My mum’s 60th Birthday

[MistyWitch]

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.

I’d opt for Seville.

I'm 60 in June

I'd quite like a wheelbarrow but that's probably a bit niche as they say.

I'd suggest Copenhagen. Lots to do and see, good food, felt a lot more chilled out than other city destinations. Easy to get around
Only 2 hours flight. I think you can fly from Edinburgh.

My son is also 21 in the summer so we are looking at Bergen or Oslo

Have fun

My kids got me tickets to Abba Voyage for my 60 th.
Loved it.

I’m 60 and would love one of my three to take me to Florence. It’s so beautiful

Budapest
it’s safe, lots of alfresco food& drinks.
interesting places to visit
river cruise
amazing spa/baths

Which month are you going? Might impact on recommendations. FWIW we went to Dubrovnik in August. It was hot (which I like) but soooo busy. I have since thought about going to another Croatian port - I think Rovinj looked nice (essentially a mini Dubrovnik). Would need to double check place!

According to Skyscanner there are direct flights to Porto from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Bit less busy than Dubrovnik or Barcelona:)

Life membership of the National Trust or RHS (especially if she lives near one of the RHS gardens).

Both memberships are cheaper once you are 60 and RHS members can take a family guest in for free so you would benefit indirectly too!

For my Mum's 80th my sister got my Mum a pretty box with roses in then hand wrote out 80 wonderful memories she had of Mum. We'd all tried hard to get Mum the perfect gift but I know Mum spent hours reading and re-reading those memories. It was obviously her favourite. I had her a cream tea delivered with vintage bone china to have it off. My older sister got her a heated throw for the sofa and heated slippers.

Maybe tickets to a show she would enjoy? Or you can plan a small getaway for both of you if she likes the idea. I think you should ask her first if you're planning a trip, because an undesirable destination won't make a good surprise.
If you want to add something sentimental to the big gift, you can make a birthday video for her (here are some ideas for one) or a photo book

Does she like cooking? I went to Florence for a weekend and included a day cookery course - it was great!

Rome or Florence. Or Paris!

I’m 60 next year
I love a party, so will be doing just that.

I’ve had my 60th birthday. Please, for the love of God don’t go the usual Mumsnet lap tray/ pretty scarf route!

As a soon to be 60 year old woman, I'm planning on ignoring the whole thing.

But. If you consider a present essential, then I think you are right to go for an experience rather than more "stuff". We've all got way too much junk, and don't fall for all the crap old lady things like "posh" toiletries or a "nice" scarf!

Re a holiday, where has she already been and where would she like to go? Look at direct flights from your nearest airport (or Eurostar, if you're near London).
Maybe consider a smaller city, and not one of the obvious ones. Off the top of my head, Bologna, Vienna, Nice..... but there are dozens.
But, ultimately, ask her. She's a grown up. She doesn't need "a surprise". Plan it together, because the planning and anticipation is part of the fun.

Malaga is an excellent choice for a weekend away - there are lovely places to stay, lots to see, you could get a day trip to the Alhambra if you haven't been, but tbh there's enough in Malaga. Great food.

Or Palma de Mallorca - lovely walkable city.

I've just turned 57. For my 60th I'm going on a safari. DH doesn't like the idea (although he admits he was wrong about the Taj Mahal since we went last year) so I'd love it if my DD came instead!

I also love Italy, history, art and shopping.

There isn't a typical 60yo woman, I guess - I'm still working full-time, live in the middle east, go to the gym/run, currently winning the war against middle-aged spread!

I've just turned 57. For my 60th I'm going on a safari. DH doesn't like the idea (although he admits he was wrong about the Taj Mahal since we went last year) so I'd love it if my DD came instead!

I also love Italy, history, art and shopping.

There isn't a typical 60yo woman, I guess - I'm still working full-time, live in the middle east, go to the gym/run, currently winning the war against middle-aged spread!

Perhaps the best way to go is to pick two (I see you're leaning toward Florence, +1 for that option), do a thorough research, and ask her to choose once you have your data ready. I think a surprise is a wonderful option, but I do get the point that not everyone loves them, plus, since it's a trip, it might be better if she knows about it before everything is booked.

If she’s a gardener - I’m pretty sure you’d be best letting her choose! It’s a bit like someone getting you cushions or mugs…how lovely, but probably not quite what you’d get yourself!

Having said that, can’t go wrong with an oak tree if it’s a big garden.
Pauls Scarlett or Crimson Cloud Crataegus are at their best this time of year give or take a few weeks. Or what about a David Austin Rose - a visit to Albrighton so she can pick her own, its spectacular in May/june time.