If you had a daughter about to turn 30..

[CurlewKate]

Without thinking, first impulse thought, what would you give her for a present? Budget up to £200. She has a well paid job and quite simple tastes. Preferably a thing not a voucher.

i have to ask dd

Something nice for her hobby.

Or something fancier than she would usually buy. A cashmere jumper from tk maxx?

I'd give her cash.

Not sure why people feel this isn't an option.

Rather than buying something expensive she will never use/ wear/ or doesn't need.

It is an option, and if I can’t think of anything I will. But I’d rather give her a thing!

Does she have own house? A fruit tree to grow and remember each year if so

My first impluse would be some thing she likes! Only knowing her age isn’t much to go on.

My sister turns 30 soon, I’m taking her to get one of those welded permanent gold bracelets from astrid and miyu. Feels like a special gift

I'm the same age, and I absolutely love house plants (especially succulents)! My conservatory is full of different plants gifted from different people and I love it (even if it looks a bit chaotic). Obviously only a good gift if the recipient likes caring for plants, and if she has any pets it's important to make sure any plants aren't toxic to the animal (s).

Good coffee machine
cashmere things
silk nightie / dressing gown
really nice pyjamas
nice luggage
subscription for flowers
voucher for a gallery to pick a piece of art/print

A piece of jewellery in her style, possibly something like earrings.

Good quality make up. It's a luxury that people feel guilty buying themselves. If you don't know what make up she wears but you still want to give her a 'thing' then get her an appointment with someone who will do her make-up and a voucher to buy afterwards. John Lewis will do this.

Lego. You're never too old and you get some really cool sets now that look good on display like the flower bouquets.

I'm 37, ideas of the top of my head:

A really nice pair of shoes, boots or coat (you could offer to go shopping with her)
Good quality pans or knives
House stuff/ good quality gardening tools if she has one

I just did this for a DIL!

Bought a wicker hamper and bought bits of self-care stuff to put in it. WC body lotion and shower gel, WC candle, a pair of fluffy lined socks, eye mask, lots of face packs/face creams/hand treatments. You can tailor the ingredients to your budget and I had to spread the cost a bit so I bought bits every month to top it up. Nice box of fancy chocolates on top.

DIL is pregnant so I didn't want to buy anything she might struggle to use when the baby arrives and she's so busy I didn't want to book her a massage she'd have to find the time to go to. So I thought this was a good way round. I might throw in a nice magazine for her to read while she's at it.

Mine is 32. Last year we gave her a decent coffee machine, the year before was a cricut thing. Her DP bought her the Van Gogh sunflowers Lego which she adored. This year she’s getting cash and some small items she’s asked for related to hobbies.

I would prefer cash, personally... not because I am grabby, but that way, it goes on something useful and practical for my house, not what my mother thinks looks nice! Also, she wouldn't know where to start if it came to buying something to do with my hobbies... which is probably why she treats me to food, and my dogs get ruined with new toys, treats and food!

Does it have to be a thing? How about something to do?

Birkenstocks.

My in laws got me a coffee machine for my 30th and it was my best present ever

A bag? I still use the bag my Dh bought me for my 30th - one of my best and most used presents ever.
Or a piece of jewellery? Necklace or bracelet.
Coffee machine also a good call if she likes coffee.

A spa day or an experience day?

Does she have a hobby?

I'm 69 and male, each year they ask me this, each year I say a Hornby train set or a Scalextric. I never get one. I've got lots of socks, pants and ties though...

For my 30th my mum made me a photo album of her and my dad, a section each from babies to children to adults, then a section of them together with me as a baby. And blank pages left for me to fill in.

I hadn't seen many of the photos, especially the young ones of them, so it was cute.

No please don't.

These are bad gifts.

So difficult to book.
Especially if its an experience i would never choose myself.

For you maybe. Plenty of people enjoy them and I’ve never struggled to book them.