What on earth am I supposed to get my sister for Christmas?

[CharlieLimaHotel]

She is the hardest person to buy for. We've set a limit of £20 tops, but everything that I know she would love is so expensive! I had considered a set of makeup brushes as that is one thing her boyfriend won't think about getting her - but is that really something a 21 year old would like? Help please, any ideas welcome!

If she uses makeup every day and does the whole "make up artist" thing to put it on (sorry, I haven't worn make up for years and years and still own genuine 1980s Avon products ) then she may well love a set of nice brushes.

i would go to tk maxx and get a fabulous party handbag.

I'm 22 and I think make up brushes are a great idea.

Nice nail varnish? A Chanel one would take a big chunk of your budget but is so worth it

Do you know what her boyfriend is getting her?

MrsCornish I like that idea. Problem is she has so many bags! I may have a rummage at our local though, never know what you might find.

PomBear yes she does do her make up most days, when she is at Uni, and I figured that retractable ones (she already has a blush one) would be good for her travelling to and fro. And convienient, personally I can't stand it when you can't close your make up bag properly because of a hossing great big handle!

PastGrace ooh, I didn't think of nail varnish, she tends to only do a pedicure, but has been making noises of manicures lately. Only because I'm around to paint them for her. :)

I have no idea what her boyfriend is getting her, neither does she! He's coming over this weekend, I may have to get the thumbscrews out over a glass of orange juice..

My sister is 22 and has always set a very tight budget limit (mostly for my protection ). For her 21st birthday I bought a journal and filled it full of old photos from our childhood that my parents had never sorted - they'd been in a drawer since being printed. Would she like something similar? You could then get her something small and expensive.

Jewellery holder?

Have you got a local TKMaxx? They are doing nice CK hat and scarf sets - DSis was given one last year and she loves it. TBH if she likes sparkly expensive things then TKMaxx is a good stop - stationary, toiletries, accessories etc.

How about a pamper hamper? Magazine; toe separators; nail files; body shop bubbly things (sale atm); eye mask; lip balm; face mask (supermarkets do the disposable one-use types and do cheap versions of all these beauty products); £3/4 fluffy slippers (as an addition, I'm sure she won't mind if they aren't expensive if they come from you :) ); chocolate.

a vajazzel kit

CharminglyOdd I love that idea! Would be good as she's always trying to take pictures of us doing things together.

I bought a jewellery holder last Christmas, she just has it there as decoration really. I'm going to TKMaxx tomorrow first thing & will keep my eyes peeled!
What do you think of a little bundle of Body Shop goodies & those face masks? My mum suggested that, but I hadn't thought of the facemasks..

Recall inspired, as we do live in Essex, but I don't fancy trying to explain that one to my grandparents on Christmas Day..

Body Shop sounds great :) She's of the right age to remember the 'classics' they are bringing back in, which were on sale the last time I went in there (to get things for DSis ). Here they are. I think they are bringing out a few at a time.

CharminglyOdd I've just spied their 2 for £15 offer on body butter and scrub... Hmm will definitely be having a look in the Body Shop tomorrow as well then. :)

The big department stores do little Nails Inc miniature sets - I bought a very nice one for a £15 secret santa and they have 'classic' colours or 'party colours'. It was very gratefully received!

I bought my sister some very funky shu uemura false eyelashes for £15. She loves make up, but they're something she probably wouldn't send money on herself (because things are tight ATM while her DH tries to find a FT job).

She's also love make up brushes. Or even just one, very good quality make up brush. She'd love a mac make up brush (and, realistically, you're only going to get 1 for your budget). Again, it's something she'd like but is too expensive for her to justify spending on herself. Ideally, that's what I think presents should be when you're grown up and can take care of your own 'needs'.