Urgent - birthday ideas needed.

[ohanotherfriday]

Have also posted on 30 days only but also posting here for traffic.

It’s my husbands birthday next Friday and I’m yet to get him anything. I was hoping the wise people of Mumsnet could give me some ideas. Budget of up to £100.

He’s going to be 44 - no real hobbies. Likes the outdoors, nature (especially trees). Like poetry (reading it not writing it). Very artistic and a brilliant painter but doesn’t paint much these days.

Ideally things that can be delivered in time as I don’t have a chance to get to town for shopping.

I know I should be more organised!

Thank you for any suggestions.

Book an afternoon tea at a stately home or similar where you can walk around the gardens first.

One of those 'a tree has been named after you in this forest' gifts, to be followed by trip to said forest at a later date.

Moth Trap .. got one for DH, obvs it doesn’t kill them, you let them go - but very interesting

How about a painting course or one day art workshop? Or membership to woodland trust?

Binoculars

Class bento vouchers. Lots of options for crafty type things he could try with or without you. Vouchers last 3 years.

If you are in/around London, this hotel has an amazing arboretum and stunning grounds. If you don't stay overnight, you can still go and just walk around the grounds or have afternoon tea etc. I stayed there for a wedding once and it felt a million miles away from London, even though it was a 5min taxi ride from Cockfosters tube station. There might be other arboretums near you if you google.
https://www.westlodgepark.co.uk/

-foraging course

Maybe a book?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Life-Trees-Illustrated/dp/177164348X/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_2_2/262-8492892-0158727?pd_rd_w=9ijMQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.a7f0b05b-798f-4d19-b8a1-2dada4200b51&pf_rd_p=a7f0b05b-798f-4d19-b8a1-2dada4200b51&pf_rd_r=ZTRTX8A3MJK05AB0NR20&pd_rd_wg=K0PbV&pd_rd_r=42d4cc1d-ad0a-44c0-9ab6-cb4d1dfb5b09&pd_rd_i=177164348X&psc=1

A book of walks near you or somewhere you will go, walking boots or afternoon tea en route.

There are plenty of “nature” books - like The Wild Isles: An Anthology of the Best of British and Irish Nature Writing by Patrick Barkham (published last year) or anthologies of poetry such as Macmillan’s Poems on Nature (Macmillan collector’s library 214) or Poetry Please: The Seasons.

Mini watercolour set (pocket sized) (avail on Amazon, but get a decent one)