70th birthday gift ideas

Feeling a bit stuck for 70th birthday gift inspiration? The good news is that when it comes to buying a present for someone special, there’s a huge range of brilliant ideas out there.
You might consider their hobbies, interests and passions… Is there something along those lines that’s a little luxury they might not indulge in themselves? Perhaps there’s a gap in their lives for something completely new? Or maybe there’s a long-held wish you could help them fulfil. If you need a bit of inspiration to get you started, here are our best 70th birthday gift ideas to suit a variety of budgets.
 

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1. Pampering gifts

The verdict is in: when it comes to birthdays, a pampering gift really is a winner. If spa treatments and beauty salons are a bit beyond your budget, why not consider a really good, nourishing body scrub as a budget-friendly alternative?
 

Spa gifts

“I think a spa day is a really lovely gift. A whole day of pampering, and it is something she would probably not buy for herself.” AEPGirl

An hour, a day, or a whole weekend of pampering and relaxing at a tranquil spa is a thoughtful and relaxing birthday treat that will certainly be remembered for years to come. For a truly show stopping gift, choose a deal that includes lunch, dinner or a glass or two of bubbly. If the budget will stretch to package for two she can take her partner or a friend (maybe you, if you present the gift with a winning smile!)

Try: a Spa Day from Virgin Experince Days 

 

Surprise birthday makeover

"A friend of mine very kindly organised a makeover including styling for me some years ago. We had a lovely day and I felt so much better for doing something very different and I learnt a lot as well."
Breda
 

A surprise appointment at a local beauty salon for a pedicure or professional makeup and hair styling might be the ideal 70th birthday present, especially if they're having a lavish party to celebrate the occasion. Not only will it be a fun few hours, but it'll make them feel like royalty for their big day, too

Try: A fashion makeover and photoshoot from Red Letter Days.

 

Give a new hairdo

“I love going to the hairdresser and always have done, real treat.” TrendyNannie6

 

Try: Buy a Gift for a hair spa package.

 

2. Food gifts

Homemade or hand-picked, delicious treats always go down well. And, better still, your recipient won’t have to dust it or worry about where to keep it - comestibles are a winner all round. Whether your budget is big or small, an edible gift is an excellent way of showing someone how well you know them. Here are a few ideas to get you started

 

Birthday hampers

"I have thought about this and what I would like to receive as a personal gift.
Jars of fruit in liqueurs
One box of good chocolate biscuits
One box of expensive truffles.
One good red wine
One good white wine
One bottle of Champagne
If it were to be hand delivered
One pack of smoked salmon with a small pack of blinis.
One smoked duck breast.
I could go on but I will have broken someone's present budget with that." AnnSixty

Go all out with a birthday hamper from the likes of Fortnum and Mason or a special birthday box filled with a variety of luxurious treats - and champagne too, of course. If this idea is a little beyond your budget, why not assemble your own birthday hamper filled with all of their favourite foods? You could even do a mixture of homemade and shop-bought gifts as well as adding some personal extras that you know they love.

Try: A birthday hamper from Fortnum and Mason or browse the wide selection of hampers from John Lewis

 

Give a great kitchen gadget

“I love seeing, buying, using anything for the kitchen. I suppose because the marketing of the items seduces me into believing my food will taste better?! After a working lifetime very far removed from the kitchen, I'm making up for lost time.”
Carillion

  

Try: Kitchen Craft Fondue set

 

Go to a farmers' market together

When it comes to 70th birthday gifts, Gransnetters always agree that simple time spent with loved ones tops their birthday wish lists. So, if you're looking for a slightly more interactive foodie present, why not arrange a family trip to a local farmers' market? Have lunch while you’re there and fill a birthday basket with goodies for them to take home and experiment with to remember the day.
Try: The best of London's farmers' markets.

Try: The best of London's farmers' markets.

 

3. Little luxuries

Who doesn't love a little touch of luxury? A soft pair of slippers or a new towelling robe - or perhaps a set of really good, intensive hand creams? Whether it's a personalised umbrella, a pair of 100% cashmere socks, or ridiculously expensive moisturiser, the point is that it’s something that they would never usually buy for themselves that says ‘you’re worth it to me’.

