Gift ideas for a 70th birthday please

[OrangeAxolotyl]

Morning. My lovely neighbour is turning 70 soon and I'd like to give her a gift, but I'm a bit stumped and would appreciate some ideas! She is a retired English teacher, lives on her own. She's not interested in cooking or gardening. Top budget is about £50.
Thanks!

Yes. I'm teetotal and the number of bottles of wine, champagne and spirits I'm given is huge! Sometimes it's a struggle to give them away.

I'm 5 years in Recovery and I STILL get the odd bottle and I look at the person and think 'really?!' 😬

Gift voucher for National Theatre At Home so she can watch many splendid NT productions from the comfort of her own PC/smart TV

https://www.ntathome.com/

I would assume a certain amount of ageism if I was given a shawl (I'm late 60's by the way). And definitely don't buy her "stuff", you've got enough for 50 car boot sales at our age. I think a John Lewis voucher is the best bet especially as you don't really know what she likes/dislikes.

That's such a brilliant idea! Thank you!

Amazing! I'm not an alcoholic, but grew up with one, so have never drunk alcohol. It's surprising how often it's a gift or prize! I'm constantly giving it away!

I've just had my 65th birthday. I freely admit I am getting older and I am decrepit but I definitely do NOT want to be treated like an old woman when I am 70, or at any time!

Yes, there are things that would help me in my decrepitude, but I dont want anything that would not also be something that a younger person would want.

Books are something I would always want. Including audiobooks, because I use them to help me sleep.
I have an electric heated 'hot water bottle' which I love.
I like certain types of shower gel/body cream/hand cream - not 'old lady' stuff but my favourite scents from L'Occitane.
Flowers I love at any time
A magazine subscription is something I would like also (but if you're getting that don't forget to cancel before the end of the subscription period, otherwise you will be charged!)
I like plants for my garden and pots to put them in.
If I was to be given clothing or accessories I would want them to be both beautiful and practical, not just practical things for the elderly.

I have just retired and was given some lovely gifts - some of which may give you some ideas:
Snowdrop in a pot, for the garden
A series of science fantasy books (by somebody who knows just what I like)
A cyclamen in a pot
A bouquet
A lego orchid
Wine

What would you give her if she was 35? That.

Take her out to lunch locally. Give card, pay for lunch, done.

I suppose that would depend on whether you both feel comfortable in each other's company or are just passing acquaintances.

If just friendly neighbours, nothing wrong with a nice box of good chocs. It's a token and marking the occasion counts a lot.

I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking for advice!
I'm saying 70 so that it's clear that she's retired and doesn't have young children for contextual evidence. Same as she doesn't like gardening or cooking.
I think the theatre voucher is a great idea, but people have made great suggestions.

Yeah I just wanted to give more than chocs as it's her 70th so a bit special.

Would you ordinarily give her something for every birthday? If so then yes chocs might be a bit prosaic, but if not then they would be OK I think.

It's great that you have plenty of suggestions to mull over anyway! You are very thoughtful and I'd be happy to have you as my neighbour, but the current ones I have are ok too. 😊

Aww, that's so nice 😊.
I don't normally give her anything, we're friendly and we chat. She was unwell a few months ago, so I helped her out a bit, I knew she was widowed with no children, but she told me that she doesn't really have relatives.
In general conversation she told me that her 70th birthday was coming up, so I thought I'd make it a bit special for her!
It's not like she's turning 35 😉!

I would agree, @wantam , there have been some really great suggestions on here because I was a bit stumped and knew the good people of MN would have good ideas!
I'm veering towards a concert or cinema ticket, although that National Theatre idea just might be the thing.
Thank you so much, everyone! 🙏 😊

Does anyone ever say “does she like a tipple?” when suggesting a present of alcohol for someone under 50?

@DilemmaDelilah thanks for your list. I am 66 so am definitely not going to go down the "old lady" road! I retired last year and had some lovely gifts, but apart from flowers, they were very specific to my interests and hobbies and wouldn't suit this person. So it's not really that "she's 70" it's that it's a significant birthday for a lovely person who I want to treat and I was searching for ideas.
I like your idea of audio books or magazine subscriptions, thank you!
Enjoy your retirement!

A big wall calendar with nice pictures of the place you live at? Check if your local photo stores sell those or you can make one yourself, there are custom calendar makers like https://photo-calendar-software.com/ or https://www.canva.com/create/calendars/.
Could be something entirely personalized if you have enough photos, like pictures of her garden or pet(s) if she has any. Add her family birthdays or anniversaries there if you know them, etc.

Does she enjoy reading? You can subscribe her to one of those book subscription boxes, there are plenty of them and she would be getting a new book every month.

Thanks, @DisruptiveCumin . The calendar is a nice idea. She doesn't have pets and isn't a gardener, but does like walking (we live next to a nature reserve). Local pictures is a nice idea. She's a retired English teacher, so has plenty of books, and I'm not sure what would be ok to buy.
Thanks for the calendar idea though, that's nice because it's personalised.

@OrangeAxolotyl I was 70 last year and I think you are very generous! I would be very upset if anyone gave me a heated shawl! Furious too! This idea pops up on various threads and has been suggested for a 100 year old.

So - back to 70. She will need a smart tv for national theatre and royal opera house streaming. I prefer royal opera house personally. Museum membership she might like? Book voucher? I love exhibition books from V&A.

Other gifts I like are flowers, hamper of food that’s a bit luxurious.(DDs buy from Fortnums - other makes are available!) and magazine subscriptions. I’m 70 and read Red. I also read Homes and Gardens. Country life is an expensive subscription. I love travel books. Does she travel? Vouchers for nail bar or her hairdresser? Always welcome! Only buy scarf, gloves etc if you are certain about her taste. Candles (decent make) always welcome and home fragrance.

I cannot abide regifting. Not suggesting you would do it but I can spot it a mile off!