I have £50 to spend on, quite possibly, the most materialistic woman alive

[PumpkinPatchMum]

My mum.

Under 60yo.

Has no hobbies (other than shopping).

Buys herself whatever she wants whenever she pleases. So never has a wishlist.

Only likes designer labels which are way out of my price range.

Things we've previously tried which have failed:

• sentimental gifts like a photo book or professional prints of DC ("I can't hang it up, it doesn't really fit with my decor")

• gift vouchers ("It's quite impersonal. It's just like handing me money. What's the point?")

• taking her out for a meal or an afternoon tea (where she will only sip on a cup of tea as she is permanently on a diet)

• theatre tickets (she has already bought herself tickets for the same show with better seats, or has another show booked for that day)

I have no idea what to get her. Every year it stresses me out. She'll receive the gift with a smile then will give it over to my sister a few weeks later.

She spends £££ on me and DC each year and I always feel silly buying her something so small in comparison.

Whenever I ask her what she'd like, she just says "Surprise me!"

I need to get her something she doesn't know she will like (as she will have already bought herself it)

I need to get her something not clothes, jewellery, accessories, homeware, makeup/perfume-related as she only likes designer stuff

She's not one for homemade gifts or sentimental things like photo cushions or photo books.

She doesn't eat or drink much at all so no fancy foods or hampers.

Total nightmare!

My siblings are a bit better off than me and can afford to buy her the makeup she likes etc. My mum never places any pressure on us to do so but I hate seeing her change in expression after seeing her opening my sister's expensive purse or perfume set next to my Primark onesie i bought for her!

I need to go for something wacky and wonderful.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Also came on to say jo malone candle. . You could get a mulberry key ring but would need to be from 1 of the outlets or a Facebook mulberry selling site. Cashmere socks .

A diffuser is easier to use than a candle that requires lighting.

Alessi Purse hook on Amazon £15 - £20

Get two for her favourite handbags

Gin glasses are fashionable at the moment.

The book sounds ideal!

I know you said not food but what about single estate EV olive oil and balsamic vinegar set in swanky bottles. She sounds like a woman who eats salads!

Subscription box? E.g. 3 months of flowers from bloom and wild?

Does she enjoy beauty in the garden? When I’m stumped I buy a lovely olive tree and put it in a nice pot myself. The olive tree signifies peace as well as other things. Each part of the tree represents different meanings but all positive. As long as you dm has a sunny space to put it I’d imagine it would be an ideal gift

Or 3 month audible subscription if she'd listen to books.

Wacky and wonderful here. My dad's a pain to buy for. One year he asked for socks as a joke.

So I got socks... Lots and lots of socks all individually wrapped which he was still unwrapping weeks later.

Or think sod it and get the charity goat or ask your sister what she likes and get that since she will get it anyway. Ungracious gift receivers who never help you with ideas don't get a whole lot of thought.

Dyptique candle

YSL colour palette

A spa day ?

One of those Amazon Alexa things.

I wouldn’t buy her anything to be honest. Waste of money if she won’t appreciate it.

Another vote for a Jo Malone perfume/candle!

Magazine subscription?

Why bother? She sounds like a moody, ungrateful mare.

Cashmere socks or some leather gloves.

I second the flower subscription from Bloom and Wild.

I’d get something from Space NK. The women who work there (in the Leeds branch anyway) will understand your predicament and be able to recommend something. My mother is similar (though would be mortified to hear it) and I quite often get her really nice bath stuff/body lotion that are very luxury brands but less mainstream than you’d get in John Lewis, so have the sense of being more exclusive if you see what I mean?

Some sort of subscription - Audible, magazine, beauty box, flowers.

Books. Never go wrong with books!

A posh advent calendar & give it early, gin, candles, beauty etc?

I think she sounds rather wonderful.

I would second, fantastic flowers, diptych candle for something from Space NK or Liberty.

That books sounds very good.

It doesn’t sound as if you actually like her very much!! (or is it just frustration?)

What are the upmarket make up brands she likes??

I agree with the Jo Malone ideas - they're beautiful
If anyone you know is going on holiday between now and Christmas duty free often have good Jo Malone deals with nice sets for about £50 with a mini candle & diffuser or some smellies