If you had a daughter about to turn 30..

[CurlewKate]

Without thinking, first impulse thought, what would you give her for a present? Budget up to £200. She has a well paid job and quite simple tastes. Preferably a thing not a voucher.

Give her a small nice thoughtful thing based on you spending time together, eg dinner out, but mostly cash.

My mam got me a Lego Star Destroyer for my 30th. I fit the very limited description you've given for your daughter too. You've not given us much to go on! (unless you think she'd like a Lego Star Destroyer in which case go for it)

Jewellery is always a safe bet for big birthdays I think. Something timeless that she can wear every day.

Btw I think you're right to try to avoid cash. Especially given your daughter has a well paid job.

I have a well paid job and a decent disposable income, my in laws always give me cash for my birthday and I know they mean well and it's nice they think of me but realistically it just gets absorbed into our general finances. I would much prefer a well chosen gift.

If the DD here was short of money to treat herself, cash might be a great choice but not in the context of her having a well paid job

I’ve got DD (28) a Tom Ford perfume, a LED light mask, a new kindle, and some stocking fillers - sweets, toiletries, etc

I'd take her in a shopping trip and let her choose some jewellery

£200 is a lot to waste on something she doesn’t like. Have you asked? Tickets to a show or event are good but she might not be available. I’d give vouchers or money.

Pandora bracelet with some charms representing her life so far

Of the entire list of things suggested, I would have liked/appreciated about 2 of them, and even then, would have wanted to be the one to make exact choices on size, fit, style, colour etc

Which leads me to my point - take her out and tell her you are treating her and to choose something she likes but would not spend money on herself.

I once asked for a trip to buy a new x thing, I got a tatty £20 in an envelope. Part of the enjoyment was the idea of going with that person and being treated, would have taken 2hrs, tops, probably more like 1. That £20 note just made it my solo chore again.

I wrapped 30 small gifts for dd. She was thrilled..

I'd ask her if there's anything she would particularly like. Otherwise I'd give cash.

Do you actually enjoy spending time together? I am NC with my mum and she didn’t do anything special for my 30th or my 40th, for that matter 😂, other than send me a bank transfer. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But if you two are actually close, organise something to do together, night at the theatre with a meal, night at a spa hotel, spa day together, weekend walking holiday, etc. If she has money, she can buy stuff herself, but you don’t get time together back once it’s gone.

A good handbag

If she's not in need of "stuff', how about something that does some good in the world? Maybe a donation in her name to Lumos or Beira's Place? Two charities started and funded by the magnificent JK Rowling? Or another charity devoted to women's safety and improving children's lives?

Just a thought.

I'm older but I would appreciate...
A Radley handbag
A good watch
Theatre tickets for a musical
A favourite perfume
A gold necklace
A cleaner to do a deep clean in my house including the oven!!!

I’d definitely go for jewellery though as I see it as something special that will last - Olivia Burton have beautiful watches in a variety of styles and lovely jewellery!

I always got something from Tiffany for my milestone ages but it looks like the prices have hiked up a bit in recent years so probably not in the budget.

Something practical I would appreciate now in my early 30’s would be a Coffee Machine.. or something extravagant would be a Coach bag in a staple colour.

I suppose it depends if you and your daughter make a big deal of the milestone ages. Some other lovely main gifts would be AirPods, smart watch, Uggs, nice trainers, boots, a staple coat, a hotel chocolate Velvetiser, GHD or cloud9 straighteners or curlers - something she would love but not splurge on herself.

When I was 30 I’d have been really disappointed to get makeup, jewellery, perfume or a designer bag, & felt that my mum clearly didn’t know me at all.

Just knowing her sex & age really isn’t enough - you need to go by what you know of her tastes & interests & maybe ask her friends / siblings what they think.

When I wanted to get my sister a special present I thought she probably would like a designer bag, but since that’s something I know nothing about I sent her best friend a couple of photos from the shop to make sure I got it right.

I am almost 30, when I graduated from my masters my grandparents bought me small, delicate, solid gold sleeper hoop earrings. I put them in the same day and haven’t taken them out for 2 years. Simple, classy, and don’t have to think about swapping them out ever or taking them out to sleep. I also got a very thin, short solid gold necklace that I don’t take off. My mother also got me a fairly expensive Valentino perfume for my 28th which I love. I have also received beautiful cashmere sweaters, a very nice pair of patent shoes, Karen Millen sunglasses with my prescription, a Mason Pearman hairbrush, a black leather bag for work. All fantastic gifts that I loved.

This is a difficult question to answer from the info given though, she may not be a jewellery person, may not care about bags or perfume etc. So hard to say.

This is an excellent suggestion!

I would get her an experience like a spa day maybe

Are you able to take her out to lunch and ask her of she wants to choose a gorgeous handbag/ suitcase or jewellery or that expensive makeup. I would prefer to the bag or jewellery as I would like to be something she can keep.

A nice Tiffany necklace or earrings. That’s what I got for my 30th and still wear them now. Otherwise I’d say a trip somewhere, city break?

It’s really hard to say without knowing anything about her. What are her hobbies and interests?

Do something together. Something that she wouldn’t normally do for herself. Spend quality time, just the two of you.

Im 30 and would be very happy with a fancy perfume or jellycats.

Jewelry, maybe plain gold chain or a pair of huggy earrings