What is the most thoughtful present you have ever received?

Didn't he buy you a car at one time? Where's that on the list?

Oh gosh durhamjen you are absolutely right It was for my birthday last year.

DH asked me one year what I wanted for Christmas, told him anything with diamonds. Christmas morning was presented with a small box like parcel, opened it to find.........a pack of playing cards!!!

When I opened the pack he had cut out the middle of the cards and inside was a gorgeous ruby and diamond brooch!

DH and I both have August birthdays and we decided this year that rather than buy "things" we would have a short break in France - which we both love and have visited numerous times.

My birthday took place whilst we were away and I opened the cards I had taken with me plus one DH gave me and we went out for our usual wander around the village. On return to the apartment I found a beautiful arrangement of roses waiting for me - ordered online by DH from a local French florist. So unexpected and so pretty and I love roses!

DH designed (with the help of the jeweller!) a lovely diamond ring for our ruby anniversary (I don't like rubies)

I was very pleased with my 60th birthday gift this year. My 3 DDs had been for a photo' shoot and presented me with a beautiful framed print of the three of them and two other prints of different photo's. Considering how much the two eldest hate having their photo' taken I was very moved.

Since being an adult, I have had many thoughtful presents from very kind relatives and friends. X

Definitely my computer, given to me by my sons when I retired from work.
They knew it was just what I needed to survive retirement, and they were right. I can't imagine life without it.

Obviously my eldest two view me very differently. One year I asked for new nighties for my birthday. My daughter bought be a very sexy short number, my son a long-sleeved buttoned up flannelette job.

Not sure 'thoughtful' is quite right but for my 60th DS1 organised a surprise party for me when we were staying with DS3. I really had no idea and couldn't understand why they were telling me jeans were inappropriate for popping out to lunch! Then DH took me to Italy to a friend's wedding and a bit of a tour ending in Venice and we came home on the Orient Express. It was all wonderful and a totally new luxury experience for us.

DS3 is usually very thoughtful and now buys us theatre tickets for our anniversary every year. We have come to expect this and look forward to what he has chosen. Only one has not been very good.

DBH hates ballet, so it has to be one Valentine's day when I opened my card to find tickets for Covent Garden. We went again for my 50th, I hope he repeats the experience for my 60th. We ate on the balcony last time, and that was an experience in itself. The ultimate in people-watching.

As a mad Beatles fan, a trip to Liverpool, a night's stay in the Hard Day's Night Hotel and tickets for the Cavern club from my daughter for Christmas last year. My long suffering DH, who was never much of a fan, enjoyed it immensely too

I never have had thoughtful presents, my late DH once bought me a clock, then an ornament which I disposed of both when he was out.
I get things like cheap chocolates and boring paperback books. In fact I have not got a single present that stick in my mind. I am appreciative to the giver and say its really lovely but I cry inwardly thinking no one cares.
I had a friend who always gave presents from the charity shop and I would get an out of date smelly set or out of date chocs or biscuits that someone had given her. I used to pretend they were good but I cant understand why she didn't give me something new. she would spend maybe a couple of pounds on these gifts but I don't understand why she didn't just give me a new bar of chocolate or a small bunch of flowers costing the same. I hate pressies

During a hot summer when I was about 7 months pregnant with DD2, my DH bought me a 'Lightweight Ladies Lawnmower'. Very thoughtful!

Nothing has ever equalled the lifesize rocking horse my parents gave me for Christmas when I was six. My father made him and he was perfect in every detail. It's the only present that's ever left me totally speechless!

Deedaa your parents must have had a huge house to fit a 'life size' rocking horse in there what a lovely talented dad.

DH spent hours making DD a dolls house the Christmas she was seven. He finished it late Christmas Eve. She wasn't interested in it

The best present that I have ever received , was for my 60th birthday, from my daughter, and it was a 4 day holiday in Venice, with my DD. We had the most wonderful time. It was such a surprise, as I had always wanted to go there. DH & I have been back, & plan many more visits, as we both love the city.

My ex husband took me out for an expensive dinner for my 21st birthday. He then presented me with two gold chains. I asked him why two? He said he couldn't decide which he liked best so he bought both.

He also came home from work one day and bent down in front of the chair I was sitting on. He gave me a box, in it contained a gold watch. I was bowled over as it wasn't my birthday or anniversary. He had just wanted to buy it for me. I still have it.

My father made me a doll's house and the next Christmas he put in a system of lights and switches. I was so excited I was sick! My DD1 bought me a course of swimming lessons as I was afraid of water and couldn't swim . This was fifteen years ago. I was so thrilled to learn to swim. And DH wanted to give me an emerald eternity ring and I liked a diamond one and he gave me BOTH. The man's a treasure in other ways too. DD2 once as a student couldn't afford(forget) Mothering Sunday and brought herself. Loved that. i'm going soppy now.

Joelise - I love Venice too. DH took me their on my 50th and on our 30th anniversary. We have been four times now. Wonderful

I'm starting to worry now that no-one ever buys gransnetters any thoughtful presents, there are so many thoughtless hurtful ones on the other thread.

I have had quite a few over the years, not just the ballet tickets mentioned above, but a beautiful birthday cake delivered to my house, from a good friend when I said that since I had left home what I really missed was someone making me a birthday cake. Beautiful dangly earrings from MiL. A surprise xmas stocking from a sister that must have cost a fortune when I was a single parent for a couple of years.

But I have to admit to it being the thoughtless and hurtful ones that stick most in my memory, because I always spend more than I can really afford when I buy gifts. My own fault entirely.

DS1's family gave me a Hudl tablet last Christmas and I've found it very useful - not least when my Kindle died on me while we were on holiday in France. Some years ago, when my sister was here from NZ we planned a trip to Venice and the family gave me a birthday present of a gondola trip and historical walk round the city - sister was included in this gift, of course. In France, this year, with DS1's family, they gave me a flight over the Ardeche gorges in a microlight aircraft. Couldn't have a better family! The generosity gene comes from my father, but my DiL has it as well.

Last year was a big birthday for me and one of my presents was the School Friend Annual 1953. When I was a girl oh how I loved School Friend comic and had obviously mentioned this at some time and lo and behold there it was swiftly followed by Christmas present of my favourite book as a child (I read it so many times) Susanna of the Mounties by Muriel Denison - to me the most imaginative and thoughtful presents needless to say both from DD

Sparky, the School Friend annual 1953 onwards would be my ideal gift unfortunately none of my family would have the imagination to get it. Hope you enjoyed it x