I need some gift ideas for her. I also thought about getting together and having a family party but I am the child that lives out of state and right around her Birthday may be a difficult time for me to come. What are some things you all have done?
I know she doesn't have any jewelry with her birthstone accept for her Mother's ring-which has it because my Birthday is in November as well. I thought of something like that but all of us (4 kids would go in on it together). I just don't know but I want it to be special...
See if you and your siblings can put together memories and pictures
and memorabilia into a book, like a scrapbook.
She would probably treasure that more than anything you might buy.
Definitely something sentimental - this is a huge milestone. How about a bracelet with her grandkids birthstones, if she has any. Otherwise, I love the idea of a photo album capturing her life's best moments. You can make these on line or at Wolf Camera and similar places. At 75 I think you already have a lot of "things" but memories and kind words go a long way. Good luck!
Something special we did when my husband's grandmother turned 75 was to get the whole family in together and get 75 smallish gifts. This included anything from candles to inspirational pocket books, small framed pictures of the family and bottles of wine. There were 6 or 7 people involved and so we each bought a few small gifts. For example my husband and I purchased a candle in her favorite scent; a small book of inspirational quotes, a from with pictures of our daughter, a bottle of her favorite wine, and a collector's figurine that she collects. The gifts weren't supposed to be expensive. Just something we knew would reflect her personality.
If you're grandmother is anything like mine, its a virtual museum of family photos and albums. I'd skip the albums and think of things that interest her. My grandfather like to gamble so fir his 85th, we got him 85 scratch tickets and all sat around watching him scratch them and laughing hysterically. Maybe your grandmother likes to cook--A mini recipe book and bake some of the things in it. (I've done cancer-fighting cook books; weightloss; etc.). It makes more of an impact if they get to see the results. If you do get photos, those electronic ones are neat and you can upload your own. One more fun thing, a handmade Award for best grandma. You could buy one of those posable art men, spray paint him gold and have him hold something. my two cents...
I haven't celebrated my mothers 75th birthday yet, but I did celebrate her 73rd and it seems as our parents get older every year is special. With my mom, material things is something she doesn't need nor want. She is more into memories. So we created a new one for her. We went to dinner and then a musical that she really wanted to see (got great seats) and took pictures. Later I gave her pictures of our time together in a nice album. We are planning a trip to Las Vegas for her next one (although she doesn't know it yet) to see Celine Dion when she starts performing again next year. You don't have to get extravagant as that, but you can do something with her that perhaps she's been wanting to do. Good luck!
Have you considered a photo book? You can get them online at places like shutterfly. You could do it of the kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Or make one with pictures of the 4 of you as were growing up.
I would say a portrait of the 4 of you, but since you are out of state, that is not likely.
Just remember, it does not have to be expensive to be special. I think sometimes we think we have to spend alot for it to be memorable or special.
Good luck.
Depends on your budget of course.
Make an album of letters from the siblings (and grandchildren) recanting all the nice memories they have of her -- what she did for you, something funny, what a great mom she was to the neighborhood, etc., etc. I put in pictures of me at the age that I was remembering.
Ask her how she feels about turning 75. Use that question to lead into this question: Was there anything you ever wanted to do that just didn't get to happen? It might be a trip to Vegas, or piloting a glider plane (with someone's help of course), or a violinist playing a few of her favorite songs at the dinner table (which has a musician of course).
There are picture frames that you can record a little message on. I bought several (about $20 each) and gave them out to family members to put in their picture and record a message (birthday, appreciation, memory). My daughter sang her a song. She showed them off with pride to all visitors. Once, she had a panic attack and she used those recordings to help her get through the moment until my sister got there.
Maybe there is something she just puts off because it is too expensive (her car detailed, extra insulation in the attic, little home repairs that your husbands can do for her.
Perhaps beautifully enlarging it to an 8/10 with matting (that goes with the picture and the wall color she has) and framing it in her style -- of the best picture she ever had of herself at any age. Perhaps in her prime.
Or, getting a casual family picture with her as the center. You know, black sweaters, white collars, jeans, bare feet -- or one suited for the holidays which could be made into Christmas cards for all.
For me, it's not about the jewelry.
Write her a heartfelt letter including a memory or two from your childhood, teen years and adulthood. Tell her how much you appreciate her, how much you love her, and anything else you have never told her or fully expressed. Put it in a pretty card and send it.
