Birthday flowers

This is only a suggestion, I realise that not everybody is tech savvy. However, DS always says to me before birthday and Christmas "Mum, have you updated your wish list yet?" This is on my Amazon account (I'm sure other companies have similar). This is where I pop all the things I like, but may not buy for myself. Prices vary from the sublime to the ridiculous and he has a look and may or may not buy from Amazon. I have had lovely gifts this way. With books he knows exactly which one it is I like as he can access the Isbn and if he can get it at a more reasonable price he does. I don't always get things from my list. However, at Christmas I received a flower foot for my sewing machine amongst other things. He had no idea what I would do with it, but bought it safe in the knowledge that he had got the right thing! Btw I love flowers too, but alas never receive them! Guess we're all different. Hope my suggestion helps somebody in these difficult times.

oh gosh, I am absolutely useless at choosing a good present for anyone..
my family, I ask them what they want, and send me the link so I can order online...they get what they want, I remember them, so that is all good to my mind

WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT

I think as we get older it is more difficult to buy gifts for us. I know if I really want something I will go out and buy it. My DDs ask what I would like for birthdays and Christmas and sometimes even I find it difficult to come up with something. So a nice card and some chocs or flowers are appreciated. They don't have a lot of money and I would rather they didn't spend what little they do have on me, so a card or even a call to say Happy Birthday is all I really look for.

I love flowers and Thornton chocolates/Green and Blacks.
My family buys them for me every birthday and christmas amogst lots of other things.
I am always gratefull.

It's my birthday today and a friend gave me some nice face cream and a small basket filled with little sweets. As it's our Golden Wedding tomorrow I'm pretty sure my son will have sent flowers (he's already told me to wait in) which I love to receive and I know they will have spent some time trying to decide what to do as we can't get together. My husband always buys me flowers but unfortunately this year due to the restrictions and us decorating we bought a new fridge and hob instead

As others have said maybe it's time to try and gently put your point across to your family - maybe suggest a delivery of a special tea voucher or similar instead. At least they are marking your birthday and not just ignoring it!

There are thousands of online sites with unique or unusual gifts. It’s easy (and expensive!) to buy flowers and then click onto the ‘chocolates added’ option.
In lockdown people are trying to lose weight too. I’ve found a site which sends gift boxes of savoury snacks which is much appreciated, especially by the various men in my family.

My children live abroad so we don’t do presents but they will send a bottle of gin or wine every so often, money for a takeaway or scent. I send money for the grandchildren at random times. Can’t you ask each other what you want? Failing that, buy a voucher. I always love John Lewis or Amazon!

Happy Birthday Willow and Congratulations for your Golden Wedding tomorrow

Imagine how you would feel if they didn’t bother to acknowledge your birthday
As we get older we are more difficult to buy for as we have what we want
I’ve solved this problem by asking my daughter for a Bueaty salon voucher for all occasions so she doesn’t have the worry of thinking what to buy me and I love it

I am going to be 80 on the 20th and if my children send me anything at all I will be very grateful. So many people never get anything at all. I hope my daughter will send me flowers or
chocolate and my son who enjoys cooking/baking might make me a cake...

I’ve broken my foot so I’m housebound just now. My elderly parents just sent me beautiful flowers plus a box of chocolates. I thought my dad was going to die laughing when we sent him a photo of their lovely gift. It was the tiniest box of chocolates ever and only included 3 sweeties! Not even one for each of us.... I think you should thank your family but mention that you’re not keen on flowers. It’s hard to buy gifts during lockdown though!

My Ds keeps buying me bottles of expensive Champagne. It's hell! But I persevere in polishing it all off.

Have you considered that lockdown and the disruption to all our lives is pretty overwhelming? It's not all about you. I had a fabulous recent birthday but I realise lots of people haven't had the same experience. There's going to be lots of time in the future to spend time with our loved ones and have "normal" celebrations. It's my SIL's birthday on Saturday. I've ordered a special card and a gift voucher but we'll miss not all being together. But, we're all in the same boat.

I prefer plants to cut flowers but if anyone sent me flowers, I'd love the thought behind the present and enjoy them. Sent flowers are expensive. Just enjoy them and don't overthink.

You are so ungrateful

My mother hated being given toiletries, especially soap "Don't they think I'm clean?" but as she grew older it became more and more difficult to find anything that would light up her face except flowers!

My children are all grown and I have never had a card or gift for my birthday. I don’t think they even know when my birthday is. If I was to ask them, they give me the date of their dad’s birthday! ?

I would love to receive flowers, my OH has never bought me flowers or birthday presents. Enjoy them a click of a button is worth more than no click.

I have 2 adult sons both with wives and children. I have told them since the children came along to save their money, a lovely card is all I look forward to for birthday and Christmas but they cant even manage that.
My MIL wouldn't have got anything if it wasn't for me as DH never bothered with it.
I have always longed for a Grandma birthday or Christmas card too but it never happens.
I did complain one year and one DIL told me my son never does birthdays .. I said the sons I raised always did in the past.
I also share a birthday with one of my grandchildren!
I've become used to the fact that I have served my purpose as a parent and dont matter anymore

At least you got something!
It is difficult at the moment to shop for anything other than essentials . If it is ordered online, there is no guarantee that it will even be delivered!
I would guess as well that AC , like I used to with my parents, find it increasingly hard to buy a gift that they think you will like or enjoy - there is only so many sets of toiletries, new jumpers/blouses/cardigans etc you can give anyone and gift cards and vouchers are increasingly difficult to even use with so many retail businesses going bust or bought out - but maybe that wouldn't have suited either!

Oh no chocolates and flowers oh how unfair life is.
I once sent flowers to an elderly relative she told me they were yellow and that is a sign of hatred. I never sent her another gift ever. Just tell your children how unwelcome their gifts are and hopefully next year they will remember.

Well at least you got something. I have 3 sons and not one of them bought my anything for Christmas.

Oh dear, it isn't just a click on a button. They had to choose which flowers to send and they are not cheap alternative. As we get older we have most things so they may be having problem deciding. If they haven't sent flowers before they obviously have thought about it and it is one present you can usually rely on to be delivered on the birthday. Try to be more positive about the presents. It's my birthday in 2 weeks and I must admit just a card would be lovely. Happy belated birthday.

Accept them in the spirit they were given, if you really don't want the chocolates, you can send them to me (we didn't get any with our shop this morning)
Can't understand you not liking cut flowers. They bring a lot of colour, and perfume into the home

They had to think of you to do anything at all. Everyone has much on their minds at present. Sounds like you’re feeling sorry for yourself at the moment as are many. I’m sure next year will be better x

At least you still have them in your life, and they did remember you.
I do hear you, but honestly, it could be so much worse.
Please don't push them away with ingratitude. Some people don't put huge amounts of thoughts into gift buying, it's simply not their priority but it doesn't mean they don't love you. Remember there are different languages of love and gifts may not be high on their radar.
Unless they never use show you any love in any way, in which case it's really not about the gifts per se. I hope that's not the case.