Ideas for a friend's 60th birthday

[AngelicasNicePudding]

I've a lovely long distance friend who I've not seen for years (various reasons) and it's coming up to her birthday.

I want to send a gift.

I'm toying between a bouquet (safe but she may get loads of flowers) or a gift. My idea for a gift is some nice shower stuff (I am taking a guess on this based on what I know) and posh chocs. Or maybe just the chocs as I'm not 100% sure of the shower stuff.

The downside is the gifts aren't as 'safe' as flowers and I'll have to buy, pack and post. But I'd do it, no problem.

If it were you, what would you prefer to receive? I definitely don't want to do a voucher or an 'experience' for her.

If she is in Europe then Fortnum’s has an EU delivery hub and no problem with quality. A range of prices.

@CurlewKate - but many of us do really enjoy an afternoon tea.

I enjoy afternoon tea - occasionally. The nicest thing about having it at home is the aroma of freshly baked scones and using my best teapot.

Alternatively it’s fun served in a grand tearoom with uniformed staff endlessly bringing more.

But I acknowledge a delivered tea could be cool if one is ill or incapacitated.

I'm just over 60 and have enough throws, scarves and shawls to sink the Titanic.

We bought a friend a coffee-table book of aerial photographs which went down well.

I'm around that age and would def prefer a rose bush or shrub over a bouquet of flowers which die in a week and are not memorable (obv if she has a garden)

What a lovely gift especially if it came unexpectedly on a cold or wet day.

@AuntieMarys

I was low carbing at the time so it was a good gift. The cheese wasn't very strong though.....

I am soon to be 60 and anything described as "posh" makes me cringe!
In fact, most of us oldies don't want stuff at all. What are her interests? Depending on that, any of the following would be good, & easy to post:
Theatre Tokens
Art Pass
Membership of her local art gallery
If she reads, simple Amazon vouchers
Foreign currency for her next holiday

Even better, do a home-made voucher, offering your time,, saying you'll meet her for coffee/lunch/a show/an exhibition.... whatever. Then the two of you can plan a get-together.
OK, edited coz I see she is overseas, so maybe some of these wouldn't work.... but please avoid all the "old lady shit"! Could you just print up a couple of photos from back in the day, and send with a letter remembering fun times you had together? It needs to be personal & distinctive, I think.

I've just had my 60th. I had a party and asked for no presents - I did suggest some nice charities if people really wanted to give something. Of course I got inundated with flowers - after the first few bunches it got a bit crazy so I gave them to a neighbour for her mum's nursing home. One friend got a book that looks interesting but isn't in my normal range so I'm looking forward to reading that.

I'd agree with the experience suggestions. Unless your friend is financially struggling, in which case absolutely get her treats she might not otherwise afford, I think by 60 we've got most things. So, assuming that no one is offering a seven bedroom palatial mansion with swimming pool, go for an experience. Even better an experience with you. Maybe treat her to a meal or spa day or theatre trip.

Off-topic (sorry OP), but I met the author (poet?) Jenny Joseph, a few times - an amazing woman!
If I could be half of her when I get old(er), I'd be pleased.

Even better an experience with you. Maybe treat her to a meal or spa day or theatre trip.

But the OP’s friend lives in a different country, @Igmum. It has to be a gift at a distance.

Not (necessarily) another country, just 'long distance'. Agree if the friend is in Australia and OP's in the UK that's a challenge but Birmingham to London is also long distance and there's plenty of room to make time/meet halfway there.

She's actually overseas so anything that takes too long to get there isn't an option.

OP’s second post!