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80 presents for 80th birthday...help!

518 replies

tessiegirl · 14/04/2021 20:11

My nan is shortly turning 80 and I wanted to try and come up with 80 presents for her Confused
Is it possible?!
Presents can be small and cheap to some which can be more expensive...
Can anyone please help with ideas?

OP posts:
mammmamia · 15/04/2021 08:20

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Whenever I go home my parents try to give me something. I cannot leave there empty handed because they are just giving things away now, same with my siblings. They don’t want anything, they want to know they have a home for their belonging in the future.

My PILs are the same.

If I gave them 80 presents I’ll most likely find them smuggled back in my luggage when back home.,

My parents and PIL do this too. They’re all in their 70s and trying to declutter, none of them want stuff. My MIL asked us to get her an Alexa for her last birthday. First time she’d ever asked for anything and that’s actually a useful present for someone in their old age, if the OP needs an idea Wink
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/04/2021 08:22

At 80 I honestly doubt that she’ll want a load of ‘stuff’.

For a relative’s 70th we did a photo book with a selection going from way back to now, and got friends/relatives to write something in it - or they emailed something and we copied it in. That went down very well and was repeated for another 70th.

HeronLanyon · 15/04/2021 08:22

Wouldn’t it be great if you could reprogrammé Alexa to another name and christen hers ‘octavia’ !
Maybe you can - don’t have Alexa.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/04/2021 08:23

Agreed, it is very common to start distributing your belongings at a certain age. There are even books written on it...

OolieMacdoolie · 15/04/2021 08:24

Just be careful you aren’t handing her 80 items of tat which she’ll have to find homes for and dust for the rest of her life. It’s likely that one nice present would be more appreciated.

orangejuicer · 15/04/2021 08:24

@tessiegirl

I'm not sure how many times different posters can say the same thing! I get it...the majority think its a terrible idea... Anyway, moving on...my thread wasn't asking for opinions whether it sounds a good idea... My thread was asking for present ideas. So please, stop saying the same thing! Hmm
Please come back and tell us how long it took your nan to open the presents and where she's going to put them all.
Disfordarkchocolate · 15/04/2021 08:27

I'm 50 and I've definitely got to a point were I don't want stuff. Does you Nan really want 80 things to open? 80 things to store. Now 80 nice chocolates, I'd be in heaven for 80 days.

SisterWendyBuckett · 15/04/2021 08:33

Honestly though, I'd get a flower subscription so she gets fresh flowers delivered every month.

This is such a great idea - who wouldn't love that?

My friend's daughter did a '60 things we love about you' for her special birthday. It did make me laugh! All the usual generic stuff was fine but some of the list made her sound like a mad old bag who they loved despite her 'eccentricities' Grin

BarbaraofSeville · 15/04/2021 08:33

@Mummyoflittledragon

Agreed, it is very common to start distributing your belongings at a certain age. There are even books written on it...
Yes, the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, which is not as grim as it sounds.

It probably also includes a section on 'if you don't want to be clearing out piles of stuff when your older relatives pass away don't buy them loads of stuff'.

BluebellsRock · 15/04/2021 08:39

It has to be about the person.....80 things that are about them. Bulk items like 5 bubble baths or whatever is missing the point. It is supposed to be like a giant Christmas stocking filled with things the person would find thoughtful. If you know this is the sort of thing they like. Go for it. Tissue paper is your friend for wrapping them up! So assuming you are going to look for things that would have a meaningful significance to her, you, your mum and the memories you have together.
Key ring
Coaster
Postcard
Book
Socks/tights
Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
Sweets
A quote - on a card or written sign
Gift card
Scratch card
Lottery ticket
Entry/bet on a horse race running on the day
Pebble/ drift wood from favourite places
Cushion
Duvet set
Nail files
Nail polish (if she uses in favourite colour)
Shampoo
Conditioner....for oldies
Perfume
Box of fudge from favourite place to visit in the uk.
Food item from favourite place abroad
Favourite drink/mixer
Biscuits
Microwave mug cake or kilner jar with cake mix ready to make
Mug/cup and saucer
Hand cream
Moisturiser
Sun cream
Hand sanitiser
Face mask
Brooch/jacket pin
Something she frequently loses or misplaces regularly
Trolley token for favourite charity
Hobby item - ball of yarn, embroidery thread, craft bling depends what she is into.
Shoe laces/shoe insoles
Sport watching/playing item - golf ball or strawberries and cream if into tennis etc.
Cheese and crackers
Jam
Anything you share as a private joke about getting old - horlicks, shopping bag, walking stick
Playing cards/old fashioned game
Lipstick/lip balm
Handbag tissues
Handkerchief
Knitting/crochet/sewing pattern or craft magazine if into these
Pen
Pencil from favourite tourist attraction/stately home
Bookmark
Decorative display letters spelling out favourite word
Newspaper for her birthday this year
Mock up of Ok/Hello etc magazine or whatever her favourite is with her headlines/pictures
Personalized chocolate bar

Good luck!

