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Original poster

What to gift people who like nothing?

52 replies

CatsArePeople · 04/04/2022 12:50

Several people in my life (good friends, family members) who are like that...

  • pretend not to drink alcohol (a bottle would be misunderstood)
  • always on a diet (so no cakes/chocolates)
  • shopping vouchers not good enough (lazy, not sincere)
  • don't read books/watch films/listen to music
  • very peculiar taste in jewelry/cosmetics (only they know what up to their taste)
  • home deco (again, never good enough)
  • don't have hobbies

if these people weren't close, i wouldn't care, but one of them is my own mother...

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 04/04/2022 12:52

I'd ask them what they want.

If they don't want anything I'd offer to take them out for lunch/afternoon tea/a theatre show.

If they didn't want to do that then I would respect their wishes and get them nothing.

LoudParrot · 04/04/2022 12:52

My mum and MIL are both a bit tricky to buy for. I just buy something I think they'll like, and not spend any time worrying about whether they actually do or not!

Ariela · 04/04/2022 12:54

I prefer to receive nothing, but if not I find the charitable gifts quite amusing.

Original poster
CatsArePeople · 04/04/2022 13:00

I prefer to receive nothing

I would appreciate if that was the case.
But my mum would be very offended and cross if she got nothing.

OP posts:
Anna197264 · 04/04/2022 13:04

Monthly flower subscription

notacooldad · 04/04/2022 13:06

My mum is always in a diet but she is still going on about how fabulous on about the huge chocolate cake stack with flakes, dairy milks, snickers and segments f chocolate orange attached to it was. She had a loverly surprise when she got that delivered to her door!

Other than I usually get vouchers for afternoon tea or if they think vouchers are lazy organise a specific venue, date and time so they turn up for it. Either you go or arrange for their partner or friend to go.

caringcarer · 04/04/2022 13:11

Flowers, plant for garden, take her out for an after cream tea. You can even get cream yeas delivered. My Mum was always on a diet but would love a cream tea.

BingoBungle · 04/04/2022 13:12

I buy my mother plants for her garden. She also likes framed family photographs, and craft projects from my DC such as Christmas tree decorations. Posh hand cream, hand soap, and scented candles are always a failsafe present as they’re not things you would ever buy for yourself.

I buy my siblings vouchers for restaurants I know they love, or tickets to events.

MarthanotMarfa · 04/04/2022 13:13

Lovely shower/bath stuff. Everyone must wash and difficult not to like.

Original poster
CatsArePeople · 04/04/2022 13:14

Monthly flower subscription

Now that's an idea. Thanks.

OP posts:
workworkworkugh · 04/04/2022 13:16

I'd love to know this too!
My DM wouldn't even like a flower subscription or a theatre show. She might tolerate a meal out.

Skyeheather · 04/04/2022 13:16

Do you have DC? If so would your DM like something from them instead. I got my DM a photo book of the DC this Christmas, it had about 60 photos of DC in it from the past year, DM loved it but she doesn't see DC very often. MIL likes ceramic things with the kids handprints on.

DM is always on a diet but I sent her a large bouquet from M&S this year with a bottle of Prosecco and fancy chocolate and she was thrilled and also surprised when the delivery arrived.

My parents like Boots vouchers, Garden Centre vouchers, cinema vouchers, restaurant vouchers and afternoon tea experiences (they like the posh London hotels though) and also theatre vouchers.

BiscuitLover3678 · 04/04/2022 13:17

Find out what kind of soap/washing things they like and things life coffee/tea and get that.

BiscuitLover3678 · 04/04/2022 13:18

I can’t stand those who won’t tell you what you want and say they want nothing but then expect something ‘decent’.

BingoBungle · 04/04/2022 13:18

I gave my mother a Freddie’s flower subscription one year and unfortunately it was a really stressful present as she was always disappointed by the quality of the flowers and would complain incessantly to me about feeling ripped off. They will only deal with customer complaints from the person who set up the subscription and not the recipient so dealing with that on her behalf harshed the buzz too.

Original poster
CatsArePeople · 04/04/2022 13:20

Find out what kind of soap/washing things they like and things life coffee/tea and get that.

These thing unfortunately fall under the category where they only themselves know what is exactly that they like.

OP posts:
Stabbitystabstab · 04/04/2022 13:21

Theatre vouchers

SmellyOldOwls · 04/04/2022 13:22

Give her a framed photo of yourself. She can't exactly complain that she hates it can she.

MintJulia · 04/04/2022 13:25

Sounds like my DM.

I paid her monthly magazine subscriptions, and in the past when it was possible to buy gas vouchers, I bought her those as well, so she would stop being slow to turn on the central heating.

Phormiumjester2 · 04/04/2022 13:30

@LoudParrot

My mum and MIL are both a bit tricky to buy for. I just buy something I think they'll like, and not spend any time worrying about whether they actually do or not!
I think I'm here too with a few people. It's a gift. I think they'll like it. The world won't end if they don't. They are grown ups. I've spent too long in the past trying to find the perfect thing and they still seem non plussed so I'm giving it less time. Turtle Doves wrist warmers suit everyone!
Frenziedandfurious · 04/04/2022 13:31

My mum is like this. It's a pain, she does have a hobby but I'd never dare to buy her something for that for fear it would be wrong. She's taken everything I've ever chosen for her back to the shop, I find it really ungrateful! I've ordered her lovely plants before and she's sent them back due to some minor issue. There's no way I'd do a flower subscription as there would be an issue each and every time. So now I just buy garden centre or theatre vouchers!

Frenziedandfurious · 04/04/2022 13:32

@SmellyOldOwls

Give her a framed photo of yourself. She can't exactly complain that she hates it can she.
If that were my mum there'd be something wrong with the frame!
Luckystar1 · 04/04/2022 13:33

Oh god this sounds like my mother. She’s a pain in the arse to buy for. But I’ve just taken the tact that I have to buy her something and I don’t actually care what she thinks of it.

Mine is the type of person who is interested in the ‘name’ so if I get her something from somewhere ‘fancy’ (even if it is some old shit), she’s impressed by it Hmm

Original poster
CatsArePeople · 04/04/2022 13:34

If that were my mum there'd be something wrong with the frame!

My mum would say that i look fat from that angle Grin

OP posts:
Beachbreak2411 · 05/04/2022 10:28

@CatsArePeople

If that were my mum there'd be something wrong with the frame!

My mum would say that i look fat from that angle Grin

Mine would replace my picture with one of my brothers wife 😂😂