Secret Santa Stress - some suggestions please...

[breadandhoney]

So DH's side of the family does Secret Santa. Basically the names of all the adults are put in a hat and drawn out and that is who we buy for. Great idea to reduce the cost of Christmas, but since each person will only receive one gift, there is a lot of pressure to make it a good 'un! This year I got my SIL and am at a complete loss. Can you offer any suggestions?

She is mid-30s, outdoorsy, but girlie, and stylish.

The spending limit is £50.

Thanks :)

I would have sleepless nights with the stress of it all! Will she be opening it in front of you to add to the pressure?

Is it a no-no to just ask her?
Or ask her OH?

No, we won't be together on Christmas Day. PILs are going to hers, we're off to my DMum's.

Technically it is a no-no to ask her, as the giver of the gift is supposed to be secret (doesn't always work out that way). She is single, so no OH to ask!

Oh, and did I mention she has very expensive taste, so i have to make my £50 budget go as far as possible!!

Something cashmere? Scarf, socks?

Do you know what perfume she likes? You could get some matching body lotion.

Body products from a good cosmetics company - channel, Clarins (safer than actual make-up).

Have you seen the web site 'notonthehighstreet'? You may get an idea from there. I also like the White Company as nice packaging!

Vouchers are presumably a no-no (copout)?

£50 Joules voucher - sorted!

Thanks daft. Am currently scouring notonthehighstreet. It was my first port-of-call. Nothing is jumping out at me! Bought her some tealight holders from there for her birthday a couple of months ago. I had a look at some Crabtree and Evelyn yesterday, but thought smellies were maybe a bit...meh? Am panicking, I know.

I know she is a fan of coxandcox too, but so much of their stuff id out of my price range, and hard to buy for another person's house too!

Leather gloves in lovely colour?

Lovely pyjamas?

Bottle champagne with 2 flutes?

A bit from smythson? stationery is a great pressie.

Hmm, not sure about vouchers, as this will be her only gift (maybe something small from PILs too)

I think that is where most of the pressure is coming from. At least the rest of us have OH's who will be buying for us too.

I just looked at stationary from Smytsons but that would cost more than three times the budget!

You may be able to be personalised letter sheets from elsewhere though.

John Lewis have Dior makeup brush set for £45. You could get her a selection box wit the last fiver, if she has a sense of humour!

Have just had a look at Joules (hadn't heard of it before!) They have some really nice gloves and hats, which she might appreciate. I don't think you can have too many of these, right? So, that is an option!

Good suggestion, Daft, but I know for a fact that she has loads of make-up brushes. I have seen the collection! Oh, but she does have a sense of humour, so selection box would do nicely. Now, just the other £45 to spend :)

Agh yeah, praps scrap my smythsons idea!

Smart picture frame for photos is my fail safe present, something silver to put on mantelpiece. You can never have too many of the things.

If she's outdoorsy, what about a GPS navigator (it is £1.70 over budget, though) or a realy good swiss army knife and a pouch.

The White Co have 20% off certain products this week, including nightwear.

They have some nice things on there - cashmere bed socks, jersey trousers...

I think i would put this into this

Anything from Jo Malone. She will know it is v expensive and I have never known anyone turn it down.

Ooh, I love that idea iooi Thanks!

I'm gong to look at White Co now, as haven't been there yet.

ATEOTD good outdoorsy suggestions, but not sure she'd make use of them.

Nap yes, picture frames are usually my fallback too, but would like something perhaps a little more thoughtful.

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions so far, btw! You're great!

Or some Hunter wellies from amazon if you know her shoe size. There are a few around the 50 quid mark on there.

Does she like coffee? How about a Wittard espresso maker and some coffee all made up in a basket, with choccies.

Yes, Jo Malone or even Dyptique candle.

Something Alessi? Always looks stylish.

Case of wine?!

Or Hunter welly socks.

Got go on school run now.

If only I could think of ideas for all the things I have to buy yet!!

When you say "outdoorsy", how do you mean? Does she hike/camp/play outdoor sports/other?

She's just bought herself Hunter wellies , otherwise that would've been the perfect gift!

Loving the cashmere sleep socks from White Co.

OK DD has just woken up from her nap, so I will resume the search later. Thanks so much for your help. I'll be back later to let you know what I've decided on (if you're interested!) This is the last gift I have left to buy, so I want to get it done today then I can sit back and feel smug relax and enjoy the festive season :)

Does she wear jewellery? My choice would be one of whatever she wears (ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings - well, two of the earrings!) from a second-hand jeweller's. It'll be unique, a little bit special, and you can get 'real' for under £50. If there's any cash left over, I'd put it in that Stuff tin with some chocolates.