Mission impossible! What to buy for very rich, exacting, posh old aunt?!

[LifeOfPee]

We're spending Christmas at her big posh house too so it can't be something token.

I'm completely broke, living off stat mat pay, so it can't be expensive.

Great options, huh? I am at a complete loss

[LifeOfPee]

There are so many fab ideas on this thread, you've all been so helpful - thank you

I feel much more confident I can get her something decent which she'll like and I won't feel embarrassed giving it to her.

[Lavenderhoney]

The rose idea is brilliant:)

I also like the super posh nail varnish idea, she can always take it along with her to the spa.

Also, you could have a look at those nice covered largish notebooks for visitors and all write something lovely in it after your stay.

And whatever you get her, take lots of photos and put them into an album with nice sentances under them, and send it to her. Its nicer than a digital file and takes time which is very precious.

Make sure you invite her to you, at the end won't you? Even if you think she won't come, its nice to be asked:)

[Cremolafoam]

Yay!
Have you found a suitable rose on David Austen ?. If not there's harkness roses as well.

[ZeroSomeFestiveGameThingy]

Cremola That is a fantastic idea! Even if she has a vast, visitor-worthy garden it would always have its own significance.

Have to say I would be thrilled with a personally chosen rose - particularly an "old" rose. And it looks to the future.

[Cremolafoam]

Find a rosehere that's close to her name ?

[trice]

I hate stuff that has to be found a home for. I would choose foodstuff. Fennel pollen is lovely and unusual, or a kaffia lime tree.

[CaroBeaner]

A fun stocking.

A small tube of good hand cream
A pair of nice knickers
A small jar of caviar
Does she read? A good book of short stories
A DVD of the kind of film she likes
Something fun
A small attractive flask for carting cold drinks in the car when she is in France, or hot coffee when travelling in this country like this or this

or
A box set of comedies or other series or films she might like

or

Tickets for an exhibition or a show

[GeppaGip]

Gosh don't buy dog stuff. There is a thread running currently about gifts you hate getting and a recurring theme is people with pets being inundated with 'pet related' paraphernalia. As the owner of two cats I agree. I like cats not cat 'stuff'.

My mum is not as rich as your aunt but likes the finer things in life. This year sh is having Jo Malone bath oil which comes beautifully boxed and wrapped. Previous gifts have included deco style earrings from 1928 collection, pink champagne and champagne truffles, posh candles etc. Try john lewis also for fancy chocolates and booze. My mum likes luxury consumables rather than more objects to find a home for. hth.

[Lavenderhoney]

You can get personalised kindle covers, just googled it:)
You could get one with " money bags" on it or " bugger orf, I'm reading"
Or " posh totty" :)

[PigletJohn]

perhaps you are not yet old enough to be driving a partially-restored ragtop TR around, wearing stringback gloves.

[WholeNutt]

Like the gloves! Asked dh for driving gloves..he pissed himself laughing

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

Nice gloves always useful

Some gorgeous (but reasonable) ones \link{http://www.southcombe.com/gloves-for-women/c9\here}

[WholeNutt]

Why not get her some lovely leather gloves with cashmere or silk lining. Less than £50 :)

[sadsometimes]

She has basically said she doesn't want anything! Buy her some cheese and have done with it

[ancientbuchanan]

Paper white narcissi or hyacynths blooming in a nice pot, scented and out, are always a fabulous present, no matter how rich.

[janeyjampot]

You don't say how far you live from your aunt, but do you have any kind of local luxury? In your shoes I would buy some expensive chocolates, beautifully wrapped, or another kind of luxury you can't buy anywhere, like infused olive oil, natural soaps etc from somewhere local to you.

Something like this

[roslet]

notonthehighstreet have vintage book cover kindle cases (e.g. Peter Pan, Great Expectations) for £25.

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

A few people have mentioned TKMaxx & soap. I was there yesterday & they have some nice soap - 2 big bars, of scents like jasmine and verbena - in a musical box with little legs. Choice of different designs & tunes (eg Swan Lake, Ode to Joy, Fur Elise). Really lovely but only a tenner

The box is made of strong board, not wood, so it won't last forever.

[ancientbuchanan]

And the fortnums chocolate covered orange and lemon peel go down well too.

[Syllabubble]

Or a Persephone book - Katherine mansfield's Diaries or some Mollie Panter Downes - beautiful editions

[Syllabubble]

Stationery - lovely notebook or diary - RHS do some nice ones.

[NightCircus]

Maybe bath oils

www.theukedit.com/aromatherapy-associates-ultimate-collection/10854334.html

[Pantah630]

OP are you just there for the day or for a couple of days? If the latter I'd go with a nice plant, box marron glacé or cherry liqueur type gift and offer to cook one of the meals. If the former just the plant and sweets would surely be enough, a plant as a keepsake and something to eat.