Birthday gifts on very low income

Zipz
Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,131 Trailblazing
edited June 16 in Money and bills

I have a number of birthdays coming up in the next three months. Frankly, I'm going without things I need to finance gifts to people that support me regularly or occasionally and whom I appreciate deeply.

However, there's one person, to whom I'm not close and from whom I seldom hear, who expects flowers from by far the most expensive florist in her area. I've tried sending from less pricey florists in the past and her disappointment/ displeasure has been obvious. I'd really just like to send a very nice card.

What do I do?

Edit: I ought to have added that the person who expects the wildly expensive flowers is generous herself but can afford anything she wants/ needs.

Comments

  • Carpy
    Carpy Online Community Member Posts: 400 Empowering
    edited June 16

    I would like to tell you what to send to this particular person but I would probably be banned from scope if I did!

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 11,990 Championing

    I would send a very nice card. With the price of stamps now that is more than enough @Zipz I always think it is not the price of the gift that matters but the thought put into it.

    Take care.

  • kreacher
    kreacher Online Community Member Posts: 305 Empowering

    people should be grateful that you sent them a gift at all, you don't have to send anyone anything

  • Wheeled_Weapon
    Wheeled_Weapon Online Community Member Posts: 112 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1038058#Comment_1038058

    Is it brown and sticky, and not a stick? 🤣🤣

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,252 Championing

    @Zipz

    I wonder if your friend, who sounds generous and financially comfortable, might actually think she’s helping by suggesting that specific (albeit expensive) florist. She may believe she’s making things easier for you by removing the pressure of deciding what to buy, and perhaps assumes it’s more convenient that way.

    If I were in your situation, I’d send a beautiful, thoughtful card, maybe one with a floral design and a heartfelt message. It still acknowledges the occasion in a meaningful way, while keeping things within your budget. After all, it’s the thought that counts, not the price tag.

    Among my own close friends, many of whom are now retired all with different financial situations, we’ve come to really appreciate sending and receiving cards on birthdays. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show that we haven’t forgotten each other’s special day and that we’re still thinking of one another.

  • Ranald
    Ranald Online Community Member Posts: 1,182 Championing
    edited June 16
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1038128#Comment_1038128

    You thought of that too? Lol.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,009 Championing

    Hi @Zipz - as we can't advertise, as a general comment I'd like to say I've just bought my neighbour an 80th birthday card which I think she'll like & is a little different. It's a 3D pop up card which looks like a floral bouquet (search perhaps on Amazon).

    Her family are coming to visit her on the day, but little does she know one of her friends is going to get up early to place a 'Happy 80th birthday' banner under her front window, & a few of us are going to go around later to celebrate her birthday with her.

  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Online Community Member Posts: 935 Trailblazing
    edited 12:23AM

    I was going to suggest as @chiarieds has. The 3D cards, as they really are beautiful & if you peruse Temu (there was a thread before where Temu popped up a lot & how I first heard of it, hence mentioned here} they are very well priced. That is what I send close adult family & friends, some come with 'vases' as part of the design. I would love to receive one, I think anyone would, I know the comments received are that they're over the moon. I have also sent the Christmas versions too, they are lovely & the several 3D Xmas cards I have received over time, I've kept & they come out every year as decs. Anyway, with one of them, it is a card & pressie that should fit the bill. You could also mention to that person at some point, that you don't have much in the way of spare cash, make them aware. Do not be embarrassed!

  • Binky1234
    Binky1234 Online Community Member Posts: 475 Empowering
    edited 2:47AM

    How about sending a birthday card with a packet or two of wild flower seeds since they like flowers so much, this way the birthday flowers will last alot longer than any bouquet of flowers.

    Just a thought plus wild flower seeds are so easy to grow, just scatter contents of box or packet and watch them grow into a beautiful ray of colours also good for bees as well as attracting butterflies.

    I personally would appreciate this gift and appreciate it far more than a bouquet of flowers that wilt after what 10 days if your lucky.

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,131 Trailblazing

    Thank you everybody for your help. Ive see the pop-up cards on a well-know retail site! Great!

    @Binky1234 I bought flowers seeds a few weeks ago for somebody who hadn't cared for my last two gifts. I think they were liked but I certainly wouldn't send wildflower seeds to this recipient. The gardener would throw a tantrum.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,845 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    A sign of appreciation should never come with a price tag. 😉

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