What would you like for your birthday?

Like Pinkshoes we made a box of little things for our DD big birthday. Getting together 40 things was a challenge but if you have GC they can do pictures etc. When we got near the end we did cheat a bit and put in a box of 6 chocs. to make up the numbers. The look on her face was absolutely worth all the trouble that we had gone to.

We've booked a cottage on the Suffolk coast and the family are joining us. Out for dinner on the Saturday night and probably out for other meals.....breakfast in the farm cafe is a must! DD is making me a cake and knowing her cake decorating skills, will be something fantastic and very appropriate. OH has asked what I'd like presentwise, but the only thing I'd really like is one of those garden swings to while away the summer afternoons. It'll be present enough to have my family together as it doesn't happen very often. DS works abroad so isn't home that often. I'm not expecting or looking for gifts from anyone else.....though cards would be nice!

It's my 80th birthday next week, I'll let you know what gifts I receive- if any!

If you have enough time, ask the family and your Mum's friends for memories that they have of your Mum. My daughter did this for my Mum and Step-Dad. She then wrote each memory on a piece of card with the name of the person who had come up with it and rolled it up like a scroll (tied with thin ribbon) and put them in a gift box.

She managed to get 365 'scrolls' and told them they could open one every day -obviously you can decide upon your own 'rules' should you do this. They absolutely loved it because 1) it showed them how much people loved them and 2) it brought back precious memories, some of which they had forgotten. They were also great for triggering other memories.

My best present from daughter was an Apple ipad, so that i can Facetime her and see the family in real timel. She gave it to me just as she was about to have her first baby (obviously she has one aswell) so that I could see the new baby as often as possible. My daughter in law also has one, so if I can see my other grandchildren frequently too. Fantastic. Especially good if you live far apart. (Also teach her how to use it).
Finnsgran

I'm amazed that so many of you expect to receive really expensive gifts! I'm with Pinkshoes26 on this - small, thoughtful presents, individually wrapped makes a delightful present. The best gift of all is your time. Hope this helps.

I had my big 60 this year and the best present was spending time with my kids and grandkids all together at once as I rarely see them all together. This also meant we could do a group photo which I will always treasure. My present was a charm bracelet, each child gave me a charm for it with significance to them. That's lovely too as it reminds me of each of them when I wear it.

One of the nicest presents I got last birthday was a canvas printed with loads of photos of GC. A montage.
I got one of them done in a studio too last Christmas. Beautiful.I have it where I can see it when I'm walking around house so feel they are around all the time. (TBH they often are anyway )

Each Christmas my DD used to send her Gran (alas she passed away a couple of years ago) a calendar. DD collected photos from the family including cousins and other occasions with Gran and put them on each month of the year. And Gran always looked forward to receive that. One of my favourite presents from my other DD is a year supply (2 monthly delivery) of our favourite blend of coffee that she ordered online. I presume you can do other things like box of chocolates or bunch of flowers delivered every 2-3months perhaps? Good luck and many happy returns to your Mum!

On my recent birthday I had a garden swing seat.
I love it and so do my GC.
My GS actually fell asleep in it

I also had a play date followed by lunch at whacky wear house (with GC of course).

I would fill a small box with lovely things all wrapped in tissue paper and wrap the box in birthday paper.
In the box, which has to be kept light for postage. I would put things like free travel sachets of shampoo/ bubble bath/ perfume. Packet of flower seeds. Bar of chocolate. Mini drink. Few photo's. Colourful socks. Magazine. Small cake/biscuit packet.
The pleasure will be in receiving a parcel and opening the small thoughtful gifts in a gift bag inside the box.

I love being with the family on my birthday too and receiving thoughtful little presents. Having said that, I still feel I should be spoilt with treats I wouldn't normally buy myself like tickets to a show, afternoon tea, a new Radley handbag etc. For a significant birthday I might hint at a short holiday.

One year, the family gave me a balloon flight. I said I'd like to have a flying lesson for my 80th, but they decided to give me that five years early (just in case...) and I really loved that. So, if your mum is a crazy as I am...!

I like jane10's idea. You've bought her the pottery, why not try and arrange a visit if at all possible, and a posh tea out, theatre vouchers, NT membership, or membership of something she's interested in, some art classes, etc. You know your mum. You didn't mention her age, so that does have some bearing on what might be appropriate.

As Ian Drury said: All I want for my birthday is another birthday.

My 70th is coming up shortly and I'm not bothered about gifts. I'm spending the day with my children and their partners, and my granddaughters. That's what makes me happy. The bonus is that we are all spending the day in Wales, having a go on the longest zip wire in Europe!
It's all being together that counts for me

I'm not sure what the significant birthday number is but I know my MIL liked things for herself that she wouldn't have been able to afford on her birthday- loved jewellery and French perfume particularly. We always bought something like that and her eldest son gave her pictures of the grandchildren (his not ours) which she already had lots of and they received a cool welcome. She was very aware of herself as a woman until she died just before her 102 birthday- it all depends on that person doesn't it?

PS the jewellery went to the eldest sons daughter when she died- pity he hadn't bought any of it!!!

I have just celebrated my 70th and I received a new laptop and a Sony tablet. I also received a voucher for a stay at a famous hotel in the Lakes and also a trip to another European country. I also received a framed photo of family, most acceptable.
Previously I have received vouchers for afternoon tea in nice hotels, that is a lovely experience.
Good luck at finding just the right gift.

If she's not local and its a big birthday can you possibly make a present of yourself? Spend the amount you'd have spent on a gift on your transport costs. I guarantee that she'd appreciate that more than anything.

What suzied said. Complete with a lovely frame of course

One of my daughters knows that I love owls so gave me a voucher for an owl experience. We arranged it after my birthday on a day when we could all meet up. It was wonderful and I have a photo of my grand daughter with a barn owl on her hand and my grand son was very gently holding a baby barn owl.

The celebration does not have to be on the actual birthday and I know that you are unable to be with her on the day but unless you are a really long way from her, it would be good to arrange something where she can spend time with her grand children.

A week after my 70th we all met up in a hotel for a family dinner and stayed overnight. It was a lovely, happy weekend.

If you have brothers and sisters it would be lovely to have a photograph of you all together with the grandchildren.

All the Grandchildren got together and contributed something for my Mothers birthday it had little stories of when they were younger , poems ands drawings etc I collated all this and brought it all together with a simple timeline and used family photos etc, she loved it . Could also be added to each year.