A surprise 70th birthday gift for Ella

October 29, 2008 by Annabella

Annabella is Buyagift’s own resident gift guru. Drawing on her own vast experience of giving and receiving presents she answers questions from readers on how to choose the perfect present for the right person, navigating the modern manners minefield that can make choosing gifts so difficult, and anything else under the sun.

Please send questions to annabella@buyagift.co.uk and indicate how you would like your letter to be signed, preferably including a location.

Dear Annabella

My mother-in-law Ella is having her 70th birthday in November, and I would like to do a This-Is-Your-Life kind of thing for her as a surprise birthday gift.

Just wondered if you could give me any pointers as how you would go about this.

I am soon going to do the 4×4 experience for my 50th birthday present through buyagift.

Kind Regards, Hugh Steel

Dear Mr Steel,

You are to be commended for considering your mother-in-law’s 70th birthday gift so intently. Not all children-in-law possess your level of insight; last year Mr Annabella and I were given a his-and-hers flannel slipper and dressing gown combo.

The Antipodeans call a collection of life stories and memorabilia a Glory Box, and yours should take the form of a small trunk or crafty collage book containing paraphernalia pertaining to her life.

Contact Ella’s friends and family and ask them to record their recollections, perhaps on a nice sheet of floral paper, in a drawing or poem.I suggest you complete this thoughtful gift with a Personalised Newspaper from her year of birth, or a My House History Portfolio.

Surprise Ella with her ideal family day out, whether this happens to be a trip on the Orient Express steam train spent pondering the decades of yesteryear whilst the english countryside slips by, or indulging in a delicious Afternoon Tea at a charming Country House hotel.

When Ella is comfortably settled and on her second cup of Earl Grey tea, present her with the glory box for a tremendous trip down memory lane.

I do hope you enjoyed your 50th birthday present, perhaps post a customer review and let me know how you got on.

Best, Annabella