This weekend My family and I are traveling 10 hours via SUV to my sister in-laws 50th Birthday. I just paid ALOT in taxes (today) and gas prices are out of this world. I would be grateful for any gift idea that are inexpensive.
Time is short, but you can still pull this off.
Put together a "Pamper Yourself" basket. Use any old basket you have around the house. If it's dusty, rinse it with warm water and scrub with a toothbrush. Let dry outside or in a well ventilated area!
Now, visit your dollar store and buy a couple of instrumental CDs for $1 each. Something relaxing, according to her taste, if you know it.
Scour your kitchen and pantry for flavored teabags (it doesn't have to be a whole box), a pretty teacup and saucer, a nice cloth napkin, packets of hot chocolate, homemade cookies -- whatever you can find. If needed, put some items in baggies and tie with a piece of ribbon.
Add a nice magazine in her area of interest, a few pieces of gourmet chocolate. Or, go for nail polish, a facial cream or mask, or makeup. Again, browse the dollar store for ideas. You can get a LOT for $10 or so.
Pull it all together with a cellophane bag or clear plastic wrap. Use a 4X6 index card, or a piece of cardstock to make a big tag. Write on the tag,
"It's 5-0 clock. Time to Pamper Yourself!" Cut it out in a taglike or heart shape, punch a hole and tie it to the basket with a pretty ribbon.
Essentially, you're making something out of (almost) nothing. Use anything you have at home and add a few purchased items. Color coordinate if possible.
Have a safe trip, and give the birthday girl a big hug. That will mean even more to her than the gift.
You are right about the gas prices. How about a gift from your printer. Pull out some old family photos that your sister-in-law would enjoy, perhaps of her kids when they were younger, etc. and print on your printer.
Years ago I made "special me" cans for my sisters and each 1 of my 5 kids. I decorated a can and wrote 25 things on strips of paper about why they were special. 16 years later, they all still have their cans. As my sister turns 50, I'm making her a new "50" can, with 50 things about why she is so special in it. To this day, my family says the cans are the best gifts they received.
My sisters and I want to give my mom a really nice 50th birthday gift but can't decide what to get her. We originally planned to buy her the new iPhone and record a heartwarming video for her to watch on the phone, but she went and bought herself an iPhone for Christmas!
My other idea was to just give her money, but I would like to give it to her in a memorable way. Any ideas?Later this year, my lovely wife will be turning 50 and I want to make her day very special and memorable. I adore her to death and I think she is the sexiest and most alluring woman I have ever known. So far, I have a gift ready and I am planning a party for her. The gift is a functional "statement" piece, a Tiffany tote bag, and the party is more of a casual dinner with a few friends and work colleagues.
Over the past few years, my wife has worked very hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, and has lost and kept off 75 lbs. I have not only taken notice, but have encouraged her to stay at it for her sake as she looks great. Nonetheless, I have the opportunity to give her a gift that I feel really makes a statement about how great she looks which costs about the same as bag I already have for her. It's not at all "trashy" but says, "At 50, I can still rock things out."
My question is, is this too much for this occasion? Part of me says, no, because it's a very special day for her while the other part says, the bag and party will make it memorable. I'm kind of leaning in the direction of making the latter part an "overflow" for next year.
Thoughts?
I am a bit stuck at the moment and need help. My wife's 50th will soon be upon me. I have two sons age 7 and 13. What can I get for my wife from my sons? They are ready and willing to do anything, but money is very tight!
By Gary L
Your sons can consider giving their mother a jar or box of messages on folded paper. Each message will say one or both of them will do a specific chore without question, give their mother time to herself by setting up their own time to play games etc. (together with you?), help her with a specific task such as preparing a meal, there are so many possibilities!
I believe she would be surprized and very happy with this gift!
Dinah: That is a great idea. Another is making a photo collage of them with her on a specific sized poster board piece so that it can be enclosed in a frame. Most second hand frames are in pristine condition and you can place them all together on a wall. She sounds like a lucky lady and you and your boys are lucky, too.
If you do either suggestion, please post it here. We love to see what people do with our suggestions!
PBP
We are taking a girl's trip to Jamaica to celebrate 50th birthdays. There will be 8 of us going. The problem is 6 of them are turning 50 this year, and I want to do something special to surprise them while we are there. I also have to worry about packing whatever I'm taking. Help!
By Kathy H. from Louisville, KY
What to get for a 50 year old woman who is very self centered?
