Is this a shit gift?

[OhhBetty]

A group of friends and I are doing secret santa this year with a 15 pound limit. The person I've got is so hard to buy for! She just buys everything she wants as she is very wealthy! Things like bath stuff or anything girly is a no no. She does like her spicy food and spent a lot of time in India and her partner is Indian and she cooks that style of food.

I've come across a gift set with all kinds of spices in including some rare ones. Does this sound ok to you or does it sound like a shit present?!

Titania there are only a few spices not in very big amounts but I know they're very good quality.

Ebben that book looks great! Might be onto a winner there!

How about a spice set or recipe book for a different but similar cuisine? Eg Thai, Cajun, Mexican all use spices but she won't already have them. Sounds like she enjoys cooking? Also to maximise budget I'd buy the spices myself and put in a box rather than buy a set, as those tend to be overpriced and pretty poor quality

What about some recipe kits from The Spicery?
www.thespicery.com

I miss Secret Santa! Does she wear jewellery? You can get some really nice bits in TopShop, Next etc for around your budget. Trinkets are always appreciated in my house, plus they look as though you've put a bit of thought into it.

I would go with the spices. It is secret santa, this shows you have tried to pitch it at her, so if she ends up with too many spices, then she'll do more cooking.

I am equally hard to buy for, because all smellies/nail polish/make-up/perfume/bath oil etc goes striaght in the charity bag.

I'd go scented candle or posh chocolates. Does she drink? Bottle of nice wine? If she cooks Indian food regularly she will have all the spices.

I'd say spices are a no no. If she is competent at cooking Asian cuisine, she will already have all the spices and equipment she already needs, and recipe books/family recipes. In all likelihood it will sit around for a couple of years before getting binned.

What about some lovely chocolates or biscuits from Hotel Chocolat or M&S?

Jess she only wears top quality jewellery. Usually with diamonds in!!

Recipe kits/books sound like a good idea though. I'll have a look!

Totally a move away from your original idea but I've found these always go down well for secret Santa. www.swarovski.com/Mob_GB/en/5064408/product/Crystalline_Stardust_Pen,_Chrome_Plated.html?ci_src=434332811&ci_sku=5064408&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=CjwKEAiA0pDBBRCFtoPyguTh8AUSJADNWeuxdxkyfT60DhpExpdl5G2BqBdKRzzUI9oT9nxx4-Zy2hoCu57w_wcB

I think the spice set sounds like a fantastic present. I'm a keen (won't say good ) cook and I do get through herbs and spices quite quickly.

Alternatively how about a Teapigs pic 'n' mix sample set? IME people who like hot food usually also like tea! www.teapigs.co.uk/tea/gifts_1/gift_sets_1

Slightly over budget but look really special with nice packaging and have had great reactions

Culinary-wise - How about a small potted bay tree. If she hasn't got one, a decent sized pestle & mortar from Sinsbury's would be about £12.
Ground spice is just expensive dust.

Otherwise I would go for a nice bottle of booze.

I second Ottolenghi books.

captain this totally sounds like I'm making it up but she she rarely drinks as she only drinks champagne!

Barbara hotel chocolate might be a good one! They are delicious!

I jus google 'Indian Inspired gifts' and came up with Pocahontas inspired head dresses which possibly aren't what you're looking for!
I think your proposed gift is very thoughtful, even if she has the spices it shows care.

I don't know a great deal about Indian food other than what Iorder from the local curry house, are there classic Indian sweets or chocolates that might fit the bill? Or special dishes/serving spoons that might go down well?

I love the teapigs idea! She does love tea!!

I was just coming on to recommend the spicery recipe kits.

I'd also agree, Although I'm unsure how good the spices will be for that price. I'm also not sure what you can get for 15 quid that's decent. So I'd say that I'd say go for it, it's a thoughtful gift.

Eh, no diamonds for £15 in TopShop, I'm afraid!

If her partner is Indian he probably already knows quite a lot of Indian recipes, and have a lot of the spices, I would look around for something else

If she likes spicy/unusual food and cooking, how about a cookery book of food from an eastern country. Claudia Roden's Middle Eastern cookery book is amazing.

I too think the spices are naff idea, as is a recipe book.

Get her something indulgent, hotel chocolate or something. You can't have too much chocolate, but she may already have the spices or indeed the cook book.

Grumpy that made me laugh!! Indian sweets might be good. A bit different to

Too*

Made in India by Meera Sodha - an incredible cookbook. We got it this year and have cooked the most fantastic food. We're a family of foodies. I've seen it online for your budget.