So, MIL has asked for...

[NoSoggyBottoms]

...a tin of white gloss paint!

She says it's what she really wants, as she wants to re-decorate in the new year. She asked for paint for her birthday (not to us though!), didn't get it and said she was a little disappointed.

A tin of paint for Christmas. Should we get it for her? I guess if thats what she wants...

Get her some homebase vouchers, then she can buy the paint!

I would - and some gloss rollers, dust sheets, masking tape, sugar soap to make a decorating hamper

I'd get it but then buy her something nice for herself too.

I was thinking that! But it would be better for her if we got it. She has really bad asthma and carrying a pot of paint like that would wear her out. Might get the paint and a voucher

Yes I would get her the paint and a diy store gift card.

Ooh, more replies!

CMOTDibbler - what a lovely idea! Will suggest this to DP, thanks!

MonsterBookOfTysons - was thinking that too

....She's one of those impossible people to buy for!

I would buy it for her, if it what she wants.

but then I've bought my mum for her birthday as she has asked for including paving slabs, sand.

Why dont you get her the paint and give her some vouchers too that she can put towards new soft furnishings/something she'd really like?

Could you give her the paint, and a voucher that you'll (collectectively) paint for her?

If her asthma's bad would she appreciate an offer to help with the decorating as well?

As in you'll do the painting, not that you'll make her a painted voucher!
Esp if her asthma is bad, she wont want to be around paint smells for long.

I would, my GMIL asked for a bag of compost one year so she could pot her plants.

I would do the hamper idea.

As someone who does a lot of crafts and LOVES getting fabric and yarn, it really annoys me when I tell people that's what I want and they say "Oh that's not much of a present, I don't want to get you that."

Thanks for all the replies. Glad that some of you have also had, what I would call, 'unusual' requests for gifts! Saying that DP isn't sure about getting me digital kitchen scales and a hand mixer that I've asked for - I'd love them!

Offers to help her go without saying. She normally gets her DH to help, but his lungs are worse than hers! Trying to get her to allow us to do things are a nightmare!....Still, doesn't stop us trying to put our foot down!

craftynclothy - I agree. I'm the same with kitchen stuff! Did manage to get my DP to buy me some fantastic knives two years ago though

MIL asked for a set of Allen Keys once, so paint isnt too obscure.

Love the decorating hamper idea!

Allen keys that made me laugh!

I love MN....keeps me sane.

Thank you

I'm getting a new drill for Xmas. Whoop whoop!!

i want it.

I asked for some digital glass kitchen scales for my birthday once :o

It sounds lovely that you are going to do that for her. What's sugar soap though?

I'm tempted to ask for paint myself now - our landlords repainted the living room and hallways for us as they were done in that vile trade paint before - but they've said we can do whatever we want in the bedrooms. We've been here 4.5yrs so it'd be nice to finally get some colour!

White gloss sounds a bit harsh, and surely is only for woodwork??

Maybe get some colour charts/tester pots in neutral shades first and then tell her you'll get her a large pot of whatever when she's chosen.

If you do go with the hamper idea, why not put in some nice handcream, so she can pamper herself afterwards - maybe some nice bath foam too.

My mum's practical like that - emulsion, electric screwdrivers - all the kind of things that would absolutely make her Christmas, even now she's in her 70's!

Is there any way you could find out what she has planned and maybe get a few nice accessories to go with the paint?

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.

MinnieBar yes, its for painting the woodwork. She has what she needs for the walls.

fuzzpig thats what I'd like this year!

At the end of the day, I'd rather spend money on something she wants, rather wasting it on something she doesn't. She said that she asked for paint for her birthday (not that she asked us), didn't get it and was disappointed.

I like the idea of pampering stuff for after and accessories - will have to find out her colour schemes!

Go for it. I once bought my DGdad photo printer paper. It's what he wanted.

I do slightly envy him. Imagine having your only material wish be printer paper, or in this case a tin of paint.