Friend Birthday and Christmas gifts

[Teatoast00]

Employing the big guns and coming her for advice!My best friends birthday is the week before Christmas and I'm stuck on gifts as she doesn't like the two combined!

She is quite plain in that doesn't wear makeup or jewellery, happy in jeans, tshirt and trainers. Doesn't do hair, nails up. Doesn't do whole host of hobbies but does like to read the odd book . Likes to eat out but it's fussy eg restaurants like tgi or nandos or pub grub types.

Gifts I've got over the years for her include:
Trainers
Purse
Bag
Scarf
Pyjamas
Perfume set (thought itwas given by mistake!)
Fancy hot choc sets (don't think was overly well received)

Any ideas if you have someone similar in your life or if you are like her, what would you like?

For one gift I have a new scarf as part of gift. Did think of book token as don't want to duplicate any she already has.

[mam0918]

Of course she doesnt like the two combined, its the bane of all December/January babies.

Does she cook or just eat out... if she cooks Nandos have a Sizzler plate kit or you could go the nando sauce gift set route maybe etc...

Trainers are the kid of thing you need regularly if you actually uses them, I buy DH trainers every year.

[Pleasedonteliminate]

Hamper of fav good and drinks?

[Teatoast00]

She has all the nandos gear!! Likes to cook but usually quick and easy as running about after 2 small kids, did consider spicery as she loves an authentic curry...

Did a your favourites but better hamper last year. Ie real chocolate hot choc rather than powder etc

I love thinking of unusual gifts, which I find easy for others but not for her, had also considered a magazine subscription but they're pretty pricey...I'm looking 20 for one and 20-30 for the other....interchangeable

[Teatoast00]

Thanks for the suggestions so far btw!

[DockOTheBay]

Does she enjoy craft? Something like paint by numbers, needle felting, diamond painting which can be picked up and done gradually

What sort of thing does she usually buy you as that gives a good idea of what she considers to make a nice gift?

[Startrooper]

Cinema vouchers
Afternoon tea voucher - look at Wowcher or Virgin Experience days etc for good deals
Vouchers for her favourite restaurants

Have a look at Etsy or Not on the High St for some unusual gifts

[CMac79]

What about an easy cooking kit like this:-

//www.spicepots.com/products/curry-cookbook-kit

[TheSpiral]

You’ve said she likes reading sometimes, what kind of books? Could you get for example a box set of a particular series or author? Re duplication I just ask friends what they are reading/ have read, like oh I’ve just started the Shetland series, I’m enjoying it, have you ever read that? But we talk about books a lot so it wouldn’t sound weird.

Fairy lights that you can put in a bottle? I really like those!

Anything from Anthropologie!

[Bunce1]

I think the "best" of what she likes.

So you can get mail order gourmet burger kits? Blas do it.

Merino wool jumper or socks, or cashmere bed socks

Cookery class?

[CrimbleCrumble1]

Book voucher, Nando’s or cinema voucher.

[louisana1102]

Well simple Christmas Jumper

[louisana1102]

Or Christmas socks packet in a gift box or a Cracker. www.sockgeeks.co.uk/products/christmas-socks-collection-sock-crackers-pack-of-two?variant=39597174751312 I absolutely love this company. They sent to me free gift when I was struggling to pay the monthly subscription

[reluctantbrit]

The Spicery is great, we. had it twice and I actually think of getting. another subscription. We had the Easy Kits and very much enjoyed them.

Def. give two gifts, I am a December baby and hate people assuming I am ok with a joined one.