Page 7 | Is this a shit present?

HuggedTheRedwoods · 04/12/2020 18:00

You can make up your own garden hamper, lots of shops (inc Home Bargains, B&M type shops) sell the baskets with the straw/sellophane stuff. You could then pick some bits you know she likes would use e.g. replacement hand tools, particular seeds, a gardeners diary, maybe even a bare root plant - David Austin bare root roses are usually shipping about now, excellent quality and they sell a range of named ones so you might even be able to buy her name.

Teddybear27 · 04/12/2020 18:00

Cashmere is lovely. Go for it....

pictish · 04/12/2020 18:02

I am wary of buying people hobby related stuff as a gift. This is because if someone is a genuine enthusiast they will already have the exacting things they need and/or want, to facilitate their hobby. I like hillwalking for example, and there are certain brands of clothing and kit that I like, fits well, performs well and buy I from...I am fully kitted out. I don’t want someone to waste their money buying me a generic article (like boot socks say) for walking because I already have my own preferable brand of socks and their kind gift doesn’t get used which is a shame.

speakout · 04/12/2020 18:03

It's possible to buy ethically farmed cashmere.

cashmereandcotton.co.uk/blogs/guides/ethical-cashmere

inappropriateraspberry · 04/12/2020 18:04

Unless she's specifically asked for a scarf and gloves, I'd see it as a bit of a cop out gift, like socks or pyjamas.
But I agree that it gets harder to buy gifts for parents, especially as they get older. Same with most adults really. These days if we need/want something we get it ourselves and don't wait for Xmas or birthdays. I got my mum a magazine subscription for her birthday, god knows what I'll get her for Xmas!

fourquenelles · 04/12/2020 18:04

I am 65 and if it helps my wish list includes

chocolate wine
mead
Book about Georgian era social history
slippers with solid soles to wear in garden when hanging out washing
sandalwood smellies
amazon gift card
monthly flower subscription

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 04/12/2020 18:05

@CoronaIsWatching

Just get her a scented candle

I'd much rather have a nice scarf!!

VivaMiltonKeynes · 04/12/2020 18:06

@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 LOVE that !

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 04/12/2020 18:07

@JMG1234

Personally I'd love a cashmere scarf for Christmas. Not least because I've lost the one my husband bought me from Uniqlo last Christmas. Which was to replace the cashmere scarf I'd lost before that (though that one was a corporate gift at least). There's a theme here... In my defence, I did wear it all the time and tried to call everywhere I'd been to find it.

I feel really bad for my carelessness so I'm banning a replacement for this Christmas so I can wear my scratchy scarf as penance for a while.

In short, I'd love a cashmere scarf for Christmas (I'm mid 40s), it can't help but fit and is a real treat that I'd struggle to justify buying for myself.

Oh let them buy you a nice (non scratchy one)!!

Have you considered they might hide is so they can buy you a new one 😂

This winter, the least you deserve is a nice scarf!!

awaynboilyurheid · 04/12/2020 18:09

A voucher for a facial ? Voucher for brunch ? Voucher to get make up done or new lipstick ? Once things open or a posh lunch afternoon tea not a scarf it just shouts desperation .

kowari · 04/12/2020 18:10

[quote speakout]It's possible to buy ethically farmed cashmere.

cashmereandcotton.co.uk/blogs/guides/ethical-cashmere[/quote]
That's way out of my price range, my only cashmere jumper was £40 in the M&S sale and I save it for special occasions! I just won't be buying it again.

Londontown12 · 04/12/2020 18:12

I always find a restaurant voucher for older relatives goes down well
They then get to eat in their fav place for free just make sure there’s enough for drinks as well 😁

JinglingHellsBells · 04/12/2020 18:13

surely you just ask her?

I'm in my 60s and give DD a list but we don't 'do presents' much anyway and my list comes to about £30. I can buy what I want for myself so gifts are just a toekn.

MagicSummer · 04/12/2020 18:15

I am in that age range and the things I would like include:-

Good hand cream, e.g. Clarins, Clinique, Laura Mercier
Chanel Moisturiser which I use all the time
Beauty Salon Voucher
Wine Voucher
Cookery Course Voucher
Gardening voucher
Cake subscription (Betty's. Meg Rivers)
Flower subscription
Magazine subscription

Please no scented candles - they make lots of people sneeze and cough, me included!

criminallyinsane · 04/12/2020 18:17

Bird id book and binoculars for her garden
nice cushions or a throw or even a heated throw!
wooden spoon carving day - very therapeutic - if we're ever allowed to do stuff like that again...

