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What is the most thoughtful present you have ever received?

(33 Posts)
Anne58 Thu 04-Sept-14 22:40:56

Inspired by louisamay's "meanest" present thread!

My best ones from Mr P were:

2 lovely sort of retro styled chrome fans for my birthday when I was at the height of the menopausal hot flushes. (One for the kitchen, one for the bedroom)

A beautifully wrapped wooden toilet seat for Christmas after my many complaints about the one in the downstairs loo which either sent you spinning off sideways like some sort of bucking bronco machine, or had the lid slamming down onto your back with no prior warning.

Bless him, he not only supplied it, but spent part of Christmas morning fitting it! grin

susieb755 Sun 07-Sept-14 20:50:56

I had the best ever present this year - DGS Jake born on my birthday - I am sure they planned it smile

Agus Sun 07-Sept-14 20:48:44

One of the most thoughtful presents DH bought me was a traditional old fashioned teddy bear smile

I was in my early thirties and mentioned I wished my Mother hadn't thrown my teddy out.

sparkygran Sun 07-Sept-14 19:04:29

Ethelbags and Ana so glad to stir up memories of School Friend I loved it. Does nobody remember Susanna of the Mounties?

dorsetpennt Sun 07-Sept-14 10:49:00

I was 70 years old in July [yikes] and have been thoroughly spoilt by both my son and my daughter. My son booked us all into a Forest Holiday in Hampshire where we all stayed in a beautiful Nordic style lodge, for the weekend. From Friday to Monday. It came with a hot tub - I'd never been in one, it was super and so good for me poor old arthritic bones.
About 9 years ago my DD and I went to Paris for a few days and always talked about going back, we both loved it so much. Well I spent my birthday there. We went for three days, it was hot, crowded and very very beautiful we had a fantastic time.
I also have another trip in Deal in Kent with my DS and his family when I fully retire in October.
So as I said above, I have been thoroughly spoilt. smile

Deedaa Sat 06-Sept-14 22:35:28

ninathenana the rocking horse was life size to me at 6 - probably small shetland size really grin

He also made me a beautiful doll's house which was and exact copy of our house right down to the furniture. Sadly it was chopped up when we had to move and there was no room for it.

tiggypiro Sat 06-Sept-14 22:27:37

Shortly after my marriage came to an end I was visiting my MiL and FiL and totally out if the blue they gave me a cheque for £200 to help me go to see a friend in California as they thought I deserved a treat. It was so very kind of them and probably the only time I cried on receiving a present. The holiday was wonderful !

Ana Sat 06-Sept-14 22:20:39

I loved School Friend too, but was only 2 in 1953 - I bought it out of my measly pocket money every week for several years when I could read though! I liked Girls' Crystal as well.

etheltbags1 Sat 06-Sept-14 22:16:56

Sparky, the School Friend annual 1953 onwards would be my ideal gift unfortunately none of my family would have the imagination to get it. Hope you enjoyed it x

sparkygran Sat 06-Sept-14 21:40:02

Last year was a big birthday for me and one of my presents was the School Friend Annual 1953. When I was a girl oh how I loved School Friend comic and had obviously mentioned this at some time and lo and behold there it was swiftly followed by Christmas present of my favourite book as a child (I read it so many times) Susanna of the Mounties by Muriel Denison - to me the most imaginative and thoughtful presents needless to say both from DD

annodomini Sat 06-Sept-14 21:11:38

DS1's family gave me a Hudl tablet last Christmas and I've found it very useful - not least when my Kindle died on me while we were on holiday in France. Some years ago, when my sister was here from NZ we planned a trip to Venice and the family gave me a birthday present of a gondola trip and historical walk round the city - sister was included in this gift, of course. In France, this year, with DS1's family, they gave me a flight over the Ardeche gorges in a microlight aircraft. Couldn't have a better family! The generosity gene comes from my father, but my DiL has it as well.

janerowena Sat 06-Sept-14 21:03:08

I'm starting to worry now that no-one ever buys gransnetters any thoughtful presents, there are so many thoughtless hurtful ones on the other thread.

I have had quite a few over the years, not just the ballet tickets mentioned above, but a beautiful birthday cake delivered to my house, from a good friend when I said that since I had left home what I really missed was someone making me a birthday cake. Beautiful dangly earrings from MiL. A surprise xmas stocking from a sister that must have cost a fortune when I was a single parent for a couple of years.

But I have to admit to it being the thoughtless and hurtful ones that stick most in my memory, because I always spend more than I can really afford when I buy gifts. My own fault entirely.

