What do you buy for someone turning 70?

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp, an experience gift of your time is perfect.

[Anonymous]

I don’t buy my mom physical things. I buy her tickets. For her birthday last year, I took her to see MJ the Musical. She loved it.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised all your parents don't want presents. My mom is 71 and is obsessed with getting presents. I swear she'd think a lunch or an experience gift was a gift to me (since I would go to the lunch too). My mom likes jewelry, Hermes scarves, perfume, home decor, basically anything luxury.

For a 70th we would go on vacation with her (she'd have to pay for her and my dad though since airfare, hotels and tickets are $$$) and I'd pay for my kids and spouse to go as the gift. We did Paris and Normandy for my mom's 70th and for my dad's we did Buenos Aires.

Also, are you all mixing up 70 year olds with 90 year olds? My grandmas are mid 90s and they like food, pictures, flowers and things they can share with their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised all your parents don't want presents. My mom is 71 and is obsessed with getting presents. I swear she'd think a lunch or an experience gift was a gift to me (since I would go to the lunch too). My mom likes jewelry, Hermes scarves, perfume, home decor, basically anything luxury.

For a 70th we would go on vacation with her (she'd have to pay for her and my dad though since airfare, hotels and tickets are $$$) and I'd pay for my kids and spouse to go as the gift. We did Paris and Normandy for my mom's 70th and for my dad's we did Buenos Aires.

Also, are you all mixing up 70 year olds with 90 year olds? My grandmas are mid 90s and they like food, pictures, flowers and things they can share with their friends.

Where does she put all this stuff? Does she donate the old scarves, jewellery etc or are you going to have to go through it all in future years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t buy my mom physical things. I buy her tickets. For her birthday last year, I took her to see MJ the Musical. She loved it.

This! My parents live in a smaller town, and I've gotten tickets to big-city shows they'd like for their visits here. Big hit every time, nothing to store.

My mom likes to cook, and her favorite gift recently was a decorative wreath made of bay leaves. It looks nice and she pulls leaves off to throw in whatever she's cooking.

A nice potted plant is a good idea. Something higher-end than you'd get at the hardware store. Check out white flower farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised all your parents don't want presents. My mom is 71 and is obsessed with getting presents. I swear she'd think a lunch or an experience gift was a gift to me (since I would go to the lunch too). My mom likes jewelry, Hermes scarves, perfume, home decor, basically anything luxury.

For a 70th we would go on vacation with her (she'd have to pay for her and my dad though since airfare, hotels and tickets are $$$) and I'd pay for my kids and spouse to go as the gift. We did Paris and Normandy for my mom's 70th and for my dad's we did Buenos Aires.

Also, are you all mixing up 70 year olds with 90 year olds? My grandmas are mid 90s and they like food, pictures, flowers and things they can share with their friends.

Some of it is personal preference. I’m 50 and wouldn’t prefer jewelry, scarves, home decor, etc. Physical stuff isn’t my thing. But if you’ve always loved it, no reason not to continue to love it into your 70s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised all your parents don't want presents. My mom is 71 and is obsessed with getting presents. I swear she'd think a lunch or an experience gift was a gift to me (since I would go to the lunch too). My mom likes jewelry, Hermes scarves, perfume, home decor, basically anything luxury.

For a 70th we would go on vacation with her (she'd have to pay for her and my dad though since airfare, hotels and tickets are $$$) and I'd pay for my kids and spouse to go as the gift. We did Paris and Normandy for my mom's 70th and for my dad's we did Buenos Aires.

Also, are you all mixing up 70 year olds with 90 year olds? My grandmas are mid 90s and they like food, pictures, flowers and things they can share with their friends.

Where does she put all this stuff? Does she donate the old scarves, jewellery etc or are you going to have to go through it all in future years?

Dp here. You make it sound like she won’t be around long enough to joy these things. She is far too young for op to be in the “I’m just gonna end up inheriting it any day” mindset.

I agree with the pp here though. My 76 y.o. mom expects time with me in addition to physical gifts. I could take her to lunch and she would be looking around for the gift bag. Lol. She recently downsized and has very limited space, so that makes it tricky!

