Any ideas please help! 60th birthday present for..

[Molly1418]

Hi all,

So, we are invited to our daughter’s boyfriend’s mum’s 60th birthday party at a venue. They have been friends since year 8-9 and we also socialised with his parents a few times - they invited us for a dinner at theirs and we returned hosting too! I also worked with his dad at the same company some years ago. Her birthday is in July; and I have no idea what to get her. I would always love a fancy afternoon tea for example- do you think this would be a good idea like Claridges or similar afternoon tea or flowers and drinks?
Look forward to some ideas

Many thanks ☺️

I'm 60 and would not care if you gave me nothing. I certainly wouldn't like to think you were stretching yourself financially for me. A plant for the garden would be a nice, not too expensive, option.

She’s approaching 60…not 85!
Liz Hurley, Brooke Shields, Shania Twain …all 60 this year. Can’t see Liz Hurley wandering round some random lighthouse just because it has free parking!
She’d be 18 in 1973 so maybe a Slate/Marc Bolan/David Cassidy poster!

Thanks for the idea @NewAgeNewMe-Ive just ordered 2 of the Chanel mirrors for my sisters' birthdays.

Champagne is so personal. I'm 60+ and can't stand champagne. Would prefer a crate of nice white wine.

Funny you should say that..my colleagues gave me a Def Leppard T-shirt for my 60th!

I’ve had NT and RHS membership for over 25 years. They are really good days out especially NT that have the adventure playgrounds for kids.

Worked out economically especially in the school holidays!

And now we age it’s great to have for taking elderly parents and eventually grandkids. Don’t knock them. Great value for money.

sorry forgot to tag @Gall10

18 in 1983 actually. And I've had NT membership for years. I don't think the NT or RHS is mainly for the over 80s, though I do agree I wouldn't give it as a present to someone I don't know well.

They have been together since year 12, he is 21 and she is 20- he is older his birthday is in November and my daughter’s in April. They have managed their relationship throughout the university life- they are still at uni and looks like they might end up together

i wouldnt want champagne and i am very particular about any alcohol

i think you could ask her dd what she wants
but flowers can't fail - unless she is about to go on holiday!

What about a flower subscription, a nice bunch of flowers by post every month for 3 months type thing?

I got DH this one year and he loved it
www.prudenceandthecrow.com/
Prudence and the Crow | The vintage book subscription box. Only good if she loves books?

There's tons on good food subscriptions you can get too, or beauty

Do the maths! She was 8 in 1973 😂

Depends very much on her likes/interests.
Does she read? (Book token).
Is she a gardener? (Garden Centre token).
... and so on.
It really is 'the thought that counts', not the financial value of the gift.

My youngest DD loves a national trust property and garden she's 33. You really need to know your audience .. I've always loved cream or afternoon tea..is there a husband you can ask?.I'm actually taking my neighbour to a seafront hotel for lunch tomorrow,it's her 60th, she's very old for her age
Doesn't drink,wear perfume, make up have any hobbies.. she can't keep plants alive,so I said to the other friend coming I'm getting a bouquet from the local florist, birthday is actually Friday.. she is skint, said she must buy something,was going for bath gel, I said she doesn't use it, she said surely she must have a bath,no she showers,is not married,no kids, just a cat.. I told said friend she has eczema and very dry skin, she's bought expensive bath soak and hand cream.
.i
.

Don't spend too much, it will likely embarrass her. And set a precedent.

A single nice bottle of wine would be perfect, go to an independent shop and spend around £25.

Or a Good Gift or similar? That's my back up when I have no idea and I've genuinely never come across anyone that doesn't appreciate it/the thought.

I don't drink or like chocolate (or coffee - I do but they give my migraines) so would much rather a good gift than one of the above I'd have to give away

What's your budget and what's she into or what sort of person / style is she?
I'd task this to your DD given she knows her better.

Theatre vouchers or a hamper from Fortnums ? If funds are tight ringtons do some lovely gift hampers and their biscuits are delicious !

What do you mean by a good gift?

I’m approaching 60 and would hate flowers or anything personalised, I think that’s quite tacky

I’ve actually asked for no presents, but if someone insisted, then a voucher for a store I use would be ideal so I can choose for myself

https://www.goodgifts.org/

Thanks, I didn't realise it was a website you were referring to.

OP, find out what her tipple is and purchase accordingly - and don’t go overboard! I would be massively embarrassed if my daughter’s MIL were to buy me something as expensive as afternoon tea! A nice birthday card would be fine!

I'm heading towards my 60th and I'm afraid I really wouldn't particularly want any kind of voucher for afternoon tea/ bottomless brunch etc.
I've always considered them an 'easy' choice for the giver but a bit of nightmare for the recipient. Too often there are limitations on availability, expiry dates or an extra cost associated with getting to the venue etc.
I was given a gin tasting experience and it ended up being a complete farce - the original company stopped offering it, then the nearest other was 120 miles away, so I swapped it for a restaurant voucher, which when we went for a meal I was told wasn't valid as the parent company had changed.
The giver kept asking me if I'd been for my gin-tasting, and in the end I just lied and said, yes, it was lovely thank you...

Theatre tokens don't expire and can be used in lots of venues, or I'd also second the idea of 3 months of flower deliveries, or a plant, if she's into houseplants or gardening.

Thanks ever so much all - your comments have been massively helpful that I now have a better idea!
I am at work now, will read through all suggestions later in the evening