Birthday dilemma

[Hortonhearsawhat]

DM’s in the middle of moving house and most things are packed up. It's her birthday this week but a present feels like it would just be one more thing to box up. Even the vases are packed so flowers are out.

She's not a drinker, doesn't like things like perfume or face creams. She likes books, puzzles, but there's already several boxes of those packed.

Do you think a card and a cake to share over coffee while I help her finish packing is acceptable, or is that a bit mean? I'd get her something once she'd moved

Sounds good to me!

Could you take her out for a nice meal? It would give her a break, and presumably most of her kitchen is packed up, so she may have been eating randomly.

I think that a card, coffee and cake sounds lovely, and will make a very nice, and under the circumstances, appropriate birthday break for you both.
A meal out is lovely too, but perhaps nicer when the business of moving house has been accomplished and can be enjoyed more.

I considered a meal out, but think it will be too much for her while trying to get packed and ready. Coffee and cake it is. @Douane a meal once moved sounds like a good idea.

Buy her a drink or a meal and promise her a moving in present once
she knows what is needed.

Yes do the coffee and cake out then once she's moved in get her a nice combined housewarming and birthday gift, best of both worlds!