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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Please help me find something for MIL

27 replies

NapoleonsNose · 13/12/2015 21:07

MIL, a young 72, likes golf, doesn't really watch TV, reads. Not sure what perfume she likes. Instructed not to buy bath type smellies. We have already bought a pretty scarf and need something else around the £20 mark. I'm losing the will to live and DH is being utterly hopeless. Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 13/12/2015 21:13

A jigsaw, box set of dvds can be picked up cheaply enough, something similar to this if she likes cooking/gardening, a voucher for something, make a photo album for her, a cheap mp3 player with her favourite music on it, an art set?

Makemineacabsauv · 13/12/2015 21:16

Slippers, restaurant, theatre or book vouchers, DVD box set, jewellery, posh Jo Malone candle, bird table, one of those bean bag bottomed lap trays, coffee pot thing for ground coffee for one ( of she's on her own), magazine subscription, national trust membership, tickets for a day out somewhere she'd love to go.

Makemineacabsauv · 13/12/2015 21:17

Sorry didn't see £20 budget!

Original poster
NapoleonsNose · 13/12/2015 21:21

I don't think she'll watch a DVD box set. I like the herb garden, but FIL only likes bland food with no flavour whatsoever so I don't think she'd use it. She doesn't really cook, so cookery books and kitchen stuff is out. Got her vouchers for the local beauty salon/hairdressers for her birthday and last Christmas. She's bought FIL an MP3 player this year. She is seriously hard to buy for. In the past we've been told no books, no smellies, and no cluttery stuff and tbh, anything we do give is never really that gratefully received.

OP posts:
ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 13/12/2015 21:24

Pyjamas? A cardigan? Foot spa? You could make a hamper of christmas nibbles? Get some festive scratch cards?

Elvish · 13/12/2015 21:30

I've bought my MIL tickets for an RHS flower show.

If she's not going to like it anyway you may as well just buy something and not over think it. Bottles of wine or spirits?

Hufflepuffin · 13/12/2015 21:39

Voucher for the local golf pro shop?

shadowfax07 · 14/12/2015 00:48

If she plays golf, get her some golf balls, and some of those glasses that help you see the ball in the rough more easily.

www.amazon.co.uk/MKD-child-2255-Golf-Finder-Glasses/dp/B004KXWGJQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450053882&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+golf+glasses

I regularly buy my BIL Titleist golf balls, and they are gratefully received. He was a bit sceptical at first about the glasses, but was soon raving about them.

torthecatlady · 14/12/2015 01:15

I second the golf balls - i think you can buy personalised ones which would be thoughtful.. Or does she like watching as opposed to playing?
Maybe a nice note book and pencils (ted baker and cath kidson have pretty ones) and add a note to say they're for the golf bag to help keep score?

Also, would she be the type of person to appreciate one of the Oxfam charity gifts? Eg. A goat, water for 10 people etc. I always like these, especially if you're struggling. They send a nice card and either a magnet or window sticker for the recipient.

insan1tyscartching · 14/12/2015 05:45

Flowers are always my "difficult person gift" have had some lovely baskets delivered at Christmas time from Interflora.

ALongTimeComing · 14/12/2015 05:53

If she's a golfer don't just buy random balls or tees. Golfers tend to have strong preferences about this. DH has many a wasted Christmas present because people just assume he's a golfer so would like random golf stuff! Find out what she plays with.

£20 might not go for but afternoon tea voucher? Your DH could take her?

sparkly72 · 14/12/2015 05:56

M&s have some lovely soft leather gloves in all kinds of colours - bright or pastels... My mum who is 70 this weekend reckons you can't have enough pairs of lovely gloves Smile

celestialgin · 14/12/2015 06:20

Does she like gardening? What about vouchers for a lovely gardening centre?

florentina1 · 14/12/2015 09:54

White Company Candle or diffuser.

KanyeWesticle · 14/12/2015 11:21

National Trust membership?

SingaporeSlinky · 14/12/2015 17:01

Slippers, gloves, golf gloves, ear muffs, cashmere socks, something from Cath Kidston.

BettyOctopus · 14/12/2015 17:08

Colouring books and posh pencil crayons

Whatsername24 · 14/12/2015 19:30

I have a MIL like yours. Very difficult to buy for and even when you think you've found the perfect gift for her, when she opens you just get a flat "Oh right".

I've given up put much thought into it now so this year she's getting some nice slippers and smellies.

LizzieMacQueen · 14/12/2015 19:36

I would get her some trendy (under armour perhaps) thermals if she is a golfer. For that budget you might get a vest.

gBean · 14/12/2015 19:39

My MIL same. And FIL. whatever we have bought over the years has been unappreciated. Now it's a bottle of whiskey and a big lump of cheese. Every year.

Viewofhedges · 15/12/2015 17:14

Chocolate Baileys or similar?

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 15/12/2015 18:19

Magazine subscription?

Sparkletastic · 15/12/2015 18:21

Gin.

Always gin.

Chchchchangeabout · 15/12/2015 18:29

Something disposable then - plant/flowers/food/booze

TendonQueen · 15/12/2015 18:31

Can you pay for a certain number of games of golf for her, if she plays herself, or some months' membership or something?