One of my favourite 60th birthday presents was beautifully decorated 'hamper' put together by my best friend. She collected all sorts of items from my other friends and presented it to me on the day. It contained my favourite perfume, moisturiser, mascara, foundation, shower gel, and talcum powder. It also contained a book token, a Debenhams token, a garden centre token and a scented candle.
For my Dads 60th I made a sort of This is Your Life folder. Mostly containing photos of him and the kids/grandkids growing up. It took some getting getting it all together but it made him cry. (and it was well cheap, lol). Maybe something along those lines?
It's a great idea, Evian, if she wasn't the person that has all the photos to start with.
She's super duper organised. She came round a few months back with posters she'd got made of my Dad because she'd come across some old photos. That's how lovely she is ...
What about a fun ( not all sitting with fake smiles) family photo done professionally - maybe black and white, all in t-shirts and jeans.. not just you and your family but her children and grandchildren too.