To ask for your ideas for a special bday gift?

[Rainbowchampagne]

My mum will be turning 60 next month and I obviously want to get her something special but I am so stuck for ideas.

Normally I get her little gifty bits, clothes, accessories, bath bits or crafting things but I want to go outside the norm this year, especially as she’s missed out on her first grandchild’s first few weeks! I can tell she’s down, but she won’t admit it

What special bday presents have you received that you really loved?

I would look at Not On The High Street for something made specially for her. There are some amazing jewellers on there. And I would maybe get a photo book made of pictures of her grandchild's first few weeks. Photobox is quite good quality and reliable. There are others though.

Another vote for Not on the High Street
Have used it loads of times. Things like keyrings with coins from her, your and children's birth years, keyring with all your birth month flowers on, a print with all your birth flowers on, etc. You'll definitely find something on there.

I love NOTHS. For our "wood" wedding anniversary I got DH silver cufflinks inlaid in cherry wood with his initials (cherry wood being particularly significant to us).

I've found so many wonderful things on there to mark special occasions.

My next big birthday will be 60. I hate 'gifty bits'. Almost as much as I hate naice, genteel, appropriate things for the bland little ancient person it would appear I'm expected to become.

Other than a train trip that involves crossing several international borders ... I'd welcome cases of good wine, single malt whisky, gin, a bike that costs more than a car, vintage Celine, fruit trees, (and land to plant them on) maybe a falconry course. Weekends at fabulous hotels, with drink fuelled dinners and long coastal walks would also make me very happy.

No trinkets.
Nothing with my name on.
Nothing tweely nostalgic: no newspapers from my birth year, no key rings, coins, prints, bits of embroidery ...
No hand cream, candles, afternoon tea, slippers, pyjamas, hot water bottles.

But your mother may not be like me ...