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?

@TubbyCustards Sure you wouldn't prefer a voucher for a blue rinse or a Sholley? (Your recent gifts sound gorgeous!).

@LiterallyKnowsBest A rampant Rabbit or similar as a lovely gift for single you?

I'm55 for my last birthday I wanted my printer fixing.

I use the same perfume I have worn for years and so a bottle of that perfume or a body lotion / shower gel of the same would be welcome.

I used to love arts and crafts but as I have arthritis when I get things they are just like someone going, "ha ha, you can't do this any more".

Books - I love to read but I would prefer a voucher to get a book for my kindle.

Scarves - well the ones that you can use as a shawl I frequently use as a shawl but this isn't for everyone.

A jigsaw - I do them online occasionally, a physical one, I have no where to do it and again the arthritis.

Things I would love include a hedgehog house, I have hedgehogs in the garden and I do feed them but my finances are such that it is a luxury I can't afford.

You mention she is single? Does she want to be? Maybe take her speed dating

I am 59 and I would rather have a jigsaw than a handbag. I have all the handbags I need but I love to do jigsaw and love it if people can find me an interesting one.

My favourite places for toiletries and make up are Clarins, Rituals and Bobbi Brown, although I have just bought myself a Glossier eye shadow palette.

I like books on art and crime thrillers.

Jewellery from Oliver Bonas always goes down well.

I am not keen on food or alcohol gifts.

I guess what I am saying is that people in their 50s are as individual as anyone else.

A long-dated voucher for a massage for me please (51, single, wouldn’t describe myself as gentle)

I would love this book for Christmas!! I ought to tell people! www.panmacmillan.com/authors/suzanne-osullivan/the-sleeping-beauties/9781529010558

Either a beauty salon voucher or a book voucher - I don't normally visit bookshops but I do like browsing, there's usually something that catches your imagination.

@CyberPumpkin

https://papercraftworld.com/

These are really cool and fun to make, if you're after something a bit different?

These are fab!

I'm nearly 50 and single and if you get me a candle, a scarf or slippers, we are not friends anymore. And a trip to a garden centre as an actual outing with a mate is dull as ditchwater (although give me money for plants and I'll have a great time on my own). I'm not a gentle sort though, so maybe she likes to be treated like your nan. What is your budget??

My 50 year old friends go surfing, wild swimming, sailing, one sings in a band, another goes riding.

Indeed. If the OP had mentioned any specific interests we could have suggested things pertinent to them. Though I personally prefer to pick and choose rather forensically when it comes to activity kit.

And I’m afraid I’m amongst those who hate being given vouchers for days out chosen by someone else.

Happy Birthday in advance Hoesbeforebroes! I’d be surprised if you don’t find your fifties in every way more exciting and fulfilling than your forties.

'single', 'gentle'...you make her sound like Miss Marple.

For goodness she is 50, not a 100, and I don't see what her dating status has to do with this.

I am 50 and my weekend included going horse-riding on Saturday morning, meeting up with my boyfriend in the evening for some 'fun'. On Sunday I went to the cinema to see House of Gucci and had a meal out. Hardly knitting and clutching pearls...

I think the gifts you mention are very generic and I wonder if you really know that woman, her life and her interests that well.

In which case a voucher might be good as she will be able to get something she really fancies. Somewhere like John Lewis might be nice as she will have a variety of things to choose from.

What does her being single have to do with it? I'm sorry, not trying to be snarky, but she's your friend and your buying for her, not her and a DH/DP.

That said, since she's your friend, you presumably know a bit about her interests. Scarves and chocolate are the sort of generic present you give to acquaintances. Any hobbies, anything she likes particularly? If you're really stuck, a voucher for somewhere like JL should cover it. I'd avoid experience-type vouchers because, as it's been explained above, they tend to be more trouble than they're worth. But again, you know your friend best!

you're buying, gaah!

If she does not drink how about a bottle of Pentire or Feragaia - non alcoholic spirit drinks.

I don’t know…really good candles are something you probably wouldn’t buy for yourself but would use if given. Not something from Tesco obviously but a nice decorative luxurious one from somewhere. I think that by “single” OP probably means that her friend may already have money and time to spend on herself so is difficult to buy for. Really it’s the thought that counts.

Space NK voucher that can be used online.

Penguin Book of Christmas Stories

Voucher for a tattoo

Why are people so aggie about the description?
Single meaning she will live alone so can buy stuff to her own taste, do what suits her and won’t have time filled by another person. My single friends in their 50’s both never married and divorced have different considerations than co habiting/ married ones.

I agree with you @lightisnotwhite.

It’s a perfectly reasonable description.

I'm afraid thinking about gifts on an age basis is never going to end up in a decent gift. There is really no such thing as a universal gift.

Why are people so aggie about the description?

I explained!

I’m not responding about ‘my single friends’ - I’m saying that I myself, having been both single and coupled, can discern no difference whatsoever, with regard to what I’d like to receive as a gift, between times I’ve been dating, co-habiting or single.

As to why people respond with … vigour. It’s because this is a public forum and therefore a platform from which to send one’s message out into the world.

“I am a middle aged woman. I do not want any fucking handcream.”

Obviously, if I were asked the question by a friend, across the table at lunch, my response would be more gentle.

@lightisnotwhite

Speaking as a 56 year old single person, I have the same interests and tastes as I would have if had a partner. I may have less time or money to indulge them, but they would be the same.
As a pp pointed out, it makes her sound like Miss Marple.
saying someone is single tells you nothing about the person.
I've seen a number of similar threads in the past. I don't recall seeing any which ask what can I get for my married 50 year old friend

Voucher for pedicure, manicure, massage

Yep single has no relevance. How do you know she's not having loads of hot dates? Not that that matters either. Neither does whether she has kids or not.

Anyway, tickets for a festival, gig or comedy, sporting gear if she's into fitness, lovely bottle of wine or fizz.

Oops ignore the wine suggestion. How about a glam photo shoot?

A rain bonnet, a subscription to the People's Friend, and a tin of travel lozenges.

or

Aromatherapy Associates bath oils
this basket from John Lewis
tickets to a gig
this knife

(these are just things I want to be honest)