Some faves of hers in recent years:

Digital frame (completely set up and managed by others)

Nice beach bag and beach towel from Sandcloud

Owalla water bottle

Front door wreath

Plant for balcony

Bird feeder

Shirts from grandkids’ colleges

Board games

Photo book from a family trip

Turntable and records

For in-laws, we got them a dvd player and started a collection of DVDs for them.

[Anonymous]

Perfumes, lotions, soaps. I'm near your Mom's age. I know what I like to wash with and that's not changing but I would use a unique soap in the guest bathroom.

Experiences can be hit or miss. Often it feels too much like an obligation. Of course I never reveal that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A museum membership!
Bonus points for one that comes with NARM benefits, North American Reciprocal Museums to see many others for free.

Oh please. I’m 70, & that’s not what any 70 year old wants. We’ve all been to a million museums, & all we learned is that they aren’t as rewarding as a good afternoon nap.

Get her a couple bottles of decent wine (like about $40 per bottle).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is depressing because it sounds like don't get anything with long shelf life because she doesn't jave one
I am 75 and like usual birthday stuff
Nice nightgown, pajamas or lounging outfit.
Flowering annuals in a lovely large pot for porch or patio, with IOU for fall mums, winter pansies.

OP here and LOL I didn’t mean it like shelf life. It’s just hard buying for someone who already has a lot of the suggested things or typical birthday gifts. I do like the idea of plants though that’s a good one!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the WORST gift to get someone in this age range is perfume IMO. Their sense of smell diminishes as they get older and they tend to spray way too much until they are literally walking around in a cloud of scent which often lingers even when they've left.

It's especially problematic when they go out to restaurants and really overdo it, and the rest of the patrons nearby have to deal with it ruining their meals.

Omg she’s 70 not 90.

LOL RIGHT. I got her a very nice one for Mother’s Day that has a very light and fresh summery scent, it’s great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just turned 70, still work and stay in shape. I would think a nice lunch outing with you would be nice. Experience are better than more junk.

+1

I'll be your mother's age in 4 years and I can tell you I don't need or want anything. What I do prize is time with my daughter, so I highly recommend an experience you can both do together.
--A museum visit followed by a nice lunch
--A fancy tearoom experience
--A weekend trip with just the two of you

Where do you live? Some of us can give more suggestions if you tell us where you're from.

These are nice ideas! Fairfax County. Actually the tea room idea is perfect, that’s right up her alley

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:70 is very young. 10 years ago, she was 60, which is still in youth years, just a little before that she was in her 50s, which seems to be the age range of most women here, so there’s no reason to age shame. You’ll be 70 soon too. Buy whatever’s trending on instagram.

I meant because it’s a big milestone birthday, I’d like to get her something memorable but time got away from me this spring

[Anonymous]

If you have some time, I got this for my MIL for her 75th, but she ended up dying before we could give it to her. My FIL really enjoyed reading all of the headlines. DH and I did too.

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/new-york-times-premium-custom-birthday-book/260730000003?utm_keyword=google%20surfaces&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1067452262&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1067452262&gbraid=0AAAAAD_u0rWs7jefCQkWUzP2oyMklW-rX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr_Cbn6OAlQMVQVxHAR1tKx4vEAQYAyABEgI3CfD_BwE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just turned 70, still work and stay in shape. I would think a nice lunch outing with you would be nice. Experience are better than more junk.

+1

I'll be your mother's age in 4 years and I can tell you I don't need or want anything. What I do prize is time with my daughter, so I highly recommend an experience you can both do together.
--A museum visit followed by a nice lunch
--A fancy tearoom experience
--A weekend trip with just the two of you

Where do you live? Some of us can give more suggestions if you tell us where you're from.

These are nice ideas! Fairfax County. Actually the tea room idea is perfect, that’s right up her alley

I'm 65 and my daughter and I love to do afternoon tea. I haven't been yet, but the Hello Betty restaurant in North Bethesda has been advertising their tea. The Willard does afternoon tea, as does the Ritz in Tysons.