 

Slippers and soft robes

"My go-to items if I feel a bit chilly are my cashmere slipper socks." Washerwoman
 

Putting on a soft pair of slippers after a long day is a little slice of heaven for some. Whether they're made from shearling or cotton, as long as they hug and care for feet they'll feel like pure luxury on a chilly night. Or perhaps they would love a new comfortable robe to snuggle up in every morning while the tea is brewing?

Try: A luxury robe from The White Company.

 

A bottle of their favourite tipple

“I LOVE gin! I have tried many but go back to Gordon’s for a straightforward sharp, fresh taste. Tanqueray is very, very nice with a deeper tone. I was bought some Silent Pool at Xmas which is a very complex mix of almost spicy tones- it's expensive but comes in a gorgeous decorated bottle with a glass stopper - very retro. DH bought me some Whitely Neil for my birthday and that is very nice and again a deeper flavour.” Teetime

You can't go wrong with a bottle of bubbly or a delicious liqueur. Whether they prefer to drink locally produced ale, non-alcoholic, sparkling cordials or a specially imported gin, they'll love being spoiled with their favourite tipple on this special day.

Try: The Edinburgh Gin Liqueur Selection from John Lewis.

 

Beauty gifts

Intensive creams and moisturisers can significantly improve the condition of ageing skin, and using one of these products will not only make skin look glowing, but also feel healthier. Find out which brands are their favourite and treat them to a gift that'll make them feel beautiful inside and out. For inspiration, check out these skincare tips from industry guru Caroline Hirons. 

Try: the L’Occitane Verbena range from John Lewis.

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4. Birthday getaway ideas

 

No matter your budget, there is one gift that will always be well received - quality time together. Whether it's as a couple, with a friend, a mum and daughter break, or taking, the best 70th birthday present according to our users is the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. It’s a great excuse to have a little time away from normal daily life and a chance to make memories, too.

 

A weekend break

"It is my 70th birthday in September this year. We are going to Sicily the day after. Will probably have a family and friends meal the Saturday before, like I did for my 60th." NannyJan53
 

A two-night getaway in a beautiful city, such as Paris, Vienna or Budapest, is the perfect length of time to soak up the culture of another country, see some once-in-lifetime sights and enjoy a truly memorable couple of days. Perhaps your birthday girl would like to revisit somewhere she saw when she was young, or go to a city she’s never been to before. Either way, a birthday celebrated across the channel is sure to be one she won’t forget.

Try: Getaway deals from Secret Escapes.

 

A week away with the whole family

“The best present I received for my 60th was celebrating a few days away in a beautiful barn conversion in North Norfolk with our 2DDs and SILs, 2DGC, with DDad and DStepM joining as well for a couple of days and our dog. It was the first time away together. It was lovely and I was a very new Grandma then! Since then life has moved on, 3 more darling GC, the older generation sadly no longer with us, house moves and serious illnesses within the family and loss and arrival of dogs, but I have the memories forever.” GrandmaSeaDragon

Gathering all someone’s favourite people around them must be the greatest gift of all, and how often do we all manage to get a big gang of family together these days? A whole week with multiple generations is quite a feat to organise but some of the fun will be in the planning. A week near the sea or in some of the UK’s prettier countryside is a chance for everyone to relax and spend quality time together. Pack the buckets and spades and the board games to be ready for all weathers and plan in at least one special birthday meal while you’re there.

Try: Holiday Cottages UK

 

A luxury UK stay

 “Personally I would choose a weekend away, in as luxurious hotel as could be afforded, in the centre of an historic town with lots of things to do - Bath, York, Lincoln, check it out before you go. I confess to a preference for Bath. As one of Jane Austen's heroines says ' Who can ever be tired of Bath?'”
M0nica

A weekend in the UK can be just as lovely as a weekend abroad, and it’s a bit more hassle-free, too, particularly if you think they would enjoy something relaxing rather than rushing about too much.

Try: Mr & Mrs Smith for luxury hotels in the UK.

 

5. Unusual gift ideas

Buying for someone who doesn't want a lot of fuss is always tricky. Showing up with no present will feel odd, yet showing up with something unwanted will feel pushy. Fortunately, we have come to your aid with a few suggestions to inspire you and hopefully please your trickier recipient..

