topic Re: Gift for 90th Birthday in Community Chat

Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 02:54:24 GMT

I am usually pretty good at choosing gifts and I'm known for always getting it exactly right (!), but this one is a bit of a challenge. My cousins are having a party to celebrate the 90th birthday of my beloved aunt, and I am at a loss re a nice gift for her.

She's not "elderly" other than her age. She has some vision problems, but is otherwise in good health. My uncle is in good health as well. They are fairly wealthy, have a pretty active social life, and lots of friends. She doesn't live near me (so taking her out for dinner or something like that is not an option), and I don't really want to give her a gift card or anything like that.

I'm trying to give as much info as possible, to rule out things like stationery & stamps, or a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or things more appropriate for an elderly person who rarely leaves home.

TIA to anyone who has any ideas! I have a few of my own, but would love to hear other opinions. Thank you!!

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

blackhole99 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 02:58:04 GMT

If your aunt has a favorite charity she donates to, you could donate to it in her name.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

tansy — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:00:53 GMT

If you have an exceptionally nice pic of her -- old or new -- find a pretty frame for it.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

feline groovy — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:11:46 GMT

Perhaps a gift certificate to enjoy a manicure, pedicure, and/or other 'pamperings' at a day spa?

She can even get her hair colored, cut, and/or styled for a refreshed and updated look.

If she hasn't done this already, of course.

They sound like an amazing, extra-blessed couple.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

IamMrsG — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:13:16 GMT

If you have time to get this done, buy a really nice scrapbook. Disassemble it, and send a page to every cousin. Ask them to fill their page with their best, most fond memories with your Aunt and Uncle then return the page to you. Re-assemble the book and present your gift at the party.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

Moonchilde — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:13:29 GMT

Audiobooks, if she has enjoyed reading in the past.

A subscription to audible.com

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

hummermom — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:15:37 GMT

NYC Susan, perhaps a series of floral arrangements? You know, like "flower of the month," only better?

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

Pearlee — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:23:04 GMT

My mother was the "woman who had everything" and didn't need anything. She has always liked lovely decorative glass works of art.

I was at a loss as to what to get her for her 90th birthday when I was browsing the gift department of one of our fine dept. stores. There it was! A beautiful glass plate with an artistic birthday cake slice with birthday candels on it as the design on the glass. It was perfect. I hung it in her bedroom on a plate holder right opposite her bed, where she could see it every day when she woke up, to remind her that all her children came to her 90th birthday party to celebrate it with her.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:23:51 GMT

@baker wrote:
If your aunt has a favorite charity she donates to, you could donate to it in her name.

Thanks - I will probably do that in addition to whatever I give to her. We have a family fund established in the memory of a family member, so we all contribute to that fairly regularly.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

Pearlee — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:25:28 GMT

NYCSusan, I think we posted at the same time so I hope you see my post. Thanks.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:25:36 GMT

@tansy wrote:
If you have an exceptionally nice pic of her -- old or new -- find a pretty frame for it.

Good suggestion, but she wouldn't really want a photo of herself. (I understand that, because I wouldn't want one of me either!) Last year I gave her a photo of her grandchildren in a beautiful frame, and she really loved that.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:29:48 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
Perhaps a gift certificate to enjoy a manicure, pedicure, and/or other 'pamperings' at a day spa?

She can even get her hair colored, cut, and/or styled for a refreshed and updated look.
If she hasn't done this already, of course.

They sound like an amazing, extra-blessed couple.

I'd rather not do gift cards/gift certificates, and she has her hair done, manicures, etc. all the time so it wouldn't really be special. She doesn't need an updated look - She stays up to date! That's one of the things that makes this so hard. She really doesn't need anything, and she has a very full life.

Yes, they are an extra-blessed couple. You are so right! Our family is amazingly blessed.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:31:54 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
If you have time to get this done, buy a really nice scrapbook. Disassemble it, and send a page to every cousin. Ask them to fill their page with their best, most fond memories with your Aunt and Uncle then return the page to you. Re-assemble the book and present your gift at the party.

I love this (and she probably would too!), but there's not enough time. Thanks!

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:33:50 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
Audiobooks, if she has enjoyed reading in the past.
A subscription to audible.com

Thanks. She has some audio books, but she prefers actual books and has lots of those.

I appreciate all of the suggestions. This is really a challenge!!

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:34:55 GMT

@hummermom wrote:
NYC Susan, perhaps a series of floral arrangements? You know, like "flower of the month," only better?

I love this idea, but it's way out of my budget.

If someone did this for me, I would be thrilled!!!

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:36:23 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
NYCSusan, I think we posted at the same time so I hope you see my post. Thanks.

Yes, I'm reading all of the replies now.

Your idea sounds lovely, but it's not really her taste. Very sweet, though! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

NYC Susan — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:38:27 GMT

I'm so surprised to get so many replies so quickly! I honestly didn't know if anyone would reply at all, so thank you all SO much!

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

Silver Lining — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:52:09 GMT

How about a good quality piece of fashion jewelry? Maybe a pin/brooch or earrings or bracelet?

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

sunshine45 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 03:53:58 GMT

since you cannot take her out to dinner, why not find a private chef in their area and have the chef come in and prepare a gourmet meal for them in their own home?

Re: Gift for 90th Birthday

sallybusky — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 04:05:28 GMT

There's a magazine called Reminisce; it has articles, pics, ads, and lots of fun info about the 40's, 50's, 60's and more. I enjoy it, and it frequently stirs up some fun conversations between my mom and me. Maybe your aunt would like a sub. to that?