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Original poster

My mum’s 60th Birthday

45 replies

MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:17

Looking for some help and inspiration please. My mum is 60 soon and I need to pick her the perfect gift but I’m struggling to come up with something worthy of such a big birthday.

Her plans have been dashed by an inconvenient surgery date so I’m wanting to get her something quite special.

Considering a city break for her and I as she loves a holiday (she has mentioned attempting a solo holiday as my dad won’t go abroad anymore) but I have no idea where to pick. Any recommendations welcome along with any other good ideas.

What would you want for your 60th birthday?
What truly memorable and meaningful gift did you get for a big birthday? I’m going cross eyed looking.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 31/03/2025 21:19

I'm taking a family member to Bruges on Eurostar for their 60th later in the year.

WatchingTheClowns · 31/03/2025 21:19

For my 60th, my adult children got me a helicopter ride then afternoon tea.

Deadringer · 31/03/2025 21:21

Can you go with her? I am 60 and I would love one of my dc to bring me somewhere, anywhere really.

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MayaPinion · 31/03/2025 21:21

Henry Cavill. I would want Henry Cavill.

user6209817643 · 31/03/2025 21:23

Everyone gets a tree for a significant birthday here, but I’m a keen gardener!

Daisy12Maisie · 31/03/2025 21:26

I’m 43 but I only ever want to either spend time with family or do an experience type thing.
if she has mentioned a weekend away and you can afford it then do that. The destination won’t matter. We are going on a family weekend for a big family celebration but money is tight so we are going to Bournemouth in an air BnB. Cheap but will still be great. If you have more money then Dubrovnik? Or Prague for a city break. Or anywhere within budget that she has previously mentioned/ expressed an interest in.

Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:27

Deadringer · 31/03/2025 21:21

Can you go with her? I am 60 and I would love one of my dc to bring me somewhere, anywhere really.

Yes, it was to be for the two of us to go together. I just don’t know where to go. Looked at Barcelona and Florence but wondered if there was somewhere people would recommend. I’m used to looking for child friendly holidays.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:29

user6209817643 · 31/03/2025 21:23

Everyone gets a tree for a significant birthday here, but I’m a keen gardener!

I get her a blossom tree most years as she is a keen gardener too. If you can think of a particularly significant tree for 60 I’m all ears as will need a nice gift for her from my children too.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:31

Daisy12Maisie · 31/03/2025 21:26

I’m 43 but I only ever want to either spend time with family or do an experience type thing.
if she has mentioned a weekend away and you can afford it then do that. The destination won’t matter. We are going on a family weekend for a big family celebration but money is tight so we are going to Bournemouth in an air BnB. Cheap but will still be great. If you have more money then Dubrovnik? Or Prague for a city break. Or anywhere within budget that she has previously mentioned/ expressed an interest in.

Dubrovnik is an excellent idea, it looks lovely. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:31

MayaPinion · 31/03/2025 21:21

Henry Cavill. I would want Henry Cavill.

Probably a bad idea to get her something I want myself 🤣

OP posts:
FanSpamTastic · 31/03/2025 21:35

Lol - I'm 55. I would be thrilled if my daughter wanted to spend a weekend with me - wouldn't matter where! But been to Dubrovnik recently and it was fab! Provided she is ok with walking - there were lots of steps if you want to do the old city! I have friends same age who it would not have worked for - so depends on your mum.

BitOutOfPractice · 31/03/2025 21:37

Oh yes, I’d want a trip with my DD if I were her

how about…
Venice
Lisbon or Porto
Madrid
Rome
Athens
Nice

So msny possibilities.

Shetlands · 31/03/2025 21:39

Barcelona or Florence would be lovely or you could consider Vienna or Salzburg.

I took my Mum to Seville for 3 nights and St Petersburg for 4 nights - both were great trips. My daughter and I went to Rome together for 3 nights one December and that was magical.

