Christmas gifts for 24/25 year old DCs

[MariaWaria]

DS and DD are 24 and 25. Neither lives at home. In their first jobs; not got much spare cash but not exactly struggling. They seem to have everything they need and want. Any ideas? Would spend about £100 on each, not necessarily on one present. Don't want to give vouchers or cash as want them to have presents to open. Ideas anyone?

DD1 is 23 and living with her boyfriend. I'm thinking along the lines of:

some better quality towels than she'd buy herself and some 'nice' bubble bath, a couple of face masks, plus a candle and a book (or three)

good coffee and tea

a cookery book plus some olive oil and balsamic vinegar

gin!

Fitbit
Echo dot
Electric toothbrush
Good pans
Fancy mugs
Camera
Fire pit

I'm a bit older, but would be chuffed if I received these 😆

What about something for home entertaining like some recipe books and ingredients, cocktail making kit or a cooking lesson. When I first moved out of home, I didn't have a lot of money to go out, so we had people over.

What about something for home entertaining like some recipe books and ingredients, cocktail making kit or a cooking lesson. When I first moved out of home, I didn't have a lot of money to go out, so we had people over.

At that age, why not do them a stocking each? You could easily make up to £100.

DD - bathbombs (I would pick bodyshop over lush, they are £1.50 and individually wrapped so are good presents)
Fluffy socks
PJ's
Face masks (you can get the sheet face mask sachets)
A bubble bath, I would again probably buy from body shop
Bottle of alcohol
And a living social voucher for a meal for two at a local restaurant

DS - aftershave? Do you know a brand he uses?
Deodorant sets
Similar items to DD like socks alcohol etc

I would be made up with lots of little items, ooh and chocolate!

Mainly cause as an adult I get hardly any gifts

I’m 26 and I’ve asked for a coat (a good winter one) and some decent boots and also a new oven dish (like a le Creuset one). All stuff I couldn’t afford for myself really. My MIL also does us a hamper full of food and goodies which normally we wouldn’t be able to afford which we look forward too every year.

I’d have thought one good thing as it’s possible to buy yourself little bits. You could ask them what they’d like!

DD1 is 24. She is getting a ticket for a play she wants to see and a handbag. I'm also planning to get her a National Trust membership closer to Christmas - she's a history teacher and loves mooching round on her rare free afternoons.

I would recommend that you get one big thing rather than lots of little things. At that age I hated the fact my mom bought me lots of little bits that I didn't really need but could have easily bought for myself. Buying one thing that adds up to £85 and topping up with little things is much nicer I think.

Ask them what they actually want, don't just guess!

How about a nice apron for the girl and a pipe and slippers for the boys? Always went down well in my day.

Just cash, honestly.

Or as said above- ask them and get one thing

You said that you want to do a stocking full of bits- giving is about the receiver, not the giver- what would they want?

I’m 26 and would love a new coat or nice boots as they’re not really things I have disposable income for but do need. My mum always gets my pjs/slippers etc and then my husbands parents get us each something we have asked for and then a house related hit that we wouldn’t usually be able to afford. They call it our “crapmas” gift but is usually something very useful like cookware, towels etc

I'd definitely agree with one big thing rather than lots of little trinkets. They take up space and honestly, I'd rather choose a bath bomb etc myself. Just seems a waste.

I love the suggestions of towels, pots/pans, cutlery, plates and fancy candles. When I moved out these were all things I'd have loved.

Just give them the money so they can choose what they want rather than inflicting your inevitable different home decorating taste on them

My kids are 25-36 and they get £100 each plus a few little things - mainly because I never know what to get them.

My brother's kids are older (37-44) & I can remember him giving eg £100 Ikea vouchers.

Yes, cash/vouchers are a bit boring but they don't seem to mind

I'm similar age. Money or vouchers are super safe. Ugg slippers are something nobody wants to buy but loves to receive! Anything jo malone, again something you just don't really buy yourself. Hmmm...got me going now. I got a huuuge white company dressing gown which I was a bit like meh, but actually I live in it. Starbucks/Costa vouchers useful too. I can't really help you with your son, they're a pain to buy for. Aftershave fail safe. Is girl into make up/jewellery?

Mine are now 30s, so a bit more established, but over the years we have done prectical presents:

DSD & her DH = building up their Le Creuset range this year, though last few years money. They both have a birthday near Christmas alongside, so we normally do a joint pressie of a night way in a nice spa hotel (minus kids)

DSS = stuff for his house, as he's only just bought. Think kitchen table, new pans etc. Prior to that was always money or/and alcohol!

I still do them all stockings full of pens, daft trinkets, choccies, bath bombs, face packs, etc.

Shocking typos in there ^^ sorry, the phone was going!

If they are in their first jobs can you get them something related? For example a good laptop bag, or ipad case, or 'man bag', or something that suits their actual job (e.g DSS is a technical draughtsman, we once got him some specialist drawing stuff).

I would suggest giving them the cash so they can chose something extravagant for themselves. I would then do a little stocking of little bits so they have something to unwrap.

My two still want presents, not cash - although we usually get them a coffee shop voucher and/or a restaurant voucher as one of the presents.

Nice cookware a good idea. Ditto 'nice' slippers.

You said that you want to do a stocking full of bits- giving is about the receiver, not the giver- what would they want?

Truely I didn't actually mention a stocking, but I think your comment sums up what I need to do. As others have said, find out what they want which may well be cash.

I agree with others that you should ASK your adult children what they would like, or give cash. £100 is a lot of money to spend on something they may not really want. The same with stockings, I love making a stocking full of presents for my DS but, although he was always polite & said thank you, I realised that most of the gifts were left unused/unopened ... I was doing the stocking because it gave me pleasure . So this year I actually asked him, 'do you really want a stocking?' and he said no thanks.

@MariaWaria that's tickled me, my brothers wouldn't happily not receive a stocking where as I LOVE my stocking. My mum fills it with my fave lipsticks/liners/a necklace or a charm for my bracelet/bath bomb/face mask/terrys choccy orange/ck knickers. Oh I'm all excited now!

Fashionista101 I'd love a stocking too