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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:

AnneButNotHathaway · 05/04/2022 10:58

Family photo calendar for mom, stuff like gift cards or restaurant vouchers or sugar/fat free edible items for others.

girlmom21 · 05/04/2022 11:00

Cinema gift card

Mimijamroll · 05/04/2022 11:08

A plant for the garden , maybe in a container so that it can be just put out.
I recently bought this for a hard to buy for relation . They didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about it but hey ho, I still think it's a good idea.

Posh bath/skincare sets from loccitane or liz earle or neals yard ?

Mimijamroll · 05/04/2022 11:26

Gifts of days out, eg to a garden show, to the theatre, the races.

Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 11:26

I'd tell my mother she was really hard to buy for and that if she didn't have an idea of something she'd love how am I supposed to? Then I'd take her for afternoon tea or to see a film.

Crimeismymiddlename · 05/04/2022 11:32

Flowers, candle’s maybe something really useful like EarPods. Or treating to an afternoon tea.

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 05/04/2022 11:36

My DM and MIL are both a bit like this. Luckily, they're also both - er - piously religious - so we always have the CAFOD/Christian Aid charity gifts in reserve. Can't complain about those without looking like a properly churlish fucker

listsandbudgets · 05/04/2022 11:37

A great big cushion with a photo of them printed on it

A basket of fruit and some flowers?

Charity gift?

BingoBungle · 05/04/2022 14:38

Just thought of another. David Austin roses in a pot. Re-plant at your leisure. Often on 3 for 2. Cast iron quality guarantees for finicky mothers too.

yellowsuninthesky · 05/04/2022 14:45

@CatsArePeople

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.

But you can look around the house and see what they've got?

FTMFML · 05/04/2022 14:47

A hamper with lots of wee things that you know they like in it! … could be bloody fabric conditioner that they like inside it 😂

crocus776 · 05/04/2022 14:51

Food, posh jams, chutney, olive oil, fancy pop etc.
Really it's just about ticking the box for people with everything. My mum is the same, tried to give me back a plant I bought her, as it had clearly grown too big for her house....🙄😫

Maverick66 · 05/04/2022 15:02

Are these people good a choosing gifts for you?
In my experience these types of people usually buy gifts for me that i don't particularly like or want. So therefore, have not
given the same consideration to my likes and dislikes.

Original poster

CatsArePeople · 05/04/2022 19:05

Are these people good a choosing gifts for you?
My mum actually puts a lot of thought into presents. And she expects the same degree of effort, except its always hit and miss with her.

With fussy friends and in-laws - i usually get a pile of junk from them. Not rubbish, just totally useless stuff, like singing cushions or some tasteless home deco. I try to be more practical and spare them a trip to a charity shop, so buy them drink/food - but again, hit and miss.

OP posts:

MrsPsmalls · 05/04/2022 21:06

Cashmere Cardigan from mark's and spark's. Nice enough in itself and can be returned if not wanted.

muppamup · 05/04/2022 21:08

meal vouchers?

Tsuni · 05/04/2022 21:09

@CatsArePeople

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.

Can't you snoop in your mum's cupboards and see what tea she has or what soap she uses?

Tsuni · 05/04/2022 21:13

@Silverclocks

I'd tell my mother she was really hard to buy for and that if she didn't have an idea of something she'd love how am I supposed to? Then I'd take her for afternoon tea or to see a film.

Yes, I told my mother she was difficult to buy for so she gave me some suggestions. She wasn't mortally offended. Just ask your mum, op.

TheAbbotOfUnreason · 05/04/2022 21:20

@MrsPsmalls

Cashmere Cardigan from mark's and spark's. Nice enough in itself and can be returned if not wanted.

I did that for my fussy mother. No good apparently as it needs hand washing.

So now it’s flowers and I give a goat or some chickens or similar via Action Aid.

Goldenhedgehogs · 05/04/2022 22:07

Tip tree Jam allows you to personalise their jam labels. You could get two one saying lovely mum and one saying ungrateful cow and however your main present was received you could give them the appropriate jar 🤣

Peachyscream · 05/04/2022 22:10

I decided last year I wouldn't give my mum presents anymore as she actually wrinkles her nose in disgust when opening it! I decided I'd give her cash and tell her to go shopping and buy herself an outfit or any treat she wants. However she came over to mine and admired my shoes so I've bought her a pair and a multipack of socks in colours I think she'll like. Will add some money as well - I find it weird gifting her money.

adarkwhisperinthewoodwasheard · 05/04/2022 22:53

Does she actually want anything? I'm a bit like this - hate getting presents as I'm really funny about food I've not picked, can't bear scented candles or fancy bath stuff, and my house is full of enough shit without being given more. Vouchers are rubbish as I always forget about them. It all always feels like a waste of money and resources.

My brother is the only one who has figured out the best thing and that's an annual membership for a society I like (he splits the cost with my dsis). In return he gets a subscription to Private Eye. Charity donations are also good. Not very expensive but actually used.

Something like that might be an idea - cinema/theatre membership or something, or as PPs said, a meal out?

mumofEandE · 05/04/2022 23:14

My DM is like this - she also hates flowers 'they smell like death' (reminding her of when her DF died)
Last week someone gave her an orchid (they didn't know about her aversion to fliers) and she complained to me about such a ridiculous' gift

User3456 · 06/04/2022 00:15

Plants for the garden are good. My mum is like this, as are some other people I know (I am a bit like it too, tbh, although I always like getting wine haha).
I quite often just ask what they would like if I can't think of anything.
Sometimes I do a charity gift or a gift voucher.

Fluffyowl00 · 06/04/2022 00:37

Molton Brown. They might not think they need it…

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