Something nicer than chocs/wine but similar?

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For BF's parents, sprightly late 70s.

Last Christmas we were newly together and I as invited for Boxing Day buffet. BF said not to take gifts, which thankfully I didn't completely heed and took wine and flowers, as his mum got me two lovely gift sets - the kind of thing that often looks lovely but you don't actually use, whereas I have used everything in these.

I'm going to a similar thing this year and would like to take "something" although TBH I don't really know them any better than I did last year.

Also he has a teenage niece, who currently thinks she's a boy. A token for them? I think the best I can do is a higher end selection pack?

Don’t buy the niece a selection box. She may be vegan. Cinema or Starbucks voucher much better.
Flowers & a lovely candle for the parents?

Nothing Christmassy as it won’t get used.

I’d maybe make a nice mini gift bag (seems a bit more casual than a hamper) with a nice bottle of wine or some posh English sparkling wine if they’d like it, a lovely candle and something like posh florentines or something you know they like.

Oh sorry I just added a candle to chocolates and wine! Anyway I would love a candle, posh chocolates and wine, and I would love to get them every year - more than something someone has thought so so hard about but just missed the mark.

But what?

We agree then!

I'd go with a cinema or coffee giftcard for the niece too, one 4 all cards are a pain to use IME. Cash is good but I always get asked to take it off my two and transfer the money in to them, they dislike using actual cash, so a bank transfer might be easier with a selection box for on the day (mind you that assumes they like chocolate, neither of mine do particularly).

I agree with @ScoutOfTheSoftHeartsClub that it is perfectly possible to be unimpressed with a gift without the giver ever finding out, MN is full of posts about presents people don't want to receive. I'd be unimpressed with cheeseboards, mugs, Baileys etc too, hate scented candles / reed diffusers that I haven't chosen myself as a lot of them give me headaches. I know it's not quite what the OP probably had in mind but one of those giant boxes of Maltesers and a gift card for John Lewis for something for the house or cinema giftcard for us is a winner here. If it really has to be an actual thing I'd prefer a good bottle of gin, not the flavoured sort but an artisan, local type.

@TryingAgainAgainAgain , I try to get something I know they like, but as generic presents, I'd go for something that's 'give-awayable', or can be shared with guests.

Something like a nice tin of biscuits (e.g. M&S)
Turkish Delight (vegan), halva or baklava.
Nicer than usual crackers
Non-alcoholic cordial (some people might be driving)
Something regional (e.g. Dundee marmalade, honey, potted Stilton if they like it)
Sweets (e.g. the drivers ones in a tin).

OP, I think all this thread is showing is that people are very different! For example, people have suggested a diffuser (I hate them with a passion, and they make DH sneeze); and whisky or gin - you need to know what or whether the recipient drinks. I wouldn’t thank you for spirits but I’d be very pleased with a bottle of red wine. I’d be pleased, too, with olive oil, nice balsamic vinegar, expensive chocolates or other foodie gifts which some have suggested and others poo-pooed. OP, if you took wine and flowers and they were well-received last year, why not simply do so again?

I would try and visit a deli or farmers market and pick up some nice bits if they are foodie. Things like smoked salt, jams, nice biscuits, olive oil etc.

For this version I would go with a luxury version of something you have seen them use or consume or have seen in their house.

diffuser (I hate them with a passion, and they make me sneeze); and whisky or gin I like gin, but the gift is probably a fancy one (no thanks) not Gordon's or Bombay Sapphire (wouldn't last long here!). Not a whisky drinker, but would be ok. Sloe gin would be fine.
olive oil, nice balsamic vinegar, fine but unlikely to get used by me.
cheese - I'm a vegetarian and don't like cheese with fruit in it.

Smoked salt was well-received!
Wine - fine if they drink it, but looks a bit cheap unless you take a decent one.

Foodie gifts would be fine.

Flowers - fine but not lilies (they stink) or chrysanthemums.

Smellies - can't use handwash and don't like hand lotion.

Do you have a budget in mind?

I'd likely put a small hamper together myself. I saw gift baskets with straw inside at aldi this week. Some ideas:

-if they travel, leather luggage labels
-Bottle of fizz and these flowers in syrup https://www.ocado.com/products/wild-hibiscus-flowers-in-syrup/50098011?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic_shopping&utm_campaign=organic_shopping&srsltid=AfmBOoqm6LgS5EQtKdgEuyWHsihkUefZjXGvirizi_8Tt5L-1E_x4KZpMIA
-Reed diffuser
-Bacon jam
-Nice crackers
-Ginger jam, whiskey marmalade or something a bit different. (My in laws rave about ginger jam I bought from fortnum and mason years ago).

Niece- gift card, cash?

In this situation I quite often give an amaryllis - not the bog-standard red or white ones you can get for a fiver in the supermarket, but a more unusual variety you can get online from places like Farmer Gracy. They usually cost about a tenner for the bulb, then you can buy a nice ceramic pot to put it in.

Some consumable but long shelf life stuff from where you live ( if you live or were born in in a different county or country) - maybe some local luxury biscuits, ground coffee, small chocolate selection, wine - that sort of thing. Award winning or very eco friendly if you can. Your host can offer them round at an appropriate time or save for later. It really is the thought that counts.

For the teen - some Steam credit if they game is always well received. Amazon voucher. Tenner in a card and bar of chocolate.

OP you sound lovely.

I think cinema or coffee voucher is a good idea for the niece, if you know vaguely where they live and pick a cinema chain they have nearby. Costa is the preferred coffee chain of my teens. You could also "trade up" the selection box (which have mostly been shrinkflated and got a bit rubbish) to a big toblerone, Lindor or a grown up box of chocolates.

I like the idea of Florentines, baklava, stuff like that. I would swerve the tins of fish. Personally I love to receive home made fudge, preferably alcoholic, but I know not everyone feels this way.

That’s a large outlay of money, which does not fit OP’s situation.

I wasn't suggesting she buy ALL those items, they were just some ideas! I did also ask what the budget was.

@TryingAgainAgainAgain, You don't need to take much, just something that looks thoughtful, like you bought it with them in mind.

We used to have relatives visit fairly often. Aunty A would always bring something even if was just a packet of slightly nicer than usual biscuits or a pot of home-made jam. Aunty B would turn up empty-handed just before lunchtime with Uncle B and their 2 ghastly offspring.

I've gotten some 12 Days of Christmas boxes containing 12 different miniature preserves, also got boxes of 12 Days of Cheese pairings that includes information on which cheese matches the different relishes, chutney and jelly.

A panettone would be perfect IMO. I prefer classic ones but the pistachio one from Ocado is apparently amazing

There are going to be so many anti-panettone replies now

I’d go with baklava or Indian sweets (Pooja deliver if you aren’t near a larger city). Just because it’s nice to try something different and both are fairly friendly to an English pallet and a large bottle of gin/whiskey/whatever.

@Ohthatsabitshit , bring me a pallet of baklava please. My palate would be most grateful.

Another idea is a panforte. Also an Italian dessert/Christmas treat but its chewy with nuts and candied peel in it. Lovely with a hot drink. Most supermarkets sell them, but also some delis.

hackneyessentials.com/products/traditional-panforte-seggiano-100g?variant=54842125615477&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoqHpfWyekfdBqA_wZLfnJJxrLpSG6cm9877r0Jloa0GXXL_76LXOH4

I would be horrified to receive tinned fish of any kind as a gift.