Shedbuilder · 15/04/2021 08:40

Sorry, OP, rubbish idea. 80 trashy plasticky little bits that she'll have to find a home for or dispose of after her birthday? No. As people get older many are less and less interested in things. They've seen it all, they've bought and disposed of tons of stuff, they don't want more.

In my experience what many older people would really like is company, a trip, an experience, help with moving furniture or cleaning or decorating a room, an afternoon spent playing cards, an invitation for lunch or looking through old photos and compiling the family tree. Quality time, requiring effort from you. Your time and company are likely to be the most valuable gift you can offer.

Skyliner001 · 15/04/2021 08:42

@BluebellsRock

It has to be about the person.....80 things that are about them. Bulk items like 5 bubble baths or whatever is missing the point. It is supposed to be like a giant Christmas stocking filled with things the person would find thoughtful. If you know this is the sort of thing they like. Go for it. Tissue paper is your friend for wrapping them up! So assuming you are going to look for things that would have a meaningful significance to her, you, your mum and the memories you have together. Key ring Coaster Postcard Book Socks/tights Tea/coffee/hot chocolate Sweets A quote - on a card or written sign Gift card Scratch card Lottery ticket Entry/bet on a horse race running on the day Pebble/ drift wood from favourite places Cushion Duvet set Nail files Nail polish (if she uses in favourite colour) Shampoo Conditioner....for oldies Perfume Box of fudge from favourite place to visit in the uk. Food item from favourite place abroad Favourite drink/mixer Biscuits Microwave mug cake or kilner jar with cake mix ready to make Mug/cup and saucer Hand cream Moisturiser Sun cream Hand sanitiser Face mask Brooch/jacket pin Something she frequently loses or misplaces regularly Trolley token for favourite charity Hobby item - ball of yarn, embroidery thread, craft bling depends what she is into. Shoe laces/shoe insoles Sport watching/playing item - golf ball or strawberries and cream if into tennis etc. Cheese and crackers Jam Anything you share as a private joke about getting old - horlicks, shopping bag, walking stick Playing cards/old fashioned game Lipstick/lip balm Handbag tissues Handkerchief Knitting/crochet/sewing pattern or craft magazine if into these Pen Pencil from favourite tourist attraction/stately home Bookmark Decorative display letters spelling out favourite word Newspaper for her birthday this year Mock up of Ok/Hello etc magazine or whatever her favourite is with her headlines/pictures Personalized chocolate bar

Good luck!

Even just reading this list makes me feel tired. For a lady
Skyliner001 · 15/04/2021 08:42

Poor lady that should've said

GoWalkabout · 15/04/2021 08:43

Some people have made suggestions OP

ChocOrange1 · 15/04/2021 08:43

My grandad turned 90 this year. He recieved a fortnum and Mason hamper which he loved. It probably cost around the same as 80 small presents but had nice stuff in that he would use but not buy for himself.

My cousins wrote him a song and I put together a photo slides which played alongside the song of photos of all the kids and grandkids through the years, and then we all talked about the memories we had from those photos. He loved it and wasn't left with anything to store or use afterwards.

Nannewnannew · 15/04/2021 08:45

@BluebellsRock No, just no!!!! They are awful gifts.

MayIDestroyYou · 15/04/2021 08:45

I have read the whole thread.

And keep coming back to the fact that MN is a place where

nice tissues for handbag

can be suggested, without irony as a suitable gift for a significant birthday.

Along with teabags and biscuits and photo key rings.

I feel grateful for this lesson in the variety of life.

ChocOrange1 · 15/04/2021 08:46

Even just reading this list makes me feel tired. Poor lady
And thats only 54 items so you would still have 26 more to go 😂
Also I'm not sure that suncream, a pebble or shoe insoles are really gifts.

Theglassmakerofmurano · 15/04/2021 08:47

You’re being unreasonable to expect an 80 year old to sit and unwrap 80 presents.

