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Most indulgent/luxurious gift you’ve received

51 replies

Couchto5ktowine · 30/01/2021 16:19

My best friend has a significant birthday coming up. She’s a nightmare to buy for and there’s nothing particular she’s said she wants so I’m looking for inspiration. Vouchers are out and she has no particular preferences.

She also doesn’t usually indulge herself as she’d prefer to spend money on her children. So what’s been the most indulgent, luxurious thing you may never have bought yourself but which you were delighted to receive?

OP posts:
Housing101 · 30/01/2021 16:48

When I was 18 my close circle of girl friends bought me a gorgeous designer purse. It was about £200, I'd never have spent that on a purse myself but I treasured it for years

Couchto5ktowine · 30/01/2021 17:50

Good thought: I have been half looking at Kate Spade and Coach so may go down that route!

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 30/01/2021 17:58

A beautiful bottle of Aromatherapy Associates bath oil. It lasted ages as you only need a tiny amount and is insanely expensive so I just can't justify it myself. I smelt gorgeous and my bed and my PJs smelt amazing too!!

LunaHeather · 30/01/2021 18:06

Why are vouchers out?

Is she well off?

Readytogogogo · 30/01/2021 18:16

I came here to say aromatherapy associates bath oil. The deep relax oil smells incredible. I would absolutely love to be gifted a bottle.

Justnotfeelingit · 30/01/2021 18:19

What’s your budget?
Mulberry purse in a classic shape and colour?
Jo Malone massive candle?

Fivemoreminutes1 · 30/01/2021 18:29

Cashmere dressing gown

idontevenknowanyonecalledblurb · 30/01/2021 18:34

A purse is lovely- something more luxurious. A Neom diffuser - I would love this! Some lovely loungewear from the white company. A trinny London voucher- their stackable pots are amazing and they do online consultations?

VinterKvinna · 30/01/2021 18:36

@FusionChefGeoff

A beautiful bottle of Aromatherapy Associates bath oil. It lasted ages as you only need a tiny amount and is insanely expensive so I just can't justify it myself. I smelt gorgeous and my bed and my PJs smelt amazing too!!
Does she like baths? I hate baths, only like showers 🚿
SoddingWeddings · 30/01/2021 18:40

DH bought me the Dyson Airwrap (tbf, I went 50/50 with him) - I love it, but I know people are split on them.

Linen bedding is the most indulgent thing I've forked out on for myself.

I love Osprey bags and purses - beautiful bright colours if it's her thing.

What is her thing though? Is she outdoorsy, a classical musician, a rocker, does she use a handbag or a rucksack, is she someone who would rather have a good book or go to a folk festival? So varied.

Thechase · 30/01/2021 18:41

A bottle of Bollinger

WaveAndSmile · 30/01/2021 18:44

A flower subscription for the year.

Pandapotato · 30/01/2021 18:44

We’ve been lucky enough to be gifted some lovely f&m hampers over the years. Gorgeous treats we would never buy ourselves. Thoughtful (if you know what she likes) and sis oak 🙂

INeedMyGirl · 30/01/2021 18:46

I've ordered my sister the electric diffuser from the White Company for her birthday. And some oils. They are lovely!

Couchto5ktowine · 30/01/2021 18:49

@LunaHeather fair question! Mainly because she’ll spend them on her kids - which is her right, but not my intention. In normal times I might risk a hotel/spa voucher but she won’t appreciate it right now.

OP posts:
Couchto5ktowine · 30/01/2021 18:55

@Justnotfeelingit there’s no particular budget for the right thing. She’s just so difficult to buy for that I’m looking to be inspired by others who got a gift that they viewed as a luxury they wouldn’t otherwise get. So loving all the ideas so far!

OP posts:
TFSRM · 30/01/2021 18:58

Definitely a flower subscription.

MrsMarrio · 30/01/2021 19:31

My DH is a massive watch enthusiast, me...not so much. I bought him a Tagg Heuer for our wedding day, he picked it and it cost me an arm and a leg.

Woke up on my wedding day, came back from getting hair and make up and there was my very own Tagg Heuer, diamonds, mother of Pearl you name it that my husband had bought for me. Anyone who knows about watches always compliments me on it when I wear it.

And also wedding related, me and DH never asked for a single penny off family to help pay for the wedding, we paid for it all upfront, but one day I checked my online banking to find my parents had gave us the money to cover the cost of the church and the venue. I spent the next half hour arguing on the phone with them that I couldn't accept the money as it was too much.

ParkheadParadise · 30/01/2021 19:39

A purse is a good idea op.

The most indulgence gift I have ever received is a car.
The worst Christmas we ever had DH told me I know we're not celebrating Christmas this year BUT he tied a ribbon to my finger and I had to follow it around the house( I wasn't impressed)
It led to a brand new car on our driveway complete with 🎀 .

LunaHeather · 30/01/2021 19:46

OP I hope this doesn't come across badly

I am a not very materialistic person. I get annoyed when my bestie says I am hard to buy for because I have a wish list, I'm happy to make suggestions....they get ignored, almost everything winds up at the charity shop.

I have two expensive bits of jewellery for 30th and 40th that I've never worn. I actually sold the 30th one a few years later when I was out of work.

That's one reason I asked if your friend is well off.

Another time, a group of friends wanted to buy a luxury gift for someone who was paying for a new boiler. She approached me to ask if I could talk them out if it and do
John Lewis vouchers because at least then she could spend it in the supermarket. I tried but they said I was being silly.

She ended up with a Radley bag which she sold for less than they paid.

Your friend has said she doesn't want anything in particular. I'd have a good think before forking out - especially if she isn't well off and is going to want to sell it.

So many luxuries have become normalised. I've flogged off mad things like a Tiffany address book, FGS! I'm not the Queen! I couldn't bear looking at it thinking what it would pay for, how many hours if work it was (for me, not the giver) and was so pleased to get the cash to spend in Aldi instead. One day closer to retirement.

If your friend has a luxuries mindset, obviously ignore me, but it didn't seem like it from your opening post.

FinallyHere · 30/01/2021 21:09

Flower subscription.

Or cakes

The macaroons would hit the spot for me.

https://www.bettys.co.uk/macaroons-box-of-12

A luxury small enough to be enjoyed without guilt.

Lots of other cake subscriptions if you Google.

As I get older it becomes more important for a present to be small but lovely.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/01/2021 21:20

A pearl ring from Tiffany. I love it because it doesn't scream Tiffany, but it's absolutely beautiful. DH bought it when I was recently promoted, there wasn't much change from £500.

ShouldHaveCouldHaveWouldHave · 30/01/2021 21:26

Neom diffuser and some oils would be lovely and an ongoing gift as other people can top up the oils stash for future birthdays and Christmas. The Christmas scents are amazing.
I got a Coach handbag one year, would lust over them in John Lewis every time I went in there but could never afford one (well I could but that would be my monthly shopping budget wiped out!)

Callingallbutterflies · 30/01/2021 21:35

Hermes silk scarf. Had it 16 years, and worn it a lot. Feels special every time. I take care of it and still have the original box.

Couchto5ktowine · 30/01/2021 22:23

@LunaHeather you don’t come across badly at all and your thoughts are helpful. She’s not well off which is why I’m keen to get her something that she wouldn’t usually get but she’s also not materialistic which is why a lot of the usual “go to” gifts aren’t for her.

But I’m convinced there’s something I’m missing hence the question which I’m hoping will stimulate thoughts. There’s some really helpful suggestions here for me to think about.

OP posts:
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