Birthday gift ideas for a new friend that is low demand

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It’s my friend’s birthday next week and I’d like to get her a thoughtful gift that doesn’t require anything of her. I haven’t known her very long and we met through our dc. She is a single mum with very, very little time to herself and never treats herself. I’ve discounted flowers or a plant because these require her to look after them.
I’d be very grateful for any ideas. I did think of a voucher for somewhere but not sure where.
I’m looking around the £20 mark. TIA.

Can you treat her to coffee and cake or something? I wouldn't get her a gift as she's such a new friend it could set a really awkward precedent. Plus people don't generally need more stuff.

This is a lovely idea, most of the time people don't want "things" however thoughtful, take her for a coffee or lunch she might appreciate that.better than a voucher.

It’s tricky if you don’t know her that well. What about really nice hand cream? I personally adore the Kew Gardens bar soaps but if she’s not a bar soap person it won’t be helpful. The Body Shop hemp hand cream is brilliant.

Flowers or a pot plant barely take work!

Says someone with green fingers maybe 😅 for me personally my heart sinks if someone gets me a pot plant because I know I'll kill it!
I agree with paying for coffee and cake. It's a nice gesture but doesn't set up a precedent of having to get presents, which to be honest might be adding to her demands when it's your birthday later on.

How about "a night off"? A nice meal from Cook, a mini bottle of wine and a book or something like that.

It sounds like the greatest gift will be time.
take her for lunch or a drink . Let her talk about something other than the kids.
can be so isolating being a single parent

Maybe since we're heading into autumn (I hestitate to use the term "cosy season" but that's the idea here) one or more things for a cosy night in: a scented candle, or a cosy blanket, a bottle of wine or gin if she drinks, box of chocolates. Depending on how much effort/expense you want to get into, you could do a little "cosy night in" hamper, add fancy crisps, cheese etc

If she’s a single mum, what’s her financial situation? Because you might think you’re getting her a lovely thoughtful gift, and I know that’s your intention and it’s lovely. But what you could actually be doing is giving her another financial obligation where she feels like she has to come up with something similar for your birthday. And then what do you do at Christmas? It all adds up when you have two salaries, let alone just the one.

I’d get her a card and pay for her coffee. Or offer to babysit at yours so she can have her house to herself for the afternoon. Something she can reciprocate without spending anything she might struggle to part with.

I like the take her out for a coffee and cake or lunch type of gift.

No presents are perfect that's the issue when you don't know someone well. Bottle of wine, great unless they're trying to cut down or just know their wine and don't like anything they don't get for themselves. Flowers, as you've mentioned, take time and effort. Hand cream some don't like or use and may see as low-effort. Chocolates, great unless she's on a diet.

Others would love some/all of the above!

I'd personally hate coffee and cake. I don't like cake,like my coffee piping hot and coffee shops never do that! And I am bulking (gym rat) and being careful about what I eat, most of the time. Plus I see it as a waste of time/£ but that depends on where you live.

Do you know anything about her OP?

I would take her out for lunch

Thank you.