Birthday gift for son's girlfriend - ideas please, she's 20

[JudiRuliani]

Wanting to get a birthday pressie for my son's girlfriend who'll be 20.

Have asked him for ideas and he's suggested she always likes "girlie stuff or homewares" so hope you can help me narrow it down a bit 😂 I'm guessing a new hoover/iron/pedal bin and a lipstick wouldn't cut it, even though it's "homewares and girlie stuff" 😂😂😂

I don't have any daughters or females that I buy for, so pretty clueless AND I used to be pretty awful about gifts from my ex-MIL. Not proud of this at all, and wouldn't even think like it now, but she didn't like me and I'd read too much into what she gave ("ooooh, size 12, she thinks I'm fat" as I was teeny 6/8 back then, that kind of thing)

Son's GF is a really amazing artist, quite quiet, loves making their home and being at home, fairy lights, garden lights and that kind of thing. I've previously bought things like candles, fairy lights, solar lights, snuggly blankets and that kind of thing.

Also happy to send money, but often that ends up going on bills and it's a shame she wouldn't have a treat just for her.

Being a mum-in-law is a minefield! I really don't want to be 'that' MIL that gets slated on here 😂

Posh perfume? A really nice houseplant?

Can you ask her what she'd like? If she's short of money she might really enjoy the chance of choosing something for herself.

A voucher for Boots or Superdrug

Afternoon tea delivered

More candles, lights and throws

A nice dressing gown and slippers

All my girls (daughters and daughter in law) loved long hot water bottles.

Your daughter in law sounds very much like one of mine and everything on that list was on her Amazon wish list. One thing I bought her spontaneously last year that she loved was a glass ink pen. It is pretty sitting in a vase but also lovely for writing cards etc.

Depends on budget but I found this artist recently and he's brilliantly clever, he sells an "artistic license" for satire but also sells amazing colour pigments, the artistic license card is basically a gift card done creatively.

culturehustle.com/products/artistic-license?variant=35208184561822&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2019-02-24&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiAyc2BBhAaEiwA44-wWwYxUAzDvhsRbJtzIrfjPnsPc35wUEAVmH5dcEMdOV5sznCLRu_ovRoCUQQQAvD_BwE

Hoping link works...

She might like some incense or essential oils types gifts instead of candles, or a salt lamp, crystals or a suncatcher or a nice journal/sketch book and nice pens

Forget my suggestions... Glass ink pen looks brilliant!

Could you ask her for a list of things she'd like so you can pick something. So you know you are getting it right & she still gets a surprise.

Some Emma Bridgewater or something from Cornishware?

Urban outfitters is a good website to peruse for this age group.

House plant with gorgeous pot.
Or one that can hang from the ceiling.

If she’s an artist, maybe some supplies in her medium? Other ideas can be: gift card for an art store that sells her supplies in her medium; a gift card for Not On The High Street; some nice things to eat that she wouldn’t ever buy for herself.

The ordinary skincare sets are good! Or have a look on Etsy.com its good for cheap but different presents or personalised items! lots of cute things to buy especially for a young girl and the items for sale tend to be from a small business!

Or have a look on Etsy.com it's good for cheap but different presents or personalised items! lots of cute things to buy especially for a young girl

But she's 20, not 12

Sorry! I'd have died of horror at 20 if anyone had tried to give me anything that combined 'cheap', 'personalised' and 'cute'.

I'd also avoid buying anything related to a specialist art form. She probably uses specific things that aren't obvious to a non-artist.

Gift vouchers for a shop you know she likes would probably be safest. Or a plant - outdoor if they have a garden, houseplant if not.

Would she like a nice electric aroma diffuser with some nice oils? A friend bought me a lovely ceramic one from Oliver Bonas and I love it.

www.oliverbonas.com/search/Electric%20Aroma%20Diffuser

I second the aroma diffuser suggestion. Seems to fit with all the things she likes and they really are fab.

PursuingProxemicExactitude

*But she's 20, not 12 shock

Sorry! I'd have died of horror at 20 if anyone had tried to give me anything that combined 'cheap', 'personalised' and 'cute'.

I'd also avoid buying anything related to a specialist art form. She probably uses specific things that aren't obvious to a non-artist.

Gift vouchers for a shop you know she likes would probably be safest. Or a plant - outdoor if they have a garden, houseplant if not*

You could have a look on there first to see what I mean you judgemental sod. Might even happen to find a PLANT on there like you suggested

I am captivated by glass ink pens... had never heard of them until I read this and now I want one very badly indeed.

I was going to suggest urban outfitters. Their home section is ideal for that age.

Maybe a Dunelm voucher? Not sure if you can use them online atm. Or hobbycraft. Slippers, a candle/ reed diffuser, some chocs, nice bubble bath, nice notebook/journal

Honestly, I don't think you need to get her anything. They're only young and she's his girlfriend. Maybe a bottle of wine or some chocolates if your son thinks it's appropriate, I guess.

Birchbox are doing 40% off subscriptions for their beauty boxes at the moment.

or something form patch plants. Indoor plants are very 'in' at the moment. I got one for Christmas that looks like a tiger print on the stems and I love it.

wax melts a burner candles voucher for her favourite home ware place smelly gifts

Honestly, I don't think you need to get her anything.

I'd be inclined to agree - though being taken out for a wonderful meal by sort-of-laws would have been a nice compromise in any other year. But the thing is the OP has already started down this path. It would look a bit pointed to stop now.

How about a Homesense gift card OP? You can spend them in tk maxx too so she could get something for their home or something for her.