Difficult to buy for mum. Help!

[PassTheMead]

My mum is mid 50's, no interests (honestly) no particular style, nothing she loves, yet adores the idea of getting presents, but then makes a face if they are not perfect.

I do love her really! She's just a nightmare to buy for. Help would be appreciated! What are you buying for your mums?

Vouchers, tickets, day out type gift, made by DC anything? Subscription to any papers/magazines she gets?

Family photo shoot
National Trust membership
Spa day
Afternoon tea hamper www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-elegant-afternoon-tea-hamper/p3391056

Oh I feel your pain, my mum is impossible to buy for too. She's apparently sensitive to all sorts of chemicals (although not the ones in cigarettes )so that means: no candles, perfume, makeup, anything scented at all, no flowers and no beauty products. She's also sensitive to all sorts of foods so nothing edible at all, she doesn't drink anything other than tea or milk either. It leaves me with a very narrow range and what drives me crazy is that she says she's easy to buy for!

Tyrion, my mum says that too." Oh I'm easy to buy for, or I don't want anything".. turn up giftless and there is fire and brimstone....

These are all lovely ideas, however she thinks subscriptions/vouchers etc are thoughtless presents and the gifter doesn't care about her.... (remembers rant from 3 years ago)
(again painting her in a bad light, she is lovely in other ways, a lovely mardy mum)

I understand OP. My mum has a magazine that she enjoys, so we usually buy her a subscription for that along with a treat to eat when she's reading it. Otherwise, I'm afraid I've got in the habit now of buying her something that she's mentioned that she likes. I also give It to her straight away so she can use it/ enjoy it. Mind you, my mum is older than yours and I am influenced by her memory of finding the perfect gift for her much loved grandmother, buying it and looking forward to giving it on Christmas Day, only for her grandmother to die just before Christmas.
My mum is very hard to buy for - fussy about jewellery, clothes, books, only likes certain brands of candles, doesn't like Nik make etc. And if you get it wrong, oh boy! does she let you know it. Not with a rant, but in what my dcs call a 'Nanny huff', where she sort of looks adoringly at what somebody else was given, then at her gift, then instigates a conversation about what a good idea the other present is, while steadfastly ignoring her own gift and the giver. Hey ho.

Would she appreciate being taken out to dinner, or going with you to a spa/ manicure, or to a concert? Or could you take her for a shopping trip to pick out something nice for her? That way she gets the gift of time spent with you, and what is effectively a voucher gift feels a bit more thoughtful.

The dressing gowns from One Hundred Stars are gorgeous (and made an appearance in Mamma Mia 2).

Chocs and flowers is as good as it gets! I believe in marking the o ccsion but not splashing out large sums of money on something that probably isn't wanted or appreciated.

Maybe a food hamper? You could make up a small 'posh food' hamper of special treat type stuff, if you know what she likes.

A book? The latest cookbook or autobiography.

Otherwise, a scarf, or cashmere socks.

Or jewellery.

Anthropologie has some lovely china - mugs and decorated plates and things, that look really special.
Does she like clothes? Something a bit luxurious like a silk or cashmere scarf? Case of wine/favourite tipple?
Or an upgrade of something she has and uses regularly?

Some coal

The way she behaved the other night, she may well get some coal. Honestly, I feel like her parent sometimes! Dressing gown is a good idea! The hundred stars ones are beautiful but she prefers cosiness! For me however.... ;)

Have you asked her if there was anything she would like? Say, that she has seemed a little disappointed in the past, so is there a particular thing (within reason) that she would like?

And on a side note. What happened the other night? What did she do?

My mother is also a pain in the arse. You have my sympathy.

I’m making her a hamper of stuff I know she likes...

KC225 ah just some bitchy, put down comments that stung a bit. I could write an essay about stuff she's done, and i've been over to the stately homes thread. She does care, in her unique way.

My son gave me The Book of Everyone for Mother's Day - I loved it! It was really personal and it made me laugh, and cry. Worth a look? thebookofeveryone.com/uk/shop/search/personalised-gifts

How about this ?

www.amazon.co.uk/How-Works-Mum-Ladybirds-Grown-Ups/dp/0718184211/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=how+it+works+-+the+mum&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1536076534&sr=8-2 😁

?last year I made chocolate mint vodka, basically mint creams , I used Fry's as I couldn't find after rights on offer. Break them up and leave in a warm place to combine. DS1 ,Mr I hate vodka, drank a fair bit. It makes a fab cocktail with kaluha and Bailey's.

I'm going to make coffee rum this year for DD

what about a photo of the kids in a special frame, and a mug decorated by them? you could take them down to somewhere like pots of art, or you could get a do it yourself mug decorating kit. then pop a voucher in the mug. i don't think she will complain or make a face if your dc s have spent time and effort on her present. all the best x

I knitted my DM a cover and put it on a hot water bottle.
Last year we spent ages putting together a special hamper full of all the things they like best. She pulled all the contents out and got all excited about her new log basket 😂

@scarfaceace that's a brilliant idea, thank you! My mum is now sorted even if op's isn't

Gummy I'm so chuffed you liked my idea. I know your mum will love it.

A lovely soft blanket to snuggle under?