Deadringer · 31/03/2025 21:54

What does she like doing? Sight seeing, chilling by a pool? I am a huge Jane austen fan and my dh booked a holiday exploring all of the places relevant to her, ( we are not from the uk). Is there anything that ahe has a particular interest in?

highlandcoo · 31/03/2025 22:14

I'm a similar age to your mum and would love to go away with one of my children. What a great thought.
It depends how busy your mum likes to be really. Does she like shopping/art/museums/eating out? Chilling in a cafe and watching the world go by?
Barcelona, Rome, Madrid, Athens and Venice are all brilliant places, very lively with loads to see but can be very busy. Florence I found a bit quieter which I preferred.
I have a soft spot for Lucca in Tuscany, a beautiful small Italian walled city a short train ride from Pisa, and all walkable once you reach your hotel in the centre. Ideal if you enjoy strolling on the walls, eating nice food, listening to the occasional concert, and we also did a cookery day for my husband's birthday which was fab. There are some nice independent shops for clothes, shoes and interiors, but it's not a shopping destination as such. Lovely if you fancy somewhere more relaxing.

OnlyFrench · 31/03/2025 22:19

I went to Porto for my sixtieth, great combination of eating, walking and shopping.
I’d always rather go somewhere than have something these days, I’ve got too much stuff.
I also enjoyed Valencia, Madrid and various places in Italy.

ilovebagpuss · 31/03/2025 22:20

Madrid quick flight time, lovely city, lots to see, great shopping and indoor food markets with lots of different tastes to try. Amazing art if she likes that. Parc retiro to wander and drink wine at the little cafés.
We went for 4 days and all loved it teens still say it's their favorite city.

Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 22:21

Deadringer · 31/03/2025 21:54

What does she like doing? Sight seeing, chilling by a pool? I am a huge Jane austen fan and my dh booked a holiday exploring all of the places relevant to her, ( we are not from the uk). Is there anything that ahe has a particular interest in?

She’s much more into sightseeing than lazing by the pool. She isn’t a sun worshipper and would get bored just sat by a pool. She likes to wander so ideally somewhere that’s quite safe to just go ambling around and has cafe culture as stopping for a drink or something to eat al fresco is her thing. Maybe a spa as she likes a pamper too.
Bonus points if I can get direct flights from Scotland.
Looking at Dubrovnik and Florence just now.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 22:23

Some cracking recommendations here and glad to know I’m on the right track with a nice break away together. Thank you all.

OP posts:
ghostbusters · 31/03/2025 22:30

When my DM was 60 we got her a multi aperture frame and filled it with photos of the grandchildren, my siblings and I, and and significant ones of my parent/us as a family. DM isn't into holidays, spas, jewellery or things like that (she is very hard to buy for) so I think that was the perfect gift we could get for her. My siblings and I also surprised her and travelled to my parents house to spend the weekend with her.

JoyousPinkPeer · 31/03/2025 22:32

MistyWitch · 31/03/2025 21:27

Yes, it was to be for the two of us to go together. I just don’t know where to go. Looked at Barcelona and Florence but wondered if there was somewhere people would recommend. I’m used to looking for child friendly holidays.

Show quote history

Been to both and loved them. Florence was my favourite. We stayed alongside Pitti Palace in an amazing B n B.

Shetlands · 31/03/2025 22:36

I should have added Berlin - wonderful place if you like history - flights available from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

BeaAndBen · 31/03/2025 22:38

I went to Rome with my Mum for her 60th and it was fantastic! We had the best time and repeated it a few years later.

VeryQuaintIrene · 31/03/2025 22:40

MrsIrene took me to the Isle of Wight for my 60th last year. I loved it - it is full of very happy memories from my childhood. Does she have a similar place?

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 31/03/2025 22:41

For my 60th birthday, my children gave me a circular tree bench for the garden, and I absolutely love it!

I took my mum to Amsterdam for her 60th.