Birthday flowers

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 .

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'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.

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

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 wish somebody would send me flowers!

P.S, Many Happy Returns.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!