Your 70th birthday is a big one! I experienced it already, so I know. The inevitable question is, “What gift would you like?” It will come as no surprise that my first wish was to have my sons and grandchildren all together.
70th Birthday Gifts: Does It Really Matter?
Like so many women, my first reaction was to say, “It really doesn’t matter. It’s just another birthday.” We often tell family and friends that we are downsizing and really don’t need a gift!
But any birthday that ends with a zero seems worthy of some special recognition. So, I reached out to the fabulous women in our Sixty and Me community for inspiration.
Not surprisingly, many agreed with my own feelings that most of us don’t really need more ‘things’ and that the best gift for a 70th birthday party would be shared family time and memories.
Others offered some great ideas for adventures and experiences that would be fun. High tea, a sunny solo beach holiday, or a visit to a spa were all wonderful suggestions.
I personally would recommend checking out our own “Aging Beautifully” affirmation cards. They make a wonderful gift. Created with love, they offer inspiration for a full and joyful life.
Here are our fifty 70th birthday gift ideas:
Editor’s Note: Some of these ideas may not be available while under Covid-19 restrictions, but you can sure jot them down for future birthdays!
Time Spent with Family and Friends
Janet, Joan, Lyn, Gwen, Teresa, Sylvia, Cheryl, and Sue from our Sixty and Me community all mention that they would like time with their family members and friends for their 70th birthday.
We know life is pretty busy and sometimes family members are scattered around the globe so having everyone get together for our special day can make us feel special and appreciated. The gift of time and attention is priceless, even if we must satisfy ourselves with a virtual meet!
Photos
Sandra says that she would like to receive photos. Framed photos of our grandchildren are always a nice addition to our homes. Purchase a frame or a framed montage to add family photos.
Memory Book
Memory books are a great way to assemble family memories in one place for easy viewing. Dianne says that this would be her perfect 70th birthday gift. Look online for photo printing services like Shutterfly that can design and print memory books. Choose photos of memorable family vacations and events that will have the birthday girl going down memory lane.
Store Voucher
Cherril and Lynda suggest store vouchers. How about getting a gift card from your favorite store? You can go out and get yourself what you truly want. Not a bad idea!
Notebook
Cherill also mentions that receiving a notebook where one can jot down some inspiring quotes or poems is a very thoughtful gift idea.
Candles and Soap
Also on Cherill’s list are pampering items that we don’t necessarily purchase for ourselves very often. A personalized scented candle or handmade luxurious soaps can make us feel relaxed and beautiful.
Holiday
This is quite a popular choice for a 70th birthday gift. Jane, Sandra, Gwen, Betty, Sue, Ruth, Amy, and Shelly all say that they would love a holiday for their milestone birthday. This can be a solo vacation, a beach holiday, a cabin in the woods, or a plane ticket to your favorite destination.
Helicopter Ride
Melinda is one of our most adventurous readers and wants a helicopter ride for her 70th. What a great new way to see your city! Don’t forget to bring your camera to take amazing photos from up there.
Grandchildren’s Artwork
Karyl wants some of her grandchildren’s artwork to decorate her home. I love that idea!
Afternoon Tea
Valerie, Lori, and Janice mentions that they would love to have afternoon tea with some girlfriends.
Salon Visit
Patty says that she would really enjoy a visit to a salon for some pampering.
Meal at a Favorite Restaurant
Do you have a favorite restaurant? Patty, Marlene, Sue, and Valerie suggests splurging on a meal at your favorite place with a group of friends. Or ordering a delivery of your favorite meal!
House Deep Cleaned
Andrea offers a great idea – to hire a crew to come in for a day and deep clean the house. Check online for your local cleaning services.
Facial, Massage, Manicure, or Pedicure
Andrea, Laura, and Carol proposes a pampering day at a spa. Check on Spa Finder to find a spa near you.
Hire a Handyman for the Day
Another great idea of something that is really needed and helpful is to hire a handyman for a day. Suzanne suggests that you make a list of things that need to be done and fixed around the house and have your family hire someone for the day to come and take care of these things.
Tickets to a Show
Gwen and Marlene would like to go see a show. It can be a music show, an opera or theater performance, a sports event, or a circus. Whatever is interesting in your area. Why not make it a family or a girlfriend outing?
Netflix Certificate
Staying home and watching movies or TV series is what you really like to do? Marlene suggests a certificate to an online streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Life Storybook
A book that you fill out with your life memories and experiences. Elizabeth suggests the Book of Me. You can fill it out and give it back to the person who offered it to you. What a fascinating way for your loved one to learn more about you and to leave a legacy of your life.
A Birthday Week of Activities to Enjoy
Why not make a whole week of celebrations! Mary wants her birthday week to be filled with activities that she can do with her family and friends.
