Birthday flowers

I think people are struggling with coronavirus and the restrictions and flowers and things direct are just easier to arrange atm. I wouldn't take it personal. Happy belated birthday

As a novelty, I sent my mum a Cornish food hamper complete with cream tea and Cornish pasties. She loved it.

Either tell them what you'd like for your birthday ("Darlings, instead of flowers/chocolates in future, I would love some new paintbrushes ...."). Or just ask for cash, or Amazon vouchers and get exactly what you want and send them a picture.

HomeAgain 123 - just a thought here - if each of your adult children bought you a bouquet of flowers why not drop a gentle hint by thanking each one and adding something like "the house was like a florists's shop as I had so many flowers - your sister/brother did the same as you" but they were lovely. This would at least alert your children to the fact that you had a glut of flowers and might just nudge them into co-ordinating their gifts to you. If it doesn't then I think you simply have to be grateful that in what is presumably their busy existence, they have thought about arranging a delivery.

To do not want flowers or chocolates I suggest asking for charity donation. I am sure you know that many charities offer "virtual gifts"
My go to charities include
SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund)
Leprosy Mission
Blythswood Care
Scottish SPCA

jean4a1

Best I can do, I'm afraid.

I never get birthday or xmas present from my son, would be delighted with either or both!

Sounds a tad ungrateful, if your that bothered tell them.ln these difficult times tell them to save the money they would have spent, put it together and get what you want, when you can.

I totally get where HomeAgain123 is coming from! My kids are great at present buying but every Christmas my husband gets me the exact same jumper from John Lewis in a different colour and a brand of toiletries that I’ve told him time and time again don’t suit my skin! I spend ages trying to find him nice unusual gifts and experiences but he just allocates a quick hour to me up at John Lewis just before Christmas ?.
It’s the thought that’s supposed to count but when no thought goes into it, well, I’m like the OP I have to say and feel just a trifle hard done by!

How about either hinting what you would like/need that’s not too expensive or ask for a gift for a charity.I did that and have had very thoughtful gifts that benefit others,these include 36
baby blankets,chickens,half a goat and trees,all gone to a good cause.I pre COVID would always spend lots of time looking for the perfect present for all friends and family and enjoy seeing their faces when they opened something I knew they would love( recently sent one daughter an Insta-pot and 5 boxes of chocolate mint Girl Guide cookies,her favourite,which I ordered on line )

I also dislike it flowers the same asOP although I do send them a lot to people who I know really like them and as suggested they are such an easy gift especially in lockdown. But I do make it clear I prefer a growing plant which is also pretty easy to order these days . It’s makes sense to me I love orchids especially and hyacinths or anything growing!

Shocking to you, but others understand.
Strange lot, humans.

Shocking to me that Homeagain123 is this self-centred. Why would anyone think they are entitled to a birthday gift from anyone at anytime. Time to take stock.

My sister is a real tomboy, hates girly things. At Christmas her neighbour bought her flowers because she had been doing her shopping for her because of Covid. My sis had to ask her could she borrow a vase to put them in.

HomeAgain, please feel free to ignore those who think it's ok to be rude.
It really isn't.

*Elizabeth 1*If I could send real flowers to you, I would. You are a lovely lady

My three children have known me all their lives so know what I like! OH has known me over forty years and doesn’t. I have to give him a list!

Well said Grandmall totally agree with you

Even though we can't physically shop, we can go on Amazon or similar for things we know someone would like (especially if we ask). I also feel that cut flowers rarely look nice past a few days and I feel bad throwing them away as I know someone has spent a lot of money on them. For me, a simple bottle of bubble bath/soak is much better and lasts a lot longer!

I must admit I'm not a fan of flowers. I don't mind some chocolates such as after eights. At Xmas I got a box of dairy box they were so sickly. I try and but things that are nice. One of my best Xmas presents was an Amazon voucher of my son. It's a pity you couldn't say you were going to stop buying presents because of lockdown and tell them to do the same.

There are a lot more important things in life than material things and complaining like a spoilt child about what you have or have not received for your Birthday! Be Thankful that your Adult children are safe and well enough to send you a gift at all, some parents would be thrilled just to hear their voice once more, or to receive a simple message in any shape of form, you never fully appreciate what you have until it's gone, and I sure wish that my Daughter was still here with me on special occasions, like she used to be.

At my age and hunkering down overseas I always give my children money in to their bank accounts. The love to get funds to spend on something they would like. When I am asked what I want for my birthday or Christmas, I always ask for donations to be given to the local dog shelter because dogs are my passion, I find all the bad feeling associated around presents so over rated. I admit to being very old but I know my children love me because they Whatsapp me and ring up all the time....I don’t need gifts to show love!

Thank you for suggestions especially the lend it charity I’ll look into that as we’ve all been expats as a family in quite a few countries and 1 AC is overseas at moment. Just to clarify as originally posted I wasn’t ungrateful and did feel better sharing which I have told all children and to the poster who questioned my dislike of cut flowers always have and always will ?

I agree OP my wish would be for someone to buy a gift for ME. I find flowers impersonal even just a voucher for my favourite shop rather than something that will be binned a week later.

Excuse me not unkind in the least was telling the truth be happy with what you get and don't be ungrateful