Any recommendations for gift for 70 year old friend, other than gift card?

[JustMe]

I have a relatively close friend who will be turning 70 soon! I can certainly get her a gift card, but she is the kind of person who tends to prefer actual gifts. Still, it is hard as I don't know what she has and does not have all the time and in general I don't have any great ideas. So, I do accept that I may just buy her a gc to a local store I know she likes, but figured I would pick your brains as well. Here are some additional things about her. She's an avid birder, walks everyday and likes to hike (active in general, especially for her age), she does have back problems, has a 99 year old father across the country that she has not been able to see due to the pandemic but does have hope she might be able to see him at the end of the summer, she still works at our local university in an office related position, she has a poodle. She lives alone in her own home, she cooks a lot. She has been very careful with Covid stuff (is able to work at home) and, although she hopefully be vaccinated by March due to her age, I imagine she will continue to be careful, so nothing like massages, spat treatements, etc.

She has a really healthy diet, so while I may get her some kind of one-portion treat to celebrate, I dont think she'd want that as her present.

I did buy her a scarf with birds on it from etsy that ended up being really inexpensive and accept that a gift card or combo of gift cards may be the best way to go.

Thanks for any ideas!

[mom2binsd]

Does she treat herself to something like a pedicure or massage? Those are nice to get as a gift, and good to pair with the scarf you already got her.

[Kestrel]

Something consumable, like a set of coffee or teas? (I assume that since she works at the U someone will know if she likes either coffee or tea.)

We got my great-aunt who is a health food person a basket of exotic (and expensive!) fruit - kiwi, starfruit, budda's hand, dragonfruit...

[JustMe]

Thanks for the ideas. Coffee or tea might be great and I do know she drinks coffee. Ooh, she would also love exotic fruit'; she subscribes to a CSA so not the regular stuff, but something a little different could be fun. Any ideas for companies that do special coffee, fruit, or something like that are also appreciated!

ETA: I actually bought her an iced coffee maker one year, which she really liked; so probably not a coffee maker though b/c she has what she needs there (had a regular one already that she likes).

[candaceb]

I am mobile and link impaired, but there was a new book out in the fall called “What It’s Like to be a Bird” that we got for my mother-in-law and she loved it.

[candaceb]

I am mobile and link impaired, but there was a new book out in the fall called “What It’s Like to be a Bird” that we got for my mother-in-law and she loved it.

[elbert]

An iPad/cookbook stands? There are some lovely ones on Etsy. Walking stick. Personalized something with her and dog from Uncommon Goods. Rock sculpture of hiker from Vermont Rock Art. Food from Goldbelly..

Grapefruits from Ptiman and Davis are consistently delicious.

Manhattan Fruitier for other fruit (and other food) options.


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[gatorsmom]

I was going to recommend a nice scarf with some scarf jewelry. Scarf rings like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/924575384/buffalo-horn-scarf-rings-scarf-clip?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarf+rings+and+clips&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&cns=1 make it easier to tie and do some creative stuff. Pinterest has a bunch of ideas.

I’ve given a Williams Sonoma package of dish towels, silicone trivets and silicone spatulas before to friends who like to cook.

Otherwise, I gave my great aunt who was also a bird watcher, a year subscription to Bird and Blooms. https://www.birdsandblooms.com/ Apparently she loved it.

[gamma]

If she likes to cook and eats healthy food, a nice set of a variety of olive oils would probably be appreciated.

[mom2binsd]

Sorry, how missed about no spa things, but most are good for a year.

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[pinkmomagain]

Cool bird house or bird feeder for her yard (if she has one)?

[NCGrandma]

Grapefruits from Ptiman and Davis are consistently delicious.

Manhattan Fruitier for other fruit (and other food) options.


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Here’s an obscure caveat: many people in that age group take medications that specifically say "do not eat/drink grapefruit with xxxx" — unless you’re positive she doesn’t, it is safest to avoid grapefruit as a gift.

I haven’t eaten grapefruit in ages, but I used to sometimes look longingly at lovely displays of them (another advantage to grocery delivery!).


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[Liziz]

If she loves to cook, I adore this company's flavored white balsamic vinegars: https://www.lartedellolivo.com/ (the shallot one is the best, but they're all great)

In terms of coffee mentioned earlier, one of my favorites is Mystic Monk: https://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/

[Liziz]

If she loves to cook, I adore this company's flavored white balsamic vinegars: https://www.lartedellolivo.com/ (the shallot one is the best, but they're all great)

In terms of coffee mentioned earlier, one of my favorites is Mystic Monk: https://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/

[JustMe]

Amazing ideas; thanks so much!

[jgenie]

If she loves to cook, I adore this company's flavored white balsamic vinegars: https://www.lartedellolivo.com/ (the shallot one is the best, but they're all great)

In terms of coffee mentioned earlier, one of my favorites is Mystic Monk: https://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/

Do you have any favorite flavors of the balsamic?

[Liziz]

Do you have any favorite flavors of the balsamic?

