Birthday gift ideas appreciated.

How about a subscription to her favourite magazine? Or some expensive jams or chutneys she might not buy for herself. Or take her out for lunch and then you could both enjoy her present !

Does she have a favourite charity she supports? My family give donations to mine, and I to my mother's. We don't give Christmas at all to adults, so it's only birthdays that need sorting

I agree with the lunch idea or maybe take her for a day out to a National Trust place/ exhibition/ theatre and treat her to a meal/ cocktail/afternoon tea whatever you think she would like. I’m almost that age myself and I’d love it if a friend did something like that for me.

Saga are doing a special rate for their magazine if you take a years subscription.
I believe you are sent a magazine on a monthly basis, which are full of interesting information for the older person.

I think going out is lovely, and no more stuff to take up space.

Or what about a planted pot for her front door. Such pleasure when going in and out.

One of my daughters bought me a birds of prey experience and I had a lovely time. They put big gloves on us and different types of owl and other birds of prey landed on us! The one we went to is in north west England. Stockley Farm.

Search online for 'gift experience', otherwise ...
Afternoon tea somewhere nice
Coasters with a photo of her grandchildren/house/pet
Voucher for a favourite restaurant/ hair salon/ cinema
Luxury hamper
Also, search online for 70th birthday and you'll get aprons, tshirts etc

Thank you to you all for replying. There’s food for thought here, with some good ideas.

I have a friend who is seventy soon e are taking her and her husband out to dinner.

We gave a Birds of Prey event to my DH which he said was one of his best presents ever.

My DD bought me a riding lesson ( horse mad gd idea) followed by a full body massage in the afternoon for my 70th birthday a couple of months ago!
I used to ride when I was young but hadn't been for a long time. Both granddaughters and their Mum joined me for the lesson.

If you drive you could take her out for a surprise tour somewhere nice followed by lunch and/or afternoon tea.

I have recently had my birthday. I said please no presents because I really have enough stuff but I did get some lovely ones. A beautiful shopping bag, scarves, bottles of champagne, pretty gardeners goodies.
I like the idea of an outing. A friend and I always do this sometime between our birthdays.

Take her to the cinema and a meal afterwards?
Lunch at a garden centre and a plant for the garden?
Garden vouchers?

By the age of 70, people have all the ornaments they'll ever want and consumables are more welcome.

Depending on how active your friend is she might like something exciting like a fencing lesson or a subscription to a club of some kind e.g. croquet.

Does she like spa treatments? You could both go and make a day of it.
A subscription to the RHS or National Trust.

Afternoon tea voucher. With a bit of luck she will take you! Alternatively you can send cakes or chocolates, if that might be her thing. If she has a pet you can get a pet portrait, have a look on etsy. Also good for handmade personal objects too.

I have a friend who celebrated a "big zero" birthday this year who is really difficult to buy for. However, she's very interested in wildlife so I gave her the British Wildlife Photography Awards book which was something she'd never have bought for herself and was much appreciated. Maybe the OP's friend has an interest which could be catered-to with a suitable book?

I'd go for the evening out. let her choose the play/show from a selection you give her. Alternatively, and I'm not sure if these are still the fashion, but mystery dinners or a wine tasting might make for a meal out together with a difference.

Some good ideas. Thank you. I'll let you know what I decided when I decide! ?? (I think I have more or less decided, but have a few weeks yet before I must make the final choice).

Posh afternoon tea with Prosecco.

A hamper full of goodies , include something to eat , something to drink, something to wear ie a nice pretty scarf, something to do , a book , a film ,cinema tickets, manicure, pedicure, nice hand cream. I would love something like that.

Or even a spa day. A day of treats and snuggly white gowns .. what’s not to like ?

I am not sure where you (or she live) but take her somewhere highly luxurious for Afternoon tea. A few years ago I was taken to the Savoy for afternoon tea as a thank you for something I did, and more recently we took DD to the hotel at Luton Hoo for a magnificent tea, when she reached a Big Birthday.