My budget is $100 and consider the following parameters:
Soap/body wash/hand cream…gift packs. Plenty of bargains post-Christmas.
Something like this: http://au.loccitane.com/refreshing-verbena-collection,23,1,1…
Picnic set, Sydney harbor bridge climb, purse
A new gaming PC!
Very cool. I'll happily gift one to myself if you can tell me where to get one for $100.
Why the neg?
A voucher for a nice garden nursery will actually get used and appreciated.
If you live in the tropics, a large water feature ceramic tub pot and a tropical water lily might be amazing. Tulip bulbs or a Japanese maple for a temperate climate, or even cold hardy water plants/lilies.
Google the water lily 'nouchali' and you will be sold. It's possible in a backyard for $100 including pot and low maintenance. They even sleep (close) at night and wake each morning. The first flower of the season is a thrill.
She would probably love this idea
Where would I get a nouchali from
I live in Vic where the range goes from limited but OK stock at Bunnings, a nice range at Lotus watergardens and the different place Blue Lotus is one of the best on the planet. For Sydney I'm unsure, but do have faith that some of the prettiest are also hardy and common. I would find a watergarden nursery and they should know a nice blue/violet for Sydney. Ask for a cold hardy blue semi tropical. I have two cheap koi style fish that eat the algae and mosqitoes, and local birdlife fight each other to use it as a birdbath.
What is your relationship and are they part of a couple.
If they are not married take them to a top restaurant or a show or maybe a day trip tour type thing like a winery or is Sydney one or the Harbour Islands.
It's my mum lol
Didn't mean so much as a date, more that many couples don't go out without the other so you'd have to spring for both of them. If you are a daughter you can do the Day Spa or girls day out. If a son then I would think the partner/Dad needs an invite.
A nice pendant or piece of jewelry would be good to receive from your kid. One of those multiple picture type picture frames with pics in it seems to appeal to mothers.
A good bottle of wine / food hamper would be my choice
Once it's gone - it's gone! 50 is a special birthday and something to remember you by is a keeper. What about framed photos's of you, family and special occassions. You can get ideas for doing this online.
Well at 50 yrs she would already have a lot of good memories. It about time to start indulging in life.
pssst… I'm over 50 and speak from experience that memories as keepsakes or something to look at or use every day is a whole lot better than a bottle of wine that gives me a headache the following day I've drunk it. I don't need or want to add to the love handles that only serve as a reminder of past indulges and seem to be determined to stick with me now that I am 50 - despite exercising every day to rid them in my life!!
Jewellery is another favourite or a watch if she wears one - and with sales on at the moment - your $100 will go a whole lot further. Make sure you ask for their best price (barter with them as the mark up on jewellery is criminal - trust me I worked in that industry) and definitely check other stores for similar items and best prices as you play one company off another.
A branded upmarket leather wallet that you could get from DFO stores - Oroton or Mimco that she would use frequently is another good item that will last a long time, will be stylish and is practical but a bit different at the same time. (I know that you said "no bags")
Ticket to a memorable concert or show. Perfume. A Flight Centre voucher. Something crystal ie. Waterford.
Food. Simple. Everybody needs it. Everybody can use it. Something like a $100 gift voucher at her local club will go far. Or dominos Everybody loves pizza
A live show - e.g. Aladdin.
if she like hand creams, moisturisers etc get some items from http://www.kiehls.com.au/ instore (they are in David Jones), you can pick a few different items and they will put it in a nice box and add a few freebie samples as extras and fill the box with potpourri. it looks really nice, i bought it for my 55 yo sister last year. Dont get their pre=made sets, choose what you like, or what they suggest when you tell them what your mum likes.
Eneloops?
Rechargeable batteries representing new found ENERGY at 50?
I indirectly sourced that she doesn't want hand creams or anything of that sorts.
The only thing that might change her mind on this would be Aesop products - https://www.aesop.com/au/ Their products are all totally natural and indulge the senses for sure. They are on the pricey side - 5 and 6 star hotels have them in their ladies' "lounge rooms" so they are up there!
If you can take her into a shop that is stand alone - not so much one in David Jones - you will both experience the most amazing customer service. They train their staff exceptionally well and afterwards you will know…."Now that - was customer service" I was given a gift pack this way by some special friends and I use the products that are for my hands and feet just for myself and it lasts a long time. It feels classy and not mass produced.
Stick with that. Some women do not care for that and we get that crap all the time. It is a thoughtless gift.
I hate receiving cheapie mass produced chemical laden handcreams or skin products - I don't know what to say or how to be gracious when opening such a gift because I know that I will never use it. But totally different with Aesop products. I would never consider Aesop a thoughtless gift…. quite the opposite actually - as I would use it sparingly knowing that the gift giver was prepared to spend that sort of money on me.
Just hug them and say "I'm moved by the thought that went into this! Thank you!"
Personally I wouldn't care how much it cost, I pick my own products. The OP has said their mum definitely does not want that sort of stuff. I would think it an insult if someone tried to change my mind on something they knew I categorically did not want as a 50th birthday present. I'd rather get a cheap bit of crap than an expensive thing I had already said I DO NOT want. Not everyone feels comfortable going into an expensive store and buying one product in front if a gift recipient when the sales staff are obviously going to be pushing the whole line. OP has a budget of $100. The in store experience could be negative for both the giver and the recipient. She doesn't want that sort if stuff. Don't push it on her to prove she's wrong.
Massage
An assortment of Ron Jeremy DVDs
Ozbargain Eneloops.
It it's your mum just ask her what she wants. At 50 you really have everything you need.
I'm 47 and my kids ask my (this year I asked one for a new Kate Hill purse, and the other one for some Jamie Oliver books I didn't have - the two new healthy eating ones).
Maybe a $100 Myer voucher if she likes to shop at Myers.
Maybe a $100 Coles/Myer voucher if she likes to shop at Kmart and Target (LOL - this is what I'd prefer).
Depends on her interests too - does she like cooking, cosmetics, travelling?
Mecca voucher is good if she like cosmetics/skincare.
What are her favorite shops? A voucher for one of those.
How about an experience she would never consider paying for herself? Endota spa voucher. Red Balloon? I am around the same vintage as your mum and don't need as much "stuff" to be happy
Can't go wrong with Pandora though $100 is a bit of a stretch…
A 24 year old gigolo for an hour.
A beautyfull luxury silk or wool scarf. A potted white cymbidium orchid. But best of all both of you go out for an activity - concert, lunch, dinner etc..ie. the gift of your time - priceless.
Something she wouldn't get for herself… Maybe a voucher for Aveda akin care? Facial and products? There stuff is excellent.
Fitbit.
Seems to be the rage even amongst the oldies. Doctors say it can also help predict a heart attack too
The better ones for heart metrics will be over the $100 unfortunately. And..what age is old (as oldies?) BTW?
According to my kids I am old at 40
Hot air balloon flight + the chicken sangas and champagne
Don't be cheap
It's your mum
They only make one of these per,
and when their gone their gone forever
What did you get OP?
Perfume or a voucher to a spa like Endota!
How about a 56 piece Stanley Rogers cutlery set? Something like this.. https://m.petersofkensington.com.au/Product/Detail/stanley-r…