Yes - the Shallot is my hands down fav -- I may be known to actually just pour myself a spoonful.....it's SO good. I also really like the Lemon (makes fabulous salad dressings). The red pepper one is great too, but my kids don't handle spicy well so I don't get that one anymore as I found myself rarely using it -- but would have used it a lot more if my entire family could handle heat (it's not really spicy, but my kids are kind of wimps, lol).

[Liziz]

double post (side note - argh! for the past few months the double posts have been out of control! I have no clue why sometimes it posts twice and sometimes just once - I respond the same way each time!)

[Kestrel]

Had another suggestion. Since you said she lives in her own home...

The great-aunt I referred to earlier just posted that one of her kids hired a company to come clean her gutters and moss-treat her roof as her birthday gift; she was thrilled.

[NCGrandma]

Had another suggestion. Since you said she lives in her own home...

The great-aunt I referred to earlier just posted that one of her kids hired a company to come clean her gutters and moss-treat her roof as her birthday gift; she was thrilled.

Oh, that reminds me of my favorite gift whenever my family comes to visit — they find an excuse to "borrow" my car, take it to the DIY car wash, and give it a thorough cleaning inside and out. Even when my DGDs were much younger, they were eager to participate in this now-tradition. I’m surprised and grateful every time!


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[gatorsmom]

Oh, that reminds me of my favorite gift whenever my family comes to visit — they find an excuse to "borrow" my car, take it to the DIY car wash, and give it a thorough cleaning inside and out. Even when my DGDs were much younger, they were eager to participate in this now-tradition. I’m surprised and grateful every time!

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This is genius! I’m using this idea for one of DH’s birthday gifts.

[gymnbomb]

This is genius! I’m using this idea for one of DH’s birthday gifts.

Yes! My father isn’t a DIY’er, but he always gets my mom’s car detailed for her birthday and she looks forward to it every year!


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[jgenie]

Oh, that reminds me of my favorite gift whenever my family comes to visit — they find an excuse to "borrow" my car, take it to the DIY car wash, and give it a thorough cleaning inside and out. Even when my DGDs were much younger, they were eager to participate in this now-tradition. I’m surprised and grateful every time!


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Years ago we were working very hard to pay off our mortgage so had put off replacing our older cars. DH would go through phases where he would complain about how old his car was and would start eyeing new cars. I would then take his car in for a full detail when he was next traveling. He would come back to a clean car and forget about wanting a new one. I think we got an extra three years out of that car.

[jgenie]

Oh, that reminds me of my favorite gift whenever my family comes to visit — they find an excuse to "borrow" my car, take it to the DIY car wash, and give it a thorough cleaning inside and out. Even when my DGDs were much younger, they were eager to participate in this now-tradition. I’m surprised and grateful every time!


Sent from my iPad using Baby Bargains (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87652)

Years ago we were working very hard to pay off our mortgage so had put off replacing our older cars. DH would go through phases where he would complain about how old his car was and would start eyeing new cars. I would then take his car in for a full detail when he was next traveling. He would come back to a clean car and forget about wanting a new one. I think we got an extra three years out of that car.

[jgenie]

Yes - the Shallot is my hands down fav -- I may be known to actually just pour myself a spoonful.....it's SO good. I also really like the Lemon (makes fabulous salad dressings). The red pepper one is great too, but my kids don't handle spicy well so I don't get that one anymore as I found myself rarely using it -- but would have used it a lot more if my entire family could handle heat (it's not really spicy, but my kids are kind of wimps, lol).

Thank you! Lemon is in my cart and was eyeing the shallot!

[twowhat?]

Amaryllis bulbs are frequently gifted to our older friends and they LOVE them. They can come in very pretty pots and make a lovely physical gift. When they start to grow they grow fast and are fun to watch (literally each day you can see the progress). Some varieties have FREAKING HUGE flower heads and are pretty AND funny because of their size.

[gymnbomb]

Amaryllis bulbs are frequently gifted to our older friends and they LOVE them. They can come in very pretty pots and make a lovely physical gift. When they start to grow they grow fast and are fun to watch (literally each day you can see the progress). Some varieties have FREAKING HUGE flower heads and are pretty AND funny because of their size.

My aunt sent me one before Christmas, and we've really enjoyed watching it grow! I'm the WORST with plants. I don't even attempt to keep them alive. But the amaryllis is flowering now so we managed to not kill it despite alternating between forgetting to water it for several days in a row and then probably over watering it to compensate :)

[twowhat?]

My aunt sent me one before Christmas, and we've really enjoyed watching it grow! I'm the WORST with plants. I don't even attempt to keep them alive. But the amaryllis is flowering now so we managed to not kill it despite alternating between forgetting to water it for several days in a row and then probably over watering it to compensate :)

We're the WORST with plants too but you can even get these bulbs in a wax ball so that it has all the moisture it needs to grow and flower and you DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL other than to put it in a space with enough natural light!! My MIL gifted us one of these wax ball bulbs this Christmas, knowing our propensity to kill plants with neglect hahaha. And it grew and flowered beautifully and all we had to do was watch it, it was awesome!