Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Shirl]

I'm looking for ideas for a friend. I thought I'd come here to ask because you're all so good with your chicken advice I thought I'd try on friends She'll be 38 next weekend and I need ideas for a birthday pressie.

 

I normally spend upto about £50. She doesn't really have any hobbies because she has rheumatoid arthritis (in hands, shoulders and legs) so it limits what I can buy. It means no handbags or clothes because it's a minefield about what she can use because of zips etc. She doesn't really go out to the pub and although she reads and listens to music I wouldn't have a clue what she has read or listened to. She still lives at home with her parents so something for the house isn't an option.

 

Is it just me that's hopeless with this sort of thing?

[Blackrocksrock]

Why not a voucher for a pamper session - massage etc with nice oils? I would love something like that myself - in fact why not both of you together!

[Shirl]

A pamper session def isn't my cup of tea. She couldn't have a body massage or anything because she's quite self conscious of her body because she's had both knees, hips and hands operated on so is quite badly scarred. I guess maybe a makeup session? Thanks maybe I'll have to take a look at what is on offer. Any other good ideas?

[Blackrocksrock]

A pamper session def isn't my cup of tea. She couldn't have a body massage or anything because she's quite self conscious of her body because she's had both knees, hips and hands operated on so is quite badly scarred. I guess maybe a makeup session? Thanks maybe I'll have to take a look at what is on offer. Any other good ideas?

 

Oh thats a shame - a make up and photo session?

[hilda-and-evadne]

I'm looking for ideas for a friend. ... It means no handbags or clothes because it's a minefield about what she can use because of zips etc.

 

I recently discovered that in the US and Australia there seems to be a craze for what they call "French market bags" (either knitted and then felted, or made of upholstery oddments, reversible, don't have zips). If you put that into Google images, there are a lot of results. I was wondering about sewing and selling my own.

[Scary Mary]

Cinema gift vouchers are always a good idea, just make sure you can use them in smaller quantities (- not sure if that makes sense, but if you buy a vocuher for 4 visist, then make sure she can do two separate visits for two.)

 

Theatre gift tickets are also useful, as they can last about a year (you need to check though) so she can wait until someting she really fancied is on.

 

I had a really good jolly a couple of years ago, when a friends hubby bought her 4 tickets for a Donny Osmond concert for her birthday - provided he did'nt have to go. We had a fantastic time and I wasn't even a fan, although he is consumate showman. Mind you I think it cost slightly more than £50

 

PAmpering too, as SusanK said is always nice - especialy if you have a pal to share it with.

 

What a nice problem - how to spend money...have fun

 

Mary

[Olly]

Hmm, that's a tough one. I guess there's always vouchers - although you say it's very difficult, she must buy clothes so at least she could choose what to buy then.

 

Most beauty salons will do a general voucher, so she could then choose what to have - manicure, facial, shoulder massage/Indian head massage if she doesn't like taking her kit off.

 

A DVD boxed set of something you know she's enjoyed? How about a digital radio for her room? A photo-frame? Or some expensive smellies (I'm thinking Molton Brown or Clarins! VERY expensive but a lovely treat - she must shower/bath, after all!)

 

You say she doesn't go out much, but is there somewhere you think she'd like to go - could you do her a home-made voucher for a trip out somewhere, and lunch (stately home, gardens, Bluewater).

 

How about a magazine subscription? My best friend buys me Good Food every year, and I love it not only because I enjoy reading it, but I think of her every time it comes through the door. Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping - there are loads to choose from.

 

If all else fails - and maybe because she lives with her parents she feels she doesn't need/want much - do you think she'd appreciate a charitable donation in her name, to a favourite charity? You could buy her something small as a gift (bath stuff, say) and explain that you didn't know what to get her but thought she'd appreciate it.

[fairy&cake]

I would definatly recommend a Blossom Tree.

 

Every year that it flowers it will remind her of your friendship and her birthday that you gave it her.

 

I had one for my first Mothers day, and i truely love it.

[Egluntyne]

Theatre vouchers?

 

Usually have facilities for the disabled.

[Charlottechicken]

I found this site, doesn't look too inspiring though

 

http://arthritis.about.com/od/inthehomedailyliving/tp/arthritisgifts.htm

 

or

 

How about a paraffin wax bath?

