Gift for single 50 year old friend ...

[PinkLadyFriday]

I desperately need ideas for my 50 year old friend. She’s lovely and gentle, doesn’t drink and over the years I’ve saturated the candle/scarf/chocolate options. Any ideas Mumsnet friends?

I am 50 next year and all these suggestions are just causing me to shudder.

I plan to meet friends (48-50) for drinks and dinner soon. We plan to go paintballing as one is desperate to beat her daughter. Another went with my 53 year old DH whitewater rafting this Summer when our teens had space in their raft.

I am sorry for all these ladies getting candles and scarves.

You know your friend, get something she can use or likes doing.

I like those papercraft things

Not sure how being single guides the gift choice. It is not as if he/she would give the gift to a child if they did have one.

A voucher for a facial or something similar that I probably wouldn't buy for myself would be my choice if you can't identify any hobbies.

I’m 50 and single (not sure why that matters)

I’d hate scarves,candles, jigsaws, make up, handbags and anything crafty

I’d love theatre vouchers or a gift voucher for a local spa or restaurant

Im 55

Harris gin- now available from amazon
Penhaligons perfume

Not a bloody scarf, candle, jigsaws, mugs or bedsocks
Not a gift voucher
No afternoon tea (horrendous)

I am waiting for someone to suggest wrist warmers.

Single and 50 you say? And those are the two most important characteristics about your friend you think are important for present giving.

Good lord.

How about have a think about your friend as a person rather than a cliche and get her something she’d like.

@Samedaysame

A handbag a girl can never have enough

Speak for yourself!

Either a Rare Birds Book Club or Shelterbox Book Club subscription.

Clearly it depends on the person. I love a scarf and a candle 🤣 A Clarins lipstick for me though.

It doesn't say she is single in the OP??

What's your budget?

@WhyWhyWhyMum read the title....

Budget would be extremely helpful

Some good ideas so far but useless if your budget is £20

I'm early 50s but not single but I don't know why that would matter ?

What does she like /talk about /spend her money on ?

Diptyque eau de parfum

I'm mid50s with kids and if she's single & no kids it's very relevant. There's presents I'd love (eg spa day, pamper massage, expensive perfume) and don't get lol

Beauty treatment voucher.

• Voucher to my favourite place for a 99minute deep tissue massage
• cashmere socks in pastel colours
• a bottle of Joy (Patou) perfume
• sheepskin backless slippers

🌹

These are gorgeous, a selection and then she can choose her own if she wants to buy.

I'm the same age, single and don't drink.... I'd really like

Fancy notebook and pen

Really lovely slippers (like real sheepskin)

A book or two

Neom candle

A garden centre voucher and/or a really cool houseplant (not just a bog-standard ivy or spider plant)

One of the fancy non-alcoholic gins you can get (depending on why she doesn't drink.... I wouldn't get a recovering addict non-alcoholic versions of drinks, but would get them for people who just don't like alcohol/are allergic or similar)

So I really hope you're my friend and I get one of the above 😂

😆 What does that mean exactly?

I'm going to make the assumption that 'gentle' people don't surf 😆

Christ, 50, single, gentle!

What are her interests?

Scarves, chocolates and candles are for teachers or people you dont know.

My 50 year old friends go surfing, wild swimming, sailing, one sings in a band, another goes riding. To be honest, I'd never consider their marital status when buying gifts - how would that work? A bigger packet of biscuits? two hot water bottles instead of one?

I agree with others, get her an experience, day out type gift. She's 50, not elderly.

Those paper Meerkats are horrible.

I'm 50 this week (ugh), and just happy to spend time with loved ones, so a meal/drinks/activity we have in common is more than enough and would make me very happy.

I don't really have (physical or mental) space for more 'stuff' and feel a bit nervy at the thought of 'stuff' chosen by someone else, especially lipstick!

Likewise vouchers for things I'm not really into or, worse, don't cover the full cost of whatever they're for so I'm obliged to spend my own money ensuring they don't go to waste. My partner was given a voucher for a very expensive restaurant for his birthday this year, which is lovely but it covers the (extortionate) cost of one degustation meal. So someone else needs to cough up to go with him, and then there's the outrageously priced drinks to worry about.

I'd also really enjoy a voucher for an experience - I love go-karting so would enjoy that, have always wanted one of those racing-car experiences and have 'learning to ride a horse' on my current bucket list but I think all of those are the much higher end of a budget for a friend.

Or a voucher for any new restaurant in your area? A new Tapas place has opened in my local town, going there would be great.

I think her being single does make a difference - if you get a restaurant voucher or similar, chances are she'll invite you so there's an incentive to pay more, whereas a coupled-up friend might take her DP instead 😂

I'm getting quite invested in this now - I'd also really like an AirBnB booking for a random weekend somewhere with, or without, you. Don't mind a cool loft apartment in a city or a shepherd's hut in a field, or anywhere in between, just a change of scene would be lovely.

Some of you are obviously far more generous than me 😂. £25-30 is my limit present wise.

@Hoesbeforebroes

Likewise vouchers for things I'm not really into or, worse, don't cover the full cost of whatever they're for so I'm obliged to spend my own money ensuring they don't go to waste. My partner was given a voucher for a very expensive restaurant for his birthday this year, which is lovely but it covers the (extortionate) cost of one degustation meal. So someone else needs to cough up to go with him, and then there's the outrageously priced drinks to worry about.

I was once given a voucher to a very exclusive and VERY expensive venue with a spa. It was for a day visit so no accommodation, miles and miles from my home and I don't drive. I looked into the logistics of getting there and back (alone) plus an overnight b&b nearby and it would have cost me more than twice the value of the voucher... I'd have loved the equivalent voucher to something like John Lewis, M&S or Selfridges... I'm sure it was kindly meant but what a waste. 🌹