Are you a woman aged 55-65? If so, can I pick your brains?

[DinosaurPotato]

Hello all,

Hope you had a great Christmas. My mum has a birthday in January and ordinarily I don't buy anything until after Christmas as there are inevitably ideas from gifts others have got but this year nothing is standing out.

If you are in the similar age range, I wondered if you'd be so kind as to tell me your favourite present? My lovely husband got me some corkers some good inspiration there and although she is (obviously) a bit older than me, we have similar tastes! She's very active, likes gardening/walking/lunches/visiting nice gardens. Likes nice food but is very healthy so not definitely won't want too many goodies or alcohol just after Christmas. I find jewellery a bit tricky but have had success with earrings recently so feel have exhausted that avenue! She likes to read but I have just given her a few books. She got both of us such a thoughtful and varied selection of gifts for Christmas, I'd really like to treat her! Thank you.

A weekend in Benidorm in a luxury sea front hotel. A group of us - ages 40 - 75 have just done that and had the most amazing time. My pre conceived ideas of Benidorm were thrown out of the window. We clubbed, we had tapas, we met so many Spanish people who live there, we walked, hired bikes, sat on the beautiful Levante Beach, we swam and we loved the old town. It was so cheap ( or is it that we are so ripped off here?). Easy to get from the airport too. It was such a lovely, surprising, cheap weekend. I’m 59 by the way and didn’t get to bed before 1am for three nights.

That sounds fun...I'm all wistful thinking of sunshine and daylight.....sigh.

I am another one for the experience. I really do not need ‘stuff’ .
Depending on where you are and your budget, but these are some things I got for my 60th;
Afternoon tea ( to be honest makes me feel a bit old)
Guided hill walk with my family ( we are in Scotland)
Go Ape vouchers with my nieces.
Theatre vouchers
Brunch with friends.

Right now I am hoping to persuade DH that we owe ourselves some skiing lessons.
For Christmas he bought me a 6 week PT block.

Don't know if you've got time, but my very best present from my children was a photo book they compiled of photos of us all together through their lives and little vignettes of their memories from childhood. It was so touching to see those memories through their eyes.

She sounds like me. I would like a cashmere scarf. Does she have a favourite colour? I bought one from Brora for a sister’s 50th and she still loves it 10 years later.

Why an afternoon performance with exclamation mark? We don't sit with blankets over our laps nodding off at 9pm, you know. Maybe at 85 but certainly not at 55-65!

Why an afternoon performance with exclamation mark? We don't sit with blankets over our laps nodding off at 9pm, you know. Maybe at 85 but certainly not at 55-65!

Haha I wish I hadn't written this now! It is because I like a few drinks. My nearest city is 20 miles away so I hate getting taxis. I don't like catching the last train.

If I had a theatre close by I would go at night! I hope this clears things up for everyone.

Gawd, theatre tickets for the afternoon, and china cups and saucers with flowers on? Er no thanks!

Things I've been given or treated myself to in the past year:

Membership of the V&A
A watercolour short course at City Lit
Expensive bath/shower gel
Abba Voyage
Theatre tickets for evening performances!

I got some expensive Sketchers slippers which can be worn outside (so handy if nipping out to the bin etc). I know Sketchers have a bit of an old lady reputation but my kids have been impressed as apparently these have been a TikTok sensation

Also got some beautiful vintage earrings which I love.

I’ve also got a January birthday so will be interesting to see what I am given - I am hoping for one of those Uniqlo bags & some skincare/makeup from Sephora

Well I am in this age group (nearly 60,) and would NOT like a show or concert finishing at 11pm to 11.30pm, and having to depend on public transport to get back home, or be travelling back in the car at midnight. Done my 'midnight runs home' in my 30s and 40s after going to concerts and shows with my then teenage daughters. MUCH prefer an afternoon show. Finish at 4-5pm, grab a takeaway on the way home, then go home and put my feet up at 7pm.
I'm 59 this year and dislike afternoon shows. I don't want my feet up at 7.00pm. I feel like I've not had a ' night out' and that's because I haven't!
I've been to a few afternoon shows at the Winter Gardens because I couldn't get evening tickets and it's just not the same expierence.

I've got 4 of those Uniqlo bags now, got the first last summer and can't resist whenever I find myself somewhere with a Uniqlo shop. Best bags ever.

I'm older and I'd hate most of the suggestions, which means that presents should be interest focussed, not age.

I particularly hate hand cream, scarves, gardening stuff, candles, mugs etc.

I love posh makeup, Ugg, Dr Martens, Snag dungarees, jumpers, tops and restaurant vouchers. I could also use a voucher for eyebrow or eye liner tattoos. My DDs are spot on every time because they know my tastes. Go with what you know she likes.

I know! I'm 63 and love going out for the evening! An evening concert is more enjoyable, imo.

Jeez. I'm late 50s and most of the suggested gifts seem very old lady to me.

For me, an experience would definitely be the way to go but I'd want something a bit more exciting than a meal (not very special) or a garden show (really?!).

Zip world in Snowdonia, Sausage and Cider festival in Warwickshire, tickets to CarFest, Mama Mia Live at the O2... hot air balloon ride... all a lot more exciting. Save all the sedentary things for when she's actually sedentary.

Cashmere ( proper cashmere though, from Scotland).

Personally, I'd most appreciate an 'experience' to do with my dc based around a shared interest. A request to spend time together would mean a lot!

A day out somewhere with my daughter would be the best present she could give me.

What about a class for the two of you at Moyses Stevens?

https://www.moysesflowers.co.uk/london-flower-school/

What's your. budget? A couple of years ago DH got me a voucher for a workshop at a local cookery school which was fabulous.

I would hate afternoon tea.

A nice scarf. A phone with big buttons. A lap tray and some lavender water.

Her age is completely irrelevant. Buy her something you'd like yourself- you say you have similar tastes.

nice scarf. A phone with big buttons. A lap tray and some lavender water.

Blimey! No thanks!

Dear lord I was just thinking - those would definitely be my idea of worst gifts!

I'm 65 and so many of these are things I'd get my mum in her 90s.

Please no candles, bath stuff, cashmere scarves, mugs (really?)

I do love an afternoon tea for two with champagne where I can take a friend. I also love a bottomless brunch. I've also been given an ArtCard membership (half price entry into art exhibitions) and Tate Membership.

How about an Escape Room experience with the family - hilarious? I think theatre tickets have to be 'voucher' as dates etc are so difficult - again I've been given London Theatre Ticket vouchers.

I love jewellery as I find I get ;pushed out of my normal 'safe' space and I get chosen much younger items than I would pick for my 'safe' self.

Great gym bag or gym/yoga clothes? I tend to skimp here.

Or a Bloom and Wild monthly/three monthly subscription - I do love fresh flowers in the house.

And beauty salon vouchers are never a miss for me - eyebrows, lashes, manicure, pedicure - all much wanted.

Most women aged 60 in the UK are still working. Some of these ideas seem to be for 90 year olds in care homes.

I'm in that age range and I really enjoy the wild birds coming into the garden, I have done all my life so this isn't an age specific idea .
Anyway if your mum enjoys the garden how about a new bird table / feeding station,bird bath, selection of bird foods, feeders, seeds etc (peanuts are so expensive) It's something she can get a lot of pleasure out of every day and if she's already feeding them it will save her a good bit of money too.