Most indulgent/luxurious gift you’ve received

[Couchto5ktowine]

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 glad you didn't mind

The most appreciated gift I have ever given was a pen and ink drawing of one of my friend's favourite places in London. It was on Etsy. It was extra special for reasons I won't bore you with but you get the idea. It was also really nice to buy from an independent artist.

She is very well off and has all the branded stuff so I would have just been adding to a collection.

I've also done a personalised bookmark on a big birthday for a friend who read loads.

Ok, not well done off, would use vouchers etc on her kids.

Rather than an item, why not give her a "voucher" for a weekend away with you - if childcare is available for her kids? Go to London / other city, hotel, theatre, gig, drinks, dinner, a spa, a yoga retreat, whatever you guys would enjoy together?

I've got tickets for me and my friend to see Bryan Adams this summer (if it comes off!) for her birthday. She's got a tight budget for everyday life due to ill health which doesn't extend to her biggest love which is live music. The tickets cost £120 for the two, DH will drive us there and pick us up, and I'll cover the booze for the evening, so it won't cost her a penny. We've done this before with theatre shows etc, so I know it's a good gift for her.

Neal's Yard Cheese Subscription.

I like the purse idea.

However, Think about what brands she would like or not like. Different people have different ideas of luxury, to me, if you can buy it in tkmaxx... it's not luxury... it might be nice ... but not luxury... I'm saying this as when you mentioned kate spade, my first thought was TKMaxx! I wouldn't want a Kate Spade purse.

I'd hate to be bought anything Radley and anything Micheal Korrs, but some people really like these brands.

I'm not rich BTW and wouldn't be able to afford the brands I've mentioned myself at their full price, but I still wouldn't use them if I got them as a gift.

I just think it's lovely of you to be putting so much thought in, but before you spend the cash, find out what brands she likes and doesn't like.

I was given an extra large diptyque candle - extremely luxurious and made everything smell beautiful.

I’ve always been disappointed with flower subscriptions I now get regular bouquets delivered from a local florist - much better option in my opinion than the likes of bloom and wild.

The neom diffuser is a good suggestion and is a cheese subscription.

I love my Ugg slippers - I’ve bought them as gifts for a few people and they’re always well received.

Neom wellness pod
Sign up on the neom website and they give a discount too

2 Dior bags
LV bag
Tiffany gold bracelet
and recently a Dyson hairdryer.
I’d never, ever buy any of these for myself and they do make me feel special.
Another present which was from a friend was a pair of Swarovski earrings. They had the wow factor when I opened the box.

It is hard without knowing your friend as we’re all different. I would really not want a lot of the suggestions on here because they’re just not my thing.

The most expensive and appreciated thing I’ve ever been bought was a really lovely cashmere blanket. It’s incredibly soft, and comes from a high quality producer. I’ve had it years and it’s still a pleasure to curl up in it. But the kids also enjoy it, and the cats, so it doesn’t feel like a very selfish thing to own.

Expensive gifts would be wasted on me. I have no knowledge or interest in big names/brands.
How about treating the two of you to something special like a spa day or posh lunch/afternoon tea?

Diamond earrings, handmade for me in Antwerp for my 40th from dh.

From what you have posted, it doesn't seem to me that your friend would be interested in one frivolously indulgent gift, particularly if things are tight, financially.

How about making her up a hamper of a few smaller treats that she may enjoy. I think a good gift can be something which is just a slightly more luxurious version of what they would normally buy. For example, if she normally used a £5 hand cream, she may appreciate an £8 one, but wouldn't enjoy a £20 one.

The most luxurious gift I've been given was a bottle of XO Cognac.
I love really good cognac but definitely can't justify the cost.

I also love perfume, but would not buy it for myself.

Don't buy her anything cashmere. Don't get me wrong, I love cashmere and have a lot of sweaters but it is a pain to look after properly.

How about a luxury, European city break for the two of you (when able). You'll have some amazing memories.

Have now bought myself a luxury gift after reading this thread

I think self care is the future. It is SO hard judging someone elses luxury. Is she a foodie? A cheese box is a good idea but what about a nice meal delivered (not thinking uber eats) or a really indulgent “adult” focused cheese and meats box. Really good wine.

I used to spend birthday money on my kids. A good present for me then would have been anything to pamper myself with but more importantly time to do it. So post lockdown off of babysitting? I suppose it depends if you want something for now or later

Like @LunaHeather 's suggestion above - my dd got me a lovely drawing from a photo of me with my nieces for my birthday. Her friend did it (art student) but there are lots of artists that do that kind of thing on local Facebook groups etc. Maybe a nice pic of her and her kids?

For me the clue is “really not well off”. I’d split the present in two... a voucher you accept will go on the kids (and that will give friend pleasure after all) and something like a pair of antique wine glasses or jewellery from Etsy or similar (my unmaterialistic friends often seem to like old things...)

I had some Laura Mercier body souffle moisturiser for Christmas, it smells divine and feels beautiful put on I really, really love it!

A lovely hamper full of mixed treats like champers, posh foods, maybe some luxury mini candles and perfume, and a bunch of flowers or something. Covers all bases that way!

Afternoon Tea Box delivered to her door
Or

Harrods hamper...food or smellies

Fortnum and Mason hamper

Michelin star restaurant voucher for her to enjoy when the time is right

A neom well being pod. We love ours.

Tricky...
The most luxurious gift I've been given was a friend who embroidered the Church I got married in on very fine linen and had it framed. The workmanship was very fine, and it must have taken months.

I do think an 'original' something is very special.
I like the idea of a pencil drawing of her and her kids (they've clearly very important to her and it's not something you'd have 'spare cash' for usually - it would need to be well done, and nicely framed)?

Candles / flowers / body oils / hampers etc? I think you'd have to know she'd love it or she might feel guilty about what you spent?
I think the poster above who described selling some things given as she needed the money but didn't get much 'value' out of the item has a point too.

OR book a weekend away for the two of you, (or a spa day for her and babysit) if that is her thing , but it might be ages till you can use it?

A bespoke gold necklace with mine, husbands and kids initials on.

A sculpture by a renowned artist, the subject of which is a passion of mine. I admire it every single day.

The two most astonishingly luxuriant presents I've ever received were a cashmere robe and a year's flower subscription.

Things I love, but would never have bought for myself.