What do you get someone for their 80th birthday?

boglefan



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 511

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 18:44

Going to a surprise birthday party for my OH aunt's 80th birthday tonight. Decided just to give her gift vouchers which I think is ok. However, one of her sons in his wisdom (or otherwise) has got her a 10yr diary. Is this the deed of an optimist or does he have a cash back deal with the store if she doesn't manage to fill it all in? What do you think and what would you get?

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 18:47

Could be pushing your luck with a calendar even

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 18:54

I know this may seem strange but what about a puzzle? It will keep her mind alert and give her something to do.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:07

As 'Im downstairs celebrated his 80th two months ago, I was asked by many 'What shall I get'. What none of them did was to ask my fella direct, and it got me guessing. Obviously when you have lived for 80 years you may well have much of what you want, but the things You haven't got are unaffordable.

My husband likes crosswords and sudokus, so was very happy to receive books on these; others bought handkerchiefs cos he needs them; others bought wine for him to celebrate; and even beautiful roses by way of inspiration.

Why not ask the Aunt what she wants? Or, the idea of gift vouchers means she can get what she wants, if she is not telling what she wants.

Actually I think 80 is not much different to any other birthday. What does the rec\ipient like? Do they have hobbies? What are they lacking? And what can I give them that I would like to receive myself.

Happy shopping. As to 10 yeaqr diary, same as 10 yr driving licence -optimistic.

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:38

For a lady (which she is as she's an aunt) of 80 I would get her a large and bright mixed floral display in a basket which should brighten up her room and give her pleasure and hope for a few weeks at least. BUT I personally think the best present for any octogenarian is to have all their loved ones with them to help celebrate the special occasion.

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:41

My nan, who lives in Girne was 80 this week



she got some lovely flowers from the Belediye...she was really chuffed

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:46

an 80 year old man?

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:48

my mum is 92yrs old and as she has everything she loves to receive, slippers, flowers, chocolates, biscuits, bailey's and advocate (so my dad can make her snowballs!)



my dad is 90yrs old and loves slippers, nuts, cheeses, toffees, biscuits and a good malt whisky, even better if the whisky comes in a nice tin (he saves them)



but swannee7 is right, we will be flying back to the UK at easter for mum's 93rd as we did last July for dad's 90th with the duty free baileys and whisky of course x

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 19:48

How about taking your aunt somewhere she wouldn't go by herself and to something that is of interest to her. I recently took my mum to Wimbledon for a tour as she loves it and is glued to the tv for the 2 weeks its on.

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 20:58

I would get her a family photo. All the relatives, old and young - reminding her that she is part of a loving family that appreciate and value her as part of them ...........

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 20:59

oops - forgot to add, a collage of family photos if getting everyone together isnt possible!!!

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 21:04

Tickets for a show.!

My P's are in their 80's now and we have done Mat Monro Jnr. Andy Williams and Rat Pack.

My lovely Dad has Alzheimer's but will remember the words to all the songs.

We regularly check out their local theatre and buy tickets on line for anything we know they would like. Easy to do from here too!

clayton


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 1143

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 21:53

send him to thai land with some spends

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 21:57

A 'memory box' for her to fill with pictures of the family, with names and dates written on the back, a theatre programme of a show she enjoyed, picture of a favourite pet or house she loved living in, postcard and pictures from a holiday they enjoyed, with details written on the back, a lock of her hair, a favourite recipe, scarf or jewellery or empty perfume bottle from someone she loved, an old ration book, a newspaper published on their birth date........et cetera - there is no limit as to what can go in it.......then any time a family member wants to sit with them, they can open the box and as they chat about each thing brought out - memories and happy times will come flooding back - it also may give upcoming generations knowledge of their elderly relative's life perhaps unknown to them.......

clayton


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 1143

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 22:03

sorry didnt realise she was a lady

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 22:24

MsGarnet - we on the same page!! A memory of all her family and past times - wonderful!!! Thats what I would like when I am 80 !!! (in 60 years ha ha ) - nah, being honest in xx years time!!!

jasmina


Joined: 08/06/2008
Posts: 139

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 22:33

My Mum was 80 last month and I travelled back to the UK for the occasion. I treated her to a trip on the Orient Express (Northern Belle), with a six course festive champagne lunch, a big suprise for her and she felt like royalty!



A day to remember for both of us, expensive but well worth it, your only 80 once but not sure how I'll top it next year!

LondonCypriot


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 426

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 22:45

A big buch of roses should do well.

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
09/01/2010 23:26

BoTanica, the photo is a lovely idea. On my dad's 90th birthday we had a photo taken of Mum, Dad, my sister, my brother and myself sat on the garden wall. They have lived in the same house for 65yrs! This photograph is proudly displayed on the 'sideboard' Our family sat on our wall of our house! My mum and dad love it x

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
10/01/2010 08:18

A This is your Life book with all the news as it happened as near her birthday for the 80yrs. (good things that happened in the world) Also all the happy events in her life, family photos etc.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
10/01/2010 23:24

Lots of good ideas above. When I was in a Sharjah club few years ago, a man told me he would

be 80 in 20 mins. when the clock struck midnight! He was still working part-time. I danced with him,

and bought him a bottle of champers, which we all shared,

then his boss (shamed?) bought another bottle and they had to carry him out! He really enjoyed

himself though.

boglefan



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 511

Message Posted:
10/01/2010 23:42

Thanks everyone for the input. Aunt Margaret had a ball at her surprise party. Her sons had got her as one of her pressies a digital photo frame and had scanned old photos as well as up to date ones which she loved. She got lots of flowers but mostly cards with either cash or vouchers which I think she will enjoy using when the weather improves. It was great meeting up with some of the family who stay further afield and it was such a good night I have spent today recovering. Methinks someone must have put too much soda in my drinks! We shared the night with a family who were celebrating a diamond wedding with a telegram from the queen no less. Fun was had by all.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
11/01/2010 06:13

So happy that your Aunt had a wonderful Birthday, lets hope she has many more

sheila

booitsme


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 667

Message Posted:
11/01/2010 11:10

As my mum isn't very agile and has just been admitted to hospital I'm planning a nice treat for her for ther 80th next month. I'm going to book her in for a lovely manicure and hand treatment. She can't lie down for a proper massage and can't stand her feet being touched so eflexology is out. I thought this little bit of pampering may be a good way to give her a boost. I love Scoobydo's idea of a trip to Wimbledon as she would have loved that but it's just not "do-able" and Vidal I did just that for my dad's 80th. He also has alzheimer's but loves all the show music. I got tickets for dad and mum went to see West Side Story and he had a ball joining with all the songs - don't know what the folk around him thought but he enjoyed it so much it was well worth it