Bit random I know but most things have already been suggested

buckeejit · 04/12/2020 18:18

My go to is an electric hot water bottle or cheese!

Gardening-I can highly recommend implementations for copper tools - the trowel & the hand hoe are fab & I bought fil the Dutch hoe which he likes & he never likes anything. It's UK based too.

Also, going to recommend a couple of books - the hidden life of trees is fascinating about how trees communicate with each other. Also Wilding which is the story of lady somebody that allowed their farm to go wild & the changes it had on wildlife & flooding. Both fascinating.

ancientgran · 04/12/2020 18:19

People vary so much I think it is impossible to say. My kids say I'm hard to buy for, I've said so many times that I love an amazon voucher as I can buy books, sorry I don't do that well with other people choosing for me. I also like a M&S voucher, I will buy something nice to eat once or twice a month so a voucher last a while which means it's like getting more than one present.

I'm afraid I wouldn't thank you for a scarf, I like to make my own. I don't like cut flowers, plants are lovely but so many are forced and die off quickly. Things like a spa day or a cream tea don't do anything for me. No one listens.

Actually listening is a nice present.

roundturnandtwohalfhitches · 04/12/2020 18:21

My Mil sounds similar. Mind you she re-gifts everything, even books she's read. I bought her some tins of wildflower seed bombs which she liked as she could plant them in empty spaces in her garden without it interfering with her garden design.

fairislecable · 04/12/2020 18:25

Ooh! That implementations site is wonderful lovely luxury but useful gifts thank you buckeejit .

www.implementations.co.uk/shop/

Misskittyfantastico85 · 04/12/2020 18:29

It's so hard to judge as we don't know what she likes. My step mother would absolutely love them so much and be grateful, whereas my MIL would think it was rubbish. MIL is hard to buy for

eaglejulesk · 04/12/2020 18:29

I would be happy with a nice scarf and gloves. Why is a scarf a shit present?

ancientgran · 04/12/2020 18:29

Of course i know my mums age...She is 67..i think Oh it might be me, if it is I've told you I like an Amazon voucher and no I don't want a scarf and gloves.

Seriously the only thing I've seen suggested on here that I'd love is the cake subscription for Betty's. I don't like cut flowers, a subscription for them would be a waste, don't drink alcohol, like to choose my own books and so on and so on. Everyone is different your mum might think a cake subscription is shit but I'd love it, she might like a scarf and gloves.

FurrySlipperBoots · 04/12/2020 18:29

Whether a present is shit or not entirely depends on the recipients taste, and the giver's intention! If someone bought me a gold necklace because 'they had to get me something' that would be shit - I hate the feel of necklaces, don't like the look of gold and it was clear they didn't actually care. If they bought me a pair of fluffy purple socks because 'they knew I loved purple and could only tolerate soft fabric' that would be a great present because it would be something I'd use and enjoy, and they'd put thought and care into.

Does she like gloves and scarves generally? Does she NEED any or does she already have more than she knows what to do with? Might she have an ethical standpoint against cashmere? Do they do them in colours she likes? Are they a practical choice for her lifestyle (does she swan around town looking glamorous) or would they just be a backhander (she spends her days walking 7 hyper dogs in the muddy countryside)?

JinglingHellsBells · 04/12/2020 18:32

If she is so picky, why risk buying her clothes?

Ask her for ideas! That's what we do but as I have more money than my kids I prefer them not to spend much at all. I'd be happy with a bottle of nice shower gel and some handcream.

I don't get people agonising over presents, TBH.

Krazynights34 · 04/12/2020 18:37

Here’s the sort of thing I e bought my mum...and/or myself!
David Austin rose (my passion) and the website has related ideas
Metal garden ornaments (notonthehighstreet is good for these)
Daft things (hedgehog huggie from Firebox)
Scottish soaps
Mint Velvet jumper
Sapphire earrings (small, about £60)
Vintage pendant
Gold bracelet
Jo Malone candle
Throw from Cologne and Cotton
White company PJs and a cardigan
Pjs from M&S
An old Victorian style photo album (to put photos in)
Small “twin” paintings of little cottages
Gardening book and glove/tool set
Estée Lauder travel set (when going via the airport)
An unusual Irish designer shawl scarf

That was all before, when I had a job