DNA Kit to Explore Family Ancestry
This is a very interesting 70th birthday gift. Sharlene proposes to order a DNA kit to find out about your ancestry. They are quite common and easy to use. Maybe you’ll find long lost relatives and expand your family circle.
A Special Rose Bush
Sara wants a unique rose bush from a variety that’s not easy to find.
Specialty Coffees
Sharon loves coffee and would enjoy getting some luxury coffee blends.
Organic Lotions
Natural lotions are good for our skin. Sharon submitted her idea about organic and natural lotions.
Box of Chocolates
When is the last time you got yourself a box of chocolates? We don’t normally splurge on things like that, but Sharon insists that it’s always a pleasure to receive.
Global Access Card or Priority Pass
This is an amazing idea for travelers. Cynthia recommends a global access card or priority pass for entry into lounges in airports. A luxury we wouldn’t necessarily think of getting ourselves, but very well worth it.
A Thought-Provoking Book
How about a thought-provoking or inspiring book? Brené Brown, Ekhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Maya Angelou are a few examples of authors and thinkers who write thought-provoking books.
Set of Affirmation Cards
In my opinion a set of affirmation cards that inspire us to live life to the fullest are also a great gift.
Tablet with Books
How about an electronic reading tablet with a selection of pre-loaded books? Colleen mentions that it is much easier to carry a tablet than to carry several books when going on a getaway.
Special Notes
Anita has a great idea for having people send special messages letting you know what you mean to them. Get your tissues ready!
Pretty Tablecloth
Janice would enjoy a pretty embroidered tablecloth for afternoon tea with family and friends.
Cruise
Cruises are quite popular for milestone birthdays. Susan and Almetra would love to go on a cruise with the special people in their lives.
*Cruises are on a standstill at the moment, but the industry will pick up when it is safe to do so. Make sure to verify health and travel restrictions before booking.
A Party with Male Strippers!
Victoria is our wild one! She wants a party with hired male strippers. Why not! We only turn 70 once.
Art Supplies
Brenda and Shelly are our burgeoning artists and would like oil paints, canvases, and other craft and art supplies.
Subscription to a Local Choir
Brenda would also enjoy seeing a local choir more frequently.
A Tattoo
Another fun idea to commemorate our 70th birthday – a tattoo! Get your custom design created by a talented tattoo artist to remember your milestone birthday forever.
An iPad
Staying connected is important and Sue recommends an iPad or electronic tablet. This way you can video chat with family and friends that live far away.
Retirement!
This is a good one! Mair would enjoy a much-needed retirement.
Love, Respect, and Care
These are all things that are nice to receive all year round but are made even more special when an extra effort is put during your special day. This is what Lea is wishing to receive on her 70th birthday.
Nice Bottle of Wine
Teri wants a nice bottle of wine on her milestone birthday. Cheers!
More Plants!
Cindy can’t get enough plants. She would like to be gifted as many plants as possible for her 70th.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are always a good idea. Vickie would like to go on her own shopping spree to get what she wants for her birthday.
A Cheque
Ruth wants a cheque for her special day. A blank cheque? Hmmm, someone may end up with an empty bank account.
Quirky Coffee Mug
Barbara likes to collect coffee mugs and would like one that celebrates her 7 decades.
A Rocking Chair
Mary was kidding when she said she wanted a rocking chair, but I think that it can actually be a good idea. It doesn’t have to be the traditional “old lady” rocking chair of the past. It can be a modern-looking chair that will fit in nicely with your decor.
Visit from Grandchildren
Cheryl would enjoy a visit from her children and grandchildren for her 70th birthday.
Game Night
Teresa would enjoy an evening of playing board games with her family.
Quiet Day with Loved Ones
Lyn doesn’t want anything fancy for her birthday, only to spend some quality time with her partner, her elderly mother, and her best friend.
Engraved Jewelry
A piece of jewelry with a meaningful message on it.
Online Classes
Taking online classes has become all the rage. How about cooking lessons from Gordon Ramsey or creative writing classes from Margret Atwood?
Tasting
Wine tasting or chocolate tasting tickle your fancy? Check your local listings for the events available in your area.
So, there are 50 wonderful ideas. The focus is still on experiences and not stuff, but there are enough creative recommendations to make any 70th birthday anniversary memorable and fun!
I’ve also found several websites that specialize in personalized gifts for a 70th birthday. For example, if you want to receive a copy of a newspaper from your year of birth, Historic Newspapers is one option you can suggest.
Getting Personal is a good gift site option in the UK and Virgin Experience Days gives some fabulous 70th birthday adventure ideas!
So, if you are celebrating your 70th birthday soon, just forward the link to this article to those people who are asking, “What do you want for your 70th birthday?”
What gift would you like to receive for your next birthday? What 70th birthday gifts or experiences would make you smile? Please share below!
