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Help! Gift for SIL

55 replies

HeadWall · 06/08/2025 19:06

Been invited to SIL's this weekend for a bbq to celebrate her birthday. It's also the first event they've hosted since moving house.
I bought her chocolate at Christmas and Easter. We always take a bottle of wine when we visit anyway. We bought posh alcohol for BIL's last gift. She has skin issues so is picky on toiletries and I really wouldn't know what she can use. She has recently gone on a diet so I'd rather avoid food.
What can I get her?

OP posts:
Perplexed20 · 06/08/2025 19:07

Earrings?
Does she like books?
Plant for the garden or house?

Roothewheel · 06/08/2025 19:08

Perfume?

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:10

Don't get her anything personal, such as jewellery or skin care or perfume.
People's tastes are often very specific.

Can you not ask her husband what she'd like?

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Roothewheel · 06/08/2025 19:16

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:10

Don't get her anything personal, such as jewellery or skin care or perfume.
People's tastes are often very specific.

Can you not ask her husband what she'd like?

I love a new perfume!

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:34

Roothewheel · 06/08/2025 19:16

I love a new perfume!

It's literally in the first post that she has issues with her skin.

Perfume is the worst possible choice

Roothewheel · 06/08/2025 19:44

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:34

It's literally in the first post that she has issues with her skin.

Perfume is the worst possible choice

So do I
terrible rosacea
still love a new perfume 😆

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:46

Roothewheel · 06/08/2025 19:44

So do I
terrible rosacea
still love a new perfume 😆

Ok, she should just buy her a new perfume because you like a new perfume.

You're not picky at all clearly with whatever perfume youre given, but maybe some people are

CoastalCalm · 06/08/2025 19:47

Something from Neom

YourOliveScroller · 07/08/2025 06:07

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Roothewheel · 07/08/2025 06:52

UninterestedBeing12 · 06/08/2025 19:46

Ok, she should just buy her a new perfume because you like a new perfume.

You're not picky at all clearly with whatever perfume youre given, but maybe some people are

You need a holiday @UninterestedBeing12 ! 😆

HeadWall · 07/08/2025 17:01

I'm not sure perfume is a good idea, that's so personal and I wouldn't have a clue.
As they've just moved and re decorated and redone the garden I don't feel comfortable giving them something they might feel doesn't fit with their decor. Which I've no idea what it's like in their new place. Argh! Maybe I'll tell DH it's on him!

OP posts:
UninterestedBeing12 · 07/08/2025 17:03

Roothewheel · 07/08/2025 06:52

You need a holiday @UninterestedBeing12 ! 😆

You're just annoying. All your silly smiley faces. You want perfume... Any and all brands? You don't care what it is just perfume? I find that highly unlikely that you would like any bottle of perfume you were given.

OP has just said she doesn't want perfume, and it's not a good idea. It's too personal.

I don't understand why people come on forums to ask strangers what to buy, someone. Ask someone who knows them.

declutteringmymind · 07/08/2025 17:06

Candle?

Sparkletastic · 07/08/2025 17:06

You should certainly be leaving this to her brother.

SheilaFentiman · 07/08/2025 17:12

Wasn’t sure if it was your brother’s wife or your DH’s sis, but as it’s the latter - definitely shunt it to DH!

hmmnotreallysure · 07/08/2025 17:12

A nice orchid as a housewarming gift and a nice candle as a birthday gift maybe?

Roothewheel · 07/08/2025 17:20

UninterestedBeing12 · 07/08/2025 17:03

You're just annoying. All your silly smiley faces. You want perfume... Any and all brands? You don't care what it is just perfume? I find that highly unlikely that you would like any bottle of perfume you were given.

OP has just said she doesn't want perfume, and it's not a good idea. It's too personal.

I don't understand why people come on forums to ask strangers what to buy, someone. Ask someone who knows them.

As I say… you need a holiday! 😆

Roothewheel · 07/08/2025 17:21

HeadWall · 07/08/2025 17:01

I'm not sure perfume is a good idea, that's so personal and I wouldn't have a clue.
As they've just moved and re decorated and redone the garden I don't feel comfortable giving them something they might feel doesn't fit with their decor. Which I've no idea what it's like in their new place. Argh! Maybe I'll tell DH it's on him!

Can’t go wrong with a voucher OP.

waiting for a comment from @UninterestedBeing12 !

BeaLola · 07/08/2025 17:38

What is your budget

What does she do in her spare time - avid book reader ? Cinema, gardening,

  • does she like cocktails ?
HeadWall · 07/08/2025 17:40

She's actually DH's brother's wife! I suggested a cocktail set as they have a very posh kitchen now, but DH reckons they already have one. Which is the problem. They have everything they want (except DC, can't have them) and more money than we do!

OP posts:
caringcarer · 07/08/2025 17:41

Bottle of champagne and a plant for the garden but careful you don't get one that takes over.

Sparkletastic · 07/08/2025 17:44

Since you haven’t got long I’d go flowers, champagne and voucher.

BeaLola · 07/08/2025 17:56

The M&S cocktail selection box
Or say 4/6 M&S limoncello spritz cocktails
Depending on what shops near you and budget ...

Selection of novels - maybe go fior different genres, or 2/3 of latest published

Gift magazine subscription to Hones & Gardens, Condé Neste travell mag name escapes me ,or Good Housekeeping

Buy a board game,

A B large tin of Perello spiced gordal olives

Some gorgeous notelets

Roothewheel · 07/08/2025 17:58

Do you get on with her Op?