suprise money

The good thing is you will get so much pleasure going through all of the things you could treat yourself to before you finally decide. I treasure memories more than anything so I would go for a lovely holiday in a heartbeat and make a photo diary to remind me of the trip.

I know what you mean, ExaltedWombat.
It sounds like grannypiper is usually quite frugal, though, and someone has wanted to give her a treat.

I think it's lovely that grannypiper is going to be able to choose to treat herself for a change.

My first choice, in those circumstances, would be a holiday probably one involving an activity I'd like to try, or one I like already.

An embarrassment, ExaltedWombat? Quite the reverse. A joy and sheer delight at being considered worthy. I could spend it over and over in an instant. Hope you really enjoy every penny of it Grannypiper. Don't agonise or regret. ENJOY,

Holiday would be great or a painting would be good.

Visits to Royal Opera House and other theatres with seats in a box!

A short break staying in a hotel that I wouldn't normally be able to afford.

An original artwork would be my choice!
Not necessarily a painting, it could be a sculpture, but it would have to be made by someone's hands, not a machine, and I'd have to really fall in love the first time I saw it!
A few years ago we were at an Antiques and Fine Art fair in Chester when I saw a painting that I just loved, I couldn't stop looking at it.
So, I promised that I'd do without birthday and Christmas presents for evermore if I could just have my painting!
It was one of the best moves I've ever made as I love it as much today as that first time!
The artist has become far more widely known recently, and his work is now selling for about six times what we paid, but I'm not going to be selling!
And, even better, I still get birthday and Christmas presents

Why not buy some groupon or Itison treats and have lots of wee treats like nice meals and overnight stays? That way you can have a lot of pleasure doing things you would never normally do! Whatever you decide, enjoy it!

A decent camera so you could take a photo every day then produce a "52 weeks " book. The aim being to go someplace each week (if that's too much then every month) and take a photo to provide a diary effect...would produce a nice visual reminder and you'd still have the camera at the end of it. Any really special photos could then be turned into a canvas for the wall.

with or...

Holiday every time, with out without DH!!
Picture - but we have so many...
A Russian wedding ring - one of those interlocking thingies

Nice ideas here.

Some great ideas mentioned.

An original painting would be great, or expensive luxurious designer handbag.

Although, loving new technology, a new computer or iPhone would be tempting.

Have fun deciding.

Some great ideas above but my first thought was also a special holiday - is there somewhere you've always wanted to go but put off for various reasons? The possibilities are endless. Enjoy whatever you do with it and don't forget to let us know.

Go on nice holiday - Malta is lovely and raise a toast to the person who gave you such a lovely gift...

I would buy a green house. Our garden gives us both so much pleasure.
My next pick would be a fitted dining room table that would go down into a double bed like in a caravan.

A nice trip to see the bulbfields in Holland would be my choice and something for the house that can be looked at every day

A really good TV with all the bells and whistles sounds like a good idea. Plenty of entertainment for you and DH. I personally would go for a little break at an expensive spa resort with lots of pampering treatment.

Enjoy it whatever you decide.

Tree for my garden, or a pond or something for out there, or art or books.........I am up to £100,000 now and no one has offered me a penny. Doesn't take long if you love art and nature to spend money...enjoy it, a thing of beauty is a joy forever.

I would blow it on a proper wool winter coat, some quality boots & loads of underwear

What a lovely present - whatever you do with the money, enjoy it.

Am I the only person her who would find a requirement to splurge £1000 an embarrassment?

You could go and have some bog soup with fake oysters in it at that Oslo place they had on Masterchef. That would blow the other £800. Or maybe not!

books books and more books!

There is also National Trust or English heritage membership, of course.