Birthday flowers

I always told my daughter she could "owe me one".

Then, months later when I'd forgotten all about it, we may be shopping and I'd see something lovely, but would be hesitant to buy it.
She would say she'd buy it for me, and it was genuinely a lovely surprise

Sorry, I just felt the need to tell someone that. Don't mind me.

I’m always sending flowers and the people I send them to are always grateful they’re not too expensive from NEXT and can go through the letterbox they flower out beautifully after a couple of days - wish I would get flowers sent to me. Who knows? I believe it’s valentines day soon

I have bought flowers and chocolates for quite a few people during the current situation.

Yes, you can order other things online but, if they have to be sent back, it can mean a trip out to the Post Office.

Sorry OP but I understand why your children have bought flowers and chocolates.

Happy Birthday HomeAgain123. ?

Take any present with good grace. I’m sure their intentions were good ones and they thought flowers would cheer you up.
My husband always ignored presents (but would sulk if he didn’t get any) so I decided long ago that I “could” spend the equivalent number of years on something I wanted.
Belated happy birthday

Sorry I didn’t mean to come across as ungrateful ... yes a bad day but both sons just had birthdays and I bought hotel stay for 1 ( lives overseas ) and a wine tasting course for other ...DIL had Tillyanna personalise bag plus garden plants all well received think i just felt no thought M&S click yes better than not being thought of and may be bit ungrateful but after all these years they should know I dislike cut flowers oh well next year cut flowers for all ????

Personally I’d much rather have flowers than any more ‘stuff’ I wasn’t able to choose and didn’t particularly want, or clothes that might be nice enough, but not what I’d have chosen.

For a very recent birthday I had some lovely scented narcissi from a friend, and a beautiful planted basket of spring flowers from a dd. And posh chocs from another dd.
Perfect. The chocs were especially popular with dh!

You could tell them now that for future Birthdays, if they didn't mind, you would really prefer to have a garden voucher. Say you prefer to choose a shrub or plant that will last, rather than cut flowers. Then you could go and choose your own gift, which in itself would be a pleasure.

It must be hard for them to think what to get you, especially now. and at least they do all remember. This way they could still buy the voucher easily, and know you are happy.

No as mentioned I buy something personal ie my daughter runs so money for trainers son ‘ dubai life style ‘ so hotel voucher all appropriate well received and thought about ...... it’s the thought that’s bothering me ‘mum’s birthday better get some flowers ‘ not the money spent

Perhaps they do genuinely believe that flowers are something you really enjoy?

I think present buying is a bit of a chore, not knowing what to buy people. Yes, it's nice to give, and receive, but everyone has different tastes in clothes, perfume, home decor, etc. It's very difficult to get it right, even for a close family member, or friend.

Personally, I'm more than happy to receive flowers/chocolates, which I enjoy looking at, and eating ... and knowing that I've at least been thought of! I'd hate to think my son or daughter were stressing over what to buy, when they both have busy lives, and there's not anything that I really NEED, so it's often spending money just for the sake of it ... I'm grateful to receive anything. Although, admittedly, DD does put a lot of thought into her gifts, which is lovely, but I'm equally appreciative of the beautiful flowers from DS and DiL! It's the thought that counts.

I'm like Nansnet and find it difficult to choose gifts, especially for long distance. I always love getting flowers, but understand that getting 3 bouquets at once may be a bit much.

You can gently suggest a gift certificate for your favourite store next year.

Why don’t you just give them a list of things you’d like, if you don’t like flowers and chocolates?

Personally l don’t want my family spending hours agonising over what to buy me. I know they think about me and MrA every day, as we do them and they would be here at the drop of a hat if we had a real problem. That’s enough for me.

They also know that flowers, chocolates, wine and even gift cases of craft beer are very gratefully received.

Personal things like clothes, perfume or geeky things for my camera I prefer to choose for myself.

You need to subtly let your family know what kind of things you would like. I’ve made sure mine know that I don’t like cut flowers, prefer a plant, nor “smellies” due to various allergies. But I rely on them to stock me up with gin, gin and more gin!

I’m the one who has opted out of Christmas present buying as mobility issues make shopping impossible. I now but a small token gift, often something consumable and the same for all the women and men, together with a substantial gift voucher of their choice. My adult children get a few small presents and a large sum of money to use as they wish.

Good Morning Home Again 123.........

I love flowers - so if you do not want them - please send them my way.

I think we get to an age - where we appear to have all we need - or can afford to buy what we need. Flowers is a great pressie.

P.S, Many Happy Returns.

I wish somebody would send me flowers!

I always think of flowers and chocolates as being a very expensively gift and do cringe sometimes when I think of what they may have cost. I do though always acceot them as a token of having been thought of, remembered and appreciate them. At Christmas I received a rhododendron in a lovely metal pot, that was a real change. The plant is still flowering. Maybe you should try to give a hint a potted plant would be appreciate rather than cut flowers and chocolate.

I think due to the restrictions we are under, I would be very grateful they remembered me.

I thinks at our age flowers are great at you just enjoy them and then get rid, I hate loads of body sprays and bath stuff, (working my way through such stuff now from Christmas and January B'day) Much prefer flowers.

I am 65 this year and my husband is treating it like a big birthday which is lovely and I am grateful but I do not see it as such. I have told my younger child not to treat it as special as they have a young family and money is tight. Like many I just want to spend time with them all but that will have to wait. I always tell mine not to buy plants as they never survive long!

I'm always pleased our son remembers our birthdays and other occasions. I have to remind him about other people in the family. I know they're busy looking after our grandchildren and working so I'm happy to know they think of us whatever the present.

Your lucky I didn’t receive anything from my son and daughter-in-law to be, not in my birthday or Christmas not even a card . I too always ask what they want and get what they want. Charming .

I haven't had a birthday present / Christmas one for 2 years from my adult dc / dh because they don't know what to get me ! Be careful what you wish for .

So positive today I gave some flowers ( I had 25 bunches of daffodils ) to both my neighbours And just off to leave some on my mums door step so just 2 huge vases left of daffodils and the rest I’m going to make smaller bouquets for friends . As said not ungrateful just hmm ...... going to suggest no gifts in future
Happy Thursday everyone.