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Gift ideas for hard-to-buy for friend.

11 replies

KitKat1985 · 25/01/2019 17:37

I have a very lovely friend whose birthday is coming up. She works long hours and doesn't have any 'hobbies' per se. She has travelled a lot but hasn't even done that a lot recently due to work commitments. She reads but I have no idea what books she has or hasn't got. She financially very comfortable and has quite expensive tastes, and if she needs or wants anything for herself she can just buy it, so there's nothing she needs. In previous years I've bought some Ted Baker stuff as I know she likes their products, art, afternoon tea vouchers, funky stationary, and alcohol and chocolate items I know she likes. I'm struggling for ideas this year. She's very generous with gifts and last year alone spent nearly £300 on theatre tickets for my birthday (!). I unfortunately can't match her spending budget as I'm on a much lower income than her, but would like to get her something nice regardless. Please inspire me. Max spend is £50.

OP posts:
PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 25/01/2019 17:39

I usually find something on Not on the Highstreet easily enough- they have some really different things on offer which can be personalised

Petalflowers · 25/01/2019 17:46

Magazine subscription, maybe for Lonely planet or another travel one,

Bill Bryson books are good travel books
BilBryson books

Biographies are also good. Maybe Michelle Obama’s book?

bestsellers

Bestseller books

StandardPoodle · 25/01/2019 17:50

Not sure what they cost but if she reads a lot, a Kindle?

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NoPhelange · 25/01/2019 17:50

I have a friend like this, so in the end for her last birthday decided on Champagne, a box of Hotel Chocolat, and a lovely Ted Baker camisole and shorts PJ set that was on sale. Came in at just under £60. She never gets time to relax and sent me a picture a week later of her bath ran, pjs laid out and champagne and chocolate on a table next to it 😁

Spa day and lunch? Voucher for a beauty treatment? Tickets to a show? I struggle with this type of person to buy for, I'm thrilled with a Dove bath set and a box of ferrero rocher 😂

EmpressJewel · 25/01/2019 17:52

Travel document holder/passport holder
Luggage tag
Tote bag
Cashmere wrist warmers

KitKat1985 · 25/01/2019 18:03

Thank you for the suggestions.

I've looked on Not on the High Street and I think a lot of the gifts wouldn't be to her taste.

Kindle is a bit too pricy for me to buy.

Booking something like a show / spa day is tricky as she can be called out to work at short notice so I can't guarantee she would be able to go.

I'm considering maybe National Trust membership as I know she does visit NT places quite often, although it is a bit more than I wanted to spend.

OP posts:
Petalflowers · 25/01/2019 18:20

Have you considered Groupon. They can do some good deals?

Also, can you use Tesco,vouchers to buy membership.

Leeds2 · 25/01/2019 18:24

A Radley purse.
Something for the garden eg bird bath, hedgehog house, bird table etc.

Whatififall · 25/01/2019 18:24

Where I live a couple of independent shops do jewellery making days - you can book 2 on for £50 to make silver rings.
Another friend was gifted a pottery experience- they made 3 items, it was 4 hours and cost roughly the same.

Muddlingalongalone · 25/01/2019 18:27

Following as it is a landmark birthday for a friend in April & I haven't a clue what to get.

hmmwhatatodo · 25/01/2019 18:29

Voucher for a manicure?

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