I'm invited to a BDay party for a relative. She is 65, just moved and had to downsize bigtime. She just got rid of a lot of collectibles, knick knacks, jewelry, you name it. I think a gift certificate is probably the way to go but I know from experience this isn't her favorite gift. Any ideas? Thanks!
Fresh flowers! That's my default- they are beautiful, people love getting flowers, and they are perishable so no added "stuff"!
Take her out to do something - dinner, a play, a baseball game - something that builds a memory for you and for her.
Do you know if she likes any certain foods? Like a nice basket she could use for storage filled with - nice jellies and breads or coffees or teas or wine or fancy crackers and cheeses or chocolates (Godiva).
Try World Market for
do 30 of one thing and 35 of another.....lottery tickets, postage stamps, a candy dish of hugs and kisses candy etc!!
I know you said she doesn't like GC's, but what about a massage? Or a mani/pedi? I like the restaurant idea too :) All of those may not be practical though, but I'd love to get one! LOL... Ooh, movie tickets? Scratch off Lottery tickets? I'm just thinking of things she would use and not have to find a place to put in her new "down sized" home.
Foods are a good idea. It's still gifty, but it won't clutter up the house! If you have a fun gourmet chocolate or ice cream store near you, you could go that route. Godiva is also a good idea as well as maybe Harry and David or Dean and Deluca goodies. Maybe you could put together a theme gift of foods like for a Friday evening at home do a small bottle of wine (or sparkling water or something), chocolates, popcorn, cheeses, etc. Or a work snack basket with various, non-messy snacks and little drink mixes or something. Or just do a giant box of chocolates! ;)
-a DVD of her favorite movie or a comedy you think she'd like
-dozen roses from your local grocery store in a nice vase
-your time: visit w/her, bring her her favorite take out food
-a list of 65 reasons you love her including some of your fave memories
-a CD of her favorite songs
-a bottle of her fave wine, cheese & crackers
If she recently downsized I'd be hesitant to buy a gift that would just give her stuff..probably duplicating some of the stuff she just got rid of :)
My mom, too, always said she didn't like gift cards, but when she receives them for practical things, like for restaurants, grocery stores or gas cards she loves them!...she just doesn't like gift cards to department stores because she hates to shop. Maybe your relative is like my mom.
Good luck & have fun at the birthday party.
How about something like taking a cooking class together or something of the like? Or if she likes wine, a tour of a local winery?
How about a gift certificate to a spa for a pedicure/manicure? All women love being pampered, no matter their age. A lot of older folks consider this a treat because many live on a budget. This way, no worry about doubling up on something she probably has or something she won't use! It's a win in my book!
Rubber Plant? I have always wanted one and it can be indoors or out.
Do you enjoy each other's company? Perhaps a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant, a museum, or some other place the two of you would enjoy. Make the certificate enough to take the both of you and let her know that you plan to spend some special time with her.
A voucher for a future playdate with you for a dinner together, a movie, a community theater play, a spa treatment (depending on how intimate you want to be with this person) or some other experiential event you two might enjoy together.
My mom's advice was to give something "disposable" to someone who downsizes (or if you don't know them all that well). Meaning candles that will burn, a bottle of wine, food basket, etc.
Good luck!
Does your relative drive? What about a gasoline card? A grocery card so she can fill up her new fridge? A gift card to the nearest bookstore (oh, wait - that doesn't quite go with downsizing!), or for a manicure or a pedicure? When you make an impersonal gift certificate more specific, it becomes more personal. Add a really personal note to it - something about how much you love her, and how she used to be the woman who had everything but she got rid of it, so you're trying not to clutter up her new space? Can you do it in rhyme?
Something that is only ever 'rented':
Aka consumed
Aka
- Food
- Wine / Beer
- Hot Chocolate
- Firewood
- Lightbulbs
