Mum's 70th

When my Mum and Dad had their 60th wedding anniversary I wrote and read parts of their life story and my brother organised their desert island discs. I also made an 'agree to differ' cake because they never rowed just agreed to differ on many things. My Dad's side was a plain sponge with jam filling and mum's was covered in chocolate and cream. We had a great party for all the family at my house.

It sounds lovely SoontoBe4. You could take lots of photos of the actual weekend and then make into a photo book afterwards.

Firstly, how lucky is your mum to have a daughter who cares enough to ask for ideas !!!! Not heard frommy daughter for 10 years ! Was 70 in September no pressies, no cards, husband (Parkinson's_ never remembered !) Bought myself flowers, chocs and perfume .....which is what I wanted !!! Think, since things are so expensive, it would be an idea to maybe ask your mum if there is something she has always wanted .......then you will at least have an idea ! Would have like to go to an Andre Rieu concert maybe .....or better still if you have a family as you say, and you are spending the weekend together anyway, what about dinner in a local restaurant ///just be good to be together, photo album may be another suggestion, as on here ....on the other hand, being exactly that age as well, I personally wouldn't want anything from years ago !.....there are websites.forums/ on Facebook which have pictures of towns from 1947 ...quite like to look at the town where I was born sometimes ....old school photos etc .......a photo of the whole family in a nice frame .......but please do ask her if you possibly can ! she is lucky to have your thoughts !

I am nearly halfway through my 70s and I am not sure that I would want lots and lots of reminders of the past. That is what you do at funerals. Family and friends, yes, then fun; things to do, places to go, new skills to get involved in.

The last thing I want is to be told that my future lies in the past.

Wow! Thank you everyone, I wasn't expecting so many replies. It's really interesting reading everyone's ideas. Also interesting to see the range of opinions on the idea. Luckily it has made me realise how much I know my mum and what she would like. The weekend away with her children and grandchildren will absolutely be the best part of it, but she has always put us first and gone without so much, I know she will appreciate the thought of 7 well chosen items. I don't want to get her any antiques as such or masses of stuff to clutter her house, that was never my thought! I'm going to go with sweets, a music cd so we can all have a bit of a disco, a book with photos of the local area when she was a girl (she loved an exhibition at the local museum about this last summer and she shared lots of lovely childhood stories with us) etc. Rather than presents as such, they will just be little things that she will enjoy sharing with her grandchildren. I already have a proper present (that I've talked to her about). I just wanted to make some extra effort as she's worth it and does this kind of thing for everyone else. She's very mobile and a 'young' 70 who likes some fun. Thanks again

For my mum's 90th birthday my DD got a shoebox and labelled it 90 reasons why I love you, then her and DGSs wrote on sheets of coloured paper (about 4" x 2") special memories of their Nana and Greatnan. Funny anecdotes and happy memories. She absolutely loved it.

I like the memory/photo book idea too, perhaps also referencing significant family/personal events - and/or a large framed collage of photos from each decade.

I'm 65 and have recently through facebook found links to my old high school in the 60's - some class photos on there and have managed to contact quite a few. You could find some photos to print out and maybe her primary school. Also your local library may have some archives of school events. Good luck!

If you want images, ideas, thoughts from the 40s, 50s etc., Pinterest is a great resource.

My nieces and nephews took my sister away for her big birthday, and that went down very well. I gave her a newspaper book of what happened on each of her birthdays, which I got on the internet. 1940s, can you get a mock up of a ration book? 1950s I remember watching the Teddy Boys with total fascination! Toys from that era? 1960s Mods and Rockers 1970s Glam Rock. Can you do a CD from across the decades?
You can get icing that has photos in it (on it?). Asda? Photos from history of the decades? Old family photos?
It won't fall flat, don't worry. Good luck. Enjoy.

I agree I think 7 presents would be over whelming and OTT - maybe one present from everyone. I had my 70th 4 years ago and we went out to tea (posh teashop) but that might be tricky with your sister's SN children. The other thing is I think you need to calm down and stop fussing as that will spoil things for you and possibly everyone else. One of my DILs was worrying and fussing and it wasn't good. I'm sure your mom will enjoy just being with her family and maybe a big bunch of flowers and a present from you all.

How about having a retro birthday party- the sort we might have had as kids? Games like pass the parcel, musical statues, hunt the thimble and pin the tail on the donkey. Then a party tea with sausages on sticks, cheese and pineapple, jelly and ice cream, marshmallow teacakes and chocolate finger biscuits. Balloons, of course, and maybe some retro sweets like Love Hearts?

For my 80th birthday my DGCs bought me a fit bit! They set it up for me and I love it. Keeps me fit too!

I had the best 70th. My two daughters and I stayed at the Savoy for two nights. First night had a pre theatre meal and then went to see Mama Mia. The next night we had a meal out after shopping. Then the family that could came for afternoon tea. Wonderful.

Soontobe4, what are you thoughts now? Any ideas help?

I have just come back from a weekend away with my family for my 70th. I didn't want presents but whilst there they booked a massage for me, DD & DDiL (I could choose which one I wanted). We had afternoon tea for all the family and Sunday lunch on the way home. Just to spend time with my immediate family was all I could ask for. I think just all of you together and maybe booking afternoon tea and Sunday lunch will be enough for her.

I agree that it is a lovely idea.
What about some games from that era that we don’t play much now. Ludo for example or,if she’s not arthritic, some jacks. Some sweets that were around then that you can buy from those “new” sweet shops. Or some perfume, I seem to remember l’aiment(?) by Coty or 4711.

I was 70 is September & my daughter & 3 friends had a weekend in the champagne district enjoying champagne tastings etc etc. Then they gave me a Photobook of the weekend. Just brilliant. And also agree I would not want a gift from each decade! Isn’t 70?the new 50?!!!!

Membership to NT, English Heritage, Royal Academy, Tate or anything like that.

As for the weekend away, I like the idea of an album of photos recording that weekend. Maybe a girls afternoon at a local spa, the don't all cost a fortune. A trip to a play in the area, even Am Drams. Or you could transform a room in the cottage into a 60s disco!! We can still all dance! Recently at couple of our dinner parties YouTube obliged with requests and we rocked and twisted around the dining room. Great fun!

I used to like Elvis when I was 14 and the Beatles when I was 18 but if anyone gave me extended CDs of their music today I would be less than grateful!

I like the idea of the 70 comments. These could include a memory of a happy times spent together. Not hard to do if everyone is involved. Mum's siblings (if any) could cover the early years. Definitely wouldn't want stuff to have to find a place for.

I think the 7 gifts idea is lovely! Think you've gotten some great suggestions, too! I would do a mix of experiences and things, but that's just me.

I didn't see anyone mention a CD of popular songs from the 50s or 60s, etc. Mum might love that for one or two decades and they would be easy to store/not take up much room.

I imagine the OP knows her mother pretty well! At least better than we do. I am madly trying to de-clutter but I'd be thrilled with seven carefully chosen presents. Don't let the saddhus on here put you off!

for my MIL's 100th, we put together a slide show with pictures of her and landmarks of her life such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, bits of relevant news from the family associated with photos. We put it up on a projector and watched it as we were waiting for dinner (we were in a hotel, but I'm sure you could manage to do it on a wall in the cottage you're going to. )It was really great as it kept the whole family talking about events and family history and the children really liked it too.

Always photos with me! Love being given them - anything put in a special album is a treat. For my 70th last year, though, my children clubbed together to give me a day at a v. luxurious spa type place- was massaged to within an inch of my life and had mani-pedi etc etc. No hardship!