Is this a shit present?

[HiyaMeAgain]

I am struggling what to get my DM for Christmas. So far she has some perfume and a box of sweets from the grand kids. I was thinking a nice cashmere scarf and gloves? Is it a bit shit? Shes 65(ish [hmmm] ) if that makes a difference?

I would absolutely love a flower or magazine subscription.

My Mum (70s) asked for this blouse...she's fairly tricky to buy for, so I was delighted she asked for something specific (although I bought it at full price and it's now in the sale )

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/isabella-top-ivory/sty-w0614-ivo?awc=1669_1607098266_cad4b6d591d2dd419d47add3708a9a4b&code=6T2C&cm_mmc=AWUK--158752--Affiliates-_-text

@HappygoLucie

I've got my mum a similar collection of gifts- perfume, some books, chocolates, scarf and gloves and a teapot shaped like a christmas tree (She's a classy bird)

Im liking the sound of this teapot 😄

[quote JoeCalFuckingZaghe]@HiyaMeAgain honestly she’s a nightmare but she knows it so she’s always super grateful for anything.

Her birthday is usually flowers but everyone does that now so it’s like a bloody florist come Xmas.

Usually pjs, slippers, puzzle books, hand creams... I hate buying for her as I’d love to give her something she really loved. I did get her a family cream tea experience which she loved but obviously with COVID things like that are out the window 😩😩[/quote]
Would she like a fancy bird feeder? you could get food etc to go with it and maybe a bird book? I've been off work for a few months and I love watching the birds come in to the garden to feed.( Think that's a sign I'm getting old...)

I'm the same age as your mum. I have had loads of scarves and hats as presents, and to me they fall into the same category as candles, which is something you buy when you can't think of anything else.
I would have liked magazine subs, especially as I had to buy my own. Does she garden? Loads of choices there. Drink? I am always pleased if someone gets me booze, especially if it's better quality than the plonk I usually buy. This year I am getting a pair of pocket binoculars from my H so I can bird spot on my walks. Also some Clarins stuff, which I love, but haven't bought any this year as I haven't been near a duty free. Amazon vouchers are great, so I can buy kindle books as and when (or anything else). A really nice leather diary. Also good quality chocolate without palm oil in it, in fact any good quality consumable. Top notch hand soaps (bars), and really good hand cream that actually works, like neutrogena Norwegian formula. How about a streaming sub like Netflix?
If I got all that under the tree, I'd be very happy.

I usually ask, unless I have been inspired during the year.
Often, I will see something that I think ideal for someone then set it aside until Christmas.

[quote OhTheTastyNuts]My Mum (70s) asked for this blouse...she's fairly tricky to buy for, so I was delighted she asked for something specific (although I bought it at full price and it's now in the sale )

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/isabella-top-ivory/sty-w0614-ivo?awc=1669_1607098266_cad4b6d591d2dd419d47add3708a9a4b&code=6T2C&cm_mmc=AWUK--158752--Affiliates-_-text[/quote]
Got the receipt? Take it back and buy it again? Then get her something else with the extra cash?

Its a lovely blouse though, Not my mums thing, she's a jumper wearing woman.....Ooooh, a cashmere jumper....

@Reedwarbler

I'm the same age as your mum. I have had loads of scarves and hats as presents, and to me they fall into the same category as candles, which is something you buy when you can't think of anything else. I would have liked magazine subs, especially as I had to buy my own. Does she garden? Loads of choices there. Drink? I am always pleased if someone gets me booze, especially if it's better quality than the plonk I usually buy. This year I am getting a pair of pocket binoculars from my H so I can bird spot on my walks. Also some Clarins stuff, which I love, but haven't bought any this year as I haven't been near a duty free. Amazon vouchers are great, so I can buy kindle books as and when (or anything else). A really nice leather diary. Also good quality chocolate without palm oil in it, in fact any good quality consumable. Top notch hand soaps (bars), and really good hand cream that actually works, like neutrogena Norwegian formula. How about a streaming sub like Netflix? If I got all that under the tree, I'd be very happy.

Thanks for the ideas,

She enjoys gardening, so I currently looking at garden hampers.

I am getting mine red gloves to match a red hat I gave her for her birthday, a jigsaw and some bulbs in a little pot as she likes growing things.

I know she has got me a hat and a scarf because I picked them out! Nothing wrong with a good hat and scarf combo!

Does she like afternoon tea? Could get a voucher for 2 for her to use after lockdown or a voucher for a restaurant she likes? From somewhere like a buyagift perhaps? Then it's an outing and a memory.

I asked exactly this about what to get my mum for something that felt like a treat in July (so obviously no one suggested scarf and gloves!) and someone suggested these dressing gowns. I bought one and she loved it: onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/gowns

Just thought I'd suggest it because it has a similar 'luxury upgrade' feeling to a cashmere scarf but is maybe a bit more unusual?

Depends on your mum. I doubt neither my mum or MIL would appreciate cashmere but many mums would love it.

My mum usually happy with a nice warm cardigan or dressing gown in a nice colour and some nick nacky things like a nice calendar, neutral lipstick, nice handcream, photos of the kids in a frame, sparkly ear rings from M&S etc.

Although men's hampers seem more particle, the ladies ones have hand cream, chocolate, candles and tea bags in? That's not a gardening hamper!

Sorry just realised already been recommended!

She enjoys gardening, so I currently looking at garden hampers.
An RHS sub - you can use Tesco vouchers - if she's anywhere near one of their gardens.

@Opaljewel

Sorry just realised already been recommended!

No need to apologise,

She doesn't really go out. She works m-f, so likes to chill on a weekend. And she doesn't drive and there is nowhere local to her that would do this sort of thing.

@KarmaStar I'm all for using more animal friendly products, but ever since the dairy and autism link adds PETA came out with...... I struggle to take anything they say seriously or believe it has any truth.

Op those gifts sound fine to me not crap at all.

I am a bugger to buy for but scarf and gloves would be lovely. I have asked for a bird bath from OH, daft slippers from youngest who is a poor student and perfume from the others.

[quote Nymeriastark1]@KarmaStar I'm all for using more animal friendly products, but ever since the dairy and autism link adds PETA came out with...... I struggle to take anything they say seriously or believe it has any truth. [/quote]
Ditto, they really are bonkers in a bad way these days.

If she's into gardening how about a plant that shares its name with a family member or location that is significant to you. If you search a site like the RHS it will also show where you can get it from. Makes it a bit more personal.

@HiyaMeAgain, gift guides are often appallingly sexist.
Women only seem to like toiletries, scented candles and the like, and men seem to need a hip flask.

Ha, I am younger than your mum but have just asked my mum to get me a cashmere scarf!! I will love it as I would not spend that much on a scarf for myself.

My mil always says she is grateful and seems happy with anything she gets. That is until I found out that literally any toiletry gifts she received and other bits went straight in a box to be regifted. I made sure then to tell my Fiance and my bil not to get her those things and to actually pay attention to what she would really like. To me a scarf and gloves is a stocking filler but you know your mum!

I'm struggling too. We usually get my parents joint experiences for a family day out. That's obviously not gonna happen for the foreseeable. I'm thinking slippers