 

Donation to a charity of their choice

“I have several lovely scarves and bottles of scent given lovingly by DSs, but none of them really to my liking. I accepted them in the spirit in which they were given, but in recent years I have always asked them to give a gift in my name, be it a goat or chickens for an African community or equipment for a village school teacher in a remote area. I wonder what they'll think up for my approaching VERY BIG birthday.” AnnoDomini

If helping others is their passion, then what could be better than showing your support and joining in? Get the whole family involved with a donation to a charity that's close to their heart. You won’t clutter their house up with things they don’t want or need and they’ll get to feel as though something good has been done in their name. Many charities now offer an option to ‘sponsor’ a child, an animal or even a tree or building, which often comes with regular updates they can check on, making it a gift that lasts for much longer than just the day itself.

Try: A charity gift voucher from Charity Gifts.

 

Have a birthday family photo shoot

"I had a professional come to our house and take a set of photos in the garden and house that my husband and I could choose from. It is costly but you do get some carefully thought out good photos and now I am older they are a nice memory for me too." EmilyHarburn

What better way is there to celebrate a special family member and create lasting memories? Having a professional take the family snapshots means you can all relax and focus on enjoying the day with your loved ones. If you're at a specific venue on the day, hire a photographer to shoot on location. Professional photography tends to look so much more natural these days so banish any fears of Vaseline on the camera lens and wooden ‘boudoir’ shoots! A shoot done out in the fresh air or in a place that’s special to the gift recipient will make it a day to remember.

Try: Wowcher's Family Photoshoot, including prints and digital images.

 

6. Subscription gift ideas 

Certain types of gifts will keep on giving - sometimes even for a whole year! There are so many on the market now, with deliveries of everything from cheese or liquorice to books and board games, so you’re sure to find something to suit your recipient down to the doormat.
 

Flower deliveries

"My daughter has given me letterbox flowers from Bloom and Wild every month for my birthday. On the whole they are wonderful. If you look after them as instructed they last longer than any flowers I buy in the supermarket and they are different from the normal bunch. As their name suggests they contain some unusual flowers apart from roses." Dragonfly46

Who doesn’t enjoy the luxury of fresh flowers in their home? Yet very few of us treat ourselves to more than a 50p bunch of daffs at the checkout in M&S with any regularity. Florists have really upped their game recently, and there is a huge array of floral subscriptions to choose from. What’s lovely is that usually the flowers will be seasonal so it’s a nice way to feel the passing of the months with each bouquet that arrives. Lots of companies also offer letterbox subscriptions so you don’t need to be in when they arrive; they usually come with instructions on how to arrange them beautifully yourself, too.

Try: A Letterbox Subscription from Bloom and Wild. 

 

Book club or magazine subscription

"Every year I receive a subscription to Good Housekeeping as a present from a loved one, which makes me think of them each time a new edition arrives." Tabbycat
 

If you need a gift for the family's bookworm, but worry that you don't know their taste well enough, why not treat them to a book club membership? As an annual subscription, they will receive one book a month for a year based on their reading preferences. Or, if you're after something a little lighter, an annual magazine subscription might be just the ticket - choose one that reflects their interests and hobbies from fashion to cooking to travel and technology.

Try: Magazine subscriptions from WH Smith.

 

Food subscription gifts 

“I bought six-month Bakedin subscriptions last Christmas. One was a bread one and the other a cake one . They were a fantastic hit and the boxes are beautifully presented with folders to keep the wipe down recipes in. There are back-up videos if needed online. The variety of cakes and breads was excellent - and we had tastes of each one. All were successful.” Granshe

 

Try: Gift monthly cheese from The Fine Cheese Co.

 

7. Throw a 70th birthday party
 

"I had a party in our local and was amazed at the people who turned up, friends did food and my DD had a display of pictures of me over the years which was hilarious. A great evening.”
JaxJacky

If they’re an ‘experiences’ person rather than a ‘things’ person, a party in their honour is a wonderful present and an obvious way to let someone know just how much they are cared for. The best thing about a party is you can tailor it completely to your budget. In many ways a lavish ‘do’ in a posh venue is just as wonderful as a church hall where all your friends and family have turned up with a dish and a photo of you to add to a display. You could theme the party around the birthday girl’s interests, go for fancy dress if you think people would enjoy it and organise surprise guests and entertainment.

Try: Check out Marks & Spencer's range of made to order sandwich platters and their full range of party food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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