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Birthday treat ideas for DD?

(40 Posts)
HotTamales Tue 29-May-18 20:40:15

Our eldest daughter is married with two small children of her own.

They don’t complain but like many young families they don’t have much money, DD and DSiL live frugally to treat their own DCs.

We help out when we know there is something they want or need, although they never ask.

It’s DD’s birthday soon, she can’t think of anything she wants, other than a functional item for the house, which we’ve bought her.

If we buy vouchers she will spend them on the children.

We’d like to make a gift box, we’ll include pink gin (she stopped breastfeeding a few months back) and a scented candle because she likes them too but other than that I’m stumped. I’d like to get her some luxury smellies, can anyone help with suggestions for these and other things?

Witzend Thu 31-May-18 14:28:37

For a recent birthday when Gdd was still under one but no longer breast fed, we paid for dd and son in law to have dinner, bed and breakfast - plus a Sunday morning lie in! - in a nice, fairly local hotel. Dh and I stayed the night at their house and babysat.
I did ask first whether she'd like it - answer was a definite yes! I explained the situation to the hotel, prepaid it all, and gave them the reservation/receipt printout to take.
It all went very well.

HotTamales Thu 31-May-18 12:58:22

Brigid I love reading these ideas too, they're lovely, aren't they?

She does like interiors, they own their first home and it's a great house but a doer upper. We've given them help with this; bought things and proffered paint brushes. She tends to look at Pinterest or Instagram for ideas.

We do already babysit when DD and DSiL go out, though as I've said upthread DD won't leave her youngest with anyone yet as she's an insomniac.

Brigidsdaughter Thu 31-May-18 00:08:58

I love reading these ideas. Thinking back Id have loved a coffee credit card. Salon vouchers are brill too. The ideal is a treat excluding the children. Me time is restorative.
Top would be a mag sub though, e.g. is she into interiors..?

nahsma Wed 30-May-18 23:56:29

Day out, you and her and babies - nothing 'posh', a shopping mall with food bits, but where she can try on and you pay for new .... jeans, top, nice undies, whatever she fancies.

KazzaK Wed 30-May-18 21:58:05

Check out Ginny and Joy gift boxes. They are available for all sorts of occasions, lovely gifts, beautifully packaged. Google Ginny and Joy.

HotTamales Wed 30-May-18 21:06:11

The thing is justwoke that they already go to the cinema as a family so it doesn’t feel like much of a treat.

You’re all very good at this, I’m going to ask next time I want present ideas grin

mabon1 Wed 30-May-18 20:29:37

If they are hard up then buy her make up or bveauty items which she usually buys for herself, will save money and she'd be glad of them

loopyloo Wed 30-May-18 19:52:06

A good hand cream, trendy nail varnish, low calorie drinks.........

BlueBelle Wed 30-May-18 15:17:14

Just bought my daughter a massage vouchers at the local beauty salon she always loves that as it s not something she’d ever spend money on herself

queenofsaanich69 Wed 30-May-18 15:15:29

Load a coffee card so she can have the odd treat or buy a box of latte packets to make herself a treat at home.I once went to a bath bomb making class,great fun and then I showed all my friends at home ,so much laughter !A short evening class for one evening is fun.Cake decorating supplies,she will need them at some stage.Good luck

justwokeup Wed 30-May-18 15:03:57

I know you want her to treat herself but if she uses cinema vouchers to take all the family out then she is enjoying herself with her family, sees the film too and doesn't have to spend her hard-earned cash on it. Perfect! I'm not sure that it will go in a box with Lush products but is there an expensive item such as coffee she is fond of? We buy a big box of Nespresso for DD and SiL because that is the first thing to go when they are hard up. Otherwise a restaurant voucher for two.

LuckyFour Wed 30-May-18 14:57:20

Cinema vouchers for their local cinema and your offer to babysit would be good. A chance for them to get out and see an adult fim as they probably only get to see children's films these days.

123kitty Wed 30-May-18 14:37:49

This is one v lucky daughter- what a lovely thoughtful mum she has.

Samie Wed 30-May-18 14:17:42

Voucher for an evening meal at a local restaurant

muffinthemoo Wed 30-May-18 13:47:20

Lush is awesome!!

Voucher for facial perhaps? Bit of pro skincare never goes amiss x

vickya Wed 30-May-18 13:42:31

Offer to babysit while she does an evening class, or day class? I did pottery when I had toddlers. Banging the clay was good for relieving temper smile. Or something like yoga or tai chi or anything she'd like? Wine-tasting, a language?

HotTamales Wed 30-May-18 13:18:42

I've started, Lush bath bombs are on there, as is some pink gin, some clothes I think she will like, some Benefit makeup, face masks and other bits.

I had thought about cinema or theatre vouchers but she would use them to take all of them out as a family!

I avoided chocolates as she is trying to lose weight.

As for a spa day we're having a family holiday to Center Parcs soon and we've booked for a spa afternoon/morning then.

Thank you for all you suggestions, they've been very helpful flowers

Thirdinline Wed 30-May-18 13:12:50

Lush bath bombs! X

Belgravian Wed 30-May-18 13:00:51

Good value for money and no subscription

www.qvcuk.com/product.235908.html?cm_mmc=PPCTSV-_-Tili-_-May-_-235908&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7nYBRCwARIsAL7O7dHG920z2A1WJ0KB3o4sONhDg06x2yYOEBk0Fo0f2hY54akMPDPHXt0aAtFhEALw_wcB

Luckygirl Wed 30-May-18 12:57:43

I once booked my DD in to a day of silversmithing - she loved it!

MawBroon Wed 30-May-18 11:32:39

If she likes fresh flowers I once had a lovely present from SIL (who knows how to please his MIL!) of 6x monthly bouquets delivered by Bloom and Wild. They come in a flat box which actually fits through your letter box but are beautiful.
This was one.

newnanny Wed 30-May-18 11:30:31

A Spa Day is so nice and if you have small children often something that you can't afford to treat yourself to. If she likes to do things with her children what about a family pass for a zoo, Sealife Centre or theme park. When my children were small I loved taking them and made some fantastic memories. A nice photo album/frame. Clothes; a new robe or lingerie is always nice.

My dd loves Dove products so we are making her a new wash bag with mini Dove products for taking into hospital with her when she has her new baby in August.

blueberry1 Wed 30-May-18 11:24:29

Lush do lovely gift packs that smell divine,with bath bombs,lotions,etc..If she enjoys reading,how about a set of books in a genre she likes?

gerry86 Wed 30-May-18 11:22:41

Lovely idea, I love getting presents like this as they are so thoughtful and personal. What about adding a bunch of flowers as well, it doesn't have to be a large expensive one.

Willow500 Wed 30-May-18 10:19:24

Does she have any type of craft hobby - perhaps something along those lines? Tickets to a concert or a meal or take her shopping to buy something new to wear?