Mumsnet Talk

If you buy chocolates, where from? Same for bath products? What else would you buy a woman?

What do you buy for men?

I don't buy presents for people I don't know very well.

Generally I don't buy presents for people I don't know very well.

But when SIL was pg with my future DN I obviously had to buy her something, even though I'd only met her once before. She has lots of alergies and doesn't like chocolate I went for nice candles. I visited them when the baby was born and the candles were still in the box unused.

I gave champagne the next year, and that seemed to go down well.

I have no choice but to buy for these people. I don't even know if they are drinkers

It's a long story but I will know them well in the future but this year I have to wing it.

Chocolate. Definately. Depends how much you want to spend!

Lush stuff?

If I have to buy something 'safe' for a woman and I'm not too sure what she likes I'll probably choose a lovely candle, maybe a reed oil air freshner or some good soap.

TKMaxx is great for that. I always want them for me though not to give away.

Thorntons chocolate?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Any ideas for men?

Bump

I struggle with this.

Champagne, lovely candles, Posh chocolates. When I was staying with a friends Parents once I took a planted basket of cyclamen - looked really festive & friends Mum really liked them.

Coffee table book - David Attenborough, Downton Abbey. Any hints on what the like at all ? What is your budget ?

I was thinking about £20 each roughly.

you say you will know them well in the future so is it important to you that they like what you ultimately buy ?

Magazine subscription
CD
Cinema tokens
Make them something eg truffles, cake & put with a bottle of something
Bath Oil
Tie

I get loads of chocolate bought for me and whilst I like chocolate, I get a bit fed up of it every year. So I usually save it for the school fair raffle

Please - not candles.

I would usually go for something to eat / drink

Hotel chocolat chocs
Bottle of champagne
Jo Malone soap

If they are a couple how about a mini hamper? I've been given a few of those over the years & have always been pleased to receive them.

I hare champagne so it goes to raffle prizes, I would go with gift vouchers, Amazon or Waterstones or similar.

Has it got to be 2 separate presents ? What about an M&S bouquet in a container or vase . Next are also good . Do you know their colour scheme ? Or go for white . I would say a avoid Lily based arrangements as they make me ill with the fragrance .
But lovely fresh flowers are great at any time .

I can't really think of anything but as you asked for chocolate and bath suggestions around £20, I definitely recommend Amelia Rope Chocolate Cubes for £16 and Jo Malone Bath Oil for £15 They are both absolutely beautiful as gifts and under your budget.

Candles? I would probably go for chocolate - Leonadis are nice, so are the french truffles (what's the name again, Chabonel and doodah?).

I think white flowers is a great suggestion, candles and bath stuff are a bit tricky when you don't know what fragrances they like and are quite likely to not get used,

HyvaPalva Thanks for those really lovely suggestions. Think I will be buying both as a Christmas thank you for someone.

I have to buy for my Best friend new partner, only met him couple of times, but I know he loaes food, so am doing him a small hamper with 6 small jars of unusual chutneys made by Mrs Beeton's, some unusual cheeses, bottle red wine and box of crackers.