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75th birthday ideas for really hard to buy for MIL

16 replies

FuzzikinsPompombum · 03/05/2025 13:08

My man and I are stumped for ideas for his mum’s upcoming 75th birthday. She’s always hard to buy for but we want to do something considering the milestone.

She’s really into gardening and that’s about the only hobby. We got her a hori hori knife a couple of years ago based on recommendations I read here, and she loves it. The only other successful gift I can recall was a wool jacket which she had asked for.

She’s an incredibly fussy eater so no food or food-related items. Grows a lot of her own fruit and veg and only eats organic stuff. Only uses natural/organic products and fabrics,. A bit of a hippy and not into anything luxurious or frivolous, and quite thrifty. Doesn’t wear makeup and wouldn't appreciate beauty treatments. Wears very little jewellery. I can’t think of an ‘experience’ she would like. Lives quite rurally and loves her garden, kayaking and her granddaughter. Used to sing in a choir but I’m not sure if she does any more.

Any brainwaves? we don’t live in UK so any ideas would need to be generic/not location-specific.

all ideas very very welcome!

edit to clarify I’m looking for a gift idea rather than something to do for her birthday as FIL is organizing a meal or similar on the day.

OP posts:
fivefoottwowitheyesofblue · 03/05/2025 13:10

A National Trust membership?

This would enable her to visit other parts of the country, see some lovely buildings and get inspiration from the fabulous gardens.

FuzzikinsPompombum · 03/05/2025 13:11

fivefoottwowitheyesofblue · 03/05/2025 13:10

A National Trust membership?

This would enable her to visit other parts of the country, see some lovely buildings and get inspiration from the fabulous gardens.

We don’t live in the UK and there isn’t anything similar here unfortunately, as something like that might have been a good idea. Appreciate the suggestion

OP posts:
socialdilemmawhattodo · 03/05/2025 13:14

Garden pots, if they are available where you/she lives.

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SeaToSki · 03/05/2025 13:14

A garden cart or a delivery of manure (My DM loves telling her friends she got a pile of poo for her birthday)

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/05/2025 13:16

Nice bench or chairs to admire her hard work.
Felco secateurs.
Bird bath.
If she lives near an RHS garden then membership.
Some thing kayak related - fancy life jacket type thing? Dri bag? Tracker? Sealskinz waterproof socks. (Obvs I know nothing, but you get the drift.)

Evenstar · 03/05/2025 13:17

I am not sure if you can join from abroad, but if you gave her membership of the Royal Horticultural Society you get a lovely colour magazine every month, it has lovely photographs and lots of expert tips etc. Obviously she couldn’t get the benefit of visiting the gardens, but she might enjoy the magazine.

SisSuffragette · 03/05/2025 13:17

A lovely plant is always a winner

fivefoottwowitheyesofblue · 03/05/2025 13:17

FuzzikinsPompombum · 03/05/2025 13:11

We don’t live in the UK and there isn’t anything similar here unfortunately, as something like that might have been a good idea. Appreciate the suggestion

Apologies when I saw in your OP 'we don't live in the UK' , I understood this to mean you and your OH, not all of you!

How about sourcing a rosebush or similar with a link to her - eg her name / GD's name. Something she can enjoy for many years.

My Mum lives spending time with me - me, not so much tbh! - so how about a voucher/promise to do something different/special together every month for her 75th (or would it be 76th?!) year . Eg afternoon tea / theatre / museum visit / gallery etc

toastwithbutter · 03/05/2025 13:20

we bought my mum a portrait painting of her and her grandchildren. We paid someone to do it and she absolutely loved it. Also v hard to buy for!

Needspaceforlego · 03/05/2025 13:21

Could you all do a kayak trip with her?
Or a short break somewhere together?

I honestly think once people are older experiences and time together is more important than stuff.
And usually older people have enough money to buy their own stuff.

FuzzikinsPompombum · 03/05/2025 13:44

Some great ideas here, thanks all. It’s way past my bedtime so I’ll look into these tomorrow. Feeling more optimistic that we’ll find something!

OP posts:
dusttheaspidistra · 03/05/2025 13:54

Take her for a lovely day out to visit some beautiful gardens?

BangersAndGnash · 03/05/2025 14:02

Subscription to a gardening magazine / weekend away / really good quality practical waterproof jacket, hat or boots / cashmere sweater / silk shirt / case of nice wine / a picture (art, not a family photo)

BangersAndGnash · 03/05/2025 14:05

A really good rucksack
Wool or cotton socks
Garden bench
Fire pit
Binoculars

FadedRed · 03/05/2025 14:09

Light weight but good quality binoculars for bird watching, my DM loved hers.

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