It is my friends mothers birthday today, the family is going out on Sunday and I have been invited, because we were neighbours for around 12 years, I thought its only polite to buy her a birthday present, but what the mmm cabbage do you buy for a woman who is retired and has everything?

Ladies please help and give me some tips.
My budget for my friends mothers birthday present is £30...

I had a look on http://www.prezzybox.com but couldn't decide what to buy :( ..... Help Please?

I suppose a trip to Victoria's Secret is not the answer

Actually the easiest thing to do is a gift card either from a place that she likes to shop or eat at.... That way they will use it for themselves..

Or one of the prepaid Visa gift cards so she can use it anywhere..

Hiya bnelson,


Mmmmm I dont think her son and daughter would be impressed lol
Thanks for the input none-the-less.

Thank You TxsGal
Choosing presents for others, other than friends is so hard,
Its not like choosing a present for yourself lol

Right now I have a short-list of:
-> Perfume
-> Gift card

Thank You for your help too

I'm with Txs - a visa gift card might be the best thing you can get her.. I realize it may seem a lil impersonal.. but like you said.. she has everything and is retired so.. best to give her something she can make up her own mind on.. perfume is kinda personal and no doubt others will have thought of it.. so I'd strongly advise the Visa Gift Card!

I'd suggest adding a note to the b-day card.. maybe along the lines of "I wanted to get you something that you'd really like, but thought you'd be the best person to choose it!"

Jaan I went and peeked at this website. I would give her a Gift certificate there.. There is so many neat ideas on that site.

I saw several things I would love to have..
Great site and they ship to the states
Thank you

Hey Jaan!


Don't bust your head over this mate, I'm assuming she's in her 80s+?

Retired, has everything she needs... Go with flowers

The Gift card or visa card idea kinda gives me the shivers if you're close to this family. But that's just me and I've been wrong many times before

Candy.
Box of whitmans.
Tea sampler.


Personally, I'd stay away from perfume unless you know what she wears. It implies that you like sniffing her. i.e. you see the relationship as more intimate.

I'm biased against gift cards. They seem stupid.
Giving cash = bad, crass for some reason.
Giving cash that happens to be on a plastic card that can easily expire, possibly limits where you can use it, and sometimes charges a fee from the balance to maintain = good.

Hi Jaan,

It's always tuff in a situation like this but how about a good pair of leather gloves. I think that would be a wonderful gift. Flowers too.

Yup I'm with John, gift cards just say "I was too freaken lazy to shop for anything".

Eatables are always nice, chocolate, candy, you're English right?, how bout a nice selection of fine teas? and of course there's always flowers,(not too extravagant, small simple is the way to go).

Ummm.. give me the $30 I'll take her out..ok... I promise to give her a birthday she will never forget....lol..
Jk... get her a box of chocolates and with the rest of the money a bunch of scratch to win tickets...in..card..

A gift card to a day spa where she could get her nails or hair done.

Im no good at shopping for someone ether .