What's the best gift you have ever received?

[BestestBrownies]

I'm after some inspiration please as have lots of birthdays coming up for adult family members of various ages (male & female). Normally I would see them in person and treat them to lunch or afternoon tea or similar, but I'm working away for the next 3 months so can't do that.

It needs to be something I can order online and that looks impressive when received, ideally £60 or under and not food or flowers please.

My DH got me some beautiful books from the Folio Society for my birthday, they are definitely my favourite present I've ever had. There are loads of different choices (modern and classics), if they are into books at all then it'd be a great gift. There are also some really beautifully done bindings on Etsy as well.

Aeropress but this was a bit of a fluke. Didn't know I wanted one (or even that they were a thing) but we used it every day.

Thank you for those suggestions @NannyOgg1341 and @SummerHouse.

Off to Google what an aeropress does...

I would be very happy with:

Moleskine notebooks
A nice ball point pen
L'Occitane soap, shower gel, handcream if you know the fragrance they like
A summer weight dressing gown
A new Radley Wallet

The best and most unexpected gift from my young adult dc was a ticket to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Probably slightly over your price range though.

My sister got me a personalised song about me, us and my relationship with her and the kids. Best thing ever. Made me cry and feel so so loved!

editing- sorry I literally read the subject and got excited lol.

you can get personalised fragrances on the frangrance shop which look v impressive.

A few favourites over the last few years have been a Liberty material covered notebook, handmade crystal and soy wax candle from Etsy, vintage espresso cups and a vintage moka pot (already have an aeropress, they are amazing for anyone into coffee!).

What makes them favourites is the combination of being perfect for me and my interests but also a little bit next level by either being hard to find or unusual.

Generally I give as gifts nicer/more expensive versions of things I know they already love.

Spend all day in pajamas? Buy them gorgeous soft cotton or bamboo ones they wouldn't normally spend as much on themselves.

Dressing gown? Get a fancy one.

Wine? Buy a single bottle of something amazing (60 quid in the tricky range though)

Coffee or chocolate? Buy a subscription.

Wear lots of make up? Buy fancy brushes (keep receipt)

Fishing as a hobby? Buy subscription to magazine or fancy fishing tackle.

etc etc.

Aspinal Diary

In that price range a couple of products from LUSH

Scuba diving lessons

Horse riding day (good rider)

Holidays to surprise destinations

Spa day/weekend

Comedy night/theatre/music gig

Mini break away

Honestly, the nicest gift I’ve had in a while was an absolutely huge bouquet of white roses and eucalyptus. Absolutely gorgeous and lasted ages- and even better, they were from a local independent florist.

For actual stuff - I’d be very happy with a vase or a lovely, delicate silver bracelet.

A heated throw. Game changer. Anyone who has joint pain or is just always cold it's fabulous and very comforting.

At £60 or under?!

Anything from Aesop feels super luxurious.

Elvis & Kresse, personalised notebook covers.

Ok I've just googled Aeropress and now I want one 😂

Thank you all for the lovely suggestions so far.

I think I will get my DBro and eldest DNephew an aeropress each to take to work (brilliant as both usually impossible to buy for).

@Twinkletwinklelil where did the personalised song come from please? That sounds very unusual and could work as part of my Dad's 80th birthday celebrations next year.

@HiRen I do use this principle when I gift to my sister, as I'm confident I know what she likes. It's the young adult DNephews and DNieces and my elderly DM that I really struggle with. As a last resort I can just give the DN's money, but what to buy an almost 80 year old who already has all the vases, notebooks, perfume, jewellery etc she needs? (Not that these aren't good ideas, she just has enough already). Everyone plays safe with flowers and chocolate for her, so even nice ones don't feel very special anymore.

@Ashipcalleddignity good shout with the heated blanket. My Dad has started feeling the cold more, so will bear this in mind for him for Christmas, thank you.

@Specialswimmingp00lforwho please let me know where I can get any of thise lovely ideas for under £60? Lol

@BestestBrownieseek I wish I knew
i asked my sister and she said she can’t remember now either but will try and dig out an email.
it was an American company
she supplied the lyrics and they recorded the song and sent it back. She then made a video of all our memories and added that song on.

Almost 80 year olds are indeed a problem! I have one myself 😀 I'd get her nice stuff from M&S: warm memory foam slippers; those toiletry sets; heated blanket; laptop holder thingy; foot massager; new bedspread etc.

That sounds really special @Twinkletwinklelil I'm sure my DBro would be good at the lyrics part and that would be a memorable thing to have at Dad's party. Thank you for checking x

My best ever gift was a gorgeous thick fleecy blanket, a bit like an Oodie blanket - it has a lovely weight to it but isn’t a weighted blanket, and I just relax instantly every time I use it (which is every night on the sofa as I’m a cold person!)

Hot chocolate shaker and some dark chocolate flakes

@HiRen the problem is, she's really fussy and likes to choose her own slippers etc. She's got a cupboard full of nice toiletry sets that she keeps trying to re-gift, and she's a crafter, so makes beautiful quilts etc for herself and others often.

Add to that not being very mobile and choices are slim!

For the 80 yr old crafter - a couple of metres of Liberty cotton tana lawn fabric. Expensive to buy day to day, but a lovely gift.