Presents for special birthdays

Very breezy here. Chilly with it. Yesterday's weather was lovely. Do hope that you have had a very happy stay. Did you go into The George? Bags and I like to meet there whenever we can.

We did but closed until April ( Kilberry) soop

Going down for tea tonight.

It's a cosy place, glass ...wish it could be moved closer to us.

I tend to do "experiences" for special birthdays.

We had tea at the Ritz for my 50th and dinner at a Roux restaurant for my 60th. Gave DSiL a dinner voucher for 2 at her lovely local restaurant for her 70th.

Somebody at work was sent a book a month for a year; love the monthly bouquet of flowers idea.

Otherwise have given bottles of champagne and booked a harbour trip in Sydney for other friends once.

DH was given a rally driving day for his 65th - which he thoroughly enjoyed

We have been to the garden centre today to buy a token for a special birthday. We had a lovely lunch, bought some chicken manure, gardening gloves and food from the farm shop. I have just realised we came home without buying the voucher. So guess where I'm going now?

You can do monthly very lovely and a bit special chocolates too! Hotel Chocolat I think.

The things that I have loved best, and seem to be most appreciated by others too, are creating memories: things done together for close family or friends, backed up by a photo book of the event as a longterm reminder. Then I had a pretty photo frame from a really old friend with a pic of both of us on holiday in our early twenties. Loved it! I also really appreciated a small silver dish hallmarked from the appropriate birth year.
Or for someone not so close how about a newspaper from their date of birth?

My OH is 60 in a couple of weeks and I will not be buying him any more remote controlled toys, they clutter up our small house and are always running out of batteries.
We are going out for a surprise family meal on the day and then Im thinking about a London hotel, a show and maybe afternnon tea. Any good ideas for afternoon tea in central London?

A friend has just turned 80. She had a family party and has also invited all her friends round for drinks. We are all asked to bring a small donation to her favourite charity instead of presents. Such a good idea.

For my 80th birthday (if it happens), I hope to be given a flying lesson. I've already had a balloon flight.

I took DH for a surprize weekend away for his 50th. He had no idea it was happening until I told him to get in the car.
His 60th was Sunday lunch on a steam train. I have given friends theatre vouchers in the past. I would welcome these myself.

I have never had a special birthday

I have given bottles of champagne with the special date and a personal message etched onto the bottle for the person to drink and then keep. You can get bottles of port and whiskey too if wine is not liked.

My daughter had a meat experience day where you are taught how to professionally butcher the meat and then you cook a meal with the meat you have chosen ( pork,beef, poultry, etc) and then eat it with the others in the class then you have a joint of your chosen meat to take home with you.

Story nanny we went to the Savoy in London for a champagne afternoon tea for my daughters graduation. We sat on comfortable sofas were waited on hand and foot with as much tea sandwiches, scones, and cakes that you could eat ( champagne was one glass unless you paid extra) There was a pianist playing the hotel was beautiful and it was one of the loveliest experiences I have ever had so I can thoroughly recommend it to you. Hope you enjoy whatever you do.

Bloomin' heck some of these "special presents" must have cost a small fortune. Only saying that's all.

Theseus put his foot down just before Christmas, saying he had all the "stuff" he needed, and asking (but not demanding) that we gave a gift from the WaterAid shop. They will send a card on a specified date. So we did, but I still had to buy him some little things...He was delighted with the watery gifts, though.

He is 70 in May. Still pondering, though his passion is WaterAid and providing clean water - our wotk in Burkina and SA involved that - so I suppose we will do that again. With some nice little odds and ends, wrapped up.

Ariadne we had similar problems with my step father. In the end it was donation to charity of his choice, then, as you sat nice little odds and ends. These always seemed to end up being edible ones

Gentleman's relish in one of the nice ceramic pots, boxes of dates (no-one else in the family liked them) special coffee etc.

We've got my MIL's 90th this weekend. As she has Alzheimers we have bought her daughter (who has a birthday the same week and cares for her) a Spa Day. MIL will be happy with flowers, biscuits, chocs etc. We are having a tea party with all the family and a bouncy castle at their house!

As for 50ths my OH trekked to Everest Base Camp for his and we cruised into Venice on mine. That way the family didn't have to worry about how to spoil us.

Well for my 60th I am seriously considering a trip to The Moon. First class of course.

This thread is starting to read like, My dad is sooooooo much bigger than your dad !

Gilly is your birthday 29 February - is that why you've never had a big birthday?

I can't do the maths but it does mean that you're forever young!

No Riverwalk sadly not. I am 52 . We are just not in the position to buy lavish trips/gifts for each others birthday. I have always hated being the centre of attention so never had a birthday party when I was a child either.

To Pentstemmon & Cari . Happy Birthday ! my birthday today too though not a special one.

Seasider
Pentstemmon
Cari

Happy birthday to you all. Have a fabulous day

Re the cost, we go to London once or twice a year to see a show (cheap seats) and stay with my eldest son, so adding on a cheapish hotel and afternoon tea isnt really lots of extra. Just means I get to share in the "present" as well!