help!! i need presents for pils

[thisiswhataluv]

we already have them tickets to go and see calendar girls but we wanted to get them a few little bits from the dcs...

mil is in mid 50s,has sensitive skin so smellies out of the question,wears expensive perfume which we cant afford,her jewellery is gold,pearls and diamonds,none of the cheap tat i wear so cant get jewellery, she is now on a diet so no chocs or wine.....
i really dont know what to get her

pil is mid 50s, has dermatitis so smellies/aftershave no good, mil has put him on a doet so no chocs/whisky

dh is totally clueless,leaves everything to me

does anyone have any suggestions?

on cheap and cheerful pressies?

tia

[CherryMonstersUnderTheBed]

do either of them have hobbies? gardening or such?

[thisiswhataluv]

erm.... no... mil wouldnt know a weed from a flower

pil used to be in the navy... thats about it...


i think pil would be a great man if he didnt have mil nagging at him 24/7, what she says goes!!!!
if she wants to go shopping, he has to go shopping,he has no time for hobbies

[thisiswhataluv]

that reads wrong, pil is a great man, but i get the picture he would enjoy things a lot more if mil just let him relax!

[spacecadet1]

Know you said they're on a diet, but how about an afternoon tea voucher so they can go before they go to the theatre. You can get them at quite a few places now (debenhams, wh smith etc)

[thisiswhataluv]

had thought of that spacecadet but im wanting to get them individual pressies from dcs

[spacecadet1]

how about getting the kids to make them something like a painted mug each & fill it with nice tea/coffee & maybe get them to make a few biscuits (for your fil )

[thisiswhataluv]

good idea spacecadet off to look for some plain mugs and ceramic paints

[CherryMonstersUnderTheBed]

what about wildlife? do they like watching birds? might a bird house or bird feeder be good?

[TheNextMrsDracula]

Buy MIL a nice scarf, or some gloves. Or a smelly candle?

[thisiswhataluv]

i really do appreciate all replies,
cherrymonster they dont like things like that...
mils "hobbies" include shopping for very expensive toiletries for her "sensitive skin",trying the products and deciding they are no good before paying over the odds for a different one
she is also on a different diet everyweek

thenextmrsdracula thanks for reply, i like the sound of scarf,if i get her gloves i know for a fact she will say i dont go anywhere to wear gloves {as she drives,she doesnt spend much time outdoors..}
as for candles... she only likes molton brown candles and i really couldnt justify spending that amount on 1 candle


im looking over my replies on here and it looks as though im being ungrateful...this is not the case...im genuinely struggling to buy the pils something as they are soo bloody fussy hard to buy for

[unfitmummy]

i have difficult to buy for pil as well - got it sussed this year for their main present like you (digital photo frame) but what they will like best are the home-made things from the kids. last year the kids gave them magnetic photo frames (from boots) with pictures of the kids in for their fridge. other years we've framed a nice picture the kids have done and painted bowls(ikea do cheap bowls) and flower pots (cheap terracotta ones and used up old emulsion pain!). this year we are going to make salt dough decorations as presents from the kids to all of the relatives. so we will do batches of green, red and white salt dough and from that make christmas trees, stars, candy canes and i'll buy some nice (cheap - £1 for 5m odd) ribbon to hang it with. with all my old relatives they would much rather get a home-made present from the kids and lots of hugs!

[CherryMonstersUnderTheBed]

how about driving gloves for MIL? my mum suffers terribly with cold hands when she is driving. you can get some nice leather ones in debenhams.

[girlywhirly]

What about reusable shopping bags for Mil, the sort that fold up really small for your handbag? Envirosax are about £7.99 each, good for beach bags or on holiday as well, as they are a strong nylon fabric. They come in pretty designs, too.

Would Fil like gloves, he must suffer with cracked skin on his hands in Winter if he has dermatitis.

[deaddei]

Do you like them?
If not there is always the Oxfam goat.

[thisiswhataluv]

thanks, i appreciate all replies...
will have a look at maybe some gloves, fil has really bad skin especially as his job invloves sawing wood, makes them 100 times worse
will check out debenhams as well for mil some gloves...
really like the idea of painting a mug/bowl etc and have been looking for some "paint your own sets"

oxfam goat???

[girlywhirly]

Oxfam goat is where you purchase a goat for a third world family on the gift recipients behalf, via the Oxfam charity. The person you buy it for is supposed to feel happy that the money you would have spent on their present has gone to the more needy. Some people do this as a way of giving to relatives they don't like, or don't think deserve a present. (Ultimately, someone benefits.)

Have your PIL tried organic toiletries/cosmetics? They are often more suited to those with skin sensitivities/complaints. Plus, some are unscented, so wouldn't clash with MILs perfume, and FIL could use them too.

[FleeTheBeast]

How about a personalised calendar with family photos on? Has this idea been done to death?

Betty's hamper with lovely tea / coffee / biscuits etc?