topic Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday! in Among Friends

Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

frisco — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:01:31 GMT

My daughter in law's mother is turning 80 in a few weeks.

I am pretty close with her and would like to get her a present.

Hopefully you guys will have some good suggestions!

thanks in advance

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:19:44 GMT

80 of something she enjoys (ie wordsearch puzzles, packets of hot chocolate...)

Or you could do a 'welcome to the 80's' theme and get something that was popular in the 1980's (ie leg warmers, ??)

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

jackthebear — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:30:38 GMT

ask your Daughter in Law for ideas

failing that

digital picture frames family can send pix to it

gift cert for ordering dinners for herself ,

audible subscriptions if she likes audiobooks

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Desertdi — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:33:27 GMT

I would prefer $80 in greenbacks.......

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Sooner — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:48:07 GMT

I would not get her "stuff". All the 80-year olds I know do NOT want more stuff.

I would also get her something you know she likes and enjoys. Ask and find out what she loves. Don't go for cute or surprise or "something she wouldn't buy for herself" unless she has asked for one.

Even when people say they "would love to have" something it doesn't mean they really want one. I found that out the hard way.

I also found out the hard way that gift giving is successful when the recipient gets something (even a small something) they want, and not when you are trying to look smart and creative. . .

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Shanus — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:55:24 GMT

From 80+, my Mom enjoyed body/hand lotions, etc. If closeby, a visit is the best gift!!

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

FastDogWalker2 — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:58:17 GMT

I would go the plant/flower route and include a gift card

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

geezerette — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:25:00 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I would not get her "stuff". All the 80-year olds I know do NOT want more stuff.

I would also get her something you know she likes and enjoys. Ask and find out what she loves. Don't go for cute or surprise or "something she wouldn't buy for herself" unless she has asked for one.

Even when people say they "would love to have" something it doesn't mean they really want one. I found that out the hard way.

I also found out the hard way that gift giving is successful when the recipient gets something (even a small something) they want, and not when you are trying to look smart and creative. . .

@Sooner

I think you're right. I know my mother was that way.

And I'm not even close to 80 but I don't want any more 'stuff' myself. I don't buy things for myself that I know I would like, let alone have someone buy me something that they "think" I would like.

In fact, right now I'm staring at a couple of gifts I just received that I'd love to get rid of. But I know I would be hurting someone close to me if I don't display them.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:32:27 GMT

If she lives where it would be appropriate, a beautiful hanging basket of flowers.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:39:58 GMT

I agree about not getting 'stuff' but there's a difference between things that are useful and things that sit and collect dust, die within a week or require care.

Ideally, the op would choose something based on the recipients love language (service, quality time, words, affection, gifts). It would also be great if she considered her nature (kid at heart, sentimental, practical, intellectual). Even if something seems boring, a bit of creativity can add some fun.

(just some considerations for *anyone* needing gift ideas)

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Pook — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:41:08 GMT

@frisco Like others said I would not get more stuff unless there is something you know she wants. Also, unless you know she likes flowers and would want a plant that she has to care for not good presents. Better to ask your DIL what would be a good gift.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

eadu4 — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:50:50 GMT

I say give her a card and put a lunch date in there. You will pick up the lunch of her choice bring it over and spend the afternoon with her.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 25 May 2021 18:58:12 GMT

I'm 83.

I love food items that I often don't get to buy for myself. Like maybe special ice creams or deserts or even a meal delivery or 2.

At this point,I really don't need anything else...........lol

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:01:30 GMT

@FastDogWalker2 wrote:
I would go the plant/flower route and include a gift card

Sorry @FastDogWalker2 I hate (sorry for the strong word) when I get flowers /plants ect! Save that for my funeral!

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Melvin-QVC — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:13:44 GMT

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Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

Patriot3 — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:17:03 GMT

A gift card to her favorite grocery store. We can always use that!

Hand soaps from BBW.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

matty liz — Tue, 25 May 2021 19:17:16 GMT

I think she would enjoy lunch with you and if necessary your daughter in law

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

RedTop — Tue, 25 May 2021 20:29:58 GMT

My mother just turned 87, and her best birthday gifts this year were separate visits from her children and grandchildren where everyone carried in something, from cut flowers, Whitman's candy, mixed nuts, chicken from KFC, fish from Captain D'S, and a deli sub.

Mom has dementia and doesn't leave the house, so sit down visits, food, and pretty flowers to look at for days made her very happy.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

River Song — Tue, 25 May 2021 20:35:33 GMT

A lovely card and beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Re: Need help with birthday present for 80th birthday!

chrystaltree — Tue, 25 May 2021 20:39:50 GMT

Tell us what she's like, what type of person is she? What does she like? Saying she's 80 doesn't help, 80 year old women are not all the same.