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Birthday gift for active retired aunt who hates aging and is a bit down?

50 replies

Antst · 30/04/2021 10:54

Not sure if this is the correct section for this question but I don't know where else to put it.

My father was the black sheep of the family and I recently reconnected with his family, having spent most of my life overseas. An aunt has been particularly kind, remembering my birthday and coming to visit for hikes whenever possible.

It's her birthday this month. She wouldn't tell me the day when I asked and I didn't press it because she is not a fan of birthdays. She has major body issues and hates the idea of aging. In general, she seems a bit down. I'd like to get her something fun anyway. I think she'd be open to a gift as long as I didn't make a song and dance about the birthday part.

Pretty sure she would not appreciate a box of chocolates but an afternoon tea voucher somewhere unusual might work because she could take her son or daughter and enjoy the experience, if not the food. Most of all, I'd like to get her an outdoor exercise voucher. She already does a lot of yoga but it might be refreshing to do something new where she could meet new people. Even an online healthy cooking class might work.

I have spent hours online looking for activities in Reading (her local area) and have had no luck. I'm not familiar with the UK anymore. If anyone out there is familiar with the area or with interesting online gift ideas, I'd love some suggestions. Thank you.

OP posts:
funnylittlefloozie · 30/04/2021 10:59

Get her an e-scooter. They are ridiculously fun, and "unsuitable" hence would be ideal for someone who doesn't quite have one foot in the grave yet. She's obviously fairly fit and able if she comes hiking with you.

Tea vouchers and online cooking classes are lovely but a bit staid, and frankly, we've all spent far too long cooped up indoors in the last year any way. Get her a scooter and watch her enjoy herself a bit!

Rainbowqueeen · 30/04/2021 11:03

What’s your budget??
If she likes hiking maybe some warm/wet weather really good quality gear.

Does she drink? A cocktail making class?

MissyB1 · 30/04/2021 11:06

A lot of those things haven’t got going again yet which is probably why you are struggling. You might need to wait a month or two.

Antst · 30/04/2021 11:17

Rainbowqueeen, love the hiking gear idea. I'll have to find out what she needs. I'd like to spend under £60.

Missy, yes, I'm finding that. I would like to get her something in May to perk her up though. I thought there would be many fitness-type activities going on in local parks but can't find anything.

OP posts:
Antst · 30/04/2021 11:19

funnylittlefloozie, she'd be horrified if I gave her a scooter. This is a woman whose solution to arthritis is to hike more. I run marathons and spent two days on the sofa last time I returned from visiting her.

OP posts:
Todayisanabsolutevanilladay · 30/04/2021 11:21

God I'd loathe a scooter, I'm really active too. OP vouchers for Decathlon? The idea of being able to browse for hours in an outdoor shop would be fantastic for me and if she loves to hike?

Antst · 30/04/2021 11:32

Todayisanabsolutevanilladay, thank you. I think if I can't find an interesting outdoor activity in Reading (just because I think it would cheer her up to do something new), that would be a perfect solution. Didn't know about Decathlon.

OP posts:
BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 30/04/2021 11:49

@Antst

funnylittlefloozie, she'd be horrified if I gave her a scooter. This is a woman whose solution to arthritis is to hike more. I run marathons and spent two days on the sofa last time I returned from visiting her.
I think most active outdoorsy people would be horrified by an escooter. I fall into that category and would be "WTF?!" Confused if someone got me one.

It's really not something to get someone as a total surprise.

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 30/04/2021 11:50

I second the idea of Decathlon vouchers (or a similar outdoors clothing/equipment shop).

Antst · 30/04/2021 11:50

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand, they're expensive too. I'd be too poor to get her one! Also, she'd judge me!

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 30/04/2021 11:53

@Antst

Rainbowqueeen, love the hiking gear idea. I'll have to find out what she needs. I'd like to spend under £60.

Missy, yes, I'm finding that. I would like to get her something in May to perk her up though. I thought there would be many fitness-type activities going on in local parks but can't find anything.

We bought a similar sounding friend of the family a new small hiking backpack (of her choice) for a ‘significant’ birthday. She was delighted. She’s very practical and it fitted the bill for her as a gift. Which is all that matters.
LarsErickssong · 30/04/2021 12:05

Can I just check you aren't all confusing e scooters with mobility scooters? Grin I would never own an e scooter but I wouldn't be horrified if I was gifted one.

Antst · 30/04/2021 12:08

tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict, wow, what a great idea!

NoSquirrels, I like that one too. A voucher would be safest but I think she'd appreciate something personal more. Luckily, I'm seeing her in person for a hike tomorrow for the first time since the latest lockdown ended and can check out her gear!

OP posts:
ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter · 30/04/2021 12:09

Sweaty Betty yoga leggings? (With a gift receipt if she needs to swap). I think most active women would be pleased with something from there.

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 30/04/2021 12:11

@LarsErickssong

Can I just check you aren't all confusing e scooters with mobility scooters? Grin I would never own an e scooter but I wouldn't be horrified if I was gifted one.
Nope, no confusion!

Escooters can pretty much only be used on tarmaced/ paved surfaces. What use is that to someone whose passion is hiking? The idea of riding an escooter sounds fine for a 5 min diversion, but I have no interest beyond that.

Antst · 30/04/2021 12:12

LarsErickssong, I think she'd be slightly less horrified about a mobility scooter because e-scooters involve choice, not necessity!

OP posts:
Antst · 30/04/2021 12:14

ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter, that is a good idea. I have noticed that she has style and enjoys clothes but doesn't indulge often. Bet she'd appreciate something like that.

OP posts:
Tambourinetunes · 30/04/2021 12:15

Is there a Nordic walking group in her area?

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 30/04/2021 12:16

And I'd be horrified just because it would be such an expensive waste. Receiving an expensive gift that you have no desire to use is crap.

LostInTime · 30/04/2021 12:18

Merino thermals? Long-sleeved top and leggings would be about the same as your budget. They're really good for outdoor exercise, and enable people to continue outdoors when many would give up due to the cold.

ly

Fnib · 30/04/2021 12:19

Roller skates!!

Joking. I like the hiking kit idea. What about arranging to hike together soon?

Carpet0fTruth474 · 30/04/2021 12:20

Nirvana Spa near Reading voucher or Bath salts

flicktheswitch22 · 30/04/2021 12:21

What about Go Ape Bracknell - Swinley Forest?

Snapbacktonormality · 30/04/2021 12:23

A premium brand red lipstick.

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