topic Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend in Community Chat

Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

ciao_bella — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 13:56:08 GMT

A long time female friend, who I get together with for lunch or dinner once or twice a year, is having an 80th birthday party that her son is hosting. She called me yesterday to tell me about the party and invited me. It will be on a Sunday at the end of July. I won't be able to attend because my brother and SIL are flying from CA to NJ to visit that week and we have made plans together which includes the day of her birthday.

I would like to send her something for her birthday, but I'm at a loss for what I should send. A little background. Her husband was a jeweler for almost 50 years, so she has tons of jewelry. She's very spry and takes good care of herself and, honestly, doesn't look 80 years old.

Any suggestions as to what I might be able to send her? I guess I could always default to flowers, but I thought maybe someone might come up with something else that would be appropriate.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

Sooner — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:03:00 GMT

The last thing most people that age want is stuff! I'd do a lovely card, if you have a photo of you two do a picture to go in it, and a sweet gift card to either Amazon or maybe a book store if she reads.

Just a small "here's for you to have fun with" gift card and a note about what her friendship means to you and the kind of person she is that means something to you!

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

On It — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:10:15 GMT

@ciao_bella I would send a birthday card. In signing the card I would mention how much you enjoy her friendship. If you are so inclined, you could include a separate note explaining your brother is visiting and you are hosting, but you would like to take her to a belated birthday lunch.

At this stage in life, all I want is people's time. I do not need gifts.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

JYWilliams — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:21:56 GMT

I agree with @Sooner . The photo and gift card is a good idea. Also if you have several photos of the two of you together you can make some kind of memory book. And the note also is a great idea. I wrote my friend a note just to tell her how much her friendship meant to me over the years and she really appreciated it. She mentioned the note to her husband and he was even touched. I sometimes think the simplest gifts mean the most.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

wagirl — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:12:52 GMT

I LOVE @Sooners suggestion!!

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

jackthebear — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:15:04 GMT

gift card if you know her fave store

otherwise Amazon

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

LizzieInSRQ — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:27:38 GMT

Gardening kit
Spa gift certificate
Door Dash/Grub Hub gift card ( who doesnt want dinner delivered somtime)
Two tickets to local museum/aquarium/theater/zoo
Vermont Brownie Co / Harry & David.etc. . Gift
Gift Certificate for New Balance sneakers
A cool belt bag in her style she could use on her walks/exercising/ active life

With the exception of the gardeningkit bag and shoes, note was suggested was consumable and not anything to store or display. My elder 95 yr old friend appreciates that as he "has enough 'stuff' and does not need any more".

Think along thise lines for more ideas. She sounds amazing and so do you @ciao_bella @ ❤

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

Daisy Sunflower — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:23:41 GMT

I would mail her a b-day card with a Walmart gift card inside.

(I'm assuming she lives near a Walmart.)

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

LindaSal — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:30:12 GMT

These are some nice ideas...... For me though I think I would send a card with a nice summer scented candle. Candles always bring me comfort as do my very best friends!

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

Still Raining — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:37:30 GMT

I second the suggestion of a photo from the early days of your friendship. Would be a treasure of a lifetime friendship.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

haddon9 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:38:33 GMT

You have lots of great ideas!

I also like the card with a photo of the two of you and you can say that you'll take her out to a special birthday lunch when the both of you are able to get together. You can also send flowers with the note of a future lunch. (I always like when someone sends me flowers).

If she's not on a restriced diet, you can give her a box of high end chocolates when you have lunch with her. My brother gave me a box of chocolates and it was something I wouldn't have purchased for myself and it was apreciated!

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

RetRN — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:38:43 GMT

I think a candle or a reed diffuser would be nice. Getting flowers is always thoughtful too.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

jlkz — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:54:41 GMT

@ciao_bella

I would find a " Friendship " card and, in a note as another poster here suggested, write something personal as to what the friendship means to you.

Then I would invite her to a special dinner to celebrate when your California guests have returned home. If you know which restaurant she would love, specify it or leave the choice up to her.

Personally, I don't do flowers for a number of reasons. She may or may not: you know her best.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:44:34 GMT

To me, one of the best gifts is to show someone that they are seen and understood. So gift her based on these two things:

- her love language

words (a note/letter as has been suggested)

time (lunch at a later date)

service (take her for a mani/pedi, offer to weed her flower beds, etc)

affection (self explanatory)

gifts (based on below)

- her nature

spontaneous, loves surprises (gift certificate to movies, concert, etc)

sentimental (framed photo of the two of you with note as suggested)

physical, active (tickets to a dance club or swing dance class)

intellectual (puzzles/games or books that you've learned something from)

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

on the bay — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:06:47 GMT

@ciao_bella,

If it was me I mostly love flowers- I really do and cards are so meaningful too or even a flameless candle with extra batteries. That is what I would remember and like the most.

I actually do not like gift cards and to me they aren't that meaningful, and also make me feel obligated to do one more thing.

But you know your friend the best.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

occasionalrain — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:25:24 GMT

@on the bay

I dislike gift cards and I love flowers. Nothing would please me more than getting a beautiful bouquet for my birthday.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

on the bay — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:29:19 GMT

@occasionalrain ,

Really me too!

And I also remember flowers I got and cards for a long time after and the happiness and thoughtfulness they gave me. I also save treasured cards and continue to enjoy them.

I guess I would feel like I had a bunch of chores to do if I got a lot of gift cards.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

Skyegirl21 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:32:45 GMT

If you bake, and it can be sent to her in a timely way, send a homemade treat! I know I LOVE people who bake.,! 🤣🤣💝

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

kaydee50 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:32:42 GMT

I like the idea of the previous poster. Do you have a pix of the 2 of you together? That would be nice along with a card.

Re: Birthday Gift Suggestions for a Long Time Friend

riley1 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:40:09 GMT

@ciao_bella - You have some good suggestions here. No need for me to anything else. However, I was going to say a picture of the two of you in a nice frame.