50th Birthday Gift?

[dtr_angel]

Here's a tough one... my mom is turning 50 on the night that her youngest (my baby brother) is graduating from high school. We've had a rough year as a family, so she really doesn't want to celebrate her birthday and concentrate on his graduation. I did ask her if we could go to dinner as a family for her birthday the night before or the night after to celebrate and she said yes. I'm stuck on what we should get her though, 50th is a big deal and I feel like she should get something nice or special, especially since she's giving it up for my brother's graduation. I know she doesn't want an ad in the paper or anything like that But any ideas? Budget might not be an issue since between my husband and I, my dad, and 2 brothers we can all contribute. The only thing I have come up with so far is a certificate for a mani/pedi - we haven't done that since my wedding 2 years ago and she liked it, but she would never spend the money to get herself one. Shes one of those kinds of moms, she would never spend money on herself, she'd rather spend it on us (and she still does it for me and I'm married) So I always like to go a little overboard on birthdays/holidays... any ideas appreciated!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

What does she like to do?

A spa day might be nice, and a little more special than a manicure or pedicure alone.

What about a gift certificate to a favorite boutique or clothing store?

Does she have a hobby of any sort? A gift certificate to use for the hobby, or supplies for that hobby?

Is there something she wants to learn to do? Could you set her up with lessons or classes for whatever that might be?

Does she have or want an iPod? Something along those lines? What about television? A new flat screen television would be one heck of a great 50th birthday present if she wanted one and doesn't already have it?

Car care? Sometimes having prepaid oil changes and car wash/detailing/cleaning is a great gift.

Speaking of cleaning, how about a series of house cleaning visits by those Merry Mollys or whomever?

 

[horseshowmom]

I agree with the spa day. My husband gave me that for Christmas a few years ago. I absolutely am NOT the spa type of person and put off going until the very end of the expiration timeframe (actually dreaded going ). I found that I LOVED it! The massage was heavenly.

In fact, I liked it so much that I stopped on my way out and bought our daughter the full works for her 18th birthday (which she also loved!).

 

[prncess674]

I think you need to give us a $$ budget. I would give a casual friend a gift card for a mani/pedi, so we really need to know what your budget is for this momentus occasion. I am lucky that Mom & Dad have B-days within a month of each other so I usually give them a weekend together at a bed and breakfast or a GC to a local restaurant where they can order to their heart's content.

 

[lynn46356]

I had to smile when I read this post as I'm turning 50 this year also. I've told my family I don't want any SURPRISES nothing for my birthday. In my dreams I'd be at Disney celebrating my 50th with my husband and kids but that's not going to happen. That being said, I'd go with a gift that she will have forever. Although I love pedicures/manicures/spa days, etc. I think a gift of some sort of jewelry that she can have forever would be wonderful. On my 40th birthday my husband surprised me with an anniversary ring sort of with rubbies and diamonds. It wasn't too expensive because believe me we couldn't afford a very expensive item like that but I love it and wear it with my engagement/wedding band. Happy 50th birthday to your Mom!!!!

 

[Forevryoung]

This probably only worked because I already had the "skills" but what I did for my mom's 50th last year was AMAZING (I have the pictures of her seeing it for the first time to prove it).

We (aunt, sister, grandma) went back and found tons of photographs of my mom in all stages of her life (baby to present) with loved ones (her parents, siblings, me/sister, my dad, her best friend) and alone.

I printed them all on a special fabric and I laid them all out into squares to make a giant quilt. It makes everyone cry happy tears to look at it. She wants to hang it on the wall in her room.

 

[horseshowmom]

This probably only worked because I already had the "skills" but what I did for my mom's 50th last year was AMAZING (I have the pictures of her seeing it for the first time to prove it).

We (aunt, sister, grandma) went back and found tons of photographs of my mom in all stages of her life (baby to present) with loved ones (her parents, siblings, me/sister, my dad, her best friend) and alone.

I printed them all on a special fabric and I laid them all out into squares to make a giant quilt. It makes everyone cry happy tears to look at it. She wants to hang it on the wall in her room.

Adding to this idea, you could also do a photo book for her. I did these at Christmas for my mother and MiL. Our daughter was married last June, and I used those pictures for the books (8.5 x 11 with hardback bindings). Everybody who has seen them has had a fit over them. It takes awhile to put them together, but there are lots of codes out there for the various sites for discounts.

 

[dtr_angel]

This probably only worked because I already had the "skills" but what I did for my mom's 50th last year was AMAZING (I have the pictures of her seeing it for the first time to prove it).

We (aunt, sister, grandma) went back and found tons of photographs of my mom in all stages of her life (baby to present) with loved ones (her parents, siblings, me/sister, my dad, her best friend) and alone.

I printed them all on a special fabric and I laid them all out into squares to make a giant quilt. It makes everyone cry happy tears to look at it. She wants to hang it on the wall in her room.

that's awesome! I have no skill, but I loved the idea and just found where I can get them made online with uploaded pictures. I just emailed my aunt to have her send some old pictures, this is the one I'm thinking
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2403889&findingMethod=rr

she'll love it!
Thanks for all the ideas, the spa is out, I don't think she'd like it and we only have one place like that and its super expensive and for tourists. So I think the quilt, the mani/pedi and I'll throw some of these other ideas out to my dad and brothers and see what they think. I have made her a bunch of photo books, but maybe one for her 50th would be nice too, she loves that stuff. Thanks again!

 

[Sinderelly]

The thing I want most for my 50th birthday is a face lift and to be with my DGS in Disney World or onboard the Disney Magic!

 

[horseshowmom]

that's awesome! I have no skill, but I loved the idea and just found where I can get them made online with uploaded pictures. I just emailed my aunt to have her send some old pictures, this is the one I'm thinking
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2403889&findingMethod=rr

she'll love it!
Thanks for all the ideas, the spa is out, I don't think she'd like it and we only have one place like that and its super expensive and for tourists. So I think the quilt, the mani/pedi and I'll throw some of these other ideas out to my dad and brothers and see what they think. I have made her a bunch of photo books, but maybe one for her 50th would be nice too, she loves that stuff. Thanks again!

If you go through bing, you can get a certain percentage off Walmart (I think it's 8%, but I'm not sure).