What should I ask for as a birthday present?

Nottoobadyet

Hello all :beer: Im turning 27 today, lucky me!

My mum has texted to wish me happy birthday and ask what I'd like as a present. I of course thanked her and told her I didnt need anything, but she has insisted that I tell her something that I'd like to have.

Now, my mum has had a rough few financial years and I send her money every few months. So clearly, I dont want to ask for anything pricey or for money.

I live extremely far away (she is in New York, I am in Papua New Guinea) so I cant ask her to cook me a meal or similar. She is possibly the worst cook on earth so I dont want her secret recipes to anything

I dont have a postal system so cant ask for anything that can be sent. I will next see her in about 10 months when I take my home leave.

In the past she has bought me e-books as a present but because of Amazon's zones this doesnt seem to work.

Any ideas?

Trazy

As you don't really need anything why don't you ask her to donate something to your favourite charity?

Toto

Happy Birthday!


How about think of something you care about and get her to volunteer for a few hours on your birthday. Maybe something like a homeless shelter/food kitchen, reading for the blind, animal shelter etc.

bagpussbear

Magazine subscription?

krlyr

How about treating yourself to something little and telling her you'll take the money out of what you send? My mum does similar with my brother who's up in Scotland, she borrowed some money but deducts from it to buy gifts for family on his behalf, to save him having to post everything. That way you can choose the budget, too

stir_crazy

Going along the same lines as the e-books, what about a gift card for Amazon? They're valid for a long time so there shouldnt be any problems with time zones, etc. I think you can get any denomination from £0.50 (or $0.50) and it can be emailed to your email address instead of being posted.

Oh, happy birthday!

TBagpuss

Happy Birthday - Does she have a digital camera? Could you ask her to take up to date pictures of herself (and any other family members who live with/near her ) , and e-mail them? It involves her spending some time, but doesn't cost her anything, and gets round the postal issues.
Alternatively, you could say you'd like to go out for a meal with her when you are next in NY - that gives her time to save up if she wants to treat you, and if she can't, or doesn't, then at the time you can stress to that that the 'gift' is spending one on one time with her, not the food, and get her to take you to a coffee shop or cafe that she can afford.

Alternatively, suggesting hat you treat ourself to something nice and that she pays you back, either b deducting from the money you send her, or on your return (depending on how much she relies on your help) would be an option. It also allows you to control how much is 'spent' so she doesn't get into financial difficulties.