Help with a 60th birthday present for my mum.

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I'm really struggling with what to get my mum for her 60th next year.
She likes lots of things but has so many things already, she is well off so buys anything she wants herself.
I often buy tickets to things as a normal birthday or Christmas present.
She goes on lots of holidays and is a busy person so it's difficult to buy event gifts as she may already have plans. She loves animals but has already done things like feeding animals at zoos.
She doesn't like designer brands.
She has bought herself very expensive jewellery in the past and doesn't wear it anyway, not that I could afford to buy her it!
We've done craft classes etc in the last but that doesn't feel special enough for a 60th.
She doesn't like sentimental things, eg "best mum ever", and my sister is estranged so that makes it more complicated.
She can buy herself anything she wants and she does!
I am so stuck, does anyone have any suggestions?

I am post-60 and I wouldn’t want a ‘special’ gift, as in ‘more expensive or lavish than usual’

Dinner in a restaurant I love or would love to go to, tickets for a show or concert, a stack of books, something for my house that I requested (I.e chose) an item of clothing (ditto) would all be more than welcome. And flowers would top it off.

Actually, personally I would like a year’s worth of tokens for the Saturday Guardian, which l love to sit down with but am now on restricted income and can’t justify it.

It sounds like you are already really good at choosing lovely presents. Honestly, I would just go with tickets, or craft classes like you have done before so that you can share more times together. It doesn't have to be 'more special' for a round number. (Or , if you would like it to be more special, perhaps you could achieve this in a family party with "60th" cakes and balloons, in addition to your gift.

Honestly (as a woman of 61) I feel slightly tearful looking at what you have done together in the past because it sounds so lovely. Often with these "what should I by for my mum in her sixties" threads, the poster is thinking along the lines of stereotypical 'older person' gifts, as if a mum is slightly less than human. But all the things you describe, and everything you say about her, is lovely. I think she is a lucky mum who will just love doing something with you on her birthday.

Out for lunch or afternoon tea

Or a small painting or framed print

Deep Relax bath oil from Aromatherapy Associates- gorgeous but very expensive so good special present

What a lovely post.

I am 62 and my favourite gifts from my DDs are always things I can do with them. A show, a nice dinner, a trip to an art gallery or even just a relaxed meal at home. It doesn't happen often as they don't live near (although DD2 is move much closer very soon!). Think about what makes your DM the happiest and go with something relating to that.

@ReadWithScepticism
Thank you so much, this made me well up!
I haven't always got on with my mum but the older I get the closer we get, and the more I love and appreciate her. You're right, tickets or something is absolutely fine for her 60th, I was feeling pressure to do MORE but we enjoy the shows, crafts, days out already, and it's about spending time together.
Thank you again

❤❤

Flower subscription. Bloom & Wild do them.

Yes - my dd doesn't usually buy me anything but she usually comes home on or near my birthday and she and DH either cook something nice or take me out.

We've done afternoon teas etc a few times, and flower arranging, pottery, making a deer out of wire (VERY DIFFICULT I DO NOT RECOMMEND), and theatre shows and tribute acts etc.
She has a million lotions and potions already which she doesn't use.
A piece of art is a lovely idea actually, thank you for that suggestion. And a subscription to something is also a good idea!
I'm feeling a bit more confident about it now, thank you all.

We live near each other and see each other weekly - how annoying that I don't live far away and my presence can be the present!
A flower subscription also a great idea!

I was going to suggest art too. I love Art Finder and often use it for presents. I like small sculptures personally although I couldn't really tell you why! Sometimes artists can be commissioned; for my dad's 70th, one of the artists I found made him a little wire statue of a football player wearing his team's shirt from a specific match.

I'm 60 next year and whilst I'm far from being in a position to buy anything I want, I'm struggling to come up with some ideas for me.
The only thing I really want for the day is for my son to spend it with me, it's June so I'm thinking afternoon tea rather than dinner.
If pushed I'd say something for my garden or allotment - a whether vane or bird bath. A sundial or garden clock would go down well, or thermometer

I've been listening to the rain in the early hours thinking a teas made would be rather nice.

What about a wildlife charity gift. For my mums 60th birthday I ' adopted' a duck at the wild foul centre she went to a lot. You were given a picture and description of the duck, it's history from when it was first tagged. She and my step dad spent many a happy hour trying to spot their duck. I believe they did a few times.
I'd be happy with a donation to my favourite charity WaterAid.
As your mum travels how about a piece of hand luggage.

How much are you looking to spend?

Spa day/overnight for you both
Jewellery making - https://www.alisonmoore.co.uk/collections/jewellery-making-experiences?srsltid=AfmBOopiZAXtbRs67Nh4bxcqtwDwhaZ-aa3nYH6JfY0aXR2KWARh2ii_

My 60th was earlier this year and I agree, I would definitely prefer something that involved sharing an experience with my sons - happy for dinner, historical house, walk and pub lunch, day by the sea, day in London, Bath etc.
I love reading but am quite busy - a subscription to audible means I can listen to books while at the gym, cooking, walking or whatever.
However I think pp may have something on hand luggage- we are going on more short city breaks and many airlines restrict to under seat bags. There are now some fantastic options which hold loads and are easy to carry, if this fits with her life.

I’m older than 60 and appreciate the gift of time. DD took me to Wimbledon for my birthday this year. Dinner with the family including GC was the highlight of my celebrations. Last year DS bought me a spa day which I really appreciated. I read a lot so sometimes ask for Amazon vouchers so I can put specific books on my Kindle.

My DD took me to a coffin museum for my birthday this year. To be fair to her, I did ask!

Definitely something that involves spending time together. One of my best Mother’s Day presents was my daughter coming to visit for the day, bringing the ingredients for a delicious meal she cooked for me. And she also brought a plant she’d grown from a cutting.

I will be suggesting tickets to some upcoming art exhibitions for my next birthday - if she is in easy reach of London there are some major ones starting soon. You could include an Art Pass or annual pass so she gets reduced price tickets for future exhibitions.

Flowers and plants are always good too. A really nice piece of hand luggage that fits the requirements of whichever budget airline she might use the most is also a great idea.

How about afternoon tea and pottery painting at somewhere like Emma Bridgewater?

May I suggest a cashmere dressing gown. I'm in my 60's and my about mine and every morning when I put it on it makes me think of her.
She got me this one, but there are lots of lovely options out there.

https://www.sophieallport.com/products/bees-cashmere-robe

That should say ''my daughter bought mine"

You sound like a truly lovely daughter.

I’m approaching this birthday unbearably soon. Just checking how your mum feels about the birthday? I know that it’s a privilege to be able to celebrate it, but I’m personally dreading it and don’t want anything ‘special’ Please don’t feel under pressure to do ‘MORE’.

it could be that she’s totally up for a landmark special celebration, though. I realise not everyone is as wussy as me!

if my daughter is reading, a cashmere robe will do nicely, thank you …

At my suggestion, my husband made a donation to a local animal sanctuary for my 60th.
Maybe a membership for something your mother is interested in- RSPB, English Heritage, National Trust?

This is BRILLIANT, she loves Emma Bridgewater, and it's a manageable distance from us, thank you so much!

Ooh what a lovely idea, this is beautiful, thank you.