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

[Rooble]

Last night I tried the most delicious gin I've ever had (Hayman's) - really cardamomy and unusual. How about an unusual spirit like that? It's the kind of thing you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself )even if mega rich) because you can't source it down your local Waitrose - but such a treat to have something really tasty with your tonic.
Maybe a bottle of gin plus a couple of limes so it can be put to immediate use? (This assumes she drinks alcohol).

[sadsometimes]

Gloves? If she's really posh she won't want a present. Take a whole fab cheese and a bottle of very good red wine

[sadsometimes]

Definitely NOT the dog if you don't get the right breed it will be really naff. Ditto anything from t k maxx

The flowers and saumur are the best suggestion on here

[Pasanna]

A sundial, that's what I'm going to get for my posh exacting mil, who loves gardening.

[MooseyMoo]

What about a Molton Brown gift set? There is a £25 hand cream x3 set. Use CREW to get £10 off (*this expires 30th Nov tho). The postage is £4.95 but you get a lovely gift box and sample (that you choose at checkout).

[sadsometimes]

Or a bottle of cath Collins bath oil

[PigletJohn]

you can buy posh people thoughtful, amusing, inexpensive presents.

They can afford all the expensive things they want.

[dollywould]

OP, I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago, with my MIL.

Can you cross-stitch? I made my MIL a small cross-stitch cushion of her cat, with its name embroidered on the back. She loved it and kept it on her bedside table.

You can find charts for pretty much any breed of dog online - and I found it quite therapeutic to make, as well. And if you keep it small, it doesn't take ages.

She sounds a lovely woman and I'm sure she'll like whatever you get her.
Some fabulous ideas on here, though...

[Pasanna]

Or why not pot up a mixture of spring bulbs/ winter flowers in a really nice pot. I know that's what I d prefer at 70 rather than soaps etc.

[EvilRingahBitch]

Good idea Pasanna. John Lewis and M&S have some very nice potted flowers - hyacinths or orchids for well within your budget. I got my mother the most lovely little orchid from M&S recently. Add a nice box of chocolate coated ginger or whatever and you're sorted.

[celestialsquirrels]

Give a very nice bottle of olive oil. You can get a splendid looking bottle for £20-30. That is what I would give someone like your aunt in your position and I'd also like to get it. (I'm posh and rich but not 70 )

[celestialsquirrels]

Do not buy Milton brown anything
To me that screams "free in British airways club class" (not a good thing!)

[celestialsquirrels]

Molton

[celestialsquirrels]

Massive slab/whole cheese also a great idea. Get her a Cornish yarg. Covered in nettle leaves so looks beautiful but also delicious. Tres chic.

[ProfondoRosso]

Hmm, if she has a French holiday home, is she a Francophile? Does she speak French?

If so, maybe she'd like an Edith Piaf CD? Or Jacques Brel/Georges Brassens? You can get them mega cheap on Amazon. And a cracking bottle of wine. Or a cracking old French film like La Grande Illusion/Le Quai des brumes etc.

Does she like cheese? You could get a nice selection of French cheeses - raclette, good brie de Meaux, Comte etc.

[SarahPercyAndBill]

Neals Yard Dairy - not the skincare stores - do to-die-for cheeses. If she regularly travels to London, I'd pool together with other relatives and get her a couple of tickets to their cheese classes (£60 each).

[AngelaDaviesHair]

Box of marron glaces
Cover for her Kindle
Big turron cake
Bottle of calvados
Cashmere socks
Needlepoint kit, if she is craft-y. Liberty do nice ones
I agree a Kindle magazine subscription is a good idea: Spectator or New Statesman (depending on politics) or Homes & Gardens or The Week
Coin purse also a good idea. Or posh glasses case
Jo Malone bubble bath

[SarahPercyAndBill]

Or, for 40ish this absolutely breathtaking and classic Georg Jensen cheese knife

[IDismyname]

Cheese

These guys are really good. I've had nice cheese sent to posh friends before going to stay with them for the weekend. Saves them having to do a cheeseboard, and its always good!

(I also take a traybake of brownies that are fresh - we eat some, and they freeze the rest for another day)

[sadsometimes]

Not. French. Cheese.

[DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis]

booze.

they all love it

[LifeOfPee]

There really are some cracking suggestions on this thread - thank you.

I had some emails with my sister today and she said a while ago posh aunt told her that since she got the dog everyone buys her dog related presents. It seems I'm not the first to have found her tricky to buy for and have clung onto the doggy for inspiration!

A kindle cover is a good idea. Thanks to those who suggested it. Can you get personalised ones I wonder? I think she said she'd got a paperwhite so it won't need a light attached.

My sister also said posh aunt is aware of how hard she is to buy gifts for so doesn't expect much. Which seems a bit sad to me makes me want to get her something she will really like.

[ancientbuchanan]

Does she have a sense of humour? If so, the Tottering by Gently books of cartoons are tremendous. They are the ones at the back of Country Life.

If you can buy a can of marmade, make her some home made marmelade. You can make it into four fruits, or add black treacle to make it Oxford it Dundee. Nothing nicer. Cost to you about 6 quid for four jars. V easy. V unusual. And not available easily in France.

I recommend also Paxton and Whitfield for cheese, or Floris or Roger et Gallet for smellies. Decent names from the past. Really don't go scented candles etc. Just naff for that sort of person.

Agree marrons glaces. Wonderful things, you can never have too many.

Smithson stationery would be a good talking point given Sam cam.

I have bought my sister and DM little travelling hot water bottles, half size, fit in an overnight case with ease. With plush covers. Or cashmere covers.

Cashmere bed socks. V luxurious.

[fishybits]

Just Truffles chocolates from Harleston. Seriously the best chocolates in the world ever and come in a very smart box.

//www.justtrufflesonline.co.uk