By Twinoakmom
A gift voucher for a manicure/pedicure/facial or a massage would probably stroke her ego to no end!
I am 21 years old, but unfortunately something went wrong between my mom and myself. There is a lady who is living in Canada, she doesn't have daughters. So now we are talking everyday and I feel I am not alone anymore because she is my mom. So I wanna send her a surprise gift. Please tell me what is the suitable for her? She is a Srilankan lady.
By Shehara from Colombo, Srilanka
This is so sad. I wonder what went wrong between you and your Mother. Search your heart and ask yourself what part you played in the relationship. I was angry with my Mother for several years but when I had children of my own I came to understand the sacrifices she made and the reasons why she did some of the things she did.
We can divorce a spouse, breakup with a lover, drop a sibling or a friend but when we alienate ourselves from the one who brought us into the world we are not whole and we will suffer the consequences in one way or another. Maybe not now but surely later.
As parents we do the best we can with the life we've endured and the hand we've been dealt. The lady you now call your Mother may not be a Mother herself if she were I'd think she should be understanding and try to help you bridge the gap between you and your Mother.
I don't know your situation and your Mother may be abusive but you're old enough to live on your own. But you must find it in your heat to forgive but it doesn't mean you can forget. Those are two different things. Good luck to you and your future.
A favorite relative will be celebrating a 50th birthday this spring. She adores hummingbirds and has all sorts of hummingbird "stuff" in her house. I need a suggestion for an inexpensive gift that will be unique and awesome! It doesn't have to be hummingbird theme. I am crafty, but can't draw, paint, etc.
By Linda L. from San Diego
Hi Linda. Silly, but seriously, one of the sweetest gifts I received on my 50th birthday, only a few short years ago, was something I didn't believe anyone should waste their money on.
Told my husband, year 1 of our now 25 plus years of marriage, that this particular gift was fine for our anniversary (supply is high on that date and demand and cost is low at that time of year) but never on my winter birthday or Valentine's day when the prices are jacked sky high. Made sure all my family and friends understood the same. Yes, I'm that thrifty and that practical, although some call it "bossy"!
My husband politely "obeys" but my younger sister and brother-in-law (guess it's worth noting here that they live two states away which may account for their bravery) said "Deal with it 'cuz it's a milestone birthday" and on my 50th birthday they sent two dozen, long stemmed, fresh roses to my front door.
Made me smile and cry and take in the lovely sight and scent for over two weeks. My husband was as thrilled as I was, and he was touched and grateful that I was touched and that all these touching moments happened without him "breaking my rule" of no birthday long stemmed roses. I know this kinda sounds weird, but it works for us, like I said, 25 plus years and counting! :-)
Long story short: Buy your relative something she loves, but could never ask for and pretends to snub, that you know will make her smile. Then promise never to do it again until her 100th birthday. Then do it again for her 100th birthday!
Happy birthday to your relative and friend!
My mother is throwing herself a 50th birthday party and hasn't left much for me, my brother, and my father to do. She hates surprises and it's too late to try and put together a photo album or something. We have a small budget (just being honest). If anyone can please give me some guidance as to what we could do for her that would put a smile on her face, please let me know. Thanks.
By DominiqueP from Atlanta, GA
If she has pierced ears, get her a pair of small earrings (pearls are nice). If she wears necklaces, a small nice necklace would be a special gift. If nothing else works, a small box of candy would be appreciated also. Stores like Walmart, Kmart, Target or Walgreens will have what you need.
Buy her 50 of her favorite candy, i.e. peppermints, or chocolate kisses. Or find a penny from every year that she has been alive. Do other 50s like paper clips, pencils, pens, etc and put it all in a special basket to give to her. 50 flowers!
For a friend of mine who loved sewing, I put together 50 blocks of fabric and rolled it up for her to use whenever she was ready.
Have fun with the number 50!
Send each guest a small cellophane bag,and a piece of curling ribbon, think corsage bag, and ask them to put 50 of something in it and tie with a ribbon. Suggestions of 50 pennies, 50 peppermints, pretzels, bobby pins, little silly toys like small cars, As guests arrive have a large bowl like a punch bowl, large snifter, etc to pile all the bags in!
My mom is turning 50 this year and I want to get her something big and something really special (doesn't have to be both). I was thinking a new TV, but it doesn't seem to be something she's too excited about. I think she might like something more like an experience gift.
