Practical Garden/Home gift for Diamond Wedding Anniversary

[bizzylizzy]

Hi everyone - my sister and I want to buy my parents something for the home or preferably garden for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Something practical would be nice as they have plenty of ornaments and nick nacks. We were thinking of a wee Summerhouse until we discovered how much that would cost. My Dad tends to sit in the Greenhouse when the weather is fine, so a Summerhouse would have been nice. An arbor is another thought - but are they comfy to sit in. A garden bench perhaps or one of those companion benches with a chair on either side and a table in the middle. It's finding something comfortable for them to sit in or on that's the problem. Has anyone any ideas? Or even other ideas for a gift - preferably around £100 but we could stretch up to £250 if we all chipped in. We'll be paying for the party, so money is a little stretched. Thank you so much.

[woofgang]

Have you got a local large garden centre with a good selection of furniture and is the anniversary soon? You could get them gift tokens to choose their own furniture but garden furniture is very seasonal and there wont be much left by the end of July

[bizzylizzy]

Hmm local garden centres tend to be more expensive than online I've noticed. But vouchers is a bit cold if you see what I mean. You know what parents are like, they like a pressy they can unwrap or tell their friends about. Thanks for responding, much appreciated.

[Anngel123]

What about a rockery? If you buy large chunks of slate they are not cheap. Everyone could buy a few with maybe some plants and a little soil....I really love my rockery which my parents bought the rocks for. Good plants are alpines or semper vivum.

[cathfromsaron]

have you thought of a tree or rosebush?

some have lovely names ...

also, regarding the benches, independent carpentry workshops are much cheaper than garden centres for these!

[237SJ]

You could buy something more modest such as a nice table and chairs to sit outside and then get them joint RHS membership so that they can go and appreciate other peoples` gardens.

[treetops1]

http://www.argos.co.u...artNumber/6524470.htm

[cathfromsaron]

ditto, or national trust joint membership?

[VivienneM]

Greenfingers.com has some nice ideas for companion benches. This one is £140: http://greenfingers.c...id=6547&pf_id=LS4925D or this garden arbour is £175: http://greenfingers.c...=200761&pf_id=LT1706D

I hope you all have a fab party on the day!

[Maydup]

The companion bench is perfect. Not only will they use (given some fair weather!) but it celebrates their companionship so beautifully.

[bizzylizzy]

Thanks guys, I think we're going to go with the companion bench and an umbrella to go with it. Thanks very much for your help.