I'm being threatened with a spa day

[FairfaxAikman]

So I’m getting demands for ideas for a present for my upcoming birthday. If I don’t come up with something I’m being threatened with a spa day.

Problem is there’s nothing I really need or want (I love Scandi clothing but am trying to lose weight so think it would be a waste to ask for this)

I like books - but have a kindle - Harry Potter, Diet Coke, dogs (but have one already) “classic rock” music (think Queen/Led Zeppelin/Deep Purple/Rush) and sleep.

I don’t like make up or perfume and I hate stuff like spa days.

I work predominantly in an office environment but very occasionally out and about - and wear Docs to work, so have those already (though is it just me or is the quality declining?) and use a backpack instead of a bag (have a Berghaus one). Nice pens are a no go as the best pen for super quick note taking (which i do a lot of) is a cheap bic biro.

What the hell would you buy me?

Velvet quilt/throw for your bed. I just got one from Graham & Green and it’s heavenly.

I know I’m impossible to buy for, but am always happy to receive:

Nice pyjamas (Hush, White Company)
Loungewear (as above)
Yoga gear
Running gear
Chunky cashmere (or just wool) socks

Basically, the stuff I wear all the time and can always find a use for.

If you’re trying to lose weight, what about some decent fitness gear, either clothing (swimming costume, leggings, top) or perhaps a voucher for on line fitness classes or personal training.

Weighted blanket
Oodie
Crochet blanket kit
Kitchen gadget
Nice glassware

Festival tickets! Try Rock and Blues in Pentrich, Derbyshire. Awesome weekend! Or if more £££ then Download. 😁😁😁

I love sleep and having nice things for bedtime..these include shower gel/body lotion in a calming scent, lumie alarm which mimics sunset and sunrise, pillow spray (I love one by this works), and have a Kally sleep pillow which I love. thete are also.some nice relaxing candles, by neom or this works for example, which are perfect for relaxing

silk pillowcases are great too, and help.with bed head, they are meant to be good for wrinkle prevention too

@purplecorkheart

I must confess a solo spa day is my idea of heaven, once it is in a nice hotel that I am booked in for the night with dinner bed and breakfast (and afternoon tea ideally) and a really good book. However it needs to be a solo trip. I need a room with a view that I can people watch so City Centre is best for me. Also the hotel needs to have crap tv reality tv channels that I can binge watch.

I got this as a birthday present this year (adhering with COVID restrictions, I had a ball!)

[moans jealously]

I reckon that there is a huge market for female only solo 24 hour spa breaks.

You arrive at 11am and are shown to your room with a massive crisp white bed. You have nap.

At 1pm you go for lunch that someone else has cooked. It has loads of lovely non child friendly options. Perhaps even chopsticks. You drink something fancy without being interrupted by someone needing you to chop up their fish finger and place ketchup in a non offensive place.

After lunch you swim, lie down, read mumsnet uninterrupted, someone massages your feet/head/hands/ego depending on your personal hang ups.

Then you go for another lie down in a bed that has been freshly remade and watch telly. In bed. Uninterrupted.

Sometime around this point in the day you ring home and sympathise with whoever is doing everything you usually have to do.

Then someone else cooks you dinner. Possibly involving something dangerous like sizzle plates.

Then you go back to another freshly remade bed, with snacks, TV, silence.

After a good nights sleep you wake up to a delicious breakfast, in bed or downstairs as per your preference. Before you leave you get a blow dry and you swish back out into the world a new woman for all of the time it takes you to get home.

The 1 rule of the break is that no guests can talk to each other other than for polite greetings.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. My husband bought me a spa day one year and I feel quite guilty that I sort of 'forgot' to redeem it. It's a good deterrent though, as he hadn't done it since. So ultimately I've saved him money 🤔
I got caught on the hoof once with a massage that he arranged for me on holiday and I couldn't say no. I put up with it but hates it and had to ask them to stop multiple times because I'm ticklish.

I keep seeing those subscriptions where you get sent a box of snacks from different countries every month. I'd like to try that. Spa day though? Hell no.

What about the Turtle Doves fingerless gloves? I saw this suggested on here and treated myself with my birthday money. They are so soft and warm.

How much does your sister want to spend?

Say no (thank you) to the spa day! I couldn’t stand it either, I’ve been threatened with one twice before!
As others have suggested some food or drink might be the way to go, treat type stuff that you would enjoy but wouldn’t normally buy for yourself.
BTW Your SIL sounds like a good egg.

vintage band t shirt
Concert tickets (covid permitting)
Pedometer
Torch & headband for night time dog walks
Fancy toweling dressing gown for your dog

If you really don't want anything ask for a charity donation. I have made it clear for years now that the only present that isn't going to make me upset or angry is something from the Good Gifts catalogue or the Choose Love one.

Practical things I want are a new umbrella, thermos and mugs. Maybe something you need replacing?

Solovair boots. They’re what Docs used to be.

Another here who wouldn’t want a spa day!
I was given a little duck egg blue Roberts Rambler radio for my birthday recently & absolutely love it. What about something like this?

What about silk pillowcases. Linen duvet covers.

Crochet or knitting kit 😀

I wish somebody would threaten me with a spa day. That’s my idea of pure heaven!

Silk pillow case.
Lavender pillow spray
Bamboo socks
Flowers

I often ask for new socks. Ones with good elastic. They fall down inside my docs when the elastic goes. That's my suggestion!

Another one here that would hate a spa day.

Afternoon tea in a fancy hotel with Dsis ( covid permitting)

Subscription to audible or Spotify

Framed art / poster/ mug / tshirt / hoodie etc of your fav band .

Board game to play with the family

Travel vouchers?
Expensive booze?
Amazon voucher for your kindle?
Failing that I'll have your spa day please!

Spotify subscription

audible subscription

Amazon voucher to buy kindle books

Docs in a different colour