55-year-old birthday gift idea for an acquaintance invited to her party

[Anonymous]

I was invited to a 55-year-old birthday party at a nice rented hall. The birthday woman is someone I met once a few months ago when we were both volunteering for an emergency situation in our community. I'm also a woman. We became friends on Facebook. I've been busy, and I haven't had a chance to go to some of the social gatherings she's invited me to since then. However, I am really looking forward to attending her birthday party this weekend. She turns 55. It's at a nice rented hall.

I'm not sure of the gift. I don't know if she likes alcohol or her style of clothes or home decor or anything.

I was thinking of getting her a $55 gift card in honor of her turning 55.

Is that too much from an acquaintance?

Or it is tacky to give a gift card for a birthday present?

What would be a good amount to spend? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I definitely would not get a gift card. Something a little more personal but doesn't have to be that expensive (nice candle, handmade notecards, flowers sent to her house earlier in the day, a nice pen, some kind of gourmet food like chocolate or interesting jarred dip, etc.). I would also include a nice hand-written birthday note saying you're glad to have become friends, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely would not get a gift card. Something a little more personal but doesn't have to be that expensive (nice candle, handmade notecards, flowers sent to her house earlier in the day, a nice pen, some kind of gourmet food like chocolate or interesting jarred dip, etc.). I would also include a nice hand-written birthday note saying you're glad to have become friends, etc.

OP here. Thanks, I am glad I asked. Those are great suggestions.

[Anonymous]

If you want to spend more time than money, then maybe make up a gift basket of five samples of five items. Like 5 Ferro Roche or 5 Lindt Truffles, 5 Starbucks coffee samples, 5 flowers, 5 individually wrapped soaps shaped like flowers, etc. I would probably go to the dollar store and get those clear cellophane goody bags and put each of the 5 sets of items in a separate back and maybe a card saying 5 sets of 5 items to help make her day special. I've done something similar to this with Amazon Prime and had everything sent to my house, then just went out and bought the flowers at the grocery store and the bags at the dollar store and put it all together the night before. Put in a nice basket or I used a fancy gift box that I had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to spend more time than money, then maybe make up a gift basket of five samples of five items. Like 5 Ferro Roche or 5 Lindt Truffles, 5 Starbucks coffee samples, 5 flowers, 5 individually wrapped soaps shaped like flowers, etc. I would probably go to the dollar store and get those clear cellophane goody bags and put each of the 5 sets of items in a separate back and maybe a card saying 5 sets of 5 items to help make her day special. I've done something similar to this with Amazon Prime and had everything sent to my house, then just went out and bought the flowers at the grocery store and the bags at the dollar store and put it all together the night before. Put in a nice basket or I used a fancy gift box that I had.

I love the 5 sets of 5 for 55 years! These are very special gift ideas. I actually am a creative person. However, some people would rather have the cash/gift card than the time and effort and thought put into a gift. I've become a bit jaded about giving people gifts, and then seeing them turn their noses up at them, like the gift wasn't worth enough.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. This is what I came up with for the gift basket. Some of the items I already had. I probably spent about $10 on items that I didn't already have. The entire gift basket looks really nice.

1. Individually wrapped organic herbal tea, variety of flavors
2. Heart-shaped stainless steel tea strainer
3. Yankee Candle Tart warmers and tea lights
4. Ceramic tart warmer ($1)
5. Individually wrapped Ghirardelli chocolates
6. Blank notebook and pen ($1 each)

Decorated with sea shells I had. I wrapped the basket in clear cellophane paper from a roll ($1) with a pretty bow (1) and a handmade note card ($1).

This is looks like just the type of gift I would enjoy opening and using.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Anonymous]

Your gift is very thoughtful and I'm sure she will appreciate it