80th birthday present inspiration- please

Lallylou

Hi,
How lovely saying that all of her friends being there is enough. I would return the favour with flowers chocs and definitely hand cream. Everyone loves hand cream. 🌹

No, they honestly don't.
I don't anyway, and I'm sure I can't be the only one, though
I can't speak for the OPs friend and neighbour of course.

Keepingquiet

Goodness! What a vitriol comment.
You must be fun!
.

I would suggest a contribution to a favourite charity. That is what I asked for instead of gifts for my 80th.

A spa day for both of you
Letter box flowers
Food hamper M&S, Fortnum & Mason
A theatre trip and meal

All depends on your finances - but personally a ‘together’ treat, making memories are the best❤️

Yes, respect her wishes……after all, it will be very awkward if some do and some don’t won’t it ?

She has probably got a houseful of stuff and just wants to have a lovely informal party with her friends.

We have a rule in our house now. It has to end up on the compost heap or down a drain. Either the bath or toilet -if it started out as food!

Can you cross stitch? Could you make a personalised card? I’ve done that a few times .

My mother-in-law truly meant no gifts.
She knew in her late 90s and early 100s that gifts = costs and extra "effort".

She was, however, very excited to have little treats - a beautiful soap, some small "foodie" extra or a diffuser for her downstairs loo.

Not everyone is the same. Even when people mean no gifts - they can still enjoy them.

After her 101st birthday I arrived at her house as she was unwrapping a small soap - she said how kind it was of Sally, and what a lovely fragrance. She was definitely happy and smiling about it.

Does anyone have a Video Camera to shoot some beautiful shots ?

This could provide a future date for the video showing !!

Sago

You could buy a beautiful notebook/journal and ask all the guests to write something about their friendship in the book.

A truly lovely idea.

I would do as she asked, just relax, turn up and enjoy her party. People who say “no gifts” are always polite enough to seem grateful when gifts are given, but it wasn’t what they really wanted.

Perhaps you could take photos to send afterwards. I appreciated those and a GS sorted a printed book8 version online eventually.
All the birthday parties I go to nowadays specify "no presents, just your presence".
That included the party I gave last year for my 80th birthday. I've got everything except my beloved DH, but he had his life which he lived to the max.
As GS remarked, they will always enjoy having that book.

A basque

You say your friend loves her garden. My best eightieth present was a wind catcher, a bronzed metal tulip shaped sort of sculpture on a pole. I can see it from my lounge window, it looks beautiful covered in snow in winter or turning in the wind the metal catching the light. At the moment it is surrounded with very tall lilies,, yet to bloom and purple alliums, I love it.

I would say your friend sounds like the kind of person who genuinely doesn't want presents. She is someone who likes giving rather than getting, so let he give you this party.

I was going to say something along the lines as Sharon103 No need to go over the top just nice tea and cake somewhere rather than a voucher for to take someone else. Much more personal

I would abide with your friends wishes.
She sounds like a lovely thoughtful lady.
Maybe another time, a coach trip out or a garden centre and have a cup of tea and cake and don't mention it being a birthday gift.
Just a card on the day.

Hi,
How lovely saying that all of her friends being there is enough. I would return the favour with flowers chocs and definitely hand cream. Everyone loves hand cream. 🌹

At my Friend’s GoldenWedding celebration they asked that if people wanted to give something that they bring donations in the form of tinned goods for a local charity , not food bank as they didn’t have a local one.
It went down very well, people felt pleased with a solution.

If she means "no gifts" then every gift this octogenarian receives means she'll be groaning inside whilst having to display fake pleasure. What a birthday treat for her.

I think if she's specified 'no gifts' then you should adhere to this. I understand your comments about how generous your friend is so maybe in a few weeks time you could take her out for a nice afternoon tea or a theatre visit?

Subscription to Talking Pictures magazines?
talkingpicturestv.co.uk/

We thought we had cracked it when Auntie was 90, and said ‘no presents’, but there would be a box for donations to a charity. A good sum was collected, but people STILL brought gifts!

As Don’tcallmelove suggested, maybe invite her to lunch or afternoon tea where you pick up the bill?

Calendargirl

I agree with keepingquiet

If people say, ‘no presents’, I assume that’s what they mean, otherwise why bother putting it on?

Also, I think it makes it uncomfortable for those who have adhered to the request and not bought an unwanted gift.

I think it is a reflection on only valuing others by what they have and not who they are.

My mother-in-law said "no presents" for her birthday but loved the pot of Local Honey she was given.

Previously she's enjoyed fancy jams.
I'd gift a store-cupboard "upmarket" treat - or better still, take her to a garden centre for an outing and pay for something she's drawn to.