80 photos from their life in a nice album might be a better idea.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/04/2021 08:51

@BluebellsRock

It has to be about the person.....80 things that are about them. Bulk items like 5 bubble baths or whatever is missing the point. It is supposed to be like a giant Christmas stocking filled with things the person would find thoughtful. If you know this is the sort of thing they like. Go for it. Tissue paper is your friend for wrapping them up! So assuming you are going to look for things that would have a meaningful significance to her, you, your mum and the memories you have together. Key ring Coaster Postcard Book Socks/tights Tea/coffee/hot chocolate Sweets A quote - on a card or written sign Gift card Scratch card Lottery ticket Entry/bet on a horse race running on the day Pebble/ drift wood from favourite places Cushion Duvet set Nail files Nail polish (if she uses in favourite colour) Shampoo Conditioner....for oldies Perfume Box of fudge from favourite place to visit in the uk. Food item from favourite place abroad Favourite drink/mixer Biscuits Microwave mug cake or kilner jar with cake mix ready to make Mug/cup and saucer Hand cream Moisturiser Sun cream Hand sanitiser Face mask Brooch/jacket pin Something she frequently loses or misplaces regularly Trolley token for favourite charity Hobby item - ball of yarn, embroidery thread, craft bling depends what she is into. Shoe laces/shoe insoles Sport watching/playing item - golf ball or strawberries and cream if into tennis etc. Cheese and crackers Jam Anything you share as a private joke about getting old - horlicks, shopping bag, walking stick Playing cards/old fashioned game Lipstick/lip balm Handbag tissues Handkerchief Knitting/crochet/sewing pattern or craft magazine if into these Pen Pencil from favourite tourist attraction/stately home Bookmark Decorative display letters spelling out favourite word Newspaper for her birthday this year Mock up of Ok/Hello etc magazine or whatever her favourite is with her headlines/pictures Personalized chocolate bar

Good luck!

That sounds like the sort of things that I mysteriously find in my work bag, car, or suitcase next time I think about packing for a trip away, have no idea how they got there and throw 80% away because I don't want them.

Shoe laces and insoles???
Tights???
Tissues?

Seriously?

Geranibum · 15/04/2021 08:52

I'm not 80 but I would be horrified by the arrival of 80 presents!

As for the 80 year olds I know, even more so. They're war babies and hate waste.

You know your nan better than us, but really, even if the average price of a present is £2.50 you're going to be spending £200 on a pile of inconsequential knick-knacks. I would MUCH rather have one nice thing for that large sum of money.

AnneofScreamFables · 15/04/2021 08:54

I understand you want ideas not opinions. But 80 presents has to be something that person would like. You know them much better than we do, but you have not given any clue as to what presents you have thought of so far.

I can only presume you haven't thought of many, hence the ask for help. But that also probably means it is difficult to think of 80 presents anyone would like.

How many other 80 year olds do you know, and have you asked them what they think of this idea? I know/have known approximately 20 people (well) who have been or are shortly to be 80, and none of them would have liked this. Have you ever seen anyone open that many presents? Or even a quarter of that number? All from one or two people? How many other people are in your family? Who else will be there when she opens these presents? A nice present should take at least 2 minutes to open - admire the wrapping, open slowly, express pleasure, thank the giver, talk about it a bit. 80 of those, with slight elongation for some, is 3 hours straight!!!!

You seem certain it is a good idea, but you have not responded with reasons why, or acknowledged the points made. If would understand better if you had said 'I know it is a lot, my ideas so far were.... and this is how it won't be overwhelming'.

Still, since you have asked, as well as loving the memories idea, I would suggest themes eg:

Either 10 seeds, 10 chocolates, 10 biscuuits etc (I have soon run out of ideas!) or
10 things from each decade of her life (personally I think that is too many - 1 from each decade would be plenty).

BobbuhT · 15/04/2021 08:54

I can't think of anything worse than 80 bits of tats. Have you not heard of Swedish death cleaning? At 80 she would have accumulated so much shite and clutter anyway.

Chemenger · 15/04/2021 08:55

Shoe insoles! What a lovely present. That list is (sorry) horrific. I’ve got a couple of decades to go but I hope that if I get to 80 my family might be able to think of a decent present. A photo album of 80 pictures or flowers every month are the best suggestions I’ve seen. The thought of opening crap that I already have or don’t want, for hours, is just soul destroying. I hope one of the gifts is a bin bag.

PurpleRainDancer · 15/04/2021 08:57

@LoosingTheChristmasBattle

I did something similar for my mum but rather than 70 presents, I did 70 memories. I asked her friends and family to write down their favourite memories and put them all in envelopes, she had such a lovely time opening them all and re-living the memories, she still goes through the bundle now.
What a lovely idea.
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