A present for a fussy mother

[pringlecat]

My mum is very hard to buy for. I have a reasonably large budget when it comes to buying her a gift, but she doesn't seem to like "stuff" and when asked what she wants, the answer is nothing. This is horribly frustrating but on reflection, I am exactly the same. I don't want anything for Christmas myself!

Would be grateful for any ideas...

Things she does not like:

• Jewellery
• Alcohol
• Animals
• Charity gifts
• Make up
• Anything twee or cutesy
• Anything homemade

Any ideas at all...? I can't buy loads of presents for the rest of the family (who do like presents) and have nothing for my own mother to open...

For a person like that I'd go for an experience gift so theatre tokens, afternoon tea, restaurant voucher etc. It's probably because she doesn't want lots of things lying around the house, my mum is the same but is happy with a meal out at her favourite restaurant.

If you need something to open, would some really nice leather gloves be an idea?

One thing a dd gave me one year (I don't want 'stuff' either, certainly not anything I'd have to dust) was the first of a series of 3 lots of flowers, one a month for 3 months. They came in long boxes that would fit through the letterbox, so no having to leave with neighbours if I was out.
Can't remember who supplied them, but it was lovely to get 2 and 3, since I'd have forgotten by then to expect them.

Second the monthly subscription box idea. Is your mum a foodie? There is a huge range.

It may be a bit twee, but what about a 'dear mum book'. It's a bit like a journal you give to your mum that asks lots of questions about her life... What was she like when she was younger, how did she feel when she found out she was pregnant with you, how did she meet your dad etc. She fills orbit and gives it back to you. It's a lovely gift for you to share
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1907048448/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481588147&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=dear+mum+from+you+to+me&dpPl=1&dpID=51uf2ymYhQL&ref=plSrch

Thanks for the ideas!

She's not into the theatre or other experiences like that.

Leather gloves she would probably appreciate, but I know she's had problems getting ones to fit her hands before, so difficult to buy off the shelf. She does like flowers...

Hates cooking (does it out of necessity not fun) and she would hate a dear mum book (not very sentimental).

She is rather lovely, but she doesn't like a lot of stuff...

For gloves, if you can get a measurement of her hands then Dents make them in quite a large range of sizes.

What about a voucher for her hairdressers if they do them?

What about a family tree program and a dna kit to go with it? Probably no time for this, but a portrait drawn or painted from a photo of a favorite pet, or of her and her husband, or if you have a photo of her with all her kids as a young woman? Something like a hand knitted throw from etsy?

Gadgets for the house? Coffee machine, sound bar for the TV, light switches on a remote control, sunrise alarm clock.

Hates cooking, doesn't want anything that needs dusting [is this me, i wonder]

What about an invitation to lunch/dinner with you, your treat? This would tick all my boxes, no dusting, no cooking and some time in an easy relaxed environment with my daring daughter. Make it specific, find a time that suits her and get a table booked/transport arranged etc. If you want something to 'unwrap' you could print an invitation and possibly include a glossy brochure from the venue. Enjoy!

Something luxurious, like a cashmere wrap or throw?

How about:

Pyjama's / Dressing Gown / Slippers
Books / Kindle
Magazine Subscription - there are so many great ones on gardening, home decor, DIY, pets etc... depending what her interests are
If she likes gardening then maybe some plants for her garden? Or tools?
A comfy foot rest for watching TV etc

I feel awful rejecting all your ideas, but she really is that fussy! It's hard to say what she does like, but I know strongly what she doesn't.

The meal would be a good idea if I didn't already treat her normally when I see her. You are on the money though - she definitely doesn't want any clutter that requires dusting and/or she feels obliged to keep for a short period of time.

She does sort of like gardening. I know nothing about gardening. She has all the essential tools (e.g. lawnmower, trowel), but I don't know if there any other smaller gifts that might be useful for gardeners? She would use a nice hand cream for after gardening, but that's only a very little present.

Dressing gown - hmm, I'm trying to think how old her one is, and if a really nice snuggly new (expensive) one might be appreciated. I know it doesn't sound terribly exciting, but if she hasn't already bought herself a replacement, that might not be a bad idea.

A delivery of meals from Cook?

Plants for the garden? Rose bushes, apple trees, something with a name similar to hers / yours / loved ones.

I got DM a subscription to Good Housekeeping. Loads of magazines to choose from, would she like Gardeners World?

Ooh, tell me about the umbrella, please. Where from? She might actually like that.

My mother is a little like this.

I often get her David Austin roses.

A Longchamp bag has also been a hit. You can get them in so many colours and sizes.

What about an Amazon Echo, she can set it up and talk to it (ask it questions) all day.

National trust membership.

Bench for garden, rose bush, weekend away for the 2 of you, manicures for a year,

My mum is very fussy too. One thing I’ve figured out (I’m 30 now) is that she likes pjs with pockets so she can carry her Vaseline around with her. I also got it right one year when I bought her tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo which she was happy with. Every year I really try my best from I started working at 16 and I’ve got it right twice. Bought her leather gloves once too thinking she’d like them and they’re now my driving gloves for winter.