Safe Gift ideas for someone who seems to like nothing

[ChocolateBoxCottage]

Group of mum friends so not particularly close. Going for a birthday meal. Normally spend around £10 within this group. Go to is candels but they won't like a £10 brand. Ditto wine.

What is universal safe gift? This person has been known to say to the giver "I'm never going to use this, who wants it?"

I'd be inclined to not buy anything as it will probably go in the bin.

It's nothing to do with liking her, this isnt personal. Just trying to avoid the above situation as it was embarrassing for everyone.

Club together and get her a John Lewis gift card

I was going to suggest an Amazon gift card as a joint gift.

A tenner in a card 😵‍💫

The joint gift card is a great idea.

Something that you want. Then if she says “anyone want this” you can take it right back again 😀

Chocolate? Small selection from somewhere decent. And if she doesn’t want it just accept it won’t go to waste if it gets passed on and you’ve done your social duty.

Grouping together for a gift card is such a good idea thank you. No idea why this never crossed my mind.

flowers/plant?

Flowers, potted plant or something everyone uses but a decent brand such as hand soap?

She might just not be that into presents - I’m not either (but do say thanks anyway, would never say I didn’t like something!).
I’d prefer a joint gift card or just nothing

A nice book. Fancy bar soap. Cute little earrings.

A gift card to a shop she's either frequent at or an Amazon gift card, or a gift card to fragrance store (if she likes perfume, but those are tricky to pick, so it's better if she chooses somerthing herself)
Nice flowers and a cake or a set of cute cupcakes
A family photo calendar (you can design one yourself like in here or contact local photo stores, they usually do this kind of prints).
Maybe a subscription box, depending on what she would enjoy the most: there are all kinds of options from beauty products to books or snacks.

I wouldn’t bother. It’s quite weird that you’re buying a present for someone you’re not that close to and who has been totally ungracious about presents in the past.

I mean, assuming you’re paying for your food and drink at her birthday meal, that’s your ‘present’, surely.

There isn't a universal safe gift and hats off to her for having the confidence to go against social convention and be honest about not wanting a particular gift.

So much effort, money and resources are wasted on exchanging gifts that most people don't really want.

What on earth is wrong with just getting together and having a nice time. As the birthday person I'd never assume that other people are paying for my meal, but if you all get together to celebrate birthdays regularly, you could start a new convention where the group pays for their meal on their birthday and otherwise don't exchange gifts.

Buy a lovely, small glass vase (£2 at Asda). Buy a bunch of daffodils. Cut them short and add a bit of greenery if you can. Maybe tie a bit of green/ yellow ribbon around the neck if you have any. Put a few cms of water in the vase and arrange the flowers. Put it in a preloved gift bag to carry. It can go on the table when you eat, and it’s easy for friend to carry it home.

I would suggest a coffee shop voucher.

Thank you. Some lovely ideas here. Exchanging gifts is just a tradition we do. It's never just tat. It's normally flowers, candels, food etc. Things that get used up. Just token things that aren't clutter. But fair does if she won't use it.

I got her a pot plant in the end. Flowers that will hopefully last a while.

I will definitely suggest the vouchers from all of us next time.