What do you buy for a woman who doesn't want or need anything

[PinkTeaForMe]

The woman is me. My birthday is coming up (not a big one) and my DH is asking me what I'd like. We tend to just tell each other so it's something wanted. I genuinely can't think of a thing this year and actually get fed up of just having 'stuff' around cluttering up the house. Any ideas?

Now this is stuff I could get on board with! And I'm with you on the designer handbags too. So not my thing.

I'm with you on that one!

I never get all the ‘not a bloody spa day’ posts - it’s only a suggestion, one of absolutely loads on this thread. No one’s saying you must enjoy spa days, or anything else on this long list of suggestions. Pick something else!

I'm very difficult too, and I don't want stuff. What makes it worse is that when I DO want stuff, I get a lot of my pleasure from stalking it, or finding an alternative, or making it myself. So just going into a shop and buying it for me feels like cheating me out of half the fun!

What do you like or wish you knew more about? For instance, if you are in London, V&A membership. A wine or whisky course. Something that gets you OUT of the house to learn something (ideally not with a trashed kitchen when you get in either...) - maybe you've always wished you could read Hebrew, or speak Danish, or metallic embroidery.

I think I would prefer something like that these days.

Spend the money on a mini\weekend break to somewhere you both fancy visiting. Plan a trip to a special restaurant, murder mystery weekend etc. National trust membership etc.

Most people would love the opportunity to laze around reading a book, going for a swim, floating around in lovely warm bubbly water in the sun before going for a nice lunch, afternoon tea or cocktails.

But OP, if you don't want 'stuff' then don't feel like you have to have an actual present. To me, if I have to tell someone what to buy, it's not a present anyway because I don't want to have to do the thinking but I equally don't want other people choosing what I'm going to wear, use or look at. I'd rather have nothing.

I'm happy with a meal or a day out, but one where I haven't had to make all the arrangements. I just want to turn up and enjoy it.

I'm happy with a meal or a day out, but one where I haven't had to make all the arrangements. I just want to turn up and enjoy it.

I agree @Bjorkdidit after raising four children and organising a household for 35 years it is very much appreciated to just be able to go somewhere and just enjoy it. My DDs are old enough now to do this and it is wonderful! DH just says 'but you're so GOOD at it' when I suggest he might be a bit more proactive!

A set of massages eg 1 a month for a few months. Or facials. Something nice that you can enjoy for a few sessions

I always think an Hermes scarf is good for this - beautiful, beautifully packaged, just nice to have.

Honestly? Nothing. If you genuinely don’t want anything and you genuinely don’t need anything… nothing. Truly not being an arse but if I honestly didn’t want or need a single thing I would say nothing other than the pleasure of your company and go so aomethng nice together. And I have done this at times …although right now I want and need lots of things so I’d have a list! 😂

I've started making a list so I'm ready next time I'm asked.

Currently it has knife sharpener, steak knives and a darning loom on it, which is all a bit random.

If you like foodie stuff then olive oil or a hamper from somewhere nice - we had a Brindisa hamper and it was lovely. Or a meal out together.

The Patra silk thermals are fabulous and saw me through the winter.

I also just don't want more 'stuff'.

I’d hate most of the things here or (e.g. books) would buy myself anyway. Gardening things might just do it for me but that’s what I had last year and we’re about to do some landscaping. DH did buy me a spa day one year and I went with DD but have no real desire to repeat it.
Mugs made me laugh - I’ve just broken one of much loved pair of mugs that can’t be replaced. I am very fussy and would have to choose the replacement myself. I have a drawerful of scarves and wouldn’t appreciate one that cost £400.

I’d quite like a trip to see the Tom Hanks moon thing in London but it’s a long way for us.

That's a lovely idea, I'm going to contact our council and see if it's something that they do. Thank you!

Nothing. We don’t do birthday or Christmas presents, other than a box of chocs. No point having something just for the sake of it.

I recently treated myself to a Clarins Body Oil Balm, smells of mint and lemon. It's sooooooo beautiful and I look forward to my shower so I can use it after. Haven't used Clayton's body stuff in ages and forgot how utterly lovely they are

Agree with the suggestion of a tree.

Or sponsor a goat/ pig/ cow / chickens via some charity.

🤣 I'm with you on this one!

I don't like "stuff" either. I want things that I can use and then they're enjoyed and gone.

My favourites would be:

• Spa day
• Beauty treatment vouchers

• Flowers
• Restaurant vouchers or a Groupon type meal
• Theatre or show tickets
• A mini break

All lovely and don't take up any space.

An Art Fund pass, gets you into all sorts of places you wouldn't expect including many National Trust properties and Beaulieu. A whole year of days out if that's your thing.

Art Fund

If you have a garden a gift voucher for Austin Roses & depending where you live a trip there to choose your own.
A real trug.
A trip to an antique centre to choose whatever you like, or money & a day at an auction to spend it.
A musical instrument, could be second hand, & paid for lessons….you could end up in a local brass band ( I’m in the north 😁)

I’m currently in the same position. What I’d like is to be told one day to pack a bag, chuck that & my dogs into our campervan & be driven off on a complete mystery tour for a few days.

Consumables. Depending what you like don't usually get and what you can afford. Really nice chocolates, bottle of Champagne, caviar (to go with the champagne), lovely bunch of flowers, an orchid, a really nice meal out or weekend break, balloon flight or any other experience day. Something that makes the day special but leaves no clutter!

Plant lots of trees https://onetreeplanted.org/
Buy school dinner for a child ( or children) every school day for a year https://www.marysmeals.org/ Less than £20 pa per child.

And Happy Birthday.

My birthday is in a couple of weeks. I have no room in my tiny house for more stuff. I would like to be taken to my favourite restaurant for lunch and any gift to be something for my garden, which I love.

A quality long charging lead for your phone
got a draw full of shit ones
bought anker one with lifetime guarantee game changer

DH cracked it by discovering cooking courses. However, I've now done almost all of the ones I fancied (one of them twice).