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!

Jo Malone have a white lilac and rhubarb and,enact the moment
It’s gorgeous
Although, if they bring the grabber game out again before Christmas it may be worth waiting rather than buy the candle now

Name a star after her. Or part of the moon, buy her a title, doean cost a fortune but means she have her mail addressed to Lady whatever her name is.

That should say candle rather than the gobbledegook that’s typed above

I had a £50 liberty voucher - virtually no money in Liberty - and bought a hanging washbag in a liberty print. Probably classed as a stocking filler in there but, oh my, the best washbag I have ever had. Attractive, sturdy, practical. Actually worth the 50 quid, though I scoffed when I bought it.

If she likes expensive makeup and you know what makeup it is, could you buy her st

Stuff to the value of £50 from the makeup range

nifty gadgets like the ones mentioned are a great idea. Would she be into antiques at all? A vase or a classy 1930s brooch or something - something that's a one-off so she can't have already bought it for herself, but which she can understand is elegant and desirable. Quite often you can get extraordinary vintage things for a lot cheaper than new designer stuff.

Fingerless cashmere gloves (www.turtle-doves.co.uk/collections/cashmere-fingerless-gloves) are my go to gift for impossible to buy for people that I like and still want to get something nice for. Pretty, practical and ethical.

Download NOT ON THE HIGHSTREET app

Set your budget..

Go go go 🙈

www.turtle-doves.co.uk/collections/cashmere-fingerless-gloves Hopefully that should be a clicky link now!

I would buy her something that your sister would love (especially if she is going to regift to your sister anyway). Does she ever give you things other people have given her by the way?

I think there are some good ideas above.

In John Lewis they do Stackers jewel boxes, so you could buy her a couple of stacks now and then add stacks each year! see link www.johnlewis.com/search?search-term=stackers

RHS membership for a year is around £50 and allows entry for a guest. Not sure about English Heritage or NT, but all usually have good cafes, nice gift shops and offer members discounts on other things.
Landscape magazine is quite a good one for people who don't like magazines! It runs features about places of historical interest, traditional crafts, gardening, recipes and any other things related to what shapes our countryside.
Otherwise Jo Malone, Diptyque or Neom smelliest?

Could you add your money to your sisters and do a joint present instead?

*smellies

A Liberty gift coin which comes in a velvet bag
Smythson notebook or key fob in her initial.

Jo Loves (Jo Malone's own company - she sold Jo Malone to Ester Lauder) white roses and lemon leaves hand / body wash (Space NK sell it)

All under £50

A spa treatment?

Some half bottles of champagne?

A beautiful bunch of flowers?

A silk pillowcase. Lovely to sleep on and allegedly good for your wrinkles.

John Lewis do them.

I was going to say joint present with your sister since it sounds like there are things you know she would definitely like but above your budget.

A 3 month bloom and wild subscription

I'd do the silk pillowcase

But I came on to suggest some really posh tea.

Get a subscription to Elle decor or similar.

Some fantastic gift ideas on this thread. Thanks. Please do post more links.

Chanel does soap for about £20

The White Company do some lovely flower vases, as do John Lewis.