought about your friend.

@Lockdownlooks shes been a great friend.

I found the perfect card on Etsy

If the book is really old and perhaps a bit fragile, you could make a cover for the book with mountains/trees on it and maybe a matching bookmark.

I think this sounds the best kind of present - my sister has done this kind of thing for me before and I remember and treasue every one.

Could you buy a cheap plain one and sew onto it?

I can't sew at all, so I really have no idea! :)

I think the book sounds lovely. As you are artistic could you make a bookmark that refers to the let's go up the mountain jokes and support in your friendship?

Im not very artistic, but will have a go. I really like the idea of a bookmark as she reads a lot, and could always accidentally leave it in a library book if she doesn’t like it!

this is such a lovely idea. You could maybe get a v cheap plain cushion cover and applique on the felt mountain and goat? This would last longer than bunting. The book cover is also a lovely idea.

I want some goat covers now

I think personal, hand made gifts are the best.
My BFF designed and made me an embroidered picture for my 50th.it hangs by my front door and gives me a lift every time I go out.
I gave her a big box containing 50 gifts and challenges/ activity ideas for her to open every week of her fiftieth year. It went down really well.

The book alone would be a terrific gift.

I think bunting is a great idea.

Lovely idea, give her a bar of Toblerone too.

I would prefer a made thoughtful gift to random stuff bought off the net. How about a cross stitch type thing, either get it and make it yourself or give it to her to do?

If you can cross stitch then I think cross stitched bookmarks make a really nice present. There's a designer on etsy called 'plastic little covers' or this company does a big range including lots of different flowers: scottishgiftcompany.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=54_55