Ideas for a personal 50th birthday present for hard-to-buy-for friend

[Isawasilhouetto]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a 50th birthday present for my very-hard-to-buy-for friend?

We’ve been friends for years but I now live abroad so don’t see her regularly and she’s always been hard to buy for, even when I live close to her.

I’d prefer something a bit more personal than something like a wine hamper but am at a bit of a loss. Being out of the UK I’m also out of touch with what might be good shops to look at.

She doesn’t go for jewellery much and is quite minimalist in her home. Has two teen kids. Very social, likes football and rugby, goes to live music, is a casual runner.

any suggestions please?

Theatre vouchers for the live music?

Does she wear make up? What about a Chanel lipstick? Or some nice pyjamas, a Sweaty Betty running top, some good running socks (is that a thing?), cashmere gloves, one of those Uniqlo bags that are brilliant for gigs (about £15).

Interesting idea, thanks. She goes to bands/gigs mostly I think and of course I don’t really know what she already might have tickets for so not sure how practical that would be.

Some good suggestions, thanks. I realise reading these that I’d prefer something a bit more permanent than makeup (which is probably also why a wine hamper or something isn’t as appealing). Cashmere gloves is a good idea, I like the idea of something practical but a bit elevated (although no idea if she already has cashmere gloves!)

all the suggestions so far are helping , thanks.

Are you able to contact her children? Would they be able to give you any ideas?

Sorry was not clear meant something like this-
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/giftcards

If you want an item to be kept can you give a budget please?
One of the things that I was given on a birthday was a large olive tree- which was lovely

@TFImBackIn I don’t know why I didn’t think of that; I can contact her partner. Thanks!

@Breadcat24 that’s interesting about the ticket voucher, thank you. Also love the olive tree idea.

budget-wise I had thought maybe up to 100 pounds but don’t know how far that would get me! I started wondering about a gift voucher for a restaurant but I’m imagining that would need to be more than 100

really appreciate the suggestions everyone

gifts that surprised and delighted me

• necklace from a friend with a meaningful message engraved
• a prop from a TV show me and friend both enjoy
• gift voucher for a local restaurant
• a voucher for my kids to make something for me I would treasure

A voucher for an afternoon tea.

If she is anything like me and my friend, she may not want "stuff".

Something that can be somehow consumed (eaten, drunk, visited, seen, experienced...) but not an actual item she has to find a home for.

One of those DNA tests that show your ancestry.
A newspaper front page from the day she was born.
I think you can also get versions which show the price of a pint of milk, number one in the charts etc as well as the headlines.
Someone also told me the other day that a Scottish landowner is selling off one square metre of his land to people for £38 and it comes with the title of Lord (or presumably Lady).
A voucher for afternoon tea or a massage.
A magazine subscription.
A special rose in a container. From somewhere like David Austin.
A photo book of you and her if you have some photos of two of you together.

DNA test that shows you’re two per cent Irish or five per cent Scandinavian or whatever, I mean. Not a family tree tracing one in case there are any skeletons in the closet!

I was bought a book subscription - they send a mystery book each month, nicely wrapped. You go on a website and answer questions about the authors/ genres you like and they base it on that (you can opt in to get a hint so you can refuse one you already have, or keep it a surprise). It was called the book emporium I think.

It was my 50th (golden) year this year and I got a couple of pieces of gold jewellery. I’m not really a jewellery person but they surprised and delighted me. A pair of earrings (from a couple of girlfriends who had clubbed together) and a necklace from an artisan jeweller from my husband.

I was also really happy with bottles of fizz, chocolates and well chosen books. A bit less excited by the scented candles and smellies but all gifts were welcome.

Chanel mirror or silk pillowcase.

Something personalised, nice gold pen with her name, makeup mirror or brushes with her name.

personalised jewellery, I’ve been following an Irish company that are taking off called The Family Silver, they do personalised jewellery and deliver overseas.

https://thefamilysilver.ie