How much would you give your sister for her 50th Birthday pressie?

Scottish_Lass_3

Hi all

Just looking for some advice....my sister reaches the big five oh next week, and she has loads of jewellery, ornaments and clothes etc...:D I asked her what she would like and she said she would quite like money towards a fairly expensive painting she has always wanted.

I am not hugely well off...and probably would have spent about twenty five pounds on a pressie...but feel this is a bit of a mean amount to give her in cash for some reason.

How much would you think was reasonable?

Justie

that's like asking how long is a piece of string... it's really up to you what you feel you can afford. If you'd spend £25 on a pressie then give her £25, if everyone gave her cash it'd soon mount up. If you can stretch then £50 for a 50th is quite nice but not if you can't afford it. If you have the kind of relationship where you can do cutesy things then you could give her a pound a week for the next 50 weeks as her birthday pressie that way you spread the cost and you could make a little card or note with something nice in each week. There really isn't a right and wrong here...

misty

Agree with the above - £50 for a 5oth. However, if you can't afford it - you can't afford it. A nice card with a well meant personal message will mean more than cash you can't afford - and if it doesn't then she doesn't deserve it anyway!!!

Lucie_2

It's difficult isn't it? I try not to give cash to adults (teenagers are grateful for even the smallest amount ) as there is a very fine line between giving too much & being accused of being flash, or not giving enough & looking tight. You can't win.
How about you speak to some other family members about it, and you all pay your money direct to the shop that she's buying the painting from? That way she doesn't necessarily know how much everyone has given, and she will only have to pay the extra bit herself (you never know, you might pay for it outright between you & she'll have a lovely surprise). It all depends on what you call an expensive painting I suppose.

Scottish_Lass_3

It's difficult isn't it? I try not to give cash to adults (teenagers are grateful for even the smallest amount ) as there is a very fine line between giving too much & being accused of being flash, or not giving enough & looking tight. You can't win.

Exactly! I know there is no 'right and wrong' in a situation like this...I just wondered what others would do. I love my sis to bits, and finding fifty quid won't be THAT hard I guess...but I probably wouldn't have gone out and spent that, if you know what I mean. Probs just bought a nice gold bangle or earrings or something. But when someone tells you they would like the cash...sister or not, it is awkward to know the 'right' amount to give!

seashore321

If she wants a picture then find a load of old photographs with you and her together in them (if you can) laser print them or use the originals and put them in a nice picture frame. (i know it sounds mean but charity shops have some great ones very cheap). Start from baby and work up to now. Put a nice message on the back (or front) saying something like. Money cannot buy how much you mean to me... a memory of the joyful times we have spent together.. .sisters by birth, friends by choice.. love unreservedly....

Soppy I know but sometimes something you made with love is worth more than money..

:rotfl:

Garnet_Gem

I would give her the cash amount that you would have spent on a present if that's what she asked for but I wouldn't add any extra just because it's cash.

victory

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Oldernotwiser

Scottish_Lass wrote: »

Probs just bought a nice gold bangle or earrings or something.

For 25 quid? You'll be lucky!

Edit: Not that I think it's not enough to spend; it's just what you think you could buy with it!

Whino

What about 50 x 50p's?

Ellie2758

Get together with others and pull all your money together so she can choose the painting she wants.