Golden wedding gift for parents, for whom the moon on a stick would not be enough?

[Acunningruse]

...and on a limited budget?

It is my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary next month, and I am really struggling with what to buy them. They are very well-off, have a large disposable income and just buy whatever they like, when they like IYSWIM. They live a very quiet life and are best described as 'set in their ways'.

In the past when DH was earning more we have bought generous gifts such as meals in 5* hotel restaurants and they have then complained to us afterwards that they didn't like the food or they were ill afterwards (nothing to do with the vast amount of wine consumed I'm sure!). We (jointly with sibling) also bought them 'experiences' which they would not end up going on as they said they were 'awkward'.

When DCs were younger I bought various personalised gifts from them which have never been seen as their house is a show-home type and everything co-ordinating.

Our budget is now much less than previous years due to DH job change. My parents should realise this, but despite this are fond of reminding me what they did for my maternal grandparent's Golden Wedding Anniversary (I can't disclose, would be outing as I am moaning to everyone I know IRL about this, but suffice to say it was a very grand expensive trip which was probably £500 in today's money).

Despite me moaning about this, we do otherwise have a close and good relationship, they just don't seem to have any concept of money as it's not a concern for them. I do want to get them something really lovely, but feel weary and annoyed that my Mum in particular is never grateful for anything I have got her.

Any suggestions/advice appreciated! Budget approx £50 (could probably go to £70 but really thats it)

My mum and dad did a hamper for my grandparents, only including items with the word gold on them. It was reasonably cheap and they knew it would get eaten. Obviously done up nicely in a basket.

I was just going to come back on to suggest a hamper too

Do they garden? A fruit tree in a large pot?

Vouchers for family therapy, by the sound of it.

Honestly, don’t bother putting all this thought into it. They sound rude and ungrateful. I know it’s hard but you have to stop trying to please them because they will never be satisfied and you just end up feeling shit all the time.

I have a few people in my family who won't look at a present, let alone say thank you, unless it came from the right shop and has the right label, so I now always give them a charity gift so even if they don't appreciate it, someone will.

I wouldn't go overboard either. A nice pot for the garden - bird bath is beautiful or gift voucher from John Lewis.

It is a bit left field but their names on the next Mars Rover? It is free and I've got ours on it.

All that talk of moon ...

A tree to plant in the garden? Have a look at these or similar:
thepresenttree.com/

I second the potted/rose/tree idea just because it is almost impossible to offend with!

I bought mine a "golden anniversary" rose (£25 including delivery) and had a wall art picture made up of all kids and grandchildren (£22 including postage).

@HumphreyCobblers

I don’t think you ARE going to be able to actually please them - so just buy an appropriate present in your budget and try to ignore the carping.

I was going to say exactly this.

One of those gifts that isn't actually for them but that you can say is a 'lasting memory' and won't go to waste. A star named after them. An tree dedicated to them in a forest. Sponsorship of a rescue donkey in their name. You get the picture.

You could buy them an acre of land on the moon. Comes Framed

www.moonestates.com/product/buy-land-on-the-moon/

We made special memory scrapbooks for my parents. Each of their four children did one. They were all so different and they loved them.

We had a family reunion at a central place that they loved ( a hotspring resort). We had a dinner together etc. it was great fun really.

We had a slide show/Powerpoint with photos and their music.

Remember you can get a note from the Queen.

Looking back it was hard work to arrange but so worth it. They are both gone now but it is a treasured memory.

I would go for something antique that they couldnt guess the price of. If you had the time.

For example a painting in a charity shop, then get it professionally reframed (so make sure its not too large)

Anything you can guess the name of "Oh this is a John Francis painting. The antique dealer told us he was quite well known in Dorset in 1910.

It was a little over our budget but we just knew it would look so nice in the dining room.

Presentation is everything. Any form of Present they could name drop to friends.

I know the type

Don't all old people like to have a cuppa in the garden and watch the birds frolicking.

My MIL doesn’t, she can’t focus if she can see her bird bath, she’s always poised to chase away any birds that land in the garden

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sterling-Silver-Hallmarked-Sherry-Decanter-Label-1971-Birmingham-William-Adams-/193988211945?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Track down a naice bottle of sherry.

If mobility is getting worse buy them a gold coloured stick each or spray paint a couple of simmer frames

Love the idea of all guests doing a bit of the painting! All suggestions on here are good, guest book at a party is a must.

Bottle of champagne and plant a tree (or 50) for them.

Disclaimer: I don't know how much it costs to plant 50 trees - may be way beyond your budget in which case one and the champagne.

Oh if they've gained weight in lockdown a session with a personal trainer.

Something from the year they married.

Playlist of songs burned onto a CD ? Something from a company founded the year they got married.

Go to an antique shop and find a piece of glass ware/ ceramics from that year

I would just ignore the neighbour and buy 10 Golden Whatever rose bushes. Smile sweetly at all times.