Can you help??

It's my MIL2B's 60th birthday in a few weeks & we're struggling for ideas of gifts to buy her.  To give you an idea about her interests - she's a teacher due to retire next Summer, loves reading, theatre & is a keen gardener, she also loves all things Regency Green Denby & is a white wine drinker.  She also has a interest in painting & art. 

I know there are many many options there e.g book token etc but this is her 60th so we want to get her something extra special so wondered if anyone had a good ideas.  A new art gallery has just opened near us so I'm going to pop in there at the wknd.

Any suggestions?

> is a keen gardener

I think that RHS do various tokens, or maybe get RHS membership (if she's not already) or tickets for somewhere like Chesea or one of hte other big shows.

I had a BIG birthday this year and my daughter and son-in-law took me for champagne tea at The Ritz for memories which I just loved and then gave me a handmade silver necklace that will become a family heirloom to keep. :)

I had a hot air balloon ride over Kent for my 60th!

We paid for my Dad to go and eat in Rick Stein's pub in Padstow, and spent the night in a local hotel.

Art is very subjective and always such a difficult thing to buy for someone else - I'd caution against it.  However you could do an art gallery trip with her to see if she picks something out.  Many counties are in the midst of their art weeks - just google Art week 2009 to see what comes up for your area - and there are a lot of artists opening their studios or utilising public spaces to show their work.

Other options would be to pay for a painting course/workshop; National Trust membership for the gardens; tickets for a Covent Garden production (expensive but never to be forgotten); local theatre membership.

My mum is 70 in a few weeks - us kids are thinking of buying her a laptop for her impending world cruise so she can still IM or email us whilst she is away.  Techno granny!!

Good luck

My Mum died in 2005 when it came to my 50th about two months later she had joined me to the RHS Im still a member. If you join her you can get cheaper tickets to Chelsea and Hampston Court etc...
When we got Chelsea tickets for my MIL and DIL and we got then train tickets so they had the whold day FOC. When she got there she went to see the flower arranging and DIL said its her birthday and they presented her with a posy!! she was so chuffed. MIL dies on 2/4/2009 and its a memory that makes OH & I very happy that we gave them a memory to share!! Or dare I say it Crufts tickets!!!

What about a memory book?  You can make them online at Snapfish (dead easy, if I can do it anyone can).   I made one for my mothers 80th birthday and started with pictures from her as a baby, then all through her life and ended up with pictures of her grandchildren and you can put whatever text you want on it.  She absolutely loved and so has anyone else thats seen it.  I especially love it now as my mum died 6 months ago and I now have the book back and its lovely, if emotional, for me to look through it and see the story of her life whenever I want.

Thank you all very much for your ideas.  We've gone with a surprise meal out at a very lovely gastro pub in the countryside & after speaking with her last night a Nintendo DS - apparently she likes the look of the Brain Training stuff & thinks it will keep her mind active after retirement. So that's that sorted! Thanks again for some superb suggestions!

> I had a hot air balloon ride over Kent for my 60th!

I'm so asking for that for my 30th!