Food Gifts For 90th Birthday

[Leeds2]

Mum is soon to be 90. She doesn't want a fuss, or any kind of celebration. Doesn't need or want anything. She likes food gifts, as long as they are "nothing too fancy." Recent successes have been from Lindt, afternoon teas when my dad was alive, Lily O'Brien's and Betty's. Any ideas for anything that might be a bit different? I'm thinking maybe Fortnum & Mason, but have done that many years ago. Not alcohol.

Is she living independently? If yes could you do Cook! meals for the freezer and other treats she can use over time?

Oh. Just noticed you already mentioned Betty’s. I just got my dad 200g of Betty’s leaf tea which is a bit extortionate but so much nicer than any other. Would she like cheese from The Courtyard Dairy? Lots of English artisan cheese.

My MIL was like that for her bdays, we tended to buy posh equivalents of her usual things like tea, biscuits etc. Anythibg too different from the norm was either left to go out of date or off loaded to the neighbours 😫.

For her 80th, she had a 'do' but insisted she didn't want any gifts. We asked her to nominate a charity and did a collection instead. Most people donated what their meal cost as MIL insisted on paying for a family meal out.

I also once did a Bath Soft Cheese Farm cheese selection box delivery for an older relative and they loved it. Or hand made hamper of all her favourite teas, chocolates etc

I did a cheese board for a relatives 90th, 4 favourite cheeses on a personalised board, they absolutely loved it.

Not food related but sharing the idea. My mum was 91 last week. She didn’t need or want any more ‘things,’ so I made 15 small vases and jars of flowers, with 91 flowers one for each year. Flowers from family gardens and some from supermarket. We put them all around her home and they look lovely!

My nan used to love crystallised ginger in little ceramic jars, weren’t too expensive she liked the Harrods ones along with marzipan fruits 🤢

M&S florentines come in a nice box.

I had some Monty Bojangles truffles for the first time recently and they were lovely.

Does she like tinned fish? Artisan versions of that is having a bit of a moment, for example.

British Conservas – Sea Sisters Cannery

Could you make your own hamper with small versions of nicer food items you know she would like (even if you decant them into smaller glass pots) so it’s not too overwhelming for her to open them?

Or maybe a Fortnum and Mason Hamper? The baskets are so lovely and it’s something to keep. They do small ones too.

She doesn't eat fish, unless it comes from the chip shop, but I might order some of those for myself!

Have a look at the Rington’s tea website, good quality but less expensive than Betty’s.

My mum and stepdad doesn't really want anything now, so.i usually get her some fancier things that she usually buys, so maybe Jam and scones or shortbread but from Waitrose or a local farm shop I buy my step dad cheese and crackers pickles. And just put the things in a gift bag.

Oh i meant don't obviously !

I bought my uncle when he had his 90th birthday a box of shortbread packaged in twos so that he could just open them when liked and not worry about a larger packet going stale.

There are quite a few things on Walkers Shortbread website or Amazon have individually wrapped selections as well https://www.walkersshortbread.com/shortbread-fingers-2-s-display-box-24-twin-packs/

My mum, just slightly older, loved last year the Bonne Maman advent calendar. Silly, but fun trying the different flavours.

DM (83) loves a meal with her DC and DGC and a trip to the theatre or concert (Singin’ In the Rain rather than Iron Maiden these days).

@Leeds2 From Fortnum and Mason I would whole heartedly recommend the Christmas orange and choc biscuits! Yes I know it’s early but they are fab. Lovely tin too. They are almost like a desert. My DM loved their jams and marmalades too. My DD used to buy her a selection and they are a treat.