 

or

 

Boots protect and perfect range also improves the appearance of skin, without being an obvious scar reducing product (mind you the lids can be fiddly ) you can get nice gift boxes of the stuff

[Shirl]

I love the theatre tickets ideas. She is a bit of a s"Ooops, word censored!" so wouldn't visit our local theatres but does visit the London shows. Given that £50 isn't enough for 2 people to go to a west end theatre does it seem a bit odd to do that? I'd hate to give her a present which was difficult for her to use. Normally I'd give 2 tickets for something so she could take someone else but my pocket really doesn't stretch to that.

 

The beauty salon thing I've had a quick look at, I think I'd need to make a few calls in the morning as I can't find anything appropriate locally online. I think it could be a great idea though.

 

I really like the french market bags too and could be tempted for myself but because of the arthritis she tends to carry very small bags because she only carries and purse, keys and maybe a bit of lippy.

[Christian]

How about sponsoring a BHWT hen?

[Shirl]

How about sponsoring a BHWT hen?

 

 

To be homest she'd probably rather that they ended up in dog food. She really is not an animal lover (she's quite selfish really)

[Christian]

Wonderful.....buy her a goat for an African family from Oxfam then. That'll learn her!

[Helen&Lee]

My sister suffers from exactly the same thing, in the same places so I know how difficult it is...

I would eliminate handbags as like you say the weight of the bag is the problem for my sis because of carrying it.

What about some chunky jewellery? - Obvoiusly the longer necklaces that go over a head, and braclets that wrap round the wrist...

 

Helen

[Shirl]

Wonderful.....buy her a goat for an African family from Oxfam then. That'll learn her!

 

It certainly would but I don't think I could be that mean, although if someone bought it for me I'd be really pleased.

[Shirl]

My sister suffers from exactly the same thing, in the same places so I know how difficult it is...

I would eliminate handbags as like you say the weight of the bag is the problem for my sis because of carrying it.

What about some chunky jewellery? - Obvoiusly the longer necklaces that go over a head, and braclets that wrap round the wrist...

 

Helen

 

I think chunky jewellery looks a bit cheap nik nakish and want something that looks decent. Do you know 12where I can get any that is good quality?

[Ana's flock]

Has she got her ears pierced?

 

If so, what about a classy pair of little gold earings, perhaps with a little pearl on them? (mind you, she might need some help putting them on and taking them off...)

 

Book vouchers is the other thing, if she likes reading but you're not sure what to get her... My first thought was theatre tickets, but after reading your post, perhaps not...

 

A nice pashmina? Silk scarf?

 

Good luck - I'm sure she'll love whatever you get her, you seem such a loving and thoughtful friend.

[Shirl]

Earrings are a possibility, her mum helps her get dressed and do earrings and things. I'm just not sure if she wears white or yellow gold and she is very fussy. It's been a while since I last saw her and I can't remember

 

I wish I was more decisive

[fairy&cake]

gosh your friend seems really fussy. i couldnt be doing with that. Interflora her.

[Shirl]

She is really fussy and she doesn't ike flowers She can't see the point in them To be honest she can be a real grump but I've known her since I was a kid so I feel I should make an effort.

[freddie]

Why?? there comes a point when, sometimes a card will suffice, and sometimes even that seems a bit of an effort for some miserable people. We all of us have things to bear down on us, but some get on with it, and others expect everyone else to "do" everything for them.

Sometimes, it really has to be time to let go. Harsh words, but true.

[fairy&cake]

awww thats nice, i have a friend like that, we have been friends for 10 yrs 9i never know what to get her, she has everything, so i get her a huge box of Lush.

[Fleur]

she sounds like a real old fusser!!

couldn't you ring her mother or sibling and have a quiet word with them to see if theres anything she wants?

[Goosey Lucy]

How about a small Radley bag? John Lewis sell them in lots of different styles/sizes, they also do the purses etc. But they're certainly not cheap.

 

I can see why you're struggling to find the gift that is 'just right.'

 

How about a magazine subscription?

 

A hamper of her favourite food items?

 

Rather than flowers, how about a plant for the garden or maybe a couple of hanging baskets? I know you said she lived at home so maybe you could ask her family what they thought.

 

Concert tickets could also be a possibility.