if MIL can't think up her own ideas for her son's 50th birthday present she shouldn't make a cat's bum face at my suggestion

[OrmIrian]

She wants to buy him 'something special'. From past experience that means a watch or hip flask of something of that sort. All of which he has already and doesn't need any more of. She asked me for suggestions. The only thing I could think of was that she contributed to an 'experience' that I know he would like rather than a gift. I don't really care is she does or not - it's up to her. But she made a face like a toddler sucking lemons and said 'Well if that's all you can think of.... '

FFS woman! He's your son. Sort it out!

Please note that I buy almost all the presents for her to give my family because she 'can't get to the shops' and she 'can't get the hang of internet shopping'. I am getting a bit fed up with it now.

A crystal decanter?

Well that would please MIL but I don't think DH would be interested....

YANBU, but enjoy it and suggest some really silly things to her. See if she bites or if her face disappears into it's own lemon-sucking vortex.

It was my husbands 50th recently, and it was a complete pain trying to think what to get him, for me, never mind MIL too.

We ended up going out for a meal, with her paying, as her present.

Quite sqeaky! I have now booked this for him as hsi gift from me and DC. It's a bit expensive for me atm so I'd be delighted if MIL contributed but not if she doesn't want to.

I will have to think up some daft suggestions as you say gardener. Furry ear-muffs, diamante cuff-links.....

Ask her to comission him a calve's leather gimp mask as he finds the rubber one a bit sweaty.

Can you ask your DH for ideas "in case anyone asks"?

I bought my husband pj's and slippers as a "joke" present.... as he has always said he would never in a million years wear either....

Big mistake...

I have turned him into an old man overnight... he gets home from work now, and is straight upstairs saying "just putting my pj's on"...

Rather jealous of your dh now - that looks an amazing present and a day he'll really remember.

How about asking MIL to give him a set of car cleaning equipment, a hose, a fire extinguisher or a tow rope - all themed to your gift too.

squeaky I have done similar. I bought DH a lovely dressing gown from Mark's as I was sick of seeing him tramp about the house in his scruffs at night time. Now he wanders round with the dressing gown on over his normal clothes because he finds it so warm.

Oh my lordy! Dh needs no help in the art of middle-ageddom. He has started wearing reading glasses and peering over the top of them when someone talks to him if he's reading the paper. And he has 'slippers' (actually leather sandal things) and he favours cardigans. he has even started playing golf - never thought I'd see the day... perhaps a pipe to replace the fags?

He'd deny it ferociously if I suggested he was getting old though....

sam - I'm jealous too! I'd love to have a go

LOL @ squeakytoy

I had a baby for DP's 50th.

Very thoughtful of me.

Nah! He's got three of those already alistair.

But it's the gift that keeps on giving!