My DH wasn’t big on birthdays - the DDs gave up trying to get him interested in mine years ago. They maintained he was able bodied and more than able to buy a card, etc - but he never did, although we always went out for dinner on or around both of our birthdays.
When I was 60, the DDs organised a lunch for me at a local place (Bistro 21, now closed down). I thought it was just the 3 of us, until I saw my friend’s car outside and realised it wasn’t. There were 12 of us, in a private room - it was lovely and DH picked up the bill.
His fishing syndicate fees were always due around his birthday, so he considered paying those from joint funds his birthday gift. He was kind and generous and really didn’t care what I spent - within reason.
What was directly across the road from the school you went to?
Cookery books and other books - are you keeping them ?
— It was a very happy occasion and I loved every minute of it!