As you get older you also acquire an appreciation of craftsmanship and quality which become more important that the current fly-by-night brand or trend.
I've probably inherited a parsimonious streak from my dad whose prime consideration when buying anything is "whether it will see him out". Not particularly cheerful, but eminently practical, as I'm sure you will agree.
Another consideration is the fact that by the time you get to your 50s, you have most things, in fact almost everything you need. That doesn't stop us from longing for a little bit of luxury.
"Fashion passes, style remains" - Coco Chanel
There are, though, some things that have been on my personal wishlist for a long time. I was lucky enough to be given a Louis Vuitton Alma bag for my 50th by the Husband, but I have always had a hankering for a Rolex watch.
My late grandmother, Jessie, had a Rolex dating from the 1930's which is one of my dad's treasured possessions, and a pretty special family heirloom. I would be perfectly happy with a pre-owned Rolex from a company specialising in second hand watches to hand down to Caitlin in many years to come.
As you get older you certainly come to treasure your time and I think its natural to create special celebrations and little rituals to mark its passing. The years seem to pass quicker and quicker.
"I think the older I get, the more I realize that the ultimate luxury is time." - Michael Kors
Time has a special resonance for me since I had my kids in my forties and am aware that I might not have as much time with them as younger mums. I obviously wouldn't change them for the world but I do think the experience of an older mum is different somehow.
I also prefer a perfume which is a little out of the ordinary such as Guerlain's Mitsouko (which means mystery in Japanese) and was created in 1919 . It is a Chypre fragrance with notes of peach, jasmine, may rose, spices (cinnamon), oak moss, vetiver and wood. It is a world away from lots of the synthetic, me-too fragrances currently on the market.
And of course as a massive Agatha Christie fan, I'd love a full set of Agatha Christie novels and a trip to see her holiday home near Torquay - Greenway, now in the safe hands of the National Trust. You can even get there by steam train or boat. How romantic is that? I will be hinting largely to the Husband.
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| Sometimes a cuppa in bed in the morning is all you want |
But ultimately, whilst our things may give us pleasure, it is memorable experiences which stay with us and I am sure that for most mums a special snuggle from their kids and a cup of tea in bed means just much as a glitzy present.
