Best 50th birthday present

[brightyellowflower]

I need ideas for presents for myself! Husband is struggling on what to buy without wasting money and is almost at the point of saying, you get what you want - but who wants to organise their own present!

Budget around £500 max.

What was your best present?

I got a beehive and a humongous pork pie.

I got things I'd always wanted and coudn't justify the expense to myself.

Tickets, a designer bag I'd coveted, an overnight stay somewhere I've been promising myself to visit for years, a heritage style lambswool throw I've admired since seeing it at my aunts house.

Basically meeting some dreams I'd held on to and never thought I'd actually get to own/experience.

(The Royal Opera House trip was definitely worth it! Loved it so much)

So why does it have to be so expensive if you don't want anything?

If you have to tell him what to buy, it's not a present, so if the budget was smaller, the pressure will be less.

I don't think I got any physical presents, I got a voucher from work, a memorable and different trip away and a meal out somewhere posher than we'd normally eat at. I was happy with that as I didn't want to have to think of a list of presents and I didn't want other people choosing things for me either.

It doesn't have to be expensive. It was just there's no point suggesting flying to the Maldives, so put £500 as a top guide!

A beehive sounds ACE!

Ask for vouchers if there's nothing you fancy at moment so you can buy something you love when you see it?

It so much depends on what you like. I got a piece of artwork from a local artist and on another significant birthday chose a piece of jewellery. Other friends have loved subscriptions and memberships or gift vouchers for things like Everyman cinemas - just think of a treat you might not buy yourself but would enjoy.

I know quite a few couples who have stopped buying gifts for each other, but now put the money they would have spent into easy-access savings; then use it when there is a holiday / concert / luxury purchase that they actually want.

I got a beautiful framed print from an artist I like from my mum. That's nice because like all the best presents they should be something you would not buy yourself, or spend more than you would on yourself. I also got some money and put it towards a Dyson hairdryer, sounds odd but every time I use it I love it. Maybe high end garden tools or nice bench or lighting for garden . or gorgeous vintage glassware. maybe leather weekend bag? diamond earrings? pendant

My DH took me to a art gallery on my 40th - he had gotten in touch with my favourite artist a month in advance and she had dropped off some prints for me to view and choose from in addition to the ones stocked already at the gallery. Felt very honoured! I love the print I chose, we had it framed and it hangs in our living room. A beautiful reminder of a favourite, special place and my birthday.

The only thing I wanted was to have all my family together, so I had a holiday lodge booked for the weekend, with sufficient bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was lovely.

I got a circuit breaker lockdown .

I prefered the DryRobe.

Oura ring

A Dyson Hairdryer, use it every day. Best gift ever.

I got a Steiff Teddy. I got one for my 30th which ended in DD's possession when she was a baby, I bought myself one for my 40th and now have a replacement from DD and DH for the lost one.

I got a bike for my 50th. Best present ever as it got me back into cycling after 25 years.

I’m getting tickets to see the showjumping at Versailles at the Olympics. Can’t wait!

Our birthdays and anniversary are a few weeks apart so we usually buy a holiday but for my 50th I got a longed for Le Crueset orange casserole dish.