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 :)

Anyone else relieved their family haven't thought of doing this?

Hunter do lovely socks with fur tops that are £30 the rest could be on other bits like DVD, gloves, bath stuff, chocs ect

We do secret Santa, and all e-mail each other with ideas, takes the stress out!

Good evening,

thanks again for your helpful suggestions. So, I've narrowed it down to 2 options. May I ask you to choose your favourite?

Option 1: this and these

Or Option 2: these, this and these

What do you think?

I would prefer option one as a group of gifts, but I would change the hat for something more girly, I don't know your sil though.

1. I love the Hunter socks but hate the hat (unless she already wears funkee hats, in which case: 1!)

Option 2 is just A Good Present. The socks would be a bit if not cashmere, but that makes all the difference!

Thank you. Ok, I thought the hat was cool and I think I could see her wearing it, but if I'm wrong, I can imagine her being a bit , and I don't want her to dislike half the present!

SetFire does he have any hobbies? Gardening, etc? For my grandparents (around the same age) we're doing a photo calendar of DD, but, depending on your relationship with this man, perhaps this wouldn't be appropriate?

Oh, and please choose an option for my SIL before you hijack my thread

Most unwise to base a gift on age + gender, Fire. Character? Hobbies? Collector? Rich / poor? Pets or quirks?

x-post

For the SIL:
A gilet? M&S have some lovely ones with a faux fur collar or a reversible one in the £45 region.
Have also seen a reversible Keela down one at a little bit over budget (£59 I think) which is lovely.

A Casio Baby-G. I love mine!

I also have a lovely Merrell Gortex jacket in a more trendy feminine style to most waterproof jackets. I had it from TK Maxx for lass then £50 so it might be worth a look there for inspiration.

I love option 1! Go with that!

breadandhoney what does your sil like doing outside? Does she walk dogs, ride horses, cycle etc? That might help us to narrow our suggestions.

Just to throw a spanner in the works, you could make up a little Christmas stocking if it is going to be her only gift.

I think the Hunter socks are fantastic. Do you know what colour her Hunters are?

Carrots she walks her dog, lots of forest walks, goes on cycling holidays, things like this. She lives in a beautiful rural area that is great for these things.

I think her Hunters are black, but I can't remember for definite.

Hmm, Christmas stocking is a nice idea. I wonder, though, would I be able to put a decent number of quality gifts in it for £50.

I prefer option two because I don't like the hat in one either.

Love the Hunter socks though because I suggested them

The hat is very risky, she will love it or hate it. What about Cath Kidson? She has lost of lively stuff at a range of prices. Or Jo Malone stuff. Or wrist warmers.

It would be a challenge, it has to be said. for the budget.

If she likes walking then a GPS of some sort (as someone up thread suggested) is a great idea as she can track her walks to see how long they are etc. My dh has a gps watch for running and tracks his runs after. I also know a professional dog walker who does similar things.

Hand warmers might also be appreciated. M&S had some reusable ones with little fleece pockets in their gift section.

Does she have an ipod - you might get a little mp3 player if she likes tunes while she walks?

Dh is suggesting browsing running sites like www.run4it.co.uk or www.dorunning.co.uk for ideas.

He also says you can get a little Nike gadget that you put in your shoe that tracks how far you have walked or run which might fit the budget better.

Northface do fantastic gloves that are really light and flexible but incredibly warm. We have got my dsil some for her Birthday and got them from John Lewis. They were £50. She could cycle in them no problem as they are so flexible but still use them to walk the dog.

Is she into beauty products? In winter the outdoor life can be really hard on your skin so she might enjoy some good exfoliator, moisturiser, hand cream etc.

I will try to think of other ideas. I love the boot liners though. If it was me I would want them.

I would love option 2- all 3 items. Also don't like hat- but then I don't do hats.

OK, I think she would like the hat, but I agree it is a risk - and I certainly don't want her to hate it! Would I be mixing themes a little to substitute the Hunter socks for the cashmere ones of option 2? Am I over-thinking this?

wow, thanks carrots

OK, I wasn't sure about the GPS, as I thought it was all about getting directions, but she might actually like the tracking thing.

Will check out the running sites, although she doesn't actually run, as far as I know.

I agree that North Face gloves are a great (SIL got them for me when she was my Secret Santa last year!!)

And thanks cashmere - Going by your name I might have guessed which one you'd prefer :)

I think the GPS systems are used by cyclists, runners and walkers. I also know of people who use them to do treasure hunts. One person lays out the clues and give the first co ordinate. Others use the GPS to find the clue and next co ordinate. Dh just likes the tracking feature though.

Best not give the gloves then or she might think you had given them back to her

I prefer Option 1.

What about a designer purse?

option 1, I like the hat.

OK, decision made. I've taken a risk and gone with the hat. DH thinks she'll love it (and I think I agree). I know she'll love the Hunter welly socks!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions.

Christmas shopping...done!