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!

£50 would buy a really luxurious candle, flowers or wine as mentioned.
But, what about Elemis pro collagen cleansing balm? People RAVE about it.

Personally I wouldnt want to compete so your present should be very different. eg an experience - going up the i360 in Brighton (when open!), a boat trip on the canals in Birmingham; visit to an exhibition - the V&A are the National Design Museum so do loads each year - your mum sounds interested in design and style.

Or order from Fortnum and Mason's - unusual fabulous quality. They do etas and coffees, jams, biscuits etc. The shop is worth a visit in itself to see Christmas windows.

My latest present idea around that price is a silk pillowcase, they’re £40 in John Lewis and you can get different colours, bought them for my teenage daughters and a 50 something friend, went down very well.

If she loves Yankee candles why not get her a Yankee gift set? They do lovely oil burners as well as candles

Swarovski Christmas stars - they do a different one each year so that’s you sorted for all future years if she likes them

Or a candle never goes wrong, solid silver frame?

An experience the gift from hell, they get given to a charity.

1 gift that I would like is Fortnum and Mason dark violet creams from the counter. Not that your mum would like those- just saying how specific taste can be. My DH got me the milk rose last year and he ended up eating them.

Do you get on well with your sister? If so, you could buy something you want for yourself, give it to your mum and arrange for your sister to give it back to you after it has been passed on to her.

This here 😍

Ooo, tk maxx always have Neom candles in at half the price in the autumn.

Emma Bridgewater personalised mug? with a matching non personalised one?

Jo Malone may have another give away pre Christmas and rarely sell out so wait.

The white company also sell lovely candles.

I would much rather have one nice gift than several things. Popular gifts received for under £50 include
Wild island gin.
Jo Malone candle - grapefruit, freesia and pear or bluebell are my favourites.
30ml Jo Malone perfume.
YSL nude lipstick.
A good Malbec (£20) and a box of handmade chocolates.
White company winter candle.
Vintage port.
Beautiful flowers.
Suede gloves.
Ugg slippers - on sale.

I would buy a £50 bunch of flowers.

Does she like wine?

If she says ‘surprise me’ then I doubt a candle would do it.

Materialistic people buy for a particular reason so I would avoid feeding that need and perhaps stay away from buying beauty products too because chances are you’ll not get it quite right (in her eyes). Get her something she wouldn’t buy but maybe could use.... Mag subscription is one idea. Boring maybe but it’s there. Or a luxe coffee table book.

I'd buy her an expensive bottle of Champagne. A posh brand that she will have heard of/think is appropriately designer. And if she complains I'd just tell her you're not buying for her any more but you're going to donate that money to a charity of her choice next time.

I'd buy her an expensive bottle of Champagne.

That is way over the budget of £50.

-£50 to a charity of her choice, maybe a donation to the local women’s refuge?

-For you and her to have your nails done together for a bit of bonding time?

• A nostalgic day out to your childhood haunts ie zoo, museums, posh, booze picnic (liquid lunch)

• Wine tasting

• V & A museum

• “Experience” at pottery centre making a mug etc- can actually be fun, esp after a sherry or 3!

Membership to a museum/art gallery that suits her or other organisation (national trust/RHS/local zoo etc) that goes with her interests. We’ve done this in my family a bit and it’s always been appreciated, as a member you can go to all the paid exhibits free (& take guests) and access members rooms at the museum/gallery so feels exclusive etc.

A bog standard bottle of Moët is £30 so you wouldn’t get an expensive, ‘designer’ brand of champagne for £50.

Ooh I took my mum to a gin tasting afternoon for a birthday once. She enjoyed that and it was gin-fuelled bonding time (which I guess could be good or bad depending on your relationship)

Andy Tauer soap. I like the tuberose one best. (Niche perfume house for those not familiar with the name. His perfumes themselves will be way over budget.)

Does she have a garden? How about a scented rose, or a Japanese pagoda tree?

Is it just me who is a bit horrified that she hasn't suggested you stop spending your hard earned money on her? If she can buy what she fancies, I think you should keep your cash. A token gift would be fine.

I agree Womaningreen. My dad can afford to buy anything he wants and has everything he wants/needs so just tells us not to get him anything and he’s happy just to see us on his birthday.

A book (eg the one mentioned by PP) and a lovely bottle of Taittinger champagne

Balloon ride? (It might be a bit too pricy though.)