We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
50th Birthday, present & party ideas (merged)

Alison_B
Posts: 2,124 Forumite



Can anybody help. It is my brothers 50th birthday on Friday and I haven't got a clue what to get him. I don't see him much (about 3 times a year), so I don't know what he has got or likes. I have tried asking him but he just says nothing but he doesn't have much money for things. Last year my sister and I clubbed together and bought him a patio table and chairs but I am totally stuck for this year. I did think of the usual booze but he has been put on medication, so cannot drink anymore.
The only thing I could come up with was vouchers so that he could go out for a meal but that isn't very exciting for a 50th.
Any ideas? I don't want to spend more than £30 though.
Thanks
Alison
The only thing I could come up with was vouchers so that he could go out for a meal but that isn't very exciting for a 50th.
Any ideas? I don't want to spend more than £30 though.
Thanks
Alison
0
Comments
-
Very difficult, when you don't know his likes and dislikes. You mentioned vouchers for a meal, but what about vouchers for books or music? Is there another family member that you could question about his likes and dislikes? Not very helpful, I know...sorry!:snow_grin"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow........":snow_grin0
-
Thanks for replying. My sister is just as stuck as I am for ideas. He doesn't have any money and is very much in debt and I think he feels embarassed as he can't buy presents for us on our birthdays or christmas, so he won't tell us.
If anybody can think of something I would be grateful.
Alison0 -
Could you invite him around to your house, with your sister, and cook him a really nice meal? Get out all the old family photos and have a good old reminisce over a bottle or two of wine?
BTW.... this thread has reminded me that I shall be 50 next birthday......so don't go arranging anything too strenuous for the old boy!!
Or could you take him for a really nice day out to the seaside or the countryside, with a yummy home made picnic?:snow_grin"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow........":snow_grin0 -
Why not take him out for the meal yourselves, rather than vouchers? Much more personal, and a chance to see him?
If he is skint, why not think of something like cinema tickets, tickets to the match, a gig etc, something 'frivolous' he would not normally fork out for.
A magazine subscription? National Trust membership? A DVD player if he has not got one? PAYG mobile (trying to think of things for about £30 he might not have if he is not so well off).
Do you know if he needs anything replacing that is old or owrn out - dinner service etc? Plants or features for the garden? A nice pebble fountain etc?"It was not my intention to do this in front of you. For that, I'm sorry. But you can take my word for it, your mother had it comin'."
Overlord for the Axis of Evil (part time)0 -
You can get rose bushes with suitable 'names' eg:
http://www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=77874&CategoryID=8
Plant them in the garden for him, and he can spend all summer admiring them from his patio furniture
Named roses do go down well. I bought 3 wedding related named ones for my brother when he married. They are moving soon, and are digging the bushes up and taking them with them. He was so thrilled with them, he can't bear to leave them behind!Here I go again on my own....0 -
I shall be 50 on sunday - aargh - but only on the outside. I can always think of ideas of what to get othes, but never know what to say when asked what I would like, what would you say if you were asked - really THOUGHTFUL but not silly money gifts, ie vouchers for time spent with someone special?Carolbee0
-
Two presents spring to mind.
One was 'silly money' but was given with great love and thought, and so was very special. Our neighbours - one couple I mean - for my 50th gave me £50 in a card ( :eek: FAR too much!) But not only did I have a £1 for every year, but they INSISTED I spend it on something extravagant, and enclosed a list of suggestions. Top of their list was afternoon tea at the Savoy, and they'd made a provisional booking for me and my husband! :j
The other was a totally unsolicited and unexpected pressie from my darling husband, 'just for being you' of a personal DVD player, which I love to bits and which accompanies me when I have to travel for work, and makes long journeys SO much nicer!
The best thing about both of them was the love and thought which came with them :TEx board guide. Signature now changed (if you know, you know).0 -
I think we would like the OH's to remember when we said months ago 'oh I would really like to have one of those plants for the garden/go there/see that concert wouldn't we? and just the thought of them remembering would mean the world. here's hoping (if h's looking its a Magnolia, St Ives, Rod Stewart in that order!!)Carolbee0
-
Hello Everyone,
i am soon to be 50 and realy dont no what i want for a present form my partner, he wants me to have a keep sake of some sort but realy dont have any idea apart fron a new body lol can any body give me some ideas WHAT DID YOU HAVE ?
please helpEvery cloud has a silver lining:j0 -
sorry i for got to say thanks in advance.
pipEvery cloud has a silver lining:j0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards