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 nice scarf. A phone with big buttons. A lap tray and some lavender water.
Why though?
Unless mum has some sort if issues, in which case she would have sorted an appropriate phone for herself, why dies she need a phone with big buttons?
Me and my aged 60 plus friends are absolutely fine with our Samsungs and I Phones!
Lavender water? Again why???
I'm dispointment with suggestions on this thread. Mugs,Scarfs, candles?
These are 'make do' gifts.

I have to say, @notacooldad the phone with big buttons really made me laugh! Like you and your friends I use a smartphone, plus plenty of technology at work! Lavender water?! I like Chanel perfume. My 97 year old aunt wouldn't even like any of this stuff.

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

Good god. Such a skewed idea of what older women are like.

It’s pretty obvious that @CurlewKate was taking the Mickey out of previous suggestions, not actually suggesting a phone with big buttons etc.

Yes, just realised that!

It’s pretty obvious that @CurlewKatewas taking the Mickey out of previous suggestions, not actually suggesting a phone with big buttons etc.

It's not though because it's just blended in with the other bonkers ideas that have been suggested!
(Unless, mugs and scarves, vases and candles are also mickey takes.)

My sister always gets lovely presents from her family like a pottery making day, silver craft, ceramics, stain glass making.

Well, I got a facsimile copy of Shakespeare's First Folio, but I accept that's a bit niche!
Please don't fall for the "posh" whatever, which usually just means overpriced but still tacky.
If she has any hobbies, can you give her something linked? Maybe a subscription to a related podcast or magazine.

Otherwise, I think most of us oldies have enough crap filling up the house already, so really don't need more "stuff".

I would suggest taking her for a meal in a smart restaurant/night in a hotel/theatre tickets/sports tickets.... whatever she would like. Plus she thus gets to spend time with you.
Personally, I hate spa days but your mother might enjoy that.

The best presents I’ve received over the last few years include:

case of red wine
tickets to see Pink
pottery throwing day
brora cashmere scarf
subscription to Eat Fresh for two meals a week
bedlinen
deep clean of the whole house

The latter end of age range here and I'm minimalist, hate clutter so I like practical presents I can use! (Not ornaments, beautician vouchers or massage/spa days as dislike being touched by strangers). Favourite Christmas presents were a huge box of nespresso compatible coffee pods of different varieties (as I drink at least 4 a day) a box of black pens and mini notebooks that I use every day at work and thick wool socks i wear around the house as permanently cold feet but don't like slippers.

What all these answers show is that age is just a number, you need to know the person properly to buy the perfect gift!

Her next sentence is “Her age is completely irrelevant” which is a pretty big clue 😂

Her next sentence is “Her age is completely irrelevant” which is a pretty big clue 😂
To be fair, most of the thread is nuts! 🤣

One thing I used to do when my kids lived at home was to write a list of things I fancied and it was pinned to the side of the fridge with a magnet. It was there all year .When someone bought a gift it would be crossed off, whether it was for mother's day, Christmas or birthday. I didn't know who crossed it off. Of course, I could remove an item if I bought it myself.
This plan worked well for about 10 years and it was ds2's idea. I think a friends mum must have also done it as well.
Maybe not for everyone but they got ideas and I got what I wanted/ needed.

There was another thread similar to this and the conclusion I came to was that what people like has nothing to do with age! It’s more about their taste and personal interests.

I am in this age group and a candle or hand cream or skincare or a cashmere scarf or a massage would be wasted on me and don’t give me anything for the garden as it is completely paved with no plants. I do like eating out, music, the theatre and books. So use what you know of the person to get them something thoughtful.

I really like the idea PP posted about tickets for the two of you to Chelsea Flower Show. It's a good fit for her interests, I'm sure she'd love to go with you and it's nice when it's so grey at the moment to have something to look forward to in the summer. I think it's about £100/ticket though plus more if you book lunch so not a cheap option.

Food, drink or Springsteen tickets.

Absolutely no clutter or "stuff" - that goes straight to the charity shop along with the Bayliss and Harding gift sets and scented candles.

That sounds fab @IhaveanewTVnow

I wonder regarding the afternoon performances v late nights if it depends on whether you are still working - particularly full time in a busy job? If you asked me 10 years ago I would have probably gone with the afternoon performance unless it was a weekend but now having recently retired and previously WFH for 3 years, I have all my energy back for evenings out. Also helps if you can afford an Uber rather than the late bus (as in my teens/20s).

If I had a daughter I would absolutely love it if she arranged for us to go for a Spa day, night away somewhere, meal out, theatre or gig. Tickets to go myself would be fine though as I'm sure I could find a friend, take DH or even go myself .

Definitely like the idea of the experiences though .

I also would like a nice soft jumper (no high necks), wine, chocolates, body butter or PJs. Maybe some random craft kits to try out a new hobby.

I would hate perfume or scented candles (aside from Christmas ones)
No point buying me a book as I use a kindle and prefer to choose myself . Can't imagine wanting a picture book. I also have a wardrobe full of fleeces and walking socks as I imagine most people who enjoy walking do (although I am always buying myself more so the outdoors shop voucher would definitely be used ).

🤣🤣

I think the poster suggesting this was joking !

If you look back at her post though , she has also said

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

@Greentrilby

Ooh deep clean of the whole house - now that's an idea . I would love that !

It was my birthday on Monday (yes, THAT day), and my DD has given me an "I.O.U" to take me behind the scenes where she works....I'm going to be a zoo keeper for a day. A bit niche I'll admit, but, Best .Present. Ever.

I'm 56. My favourite presents this year were a Babyliss hair waver thing and a voucher for a beauty place - i can choose myself-massage/facial/ pedicure etc. Something I very very rarely treat myself to.

I'm 63 in a couple of days time with similar interests to your DM.

My main Xmas present this year was a hori hori which I'm very much looking forward to using. Previous years have included awesome telesopic loppers, pruning hook, pruning saw ... basically garden implements with fearsome blades.

In terms of memberships, we already have NT and WWT, I got RHS this year - it's been good but it does depend a bit where she lives whether it's a good buy or not. Better still was DH realising what a great deal Historic Houses membership is, there are loads of properties/gardens. It's really nice to be able to drop into one for a quick visit without feeling you have to spend hours 'doing' it to justify the admission fee. That's particularly true of gardens if you want to visit a few times through the year.

Of course the question needs to be asked! Some gifts ARE age dependent. You can't buy for a 60 y.o what you would by for a 19 y.o. FGS! And you can't buy for an 80 y.o. what you would buy for a 35 y.o!

What* are *you on about?

The main difference for me is that I like a greater degree of luxury than when I was younger - but my preferred gifts would be pretty similar.

A custom made touring bike. The process of building the perfect bike is such an absolute joy. And there isn’t much that’s more fun than setting off at dawn from a cute hotel, looking forward to a full day of cycling along the coast of France.

A mixed vintage case of superb wine.

A weekend in Marseille - with no sleep allowed.

A small parcel of land, and some fruit trees.

A boat.

Anything at all from Casey Casey.

Books.

(I’m at the mid point of your age range.)

Re 'experiences' - I don't know what sort of things might exist but I'd be up for something seriously messing about on the water but that didn't require too much upper body strength.