Golden Wedding anniversary gift.

While it no doubt is lovely to give and receive things, I am still clearing out items that were from my parent's 40th and 50th , as well as 25th! None of which have any use!
A rose bush, gold leaved shrub, patio container are all pretty reasonably priced or how about arranging for a tree to be planted in their name or sponsor an animal they like, give a donation to a charity they support, voucher for an afternoon tea or you may even be able to arrange for afternoon tea to be delivered.
Or how about getting together with other friends and pay for a weekend away somewhere in a hotel ?
One year my siblings and I clubbed together to pay for a weeks holiday in Devon that they thoroughly enjoyed - it was the first one on their own without children or grandchildren since their honeymoon !

Or maybe you coul

When friends of ours, both widowed and in their seventies married, they specified no presents at all but that if appropriate they were invited to dinner at the guests house.
They had lots of invites and we complied.
I think they had months of lovely evenings and so of course did we when they came to us.

It’s sad but you always see anniversary items in charity shops. I agree with another poster that as you get older, you probably don’t want more china and ornaments, and the AC certainly don’t want to be getting rid of it in the fullness of time.

I'm in the throes of a very special celebration and, I tell you, the meeting up with friends and family for lunch, AT and dinner are better than any 'stuff' no matter how beautiful or spectacular. One little tip I would (somewhat reluctantly) give is, do not send flowers. I was overwhelmed beyond the point of pleasure. Never imagined that could be possible. I now consider it the easy option. If the person (people) is important then do something personal. I've had visitors from near and far and outing treats beyond belief. All pretty simple but just wonderful and NO stuff. Give a gift of yourself and forward dating is highly acceptable - something to look forward to - a theatre/cinema/coffee get-together. Just this morning I received a Cornish clotted cream package for immediate consumption (I complied!!). I tell you a little bit of company, simplicity and imagination is all that is required. Go for it. Good luck!

My sister and brother-in-law celebrated their 50th recently and, as I knew they needed nothing for their home, I bought them an afternoon tea 'experience' at a really lovely country hotel. They were thrilled, and never having been there before, have visited again recently, and still talk about it.

I think the rose bushes, bay trees etc is a lovely idea. What I would definitely not buy is any kind of ornament - Flog It is full of older people saying they are decluttering and o one wants their stuff. A treat like a restaurant meal, theatre tickets etc is usually appreciated. If housebound how about a subscription to Netflix

Just remembered one I gave to a friend, a standard lavender plant in a nice pot to stand by their front door.

Roses grow well in a pot. I only have a large balcony as I live in a flat but my rose thrives. I think the rose present sounds lovely. You could perhaps do a non keeping present like champagne or chocolates to go with it and wrap in gold paper/ bottle bag

Some really good ideas here. A rose bush sounds good, but they only have a, small slabbed area with pots - though perhaps the rose would be OK in a pot, if it was big enough. ?

For our last significant anniversary ( not Golden) we had lots of good bottles of wine. I wrote the name of the giver on the back of the label and sent a thank you email when we actually drank it.

Someone bought us that Golden Wedding rose and someone else a voucher for out favourite local restaurant , now sadly closed.
The least useful was a years subscription to English Heritage, we were already members of NT, unfortunately there are no properties within 50 miles of us!
We had a fair number of bottles if wine, very much appreciated and garden loungers from our S, very useful.
For friends, who let’s face it mostly have everything by then, a garden plant or foodie gifts are ideal.

Also the cake slice which was gold coloured metal

Sara Miller for Portmeirion SMCY79036-XG Cake Plate S/2-Light Grey Boxed Set, White/Gold www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JNGMJP1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_B-51DbXVNK9Q6?tag=gransnetforum-21
last year for my friends, I bought several items for my friends anniversary from this range. As you can see, there is gold in the decoration and as my friends love birds, it was doubly appropriate. I got the small cake plates, cake forks, two mugs and a large cake plate. They come beautifully boxed as well.

Or maybe a voucher for a meal for two at their favourite restaurant that they can use when all the celebrations have died down ,

If they like gardening , there is a beautiful yellow rose called Golden Wedding , we received one last year and it was a lovely rose and a gift that keeps on coming year after year,(Hopefully)