Invited to significant birthday party but can’t afford gift

[ChocHotolate]

The mother of a good friend of mine has kindly invited my family to her 70th birthday party. My friend and her family are much more wealthy than I am.

I asked my friend if there was anything her mum would like and she sent a few suggestions through, starting price £75.
That is a very significant amount of money for me, not an amount I would usually spend on this sort of gift.

Im thinking of pulling out of going to the party as I am really embarrassed about this.

Help

Lots of roses have nice occasion names, happy birthday, anniversary etc so you could take one of those, or an orchid in a nice pot

Wth is she gonna do with these type of gifts at that age??

even if I could afford I wouldn’t get it!

get something from eBay for a tenner, lots of good value unwanted gift there!

this is such a weird response. op shouldn't spend the money regardless of her age but to assume at 75 she's too old for presents is weird. she could live for another 25 years. a fancy bottle of perfume, a nice Lego set, a handbag, a hamper of treats all fit into this price range. all perfectly usable at 75

If the friend is wealthy, she may not realise a £75 gift is unaffordable. 70-year-olds, especially wealthy ones, don't need anything. They have it all. Take an affordable gift, and make it consumable.

At these parties gifts are usually left on a table. I simply write a card and pop it in an empty gift bag. Once there pick a suitably sized gift from the pile, remove any tags and pop it in your bag.

Please don’t fret about it, as others have said.
If it’s any comfort I’ve had the same birthday recently & certainly wouldn’t expect expensive gifts. You’ve usually got what you need or want.
Personally, I wouldn’t take wine. It will probably get drunk by the other party goers 😂
Just a card would be fine but if you’d like to take a gift then something more personal would be nice. Can you make anything? She’d love that or something just for her. It’s winter, a warm scarf would be nice, places like TKMaxx have lovely ones that aren’t very expensive

How ridiculous and inappropriate!
At Mum's 80th a few years ago we had a big party. About half the guests brought presents, and those were almost all pot plants or bouquets, champagne or chocolates. Of course you don't need to spend upwards of £75! A small box of very nice chocolates, a book or a scarf would be lovely, or just a bunch of flowers. It's the turning up that counts.

Who the hell provides a list of expensive items! The cheek!! Just get a bottle, flowers etc.

😂

I agree that the options she sent you were too expensive and grabby.

But, having asked if there's anything in particular that her mother would like, it would look a bit odd to now turn up with a generic bunch of flowers, box of chocolates. I think it's better not to ask in the first place!

It's fine to go still, but I understand why it's now a bit awkward.