Collaborative post | ​The COVID-19 pandemic has been widely recognised as ushering in a new era of flexible working. The fact that millions of people around the world were able to continue doing their jobs effectively from home at the height of lockdown measures was proof that working remotely really was viable for large numbers of people.
 
But at the same time, the pandemic also temporarily shut down another flexible working trend - working as you travel.

Collaborative post | As your friend starts to approach their 50th birthday, you may be wondering what to get them. Due to this being a milestone birthday, you might want to think of something that could really make their day extra special. While they may simply be content to have you present to celebrate alongside them, it can be nice to see your friend open a heartfelt gift. Rather than buying age-themed presents, you may instead want to look for something more worthwhile.

It is likely that, over your years of friendship, you have taken a number of pictures together. This could be the basis for your gift purchase. You may want to consider having one, or several, of these images used for the present. By scanning them onto your computer, and then uploading them onto a website, you could order your canvas print directly to your door. These prints come in an array of sizes, meaning you are able to order a smaller or larger one depending on the space your friend has available within their home. Many of these prints can also come with the brackets or nails required to hang them as well, meaning your friend simply needs to decide where to put your gift.

Some people manage to achieve their goals and dreams at a young age, while others may find they have gone years without making much progress. For some people, learning to drive can be one of those goals. If your friend’s 50th birthday is approaching, and he or she has yet to obtain their full driver’s licence, you might want to consider purchasing lessons or a test for them. While you do need to be at least 17 years old to start driving in the first place, there isn’t any upper limit that you need to pass by. Considering the expense associated with learning to drive, this could be an especially welcome gift and save them from needing to rely on others, or public transport, in the future.

Instead of purchasing a physical present, you may want to consider ways that you could make additional memories with your friend. Booking yourselves a weekend away can be a really fun way to celebrate a birthday. Holidays with friends aren’t something just reserved for young adults.

Even in your 50s, it is possible to still have a great time in a new destination. You might want to opt for one that is more suitable for your age or hobbies. To do this, it could be a good idea to look into quieter areas that are seldom visited by families or youths and then pick your excursions accordingly. If you are uncertain of your friend’s prior commitments, you may instead want to opt for choosing a destination, and then book flights and accommodation once your friend has booked that time off.

Buying gifts for a 50th can seem easy. However, this could also result in you buying something that doesn’t properly convey how much their friendship means to you. By putting in that bit more effort, you could find something rather unique that they will cherish.


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.

Filling your life with rewarding experiences is one of the best ways to improve your wellbeing.
 
It can be hard to find a hobby that suits you, or to throw your weight behind a worthy cause. But once you do, you’ll find yourself on the road to self-improvement and giving back.
 
If you’re ready to start using your free time to embark on something more rewarding than binging Netflix, then check out these three things that everyone should try.