Niece's 50th.

Try to think of something that fits her lifestyle but she wouldn’t splash out on herself? (I bought my birthdaughter a breadmaker for her 50th. Big success.)

On other occasions, I’ve bought a handbag/shoulder bag as a present for a woman, with great success. But always fit the present to the person’s own tastes, not to what you would choose for yourself.

Hampers are a last resort for the desperate!

You could have a look at Hotel Chocolat they do beautiful chocolate & Gin hampers, you can build your own up to any value or choose one of the standard ones.

All the next generation in my family are approaching 50, so some of the suggestions here will be taken to heart!

My daughter was 50 two years ago. I bought her a pendant with her birthstone from Not on the High Street and a bottle of Fancy Gin from a distillery near where she grew up. That went down very well.

A pamper session voucher. One of the best presents I ever got.

DiL bought me a craft subscription last Christmas, a new box of creativity pops through the letterbox every month. Last year was a yarn magazine.

Ive just received a bracelet for my daughter from louloujewelery she’s on Instagram beautifully made.

Is she someone who might like a "flight" in a wind tunnel? I certainly did!!
? There are lots of places to do this - it's sort of sky-diving but you don't need to jump!
I went here:
www.iflyworld.co.uk/

How about a Theatre Token? They don't expire like other vouchers.
I'm not a big fan of hampers. Inevitably there are items in it that the recipient doesn't like, whether it's food or toiletries. At least with a voucher the recipient can choose exactly what they want and make the best use of it.
( My mum once bought me a shower gel from an expensive brand I occasionally treat myself to. It wasn't the usual scent I bought, and I thought it was awful and couldn't bear the smell of it. Thankfully she liked it so I could hand it back. )

A pamper day is always well received and you should get quite a good one for your budget.

Are you computer savvy? For my son's 30th birthday I made a photo book through Photobox. Once you get the hang of it, it's good fun and makes a lovely keepsake. I started with a picture of mine and DH wedding with both sets of our parents in it. Then moved on 3 years to his birth. Then selections of photos at various points in his life. Pages can be personalised with comments and backgrounds. If you are short of photos perhaps you could scrounge some from other family members.

Sorry for not getting back sooner but thank you for all of your advice.
I love Gransnet

I think the hamper sounds a lovely idea. I’ve bought these for people before and everyone has loved them.

Granzilla Sarah Hickey is a jeweller based in Hexham. Her things are lovely. She will make bespoke pieces as well as the things displayed on the site. She has a studio but most of her business is online. Have a look at her website - gift vouchers are available www.sarahhickey.co.uk/product/gift_card
instagram.com/sarahhickeyjewellery?igshid=it76zryw2hf

If you are thinking about a spa experience then look on Secret Escapes. We have been on a couple of really good deals via their site.

Thanks crazyh.
You're right about cosmetics etc being personal.
Someone <looking at you DH > once bought me a very expensive designer perfume.It smelled, to me, like Toilet Duck. It's still lurking in the back of the bathroom cupboard

grannyknot Thanks. She's always very generous herself
I'll look at that link now.

I am always reluctant to buy 'smellies' as gifts, simply because we dont know whether its what they would like (fragrances, I mean). I would get her a £100 gift voucher towards a spa day and she can choose what 'treat' she would like ....a massage, a facial ..........

Ooh that's a good budget!

What about a subscription to a beauty box? They're a lot of fun and she would have a gift every month for four or six months. Only snag is she would have to choose her products each month, so it would depend how she is with that, or I think at least some of them make up the boxes from a profile that the recipient sets up. But it's a like getting a surprise every month (I bought a three month sub for my DIL and she loved it).

Here's an article listing the best ones:

graziadaily.co.uk/beauty-hair/hair/best-beauty-subscription-box-uk/