Excellent presents for women that aren't...

[WhirlwindHugs]

Because @monkeymamma's thread for men is genius.

I'm looking for gifts for women (especially older women) that aren't:
Candles
Chocolate
anti-wrinkle cream
perfume
anything really twee and covered in flowers.

Particularly struggling with my mum this year, she is really into South American art and media. Budget 10-20 pounds.

cathy/ (Reed?),

Fair enough.

I think we both agree that a meaningless exchange is precisely that. But I also think, depending on individual circumstances, adult-to-adult present-giving is often far more complex than a simple blanket rule to "focus on the children".

Anyway, hope your Christmas is a nice one, with or without those presents!

Thanks AutumnalLeaves, and the same to you.

TripTrap

I know what you are saying and I admire you for your sentiments.

But honestly buying for my BIL and SIL and various other adult family members was excruciatingly difficult. We don't live with them, we don't know their tastes and their likes and dislikes, it takes a lot of time to figure out what to get the adults in our family circle.

OK maybe it is just me. But I just fail to see the point of buying something that someone MIGHT like, no matter how much thought I put into it, they might put it in the bin after the oohs and aahs and genuine thanks for my gift. And they have to do the same for me..... Nope, not necessary anymore thank you very much.

I'm not saying that the thought is not appreciated, just that it is so unnecessary. Being together and having a laugh and enjoying each others company at Christmas is much more important than a present IMV. That's all.

Cuban street art? You can probably get some online relatively cheaply?

I’m getting my sister a portrait of her dog.

Maybe people can agree to disagree? The op didn't ask for opinions as to whether or was a good idea, she asked for gift suggestions. I for one am finding the thread very interesting. Maybe we can just continue with suggestions.

cathyclown

I’m totally with you on this one.* I hardly ever receive presents I actually want and I assume it’s the same for others who get presents from me. It seems like a big waste to send stuff to the charity shop that people have paid £30 for just weeks ago. I think a ceremonial giving of pretty envelopes containing handmade cards / another form of cheap disposable token which could be personalised would be much more efficient.*

Presents are great for kids though.**

Present suggestions: anything from Not On The Highstreet seems to be popular with my friends.

Appin, DH got me some from Johnstons of Elgin a couple of years back.

Dm will always be happy with:
Gardening gloves
A micro fleece

Am loving the idea of the cashmere wrist warmers!

Placemarking.

Sadik thank you for posting The Metal Press site, lots of ideas for my sea and marine obsessed dd on there.

All my older relatives (mum/mil/gran) love a photo calendar of my DC's. That probably only works with fairly young, cute kids. Dd1 no longer takes part as she's a grumpy teenager.

Mum loved the set of crochet hooks with handles to reflect her other interests (TV shows, hobbies)

A voucher for a meal went down well, as did a weekend away.

Mil loves reading, so I gave her a subscription to Kindle unlimited, which she uses all the time now the mobile library has been shut down (it's difficult for her to get to the actual library building)

Craft/art supplies, depending on the interests of the recipient.

Obv not the same budget, but my favourite gifts have been a walking backpack and binoculars. Would really love a Llama walk or subscription to a walking magazine.

I think you should go for small things like pendants or earrings, those that are not of the expensive type but one which would represent her personality or fetish.

A book

Great suggestions. I am 44 and I would love it if somebody gave me a present that showed they had thought about me, rather than just getting me what I asked for. I am really starting to dislike it when people ask me what I want. I can go to the shops myself.

General luxury presents I would love but won't ask for
e.g. Dr Haushka bath stuff, lovely expensive chocolate, a wool blanket, leather pouches, etc Just nicer versions of things I use but wouldn't buy myself.

Jaeger outlet have really good prices for small luxury purses etc.

What I am actually after is some wireless headphones, a bread machine, a grey blanket scarf and some speakers for my tablet. I want them, not buying them for myself as too expensive and unnecessary. But I don't think I will ask for them this year.

Last year I got a Nespresso machine. Nothing about me says I particularly like coffee, or kitchen gadgets. I hated it and gave it to my husband. He loves it.

For my BF who is 50 I am getting some lovely, expensive mugs. I haven't decided which yet. She's always moaning that her boyfriend doesn't see the point in spending money on things like that and all theirs are cheap and chipped. I am pretty sure she will love it.

This is a great thread. My mum is 63 and genuinely the world’s easiest person to buy for, has lots of hobbies, loves clothes that we buy her (or she nicks off me and my sister!) and enjoys nice quality cosmetics and toiletries.
My grandmother on the other hand is 87 and so difficult! She doesn’t like toiletries, doesn’t want any more clothes or accessories, doesn’t really drink she’s very active though so going to have a trawl through this thread for inspiration!

How about a guide book / walking book / cycling book for the area they live in ?

Think I'm going to get my DB a wallet this year (no idea if he needs a new one) and SIL Yankee candles cos she loves them.

Parents will be a mousemat with photo of GDCs, tickets to the theatre and cycling books. Plus photo calendar

DMIL with be a mug with photo of GDCs plus photo calendar. And god knows what else....

Great idea for a thread OP, which I haven't read yet as I'm saving it for a nice cup of tea. Apologies if this has already been mentioned but sometimes a glance at "men's" gifts can generate a few ideas. I personally love hand crafted brown leather accessories, crafted wood etc rather and I'm drawn to earthy musky scents usually marketed to men.
Etsy is great for inspiration and you can often get orders customised too to add a more personal touch.

Go to stallfinder and browse through stall holders in your area for items that they make and/or sell. You can find some really fascinating things and find out where they will be holding a stall and head over.

Or in the events section you can check to see if there are any events that might have stalls you might be interested in.

You can find things like custom made dog treats, hand knitted clothing, original art work, hand made wooden toys... the list is endless!

I found the site when I was looking for stalls for a Christmas Fair I was organising. Pure gold!

Reed. I am over 50. I am very poor. I don't want charity, but if my kids and family want to help me out, then giving me a tonne of coal or a food hamper or even a voucher for a day out as a gift is a brilliant way of doing it.

Plus, I love presents! Just because you think all adults should be able to buy themselves anything they want, doesn't make it true.

My mum (60) loves moleskine notebooks etc. Got her a lovely laptop case from them one year. She also loves to get the booker longlist

Grandma (85) likes gardening stuff - especially interesting seeds and things that she can display in her garden. A solar powered plant pot that lights up with little twinkly LEDs at night went down well one year!

I agree this is a great idea for a thread, especially those of us with relatives we see infrequently but like to have a thoughtful gift for!

This might appeal to many different age groups, especially any gift recipient suffering back/shoulder pain, or sporty/gardening folk:

Heated Shiatsu Massage Cushion
(This HoMedics official site sale price: £34.99, reduced from £59.99)

Good reviews on Amazon. Averages 4.5 star rating, from 480+ customers.

Am trying to find a massage mat suitable for friend mostly confined to armchair, if anyone's got a personal recommendation? Quality and price range seems to vary wildly between brands.
Max budget is £50.