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.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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
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.
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!
I have been invited to a surprise 50th birthday party for someone I do not know that well. I thought of getting her a gift certificate to a spa or something, but she works at a gym/spa and I think she already gets a discount on that.
I really don't know much about her except for that she owns her own business, is a gym instructor on the side, and is very athletic. She has three little Yorkies that she and her husband treat like their kids. I'm not really sure what would be a good gift for her. Any ideas? (Gag gifts are out since, again, I don't know her that well.)
By Stephanie from LA, CA
A gift card/certificate to a pet store or one to a restaurant.
A gift card for clothes for her, good luck.
Maybe a gift card with a personalized note that says, "Please give this gift card to somebody you do not know well", giving is the greatest gift.
Since she loves her dogs so much, I'd find the best quality, gourmet doggie treats you can find and buy her a bag of those. You can call places that board dogs; those high end pet "daycare" places. They usually carry expensive foods and unusual items for pets.
You can not go wrong with either candles or frames. They are the first things I think of when I have to get something for someone I don't know well like you.
Good luck!
Since you don't know her well, you should not have to go broke in finding a gift. Make her something nice--whether it is crafted, hand made or baked. When all else fails, get a box of chocolates or certificate to DQ, etc.
I know gift cards have been mentioned but what about a gift card from a Sports Shop. if she is athletic, she may appreciate it more. if gift cards don't sound appealing, the safest thing to get her is a selection of healthy foods in a hamper. what she doesn't like, she can give away but there's bound to be something there that will be acceptable.
Since she and her husband are obviously animal lovers, how about a coffee table book of animals or one of just dogs. Just be sure there are some Yorkies included in the pictures!
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?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
What to get for a 50 year old woman who is very self centered?
By Twinoakmom
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?
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
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