KatyK Sat 06-Sept-14 09:11:16

Joelise - I love Venice too. DH took me their on my 50th and on our 30th anniversary. We have been four times now. Wonderful smile

Stansgran Sat 06-Sept-14 08:37:44

My father made me a doll's house and the next Christmas he put in a system of lights and switches. I was so excited I was sick! My DD1 bought me a course of swimming lessons as I was afraid of water and couldn't swim . This was fifteen years ago. I was so thrilled to learn to swim. And DH wanted to give me an emerald eternity ring and I liked a diamond one and he gave me BOTH. The man's a treasure in other ways too. DD2 once as a student couldn't afford(forget) Mothering Sunday and brought herself. Loved that. i'm going soppy now.

rubylady Sat 06-Sept-14 05:04:17

My ex husband took me out for an expensive dinner for my 21st birthday. He then presented me with two gold chains. I asked him why two? He said he couldn't decide which he liked best so he bought both.

He also came home from work one day and bent down in front of the chair I was sitting on. He gave me a box, in it contained a gold watch. I was bowled over as it wasn't my birthday or anniversary. He had just wanted to buy it for me. I still have it. smile

Joelise Fri 05-Sept-14 23:52:06

The best present that I have ever received , was for my 60th birthday, from my daughter, and it was a 4 day holiday in Venice, with my DD. We had the most wonderful time. It was such a surprise, as I had always wanted to go there. DH & I have been back, & plan many more visits, as we both love the city.

ninathenana Fri 05-Sept-14 23:33:34

Deedaa your parents must have had a huge house to fit a 'life size' rocking horse in there grin what a lovely talented dad.

DH spent hours making DD a dolls house the Christmas she was seven. He finished it late Christmas Eve. She wasn't interested in it sad

Deedaa Fri 05-Sept-14 22:39:56

Nothing has ever equalled the lifesize rocking horse my parents gave me for Christmas when I was six. My father made him and he was perfect in every detail. It's the only present that's ever left me totally speechless!

Notso Fri 05-Sept-14 22:34:15

During a hot summer when I was about 7 months pregnant with DD2, my DH bought me a 'Lightweight Ladies Lawnmower'. Very thoughtful! hmm

etheltbags1 Fri 05-Sept-14 21:03:13

I never have had thoughtful presents, my late DH once bought me a clock, then an ornament which I disposed of both when he was out.
I get things like cheap chocolates and boring paperback books. In fact I have not got a single present that stick in my mind. I am appreciative to the giver and say its really lovely but I cry inwardly thinking no one cares.
I had a friend who always gave presents from the charity shop and I would get an out of date smelly set or out of date chocs or biscuits that someone had given her. I used to pretend they were good but I cant understand why she didn't give me something new. she would spend maybe a couple of pounds on these gifts but I don't understand why she didn't just give me a new bar of chocolate or a small bunch of flowers costing the same. I hate pressies

KatyK Fri 05-Sept-14 14:45:18

As a mad Beatles fan, a trip to Liverpool, a night's stay in the Hard Day's Night Hotel and tickets for the Cavern club from my daughter for Christmas last year. My long suffering DH, who was never much of a fan, enjoyed it immensely too smile

janerowena Fri 05-Sept-14 14:11:35

DBH hates ballet, so it has to be one Valentine's day when I opened my card to find tickets for Covent Garden. We went again for my 50th, I hope he repeats the experience for my 60th. We ate on the balcony last time, and that was an experience in itself. The ultimate in people-watching.

Nonnie Fri 05-Sept-14 10:32:13

Not sure 'thoughtful' is quite right but for my 60th DS1 organised a surprise party for me when we were staying with DS3. I really had no idea and couldn't understand why they were telling me jeans were inappropriate for popping out to lunch! Then DH took me to Italy to a friend's wedding and a bit of a tour ending in Venice and we came home on the Orient Express. It was all wonderful and a totally new luxury experience for us.

DS3 is usually very thoughtful and now buys us theatre tickets for our anniversary every year. We have come to expect this and look forward to what he has chosen. Only one has not been very good.

littleflo Fri 05-Sept-14 10:24:15

Obviously my eldest two view me very differently. One year I asked for new nighties for my birthday. My daughter bought be a very sexy short number, my son a long-sleeved buttoned up flannelette job.

henetha Fri 05-Sept-14 10:19:58

Definitely my computer, given to me by my sons when I retired from work.
They knew it was just what I needed to survive retirement, and they were right. I can't imagine life without it.

J52 Fri 05-Sept-14 09:59:19

Since being an adult, I have had many thoughtful presents from very kind relatives and friends. X