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!

If you decide to go with a silk pillowcase, the ethical silk company’s are beautiful quality.

The packaging doesn’t do justice to the luxury of the product probably because they’re just too darn ethical to use more paper than they need to. I’d suggest printing off the about us page and slipping it inside the pillowcase

Set of nice/professional make up brushes - you can never have too many

How about this?

www.brora.co.uk/liberty-print-silk-scarf-navy-bird-ns906-fl1829

Woodwick candle that matches her decor

I am saving all the suggestions for my own Christmas shopping, but seriously- give the bloody woman a charity goat. Or, if you're feeling kind, a more targeted charity donation. Or if you're feeling unkind, one she will find potentially embarrassing, like a period poverty one. Dinner bust a gut finding her a present-she neither wants nor deserves one. A pretty little bunch of flowers or something home made to hand over on the day will do.

You describe my (no-longer-with-us) mother. I used to always get gift packs from l'occitane), tried Lush one year and was told not to waste my money!

Most popular presents in her latter years were a v posh umbrella (can't remember the brand but she was impressed) and YSL colour palette - both in the £50 region.

I have a friend who is similar and I had a similar budget, and managed to get her a nice Ted Baker make up bag for her nice make-up to go in.

I agree that small but expensive might be the way to go here, so either a designer lipstick or hand cream type thing, or small but classy item of clothing like luxury gloves or a silk scarf.

Failing that a spa voucher.

As a last ditch attempt could you go halves on something with your sister that you know she would like?

Chanel compact mirror and lipstick.

Sounds stressful.

Something personalised with her name on? She won’t be able to pass it onto your sister then

I'd go with expensive hand wash and hand cream set - Aesop is very nice.

Alternatively, you could give her the body cream that matches her favourite perfume.

The Daily Mail yesterday had a list of beauty must haves that have huge waiting lists. Would any of those do?

I'd just say: " Mum please give me an idea of what to buy you for Christmas, sadly we don't have much to spend on presents this year but I feel stressed trying to find something that you'll like or use so I'd rather give you something you like than surprise you with something you don't!"

Or ask to contribute to your sister's present?

Ref the Turtle Doves fingerless cashmere gloves I'd been converting these for a while on Facebook so bought two pairs when they introduced the special offer price of £19 each inc postage and packing and been really pleased with the lucky dip colours, a bright red and a beautiful green/blue. I was fearful of sludgy brown colours as I thought they'd offload the ones that didn't sell. They feel lovely too, almost looking forward to winter in the freezing classroom I'm forced to work in I was going to give one pair away as a Christmas present but not sure I can bear to part with them!

I've bought some too Des off the back of this thread!
Very pleased with them

A rain coat or some nice pjs, a lovely notebook.

Even though she likes pricey things a few cheapo gifts might be ok. My mum only wears designer but I've bought her things from cheaper shops like a soft cardigan and some boots and she wears the cardigan when gardening and loves it and wears the boots to go on muddy walks.

Mabey try your luck with cheaper shops and surprise her!

This sounds hard. Something from etsy - earrings, scarf (as said earlier), trinket box, lunch out (or something) with you, subscription to something? Cinema tickets?

Vouchers if she likes shopping so much

A Charlie body spray from semi-chem and a freddo

Someone has already suggested Harris gin which was my first thought. They also do amazing glasses (tumblers and martini) that are very beautiful.

Or have a look at Johnsons Cashmere or Knockando Woolmill for luxury woven items. A pair of cashmere socks is a wonderful gift.

Any local artists? £50 might get you a photograph or a candlestick or a nice piece of pottery. Only buy if they're genuinely good though. Anything that looks homemade is definitely out.

I’m in love with this thread. Making my own list as we speak!

Massager pillow?

Does she have a Pandora bracelet? My daughter bought me a 'mum' charm to go on mine which I thought was lovely. Or if not, maybe your sister could buy the bracelet (think they start at £70), and then you could buy her a charm. (Think they can start from £25 upwards) and there are so many to chose from.

She sounds like an ungrateful nightmare !

Definitely a charity donation. She won't appreciate it but at least the charity will.

Think I’ll bookmark this for inspiration! Though not for my mum, she’s easy... bottle of bubbly, every time!